Bringing herself back to the conversation, Ruby continued her tale. ‘And the girls were all nice to me. Some of them invited me out on Friday for a drink after work. Can I go, Mum?’
‘Course you can, darlin’,’ Louie cut in after seeing his wife’s frown, ‘but promise us you won’t stay too long. Just be friendly, ’ave one drink, and come ’ome.’
‘Thanks, Dad,’ Ruby said, loving their protectiveness. It didn’t feel stifling. She knew how lucky she was to have their care and concern.
CHAPTER 6
Four weeks in and Ruby was loving work. The computers weren’t half as difficult as she’d feared, and though the girls were much posher, they’d all been kind to Ruby. But each evening instead of looking forward to getting home, she dreaded running the gauntlet of locals eager to see the back of any Murphy. The slurs against her and her family weighed heavily on Ruby’s young shoulders and she knew she had to do something about the situation. She gathered all her courage and went to knock at Sarah’s door again. This time, her friend opened it.
‘You’re not welcome ’ere,’ Sarah said sharply.
‘I know I’m not, but you ’ave to believe me when I say it wasn’t me, or any of my family. We would never grass. You’ve known us for ever. You can’t believe we’d do this to ya. Look, please meet me tomorrow. I’ve had my first pay check and I’ll treat ya to pie ’n’ mash . . .’
This was Sarah’s favourite treat. She saw her friend mull it over, hoping against hope that Sarah would give in.
‘All right. I’ll meet ya at Kelly’s tomorrow lunchtime,’ was all she said before slamming the door shut. Despite this, Ruby could’ve shouted with happiness at the prospect of seeing her again.
The next day, Ruby had a quick mooch around Roman Road Market in Bow, before heading to Kelly’s, their favourite pie ’n’ mash shop. Sarah was inside already, waiting for her, so Ruby ordered the full works for both of them, including hot eels that quivered on their plates. There was an awkward silence as she sat down opposite Sarah. Neither said a word.
It was Ruby who broke the silence. ‘Look, it wasn’t us. I swear it on my mum’s life. Whatever people are sayin’, it weren’t us. You’re my best friend, I’d never grass on ya.’
Sarah nodded. Eventually she replied, ‘Oh, Ruby, I know it couldn’t be you, but I were just so upset and everyone was sayin’ stuff and . . .’
Ruby sighed. The weight pressing down on her lifted. She smiled at her friend, noting she looked thinner these days, a bit unkempt.
‘It’s OK. I understand. How’s things at home?’ Ruby said as their food was placed in front of them. She watched as Sarah ploughed into the food ravenously, looking like she hadn’t had a square meal for a while.
‘Not great,’ replied Sarah through a mouthful of food. ‘With Dad gone, and my brother bein’ a lazy tosser, it’s down to me and Mum to bring in the cash. Mum’s had to go back to shopliftin’ and I’m doin’ a bit of this and that. You know, bit of thievin’, bit of dippin’ . . .’
Ruby tried to smile back at her friend but she couldn’t. She was worried Sarah would go the same way as her parents. Her mum Julie had been in and out of prison for years before meeting Sarah’s dad, Mike. She’d been nicked flogging stolen designer baby clothes to an undercover copper and ended up in Holloway. And Sarah’s brother Alan, he’d been in trouble since he was knee-high to a grasshopper.
Sarah continued to chew as she spoke, her large gold hoop earrings swaying as she ate. Her hair was pulled up into a scrunchie but it looked unwashed and she wasn’t wearing her customary make-up.
‘Yeah, so we’re skint. Mum’ll end up banged up again, and Alan’s useless. So, what’s new, Rube? I’ve ’eard you’re workin’ up the West End now?’
‘Yes, and I’m hopin’ this is the start of better things, Sar. You should see ’em. All posh, sitting at their computers, orderin’ Gucci, Chanel, you name it. And I’m part of it. I want to make a go of it, I want to do well. Maybe I could keep an eye out for ya, let ya know if they have a job goin’. Imagine the two of us workin’ in the West End,’ Ruby said, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
Sarah looked up from her plate and as their eyes met, she hesitated for a moment, then said, ‘That’s not likely for me. You’ve got everythin’, Rube, and if anyone can make a go of it straight, then it’s you.’
‘What d’ya mean, Sar? If I can do it, you can.’
‘But I can’t. Listen, there’s somethin’ ya don’t know about me, and I ain’t told no one about this. I was born in Holloway. I’m a prison baby; I even had a bloody prison number. If that ain’t a bad enough start, my dad’s banged up for blaggin’. Your posh bint’s not goin’ to offer a job to the likes of me. I ain’t got no chance, Rube. Don’t matter what I do, there’s no out for the likes of me.’
Ruby cradled her Coke, not sure what to say. She’d known Sarah all her life, but this was
