Ruby

‘Tell me about your phone call – unless it’s private, of course?’ Johnnie asked once they were all seated at the table with tea and cake in front of them. Ruby looked cautiously at Betty, unsure of her.

‘It’s OK, our Betty’s the soul of discretion, aren’t you Bet?’

‘Of course I am. I don’t gossip me, but I’m not nosy either, so I’ll go and find something to do if you want me out of the way.’

‘No, it’s OK’, Ruby interrupted quickly. ‘I wanted to ring the people where I was evacuated to but I left home without my purse. I’ve got the money at home but if I go back then I mightn’t get out again. My brother …’ she stopped. ‘I mean, my mother …’

‘It’s all right,’ Johnnie interrupted. ‘Betty knows all about your brothers.’

‘Arthur’s OK,’ she said defensively. ‘He just follows the others. He’s a bit slow – Mum always says he was born with the cord tied round his neck – and even Bobbie would be better if he wasn’t around Ray all the time. Anyway, I had my birthday, and Mr and Mrs Wheaton didn’t even send a card. I don’t understand it. I haven’t heard from them since I got back and I’m worried something’s happened.’

Johnnie and Betty exchanged looks.

‘What?’ Ruby looked from one to the other. ‘Do you know something?’

‘No, don’t know anything, but I can make a bloody good guess,’ Johnnie said.

‘Don’t use bad language in front of ladies, thank you very much, John. You weren’t brought up to do that.’ Betty glared at him fiercely.

‘Sorry, sis.’ He looked from his sister to Ruby. ‘Just wondering if your brother has possibly been nicking your letters.’

‘He wouldn’t do that.’ But as soon as she spoke the words Ruby realised what she’d said, and laughed. ‘Of course he would. I wonder why I never thought of that.’

‘Because you’re not a lying scheming piece of scum like Ray. Sorry, but I have to say it as it is.’

Ruby frowned. At times she hated her brothers but she still felt a certain sibling loyalty and Johnnie’s rhetoric made her feel uncomfortable. She waited for Betty to intervene again but she didn’t.

‘I tell you what, Ruby Red, how about next week I take you to see them? We could go on my motorbike. It shouldn’t take long if I put my foot down – an easy run, almost a straight line, I reckon.’

Ruby caught the glare of disapproval that Betty Dalton flashed at her brother.

‘Ruby’s family wouldn’t approve of you taking her down to the High Street on that old boneshaker, let alone all that way, and quite rightly. You can’t go upsetting them with something like that. It’s none of our business and it’s not right.’

‘I could borrow a car. Bill Morgan would lend me his, if I asked nicely. I’m in his good books at the moment.’

‘Bill Morgan? You know what I think of him,’ Betty snapped. ‘And what about petrol? Where will you get that, or daren’t I ask? I’m telling you, John, you bring trouble to this door and you’ll know about it. Just you remember that.’

‘OK, OK, we’ll go by train. How about that?’

Betty stared at her brother for a few moments. Then, without giving an answer, she stood up and walked out of the room, shaking her head.

‘Sorry; all my fault, that. I shouldn’t have said it in front of her; what the eye don’t see the heart don’t grieve over. She’s very upright and righteous, is our Betty, but she’s got a heart of gold underneath it all.’ Johnnie pulled a face. ‘But I mean it. I’ll take you if you want, but the train is probably best. I’ve never been further than Wanstead Flats on the bike since I got it.’

Ruby laughed. ‘The train would be best. It’s a long way, and anyway, I have to ring them first and see if they still want to see me.’

‘They’ll want to see you. I bet any money you like your Ray’s been playing at postman.’

Johnnie Riordan stood up, dipped into his trouser pocket and pulled out a handful of coins. After a quick glance at the money in his palm he took Ruby’s hand and pressed the coins into it.

‘That should be plenty. Do you want me to come with you?’

‘Would you? But I don’t want us to be seen. Ray’s been worse lately and I don’t want to ask for any more trouble than I’ve got already.’

‘Go to the phone box at the top end of the High Street and I’ll meet you there. I’ll give you a head start and I’ll use the back alleyway.’ He laughed and touched her hand. ‘I could pull my hat forward and turn up the old collar like they do in the films. I’m really good at not being seen!’

Ruby smiled in return. ‘Yes, I expect you are,’ she said.

Seven