A Promise Between Friends (11 page)

‘Think nothing of it.’ Anna held her close again. ‘We must be grateful for your timely escape. I’ll have Janet put out some fresh clothes for you and make sure you are
comfortable.’

Ruby listened to Anna’s comforting words but fear began to creep in. Was Anna just being polite and pretending to believe her? He was, after all, someone she had known for some time.

Ruby looked away. ‘After last night, I don’t think I’m cut out for the agency.’

Anna took her hands. ‘Don’t let one ghastly experience upset you.’

‘I might attract the wrong type.’

‘What nonsense! Charles is to blame here. Not you. I’ll make certain you have an apology.’

‘I never want to see him again.’

‘Listen, tomorrow you’ll feel much better. Last night’s incident was regrettable but not insurmountable. I assure you that you will recover given a few days of rest.’

Ruby sniffed. She still wasn’t certain what Anna really thought of her. Charles could easily say that it was she, Ruby, who had led him on.

‘Enough for now,’ Anna said, helping her to her feet. ‘Let’s not think about last night. I want to see you looking ravishing again and dressed in something other than
men’s clothes.’ She smiled encouragingly. ‘We’ll go upstairs and Janet will help you change. After which, I’ll make up your face so well that no one will see the
bruises. Then I’ll join you in a light lunch. How does that sound?’

Ruby nodded. Anna was sympathetic and kind. But what was she really thinking?

Ruby was still very unsure of the situation as she waited for Janet to join her upstairs. Did Anna really still want her for the agency? Only time would tell, Ruby decided, putting her hand up
to her sore face.

Ruby sighed and looked around. This room was so beautiful. Pale winter sunshine flooded in from the tall windows. The polished wood sparkled, the walls gleamed. Even the smell of the room was
luxurious. She didn’t want to forfeit all this because of one night’s bad experience.

Well, not entirely bad, she corrected herself. She had made a friend in Nick. He had told her he would see her again if she wanted.

And yes, she wanted – very much indeed.

It was Christmas morning and Bernie lifted the PLA grain sack out of the car. He swung it as he sang an old Perry Como number, ‘Frosty The Snowman’, and opened the
creaking ground-floor door to the stairs leading up to Kath’s.

He was in a good mood, as the sack was stuffed with presents. He was wearing his best navy suit, white shirt and dark tie to celebrate the most unseasonal Christmas he could ever remember. Dry,
mild and overcast, it was more like a spring day. As usual at Christmas, he’d put on a silly red hat and done his impression of Santa to all who cared to listen. His audience being the blokes
at work, his landlord, his mates down the pub on Christmas Eve and now, hopefully, Kath and Ruby.

As he mounted the stairs to the bedsit, he thought guiltily what a dump this place was. Well, next year he was thinking of buying a new gaff. It wouldn’t be luxury, not by a long shot. But
he’d seen a two-up, two-down over Chrisp Street. And if Kath was up for it, he could do it up and see her all right. As for Ruby, she was Kath’s best mate. He’d look out for her
too if she let him. But Ruby had a mind of her own, always had had. Still, if Pete would want anything from him, it would be to watch over his kid sister. But Bernie knew he’d blown it with
Ruby all those years ago. When they’d fooled around in the alley it had been the death knell to their friendship. What the hell had he been thinking? He knew he was to blame. He was just so
nuts about her he couldn’t stop himself. Ruby had been willing enough, but it had been her first time. He’d wanted to make her his steady girlfriend. But Pete would have blown his top
if he’d found out. They’d both known that. So that was the end of a beautiful friendship, as the old song says.

Puffing, Bernie paused on the landing. The radio he’d given Kath for her birthday was playing loudly. He recognized the voice of Bing Crosby singing ‘White Christmas’ and his
thoughts turned to Christmases of the past. Well, for him and Kath, they weren’t Christmases, were they? They were bloody nightmares. Staying anywhere close to home was asking for trouble.
Their dad was always on a bender in the holidays. Come to think of it, he was out of his skull the whole year round. Boozing began the moment he woke up to the time he blacked out. Woe betide
anyone within arm’s reach; man, woman or child. Their mum always ended up the worst off. No wonder she did a bunk. Well, wherever the old man had washed up these days, Bernie hoped he’d
found his own private hell.

With a start, he came back to reality and the drab surroundings that were frighteningly like the slum they’d existed in as kids. Yeah, next on the list was the two-up, two-down terrace,
ideal for himself and his sister.

He hiked the sack over his shoulder more firmly, cleared his throat and prepared to shout out his seasonal greetings.

Ruby and Kath were in the kitchen, or at least one of them was, Ruby thought as she recalled Janet’s large workspace at Anna’s. Fitted out with all the mod cons you
could think of and a dining table large enough to seat six people easily. Leaving behind her the cramped and dingy bedsit was going to be no hardship at all in exchange for that gorgeous room at
Anna’s.

But what was Kath going to do, if she left? Kath probably wouldn’t eat at all, knowing Kath. But it would be Bernie’s responsibility then to see that she didn’t starve, Ruby
told herself firmly.

She took hold of the pan of boiled potatoes. No matter how much she tried to convince herself that she was entitled to a life of her own, she still had a guilty conscience.

‘Tip the potatoes into the dish, there,’ Kath said through the steam that billowed up into a thick cloud and soaked into the airless walls. ‘It’s cracked on the rim so be
careful. I’ll arrange the chicken bits. The carrots you sliced are cooked and on the table.’

Ruby nodded, trying to avoid both the steam and the sharp chip on the china. She couldn’t afford to cut herself now. Her hands had to look perfectly manicured for her first assignment
directly after New Year. Her black eye had soon faded with help from Anna’s make-up. And much to Ruby’s delight, she was going to be modelling the new type of figure-hugging
‘roll-ons’ in a small boutique. Ruby had been flattered too, by the fact that she had been chosen for her curves, whereas the other girls had been too thin.

‘Practise over Christmas,’ Anna had instructed her. ‘When you pause, straighten your back and place your hands lightly on your hips. Put one leg across the other, foot turned
out. This allows the buyers to see the garments at their best. And last of all, tuck in your tummy and chin up.’

Thinking of Anna’s advice, Ruby straightened her spine as she tipped the steaming potatoes into the dish and carried them to the small table. Modelling wasn’t quite so easy when you
were cooking!

Three places were laid, since Bernie was joining them. She wasn’t looking forward to seeing him; the atmosphere between her and Bernie was still tense. Besides, she wanted time with Kath
to break her news.

‘So what do you think of my dress?’ Kath was standing beside her, looking intently into her face. ‘Penny gave it to me. We’re about the same size.’

Ruby came out of her reverie. Gone were Kath’s worn apron and turban. Her long straight black hair was shining and pulled back behind her head. The deep blue colour of the dress suited
her. ‘It’s very pretty.’

‘Blue looked lovely on Penny. I’m not sure about me.’

Ruby smiled. She was pleased Kath had made a friend in Penny Webber who was always talking about her apprenticeship as a dancer at the Windmill.

‘Ruby?’ Kath hesitated.

‘What?’

‘Nothing. It doesn’t matter.’

‘Have I forgotten something?’ Ruby glanced at the table she had set: cold chicken slices so thin you could see the plate underneath. Slightly grey, boiled spuds and carrots she had
sliced a little too thickly to compensate for the chicken. For decoration she had added holly, a few sprigs from the bush that grew in the lane by the Bricklayer’s. The dinner was nothing by
comparison to the celebratory meal Janet had begun planning for Anna’s guests on Christmas Day. But next year, Ruby had decided, would be very different to this.

‘No, the table looks very nice. So do you.’

As the weather was mild, Ruby had chosen a blouse and plain black skirt. She hadn’t dolled herself up as it was only Bernie who was coming. She couldn’t wait for the new year to
arrive and the promise of all that glamour and luxury at Anna’s.

The knock at the door along with Bernie’s familiar, ‘Yo-ho-ho, let me in. Santa’s brought the gin!’

Ruby and Kath laughed. For all their ups and downs, Ruby knew this would be their last Christmas together and one she would always remember.

Kath delivered her news. Bernie stared in disbelief at his sister.

‘You’re kidding me!’ he exclaimed as they sat together after dinner. ‘You’re going to quit your job?’

‘I’ve given in me notice.’

‘Without telling me?’ He didn’t know how to hide his hurt feelings. His little sister, chucking in her job, without even consulting him!

‘I thought you’d be pleased.’

‘Do you realize what you’ve done? You’ve chucked in a sound job.’

‘I’ve been making tents and tarpaulins since I left school, Bernie.’

‘My point exactly.’ Bernie turned his gaze on Ruby. ‘And what part do you play in all this? Have I got you to thank for putting me sister up to this?’

‘Ruby don’t know, either,’ Kath interrupted. ‘I haven’t told no one.’

‘So what is your master plan?’ Bernie heard himself demand. ‘You can’t even manage on the money you earn at the factory.’

‘I know,’ Kath answered shortly. ‘But all that’s about to change.’

‘And pigs might fly,’ Bernie retorted, pushing his plate away. ‘Listen, this is a major development, Kath. I’m your brother. We discuss things, right? Like we always do.
I can’t believe you’ve been so bloody stupid.’

Kath straightened her back. ‘My friend Penny, who I met at Larry’s party, works at the Windmill. She’s got me a job as an usherette.’

Bernie almost choked. ‘You must be crazy! You know what the Windmill is, don’t you? The women all dance around starkers. And then get raided by the fuzz.’

‘You’re quite wrong, Bernie,’ Kath argued. ‘I’ve done my homework. They are completely law-abiding. That’s how they’ve kept open all these
years.’

Bernie felt the breath leave his body as he thought he must be going bonkers. This was his little sister and she was telling him she’d got a job in a glorified knocking shop.

‘I’ve watched a performance and spoken to the girls,’ Kath continued. ‘My interview was successful and Penny has asked me to move in with her—’ She stopped
and looked apologetically at Ruby. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean it all to come out like this. I wanted to talk to you first.’

Bernie stared disbelievingly at his sister, then looked at Ruby who for once was silent. For a Christmas Day this was turning out to be a right balls-up. And when he’d walked in here this
morning, he was going to deliver his own news, about the Chrisp Street terrace and a fresh start for him and Kath in the new year. All the bells and whistles he could think of to put a smile on her
face.

‘Think again, Kath,’ he tried reasonably. ‘Ruby, tell her she can’t. You’re her best mate. Tell her she’s flaming crackers!’

But Ruby just sat there, her mouth slightly open.

‘I’ve made up me mind,’ his sister told him. ‘I don’t want to stay at the factory till I’m old and grey.’

‘The factory has been good to you, gel.’

‘Yes, and I’ve been good to it. I’ve shed blood, sweat and tears on the assembly line and never had any thanks.’

Bernie shook his head wearily. ‘Well, in that case, I’ll leave you two to discuss your grand plans for the future. Me? I’m off to find one of me mates and try to celebrate the
happy season.’

He stood up, reached for his coat and slung it round his shoulders. ‘Merry Christmas to one and all,’ he said as he opened the door and closed it with a bang.

He hurried down the stairs and out onto the street but, before he’d got very far, his steps slowed and he stood in the mild evening, looking up at the star-filled sky. As he stared at the
brightness, his anger cooled. The air soothed his confused feelings and the silence of the Christmas night with not even the sound of a distant ship’s hooter was a balm to the upheaval inside
him.

He had to admit that he had been caught on the hop tonight. Kath had sprung one on him. But he should have held his tongue and thought it through before reading her the riot act. She was
entitled to make a change in her life if that was what she wanted. He couldn’t protect her forever. She was beginning to live her life. Who was he, Bernie-bloody-nobody, to throw a damper on
it?

‘Well, that was a turn-up for the books,’ Ruby said after Bernie had gone.

‘I’m sorry,’ Kath said. ‘I hope you don’t mind.’

‘You certainly gave us a Christmas surprise.’

‘I hope I’m doing the right thing.’

Ruby smiled. ‘An usherette’s job sounds exciting to me.’

‘Penny says it’s a good way to get into the chorus line.’

‘You’ve certainly got the legs for a dancer.’ Ruby would never have guessed that Kath would be the one to move out of the bedsit first. And with a job lined up too.

‘I was going to tell you after Christmas, but the wine must have gone to my head.’

‘Well, I wish you luck. You deserve it.’

‘I don’t want us to split up.’

‘We’ll never do that.’

‘We can meet at the El Cabala. I can tell you all about me exciting new job and not all the boring news from a factory.’

Ruby was very impressed. ‘Are you nervous?’

‘I’m dead scared really.’

Ruby giggled. ‘It was a laugh seeing Bernie’s face.’

‘Yes,’ Kath agreed, stifling a grin. ‘He’ll come round. He always does in the end. But Bernie’s always been me big brother who knows best.’

‘Like Pete was mine,’ Ruby mused.