The Locksmith by Linda Calvey (reading in the dark .TXT) 📕

she leapt up and made a run to catch the call. ‘Ruby speakin’. Oh, Maureen, it’s you. How are ya? How’s your mum?’

The voice at the other end of the phone broke down.

‘Oh my God, I’m so sorry, Maureen that’s tragic. What can I do to help ya?’ Ruby said, holding the receiver to her ear. Her friend’s mother had died suddenly after a second, fatal, heart attack. ‘Do you want me to come back? I can help with arrangements. You’ll need a friend there . . .’ Tears had sprung to Ruby’s eyes. It reminded her of her mum’s last hours and how it all happened so quickly in the end.

‘No, darlin’. That’s very kind of ya but you stay there,’ Maureen sniffed. ‘I’ll be all right, I promise. I don’t want ya to spoil your holiday.’

Reluctantly, Ruby agreed to stay, but the day was soured and she struggled with the echo of her own tragic losses, and worry for her friend.

‘Come on, George, let’s go and get ice cream. We ’ave to find a way to cheer ourselves up.’

Her tear-stained face hidden by designer sunglasses, Ruby headed out with George. It was late morning and the shops were already starting to shut for the long afternoon siesta when suddenly, a familiar, handsome face appeared.

‘Ruby?’ Archie said, a slow smile spreading across his face as he recognised her.

She wasn’t sure why but she gasped, then felt utterly foolish.

‘Everythin’ OK?’ He seemed to sense her distress.

She tried to reply but suddenly felt tears welling up. She was going to blub and make even more of a fool of herself.

‘You’re not OK, are ya? What’s happened?’ His voice was gentle. He was a virtual stranger yet he seemed to care. He took her elbow and steered her towards the café where Alfie was sitting.

‘Hello, darlin’, good to see ya . . .’ Alfie’s voice trailed off as he caught Archie’s expression.

‘Can we ’elp ya?’ Alfie added.

Ruby calmed her breathing and felt the tears pass. The strange thing was that she didn’t feel stupid. She could see both men were actually concerned.

Just then George started to wiggle in his buggy, making it clear he wanted to get out. Without a word, Archie leaned over, unstrapped him and put him on his knee, as naturally as if he was the little boy’s own father.

Alfie laughed his throaty, tobacco laugh. ‘Don’t get too comfortable, bruv, or you’ll be next.’

Archie looked scornfully at his twin. ‘And I’d count myself lucky. Family is everythin’, you know that. Now, sit down, Ruby, and tell us what’s happened.’

Ruby did as she was told. She sat down and started to speak. Somehow she found herself telling them about Cathy’s death, how Maureen’s mum had brought back painful memories, and how sad she was not to be able to help her friend.

Neither Archie nor Alfie said a word until she stopped talking. They weren’t like other men, butting in, taking over the conversation. They both just listened.

When she’d finished Archie nodded. ‘D’ya want me to get you a flight home? I can do that, no problem.’

Ruby caught sight of that watch again, the one which cost tens of thousands of pounds and wondered, not for the first time, who this man really was.

She shook her head. ‘We fly back in a week, honestly it’s fine. Maureen said to stay and I know she’d be heartbroken if she thought she’d ended our holiday.’

‘All right. Let me buy ya lunch, then I’ll run ya home. If you want I can make a call and get that flight, if ya change your mind.’

‘Oi, waiter, menus, por favor.’ Alfie’s terrible grasp of the Spanish language made Ruby giggle, and they all burst out laughing. George grinned, happy to see his sister’s good cheer.

‘How would you like another ice cream, eh?’ Archie grinned down at the little boy who commanded Ruby’s heart. She sat back in her chair, watching the two men. She saw straightaway that Archie was the more refined of the brothers. Alfie was harder, rougher, even. He had a tattoo poking out from his shirt sleeve and he chain-smoked fags. Archie was better groomed. He looked calmer, more in control than Alfie, who had a wildness about him that she sensed.

They ate lunch, Ruby learning more about their dad Lloyd, who brought them up.

‘Mum died when we was six, we never really knew her. I only know her face from photos,’ Archie said sipping from his cold bottle of beer.

‘Dad did everythin’ for us, everythin’,’ Alfie added, making Archie nod in agreement.

‘He must be a very special person. It must take somethin’ to bring up two young boys like he did. My Grandad Jim brought up my dad Louie by himself. His wife, who I’m named after, died givin’ birth to him. Times were hard but he refused to give up my dad,’ Ruby said.

‘He sounds pretty special too,’ Archie smiled.

Was it her or did her heart race as he looked at her?

‘I really must go,’ she stammered, getting up too fast and almost knocking their beers over.

‘’Ave we offended ya?’ Alfie said gruffly.

‘No, not at all, I just ’ave to go now,’ Ruby said.

Archie stood up. ‘Wait ’ere. I’ll get the car. I’ll be two minutes.’

‘No, really, it’s no trouble to walk . . .’ Ruby’s voice trailed off as she saw Archie’s determination. He strode off, leaving her alone with Alfie who coughed nervously and lit another fag.

‘I ’ope ya feel better,’ he said awkwardly as a brand new Porsche stopped at the roadside. ‘’Ere’s your ride,’ he said, and Ruby was left with no choice but to get into the car. Archie was already packing in the buggy while George opened his arms to be lifted up to sit with Ruby in the front seat.

‘It’ll only take a minute, we’re close by. George’ll be fine,’ she said.

They arrived at the villa gates. ‘Drop me ’ere, thanks Archie,’ Ruby said, and she meant it.

‘It’s no trouble. Look, if ya need anythin’, ya call me. If I