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

don’t hear from ya then I’ll be ’ere in a week to take you and George to the airport.’

Ruby tried to tell him they could call a cab but he waved away her words. ‘I want to ’elp ya. I don’t expect nuthin’ in return, just your company for the journey,’ he said sweetly.

She stood and watched as the Porsche drove away wondering how on earth she’d managed to meet a man who, for all the world, appeared to be a gentleman.

You can’t go out with him though, Ruby, she thought to herself, because you’re a crook and you can’t be with someone straight, however lovely. The realisation made her sad, but it was a fact. She couldn’t bring a ‘normal’ into her life, it was too much of a risk, there was too much at stake and he’d never understand her lifestyle. She tried to put him from her mind, hard as it was, yet those blue eyes that seemed to have seen her, seen who she really was under the designer clothes and flash sunglasses, just kept creeping back.

CHAPTER 23

She heard him before she saw him. The purr of the car’s engine signalled his arrival, exactly when he said he’d be there. As the week had progressed, and she’d heard nothing more from Archie, she’d decided that despite his sincerity, it was probably the last she’d see of him. Men always made promises, but did they keep them?

She’d managed to put his good looks out of her mind, concentrating on spending time with George and enjoying what was left of their holiday, though she was glad to be returning so she could support Maureen and attend her mother’s funeral.

She’d been on the point of calling a cab to get to the airport when the Porsche arrived. As Archie stepped out, he smiled and the sight of him, so gentle, so like her own dad in many ways, made her heart leap inside her. Perhaps some men do mean what they say? she thought as she watched him.

‘Hello Ruby, I made it,’ Archie said, opening his car door for her. He smiled as if he knew she’d suspected he wouldn’t show up. ‘I put a car seat in the back for George. Hope that’s OK?’ he said, making Ruby blush as she nodded her head. His thoughtfulness had caught her off-guard.

‘Thank you,’ was all Ruby could say. This man seemed to know what she was thinking even as she thought it.

They arrived at the airport early and it was then that Archie turned to Ruby as they sat in the car.

‘Listen, I know I come across as a bit of a ladies’ man at times, I overdo it, but I mean it when I say that I like ya, Ruby, and I want to call on ya when we get back to England.’

Ruby sighed even as a small thrill of pleasure sounded through her. ‘Archie, look, I can’t be with ya. Our lives are . . . well, it’s hard to explain, but they’re too different . . .’

She was surprised to see Archie smile.

‘Are they? I don’t think so, Ruby Murphy . . .’

‘How did ya know my name?’ she felt startled. Was he some kind of stalker?

Her expression made Archie laugh out loud. ‘I’m not a stalker, if that’s what you’re thinkin’. Listen, I know Charlie Beaumont. I know that’s his villa I took ya to the other day. I was even hopin’ to put some work your bruvver’s way when we get back. In fact, I’d already had a word with Charlie before meetin’ ya. It didn’t take much to work out who you were.’

Ruby was taken aback, but only momentarily. ‘So who are you?’ she said simply.

‘My dad is Lloyd Willson. He’s a blagger. You know what one of those is, don’t ya?’

Ruby nodded. They looked at each other, both revealed who they were, both part of a dangerous criminal underworld.

‘Go on,’ added Ruby.

Archie shrugged. ‘It ain’t an unusual story. Dad was a blagger in London. He pulled off some big jobs, high profile ones, if ya know what I mean and he did time for it. That’s where he met Charlie, in prison. We were grown up by then but it was hard with Dad bein’ put away.’

‘And there I was thinkin’ you was straight!’ Ruby said, and they both started to laugh.

Archie took Ruby’s hand and held it to his lips. He kissed it so lightly she barely felt it but it sent a shiver down her back. He didn’t treat her like all the other blokes she’d known. He talked to her as an equal. He didn’t look at her as some dolly bird to shag and then boast about. He treated her like a human being, and it was a heady feeling.

‘I’ll call on ya when you get home. Until then, Ruby Murphy . . .’

‘All right. Until then, Archie Willson . . .’

As Ruby boarded the flight, carrying little George, she couldn’t stop a smile spreading across her face.

The flight landed on time at Stansted Airport. Even though she’d enjoyed being away, she was relieved to be back on home soil. Maureen’s Merc drew up silently in the VIP parking bay. Both women were dressed entirely in black.

‘I’m so sorry. How are ya?’ Ruby said, hugging the older woman, breathing in her expensive perfume.

‘Don’t you worry about me. Look, Ruby, I’m sorry but we went ahead with the funeral. I didn’t want any fuss, just me and Charlie and a few friends. I didn’t want ya to come back from your trip and ’ave to go to a funeral. You’ve been to far too many.’

‘As ’ave you,’ Ruby replied, tears in her eyes.

‘I took the liberty of ordering flowers in your, Bobby’s and George’s names from the same place as your mum had for her funeral. She died quickly, and she didn’t feel any pain, so I’m grateful for that at least.’

‘That was thoughtful of ya. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there though.’ Ruby sat in