A Mother Forever by Elaine Everest (free children's online books txt) 📕

knew Derek as one of the team leaders at the brickfields. Although they did not work together, they had passed the time of day. Eddie had had a quiet word, asking Derek not to mention to Ruby that he’d seen or worked with him. He had explained that his life was complicated, and he was doing his best to repair any damage done. In return, Derek had told him he was not interested in Eddie’s past or Ruby’s business, so he would not be mentioning he’d seen him or carrying any messages. This had reassured Eddie and since then the men had nodded amiably enough when passing, with Eddie feeling confident his presence in Erith would not be mentioned.

‘Are you sure you don’t want to go with Frank, George and the lads? I can look after Pat for the day,’ Stella said as she tried to take hold of the pram. Ruby stood her ground, gripping the handle tightly.

‘I know how busy it will be in the capital, and to be honest I’d rather stay here and care for my daughter. You go, Stella. You’ll enjoy seeing the pageantry, the crowds, and all the overseas royalty in their carriages. I’m sure the men will find you a good place to view. It would be a shame to miss it. Who knows when the next king will be crowned?’

‘And me not being a spring chicken, I may not see another,’ Stella said good-naturedly. ‘If you’re sure, then I’ll go with them, and I know I will enjoy myself. I suppose you can have a restful day while we take George with us?’

Ruby smiled at Stella’s comment. She intended to open up the bookshop for the morning, and it would be business as usual. Pat would sleep soundly in her baby carriage, and she should be able to tidy the shop and sell some books. That would surprise Frank upon his return, as he’d placed a sign in the window to say they would be closed for the day due to the coronation. There was to be a street party in Alexandra Road later in the afternoon, so Ruby would return home, collect the cake she’d made for the children’s tea party, and enjoy socializing with her neighbours. She had wondered if George would prefer to stay and join in with the other children, but such was his closeness to Frank these days, the lad had jumped at the chance to go with him to London. He’d spoken so often of when they went last year to pay their respects to King Edward, and of wanting to see the new king in all his robes and finery. Any books they had in the bookshop about royalty and past kings and queens fascinated him. He’d become most knowledgeable on the subject and come the autumn, when he moved up to the big school in Crayford, Ruby knew her son’s interests would help with his learning. George soaked up knowledge so easily, she just knew he would enjoy his new school.

Ruby walked with them as far as the Wheatley Hotel, then waved goodbye as the group crossed the road, heading down to the station. She was a little puzzled to see that Derek seemed to keep looking back over his shoulder and wondered if there was a young lady involved in his life – perhaps she too was going up to London to watch the coronation? Ruby liked Derek; he kept himself to himself, and she knew he worked long hours. He’d make someone a good husband one day.

Turning the large pram around, she walked back down Pier Road, stopping in front of the bookshop. The two bay windows either side of the door gleamed in the early June sunshine, and displays of books enticed passers-by to step over the threshold and browse. Bumping the pram up the small step, she unlocked the door and breathed in the smell of old books and lavender wax. When she wasn’t serving customers, Ruby like nothing more than to polish the wooden bookshelves and the counter until they shone. She loved her job working with her friend; the only problem was deceiving his family into thinking they were a proper couple and Pat was his daughter. Frank had understood completely when Pat’s birth certificate showed Eddie as the father, though. Stella was already hinting at further grandchildren, which embarrassed him immensely. Ruby had heard him more than once tell his mother they were more than happy with George and Pat in their little family unit – and that they had a business to run, so could she please stop asking for more. But Stella only heard what she wanted to hear, and that was the word ‘family’. In her mind, young couples had many children; why should it be any different for her son? She also mentioned the possibility of Ruby seeking a divorce, having been abandoned by Eddie. Ruby would not be drawn on the subject, while a sad look haunted Frank’s eyes.

With not a rain cloud in the sky, Ruby carried out the baskets of cheap books and placed them on the wide pavement in front of the shop. Frank had decided any money that came from the sale of these books should be passed to George – after all, it had been his idea to sell books that were not quite perfect, although the words were intact. He’d pointed out that many people only wanted to read the story, so if it helped someone who couldn’t normally afford even a second-hand book, young George counted that as a job well done. An old tobacco tin kept under the counter was where all the farthings were dropped. Any time Frank brought back a fresh stock of books after visiting clients, George would sit on the floor going through them one by one, pulling out any he considered unworthy of being placed on the shelves. These he would commandeer for his baskets. Ruby and Frank had