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

taken to naming his section of the shop ‘George’s baskets’. In one of the bay-fronted windows was a selection of books for children, and when George wasn’t at school he liked to oversee these books and could often be found explaining to parents and children what he enjoyed about the publications. Frank had placed a selection of non-fiction books nearby for younger readers still in school. Ruby, impressed by her son’s interest in reading, encouraged him to write down a few words about the books he’d read, and why he enjoyed them. These stood in front of each book, and became quite popular. Recently, a reporter from the Erith Times had visited the shop. His purpose had been to interview Frank about the business, but seeing George in action, he had ended up interviewing the lad as well. Nowhere could be found a prouder mother than Ruby. On the day the interview appeared in the paper, Frank laughed when he saw that she’d purchased six copies. She told him that she wanted to be able to show George’s children and grandchildren how young he was when he started out in business.

At the back of her mind, she remembered Mrs Grant’s offer about George working at Vickers when he was old enough. She still corresponded with the lady often, as did George, and Ruby had visited her Women’s Circle at Christ Church to chat about being a mother and the wife of a bookseller. Mrs Grant was aware of Ruby’s circumstances, but chose to gloss over that part of her life. People wanted to speak about books. The well-to-do ladies in the group were able to offer old books they no longer required, although Ruby found it amusing that after her talk more than a few of the ladies came to make purchases. One lady bought a complete series of books bound in red leather because she said they would look nice in her drawing room. It sounded as if the books would not be read, but were simply required to fit into the decor. Ruby shrugged her shoulders: it was a sale, at the end of the day.

Straightening up from sorting out the baskets, she heard her name being called from across the street.

‘Mrs Green, I’m surprised to see you open today. Why are you not in London watching the coronation parade?’

Ruby had become used to being called ‘Mrs Green’ and didn’t bother to correct people any more. Instead she smiled at one of her regular customers. ‘Hello, Mrs James. I decided to stay at home with Pat and open the shop for the morning. Will you be celebrating today?’

‘Yes, we’re having a street party.’ Mrs James crossed the road to join Ruby. ‘I’m about to start making sandwiches for the children, although I feel their eyes will be more drawn to the cakes. It will be a splendid do. A neighbour is pushing her piano into the front garden so that we can have a sing-song as well.’

‘How jolly,’ Ruby replied as she brushed the dust from her skirt. ‘We too are having a street party, but I’m not so sure about a piano and a sing-song.’ She fleetingly wondered if her own nosy neighbour would offer her piano; but then, it was only ever used for hymn singing, as far as she could tell from hearing the tunes through the adjoining wall. ‘I would love a piano for our front room – not that I can play. I’d like George to learn. It seems such a sociable hobby, and there are so many times at family gatherings when it would be pleasant to stand around the piano and sing.’

The women continued to chat about this and that before Mrs James stepped into the shop to see Pat and make a purchase.

Eddie had stood for some time at the end of Alexandra Road, wondering what to do. One thing was for sure: Ruby had not only moved on with her life, but had a child with another man. He felt his hopes and dreams shatter around him. It looked as though he had lost George as well – but then, who was to blame? ‘No one but me,’ he muttered to himself.

Not knowing what to do next, he followed the little group of men, keeping as far back as possible in case he was spotted. Once, as they crossed the road, he worried that Derek had seen him, but the younger man never waved or called out, so perhaps he was wrong. He’d had to dash into an alley at the side of the shops when Ruby waved goodbye to the party and turned back. He wondered whether to speak to her, now she was alone . . . Distressed at what he’d seen and deep in thought, Eddie sat on the wall further down the road and watched as she entered a bookshop. He was surprised to see her leave the pram inside the shop and carry books and baskets out onto the pavement. It seemed a strange thing to do. Perhaps she worked there, in which case he would go and speak to her as long as there were no customers present. Plucking up courage, he approached the shop – only to duck back when a woman called out to her from across the road. Already feeling miserable, his life got even worse when he heard Ruby addressed as Mrs Green. Looking at the bookshop, he could see the sign across the window: Frank Green. Stella’s eldest son.

Deep down, Eddie knew that everything that had gone wrong in their marriage was his own doing – but still he felt angry at Ruby for rushing into another marriage. It felt like deception, especially after all the promises she’d made to him on their last night together. He wasn’t sure how she had legally been able to marry, but then, what did he know about divorce, not having come across it before? Nobody knew where Eddie lived now, so no one would have