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

she thought before saying aloud, ‘What would Mum have thought of today, I wonder?’

Stella gave a wry smile. ‘Your mum would’ve had a lot to say about it, love – just like we have. Don’t forget she lost her husband to war, and no doubt she will fear for other young men.’

‘I pray that Polly down the greengrocer’s is right and it is over by Christmas – then Derek and Donald will come back safe,’ Ruby said. It seemed better not to mention her gratitude that George was still too young to join up. ‘I wonder where the army will send the men, once they turn them into soldiers?’

They reached number thirteen and she ushered Pat inside. She and Stella followed the child in and closed the door behind them. There was an air of desolation in the road and they had no wish to stop to speak with the worried women clustered in a group several houses away.

By the time Frank arrived home, Ruby had made a bite to eat. She smiled as he entered the room. ‘How did it go?’ she asked as he kissed her cheek.

‘I won all the bids and got them at a good price. There were less than half the usual number of people there. No doubt others had better things on their mind than buying books and knick-knacks. How are you, Mum?’ he said, noticing Stella’s pale face. ‘Is Dad all right?’

‘Your dad’s as fine as he can be, love – nothing will stop him doing his job. It’s like he says: all hell will let loose if there aren’t enough tugboats to do the work. It’s your brothers I’m more worried about. They’ve both gone up to Woolwich to sign up to join the army.’

‘I had a feeling they might,’ Frank said, unable to meet Stella’s eyes. ‘They mentioned as much the other day.’

Stella jumped to her feet, giving her son an angry look. ‘Why the hell didn’t you say something? Me or your dad could’ve stopped them.’

Frank looked shamefaced. ‘It was just idle talk; I didn’t think much of it. Derek had been telling us how the chaps in his team would be going to sign up. He was keen anyway, but if he was the only one left out of his team there was a likelihood of him being out of work anyway. I know Donald was keen too, but we did tell him you’d kill him if he signed up. I didn’t expect him to go ahead and do it.’ He shook his head sadly.

‘I tried to reason with him, but he’s nineteen now and knows his own mind. It was as if he didn’t care what his old mum thought. Does that mean you’re going to sign up as well? God knows what your dad’ll have to say about that!’

Frank took Stella’s arm and guided her to sit down again before he told her that Wilf had also known about the boys wanting to join up, and had said he’d do the same if he were younger.

Stella was livid. She shook Frank’s arm away in distaste. ‘It’s as if you’ve all been conspiring against me. Don’t tell me you knew, too,’ she said, glaring at Ruby.

‘No, they kept me in the dark as well.’ Ruby’s expression was no less angry. ‘All I know is, Frank’s always told me he’s against war, so at least one of them won’t be going. Unless you’ve changed your mind?’ she challenged him.

‘I can promise you both, I’ll never be a soldier. Call me strange, but I don’t believe that war is the answer.’ He looked sad as he continued, ‘Both my brothers think I’m soft in the head. Derek called me a nancy boy.’ He looked sideways at Ruby, and she blushed. If the boys knew of their sleeping arrangements, Frank would be called more than that.

‘It’s just men talking – don’t take any notice. Frank, you’re a good man. If anyone asked me or your mum, we’d have said we wouldn’t go to war either. There’s nothing soft about it. It’s called being sensible,’ Ruby said, although she wasn’t sure what she was saying was right. But she desperately wanted to support her dear friend.

‘Perhaps,’ Frank said, ‘but it made me feel uncomfortable. I never would have thought my brother would talk to me like that. That’s why I didn’t get involved, Mum,’ he said, looking apologetic.

Stella’s expression softened. ‘Don’t worry, Frank. They are a pair of hotheads. I could bang their heads together when I get home, in fact – and your father’s.’

‘I’d like to see that, Mum. I think perhaps I might have my food and get back to the shop. Even if we don’t have many customers, I can at least sort out what I brought back from the auction. I’d like to catalogue the books and get them onto the shelves. There are a few books for George’s baskets.’

‘And mine,’ little Pat said, from where she’d been playing with her dolls.

‘Oh God, I forgot about the little one sitting there. Whatever will she think of my angry words?’

‘I didn’t hear you, Nana,’ Pat said, giving her a sweet smile.

‘You are a little darling.’ Stella reached into the pocket of her coat and pulled out a toffee for her granddaughter.

Ruby shook her head. Pat knew just how to twist her nana round her little finger.

‘I’ll take her over home with me for a few hours,’ Stella offered. ‘It’ll keep my mind off what the lads are up to. No doubt by now they’ll be filling their bellies with ale and come rolling home as merry as anything. Life would’ve been so different if only I’d had daughters,’ she sighed.

After Frank, Stella and Pat had gone, Ruby pottered around for a couple of hours, but she found it hard to concentrate. She’d even turned the newspaper over so as not to see the headlines that seemed to leap from the front page. Whatever was going to happen next?

Feeling restless,