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

George grunted, ‘Hi,’ before trying to turn away, but Archie stopped him.

‘George, it’s good to see ya,’ Bobby said, coming over to them, his face a picture of concern.

George, who was wearing a black hoodie over low-slung baggy jeans, shuffled on the spot. ‘All right, Bobby?’ he said gruffly, as if it was an effort.

‘Yeah, mate, I’m all right. It’s good to be ’ere. Must be lovely bein’ able to come ’ere durin’ the school holidays?’ Bobby attempted to start a conversation.

George shrugged and said nothing.

Archie raised an eyebrow and exchanged a glance with the teenager’s older brother. His look said, ‘We’ll talk about this one later.’

‘He’s fine, Ruby, Archie, don’t worry. He’s a teenager, he’s got other stuff goin’ on,’ Bobby tried to reassure his sister, but he could see the pained expression on her face. ‘George, let’s ’ave a chat later. I ain’t been around for ages so it’s difficult. I’d like to hang out with ya while I’m ’ere, get to know ya again.’

George nodded, though he still didn’t speak.

When the teenager had slunk off up to his bedroom seconds later, Ruby turned to her brother and Belle.

‘I blame myself. I gave him everythin’ and I created a spoilt brat. It’s my fault he’s the way he is. I should ’ave kept him ’ere with Cathy in Spain, put him in the international school with her and kept us together,’ she said dolefully.

‘Don’t blame yourself, Ruby. You did everything you could for the right reasons. He might’ve had the same troubles there too, and you thought you were doing what was best for him by putting him into good schools back home,’ Belle soothed.

Ruby looked over at her sister-in-law. Belle had curly, almost frizzy hair, which was hennaed a red colour. She wore a red shift with coloured scarves and silver Indian bracelets which tinkled as she moved her hands. She was a kind soul.

‘Belle’s right, it ain’t your fault George is the way he is. He’s had every chance in life. You’re not to blame if he don’t take those chances. He’s in the best boarding school in England right now, and why? Because they can straighten him out,’ Bobby added, putting his arm around his wife.

Archie moved over and sat beside Ruby. She turned to look at him and felt that familiar thrill that this man was her husband. He had aged well, with a few streaks of grey in his blonde hair but, if anything, he looked more rugged, more attractive. He wore an immaculately cut shirt with chinos and brown leather slip-on shoes.

‘It ain’t nuthin’ to do with you, Ruby. You’ve been like a mother to him. George is almost a man and it’s time he realised he’s got to grow up. He’s back for the holidays and perhaps he needs time to adjust.’

As the adults spoke, the maid, Maria, handed round cool glasses of sangria with thick slices of orange and lemon in them. Cathy had been listening to every word. She got up from the floor where she’d been sitting cross-legged and smiled at her mum.

‘I’ll go and speak to him. He’ll be all right, I promise you,’ she said, making Ruby smile back at her.

‘Go on then, darlin’. If anyone can work their magic with him, it’s you.’

Cathy brushed back her long fair hair and skipped off up the huge marble staircase to George’s room. Ruby watched her go, her heart swelling with pride and love for her daughter. Her and her uncle George were only three years apart in age, but the difference between them was as vast as a galaxy. Even so, there was a bond between the two that neither Ruby nor Archie fully understood. Virtually siblings, protected from the criminal world and the circle they mixed in, each child had been brought up the same way, with lots of love and attention, yet George was against the world. He seemed to hate Ruby and Archie and everyone around them. He lied and stole, cheated and ran riot, but what could they do? He was their flesh and blood and Ruby had vowed to her dead parents that she would bring up their child as her own. Ruby sighed again. She’d never expected that vow to be as troublesome as it was. ‘Well, if there’s one person who can charm George, it’s Cathy. Let’s ’ope she can magic him into joinin’ us for lunch. Is everythin’ prepared, Maria?’

Ruby smiled over at the maid, a young woman from the local village, who nodded back.

‘Yes, Mrs Willson, the food is ready when you are.’

The adults gathered around the table. Food was served and wine poured. For Ruby it was a moment of celebration that she’d waited years for.

As the dessert was served, Archie caught Ruby’s eye and she gave him a nod.

‘So, Bobby, ’ave ya given any thought to rejoinin’ the family business?’ Archie grinned, his eyes twinkling.

‘It’s been a while, Archie. My key-man days might be over. There’re new alarm systems now, more sophisticated. I wouldn’t want to risk my freedom.’

Belle squeezed his hand and nodded. They’d obviously given this question some thought. Ruby looked over at them. She was happy Bobby had found a soulmate but she was still surprised that he’d managed to find a straight one. Belle wasn’t stupid; she knew he’d been crooked – she’d met him in prison, after all – but Ruby couldn’t see how she’d approve of any law-breaking now, which is why she’d come up with a plan for him, one that didn’t explicitly involve crime.

‘I’ve been thinkin’ how you can come back to work. I know you’ve played it straight, workin’ in a bar for the past three years while you’ve had to check in with the parole officer—’

‘And he still wants to play it straight, Ruby,’ Belle said firmly.

Ruby nodded. ‘I understand, Belle, I really do, which is why I wanted to ask Bobby if he’ll manage a pub