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

and there’s plenty to go around. He’s going to be very upset when he hears about Donald.’

‘When do you expect to meet his young lady?’ Frank asked, trying to shake off the thought of his youngest brother lying dead in a foreign land. He knew that although George was almost eighteen years of age, Ruby found it hard to accept that he was old enough to be walking out with a girl.

‘I’m sure it’s nothing serious. He has so many friends at work and they seem to socialize in a group. I’m more concerned about his talk of joining up. So many at Vickers are doing so. I thought when he was transferred over to the Crayford factory, he would put aside those ideas about enlisting; after all, he still hasn’t finished his apprenticeship. Mr Grant having put him in charge of a team ought to be enough to keep such thoughts out of his head.’

‘I don’t think that’s going to happen. Even with so many deaths and men going missing in action, the fervour to join up and fight for the king is stronger than ever. After three years, so many people want the war over, and if that means sacrificing their sons . . .’ Frank let the sentence trail off wistfully. He reached for his overcoat, which was hanging over the back of an armchair, and something fluttered to the ground.

Ruby reached out and picked it up. ‘Oh God, not another one! What are those damned women playing at? Where were you given this one?’ she asked, bending the white feather in two and throwing it onto the fire that was glowing in the hearth.

Frank put his hand in his pocket and pulled out three more feathers. As he passed each one to Ruby he said, ‘This was from the woman serving in the greengrocer’s; this from the huddle of old women standing at the corner of the high street; and this had been put in the basket of books in front of the shop. At least they’ll keep the fire burning bright, although the smell will linger.’ He laughed without showing any real humour.

‘Please don’t let it upset you, Frank. You do enough for the people of this town without volunteering to take up arms and head over the Channel to uncertain death. One loss is enough for your mum. Any more will kill her.’

‘I’ll never fire a gun against another man,’ he said. ‘I ignored my conscription notice, but it’s only a matter of time before they realize and come looking for me. But I’m prepared to refuse to go.’

Ruby was shocked. She knew Frank had never liked the idea of men fighting each other, but to refuse meant he’d likely go to prison – or worse. ‘Please don’t say that, Frank. Don’t they shoot men who refuse to fight?’

‘I have no idea, but I must stick to my beliefs.’

‘Perhaps it’ll never happen. Why, the war may be over before too long,’ she said, trying to sound positive.

Frank agreed as he pulled on his coat, although Ruby could see how troubled he was. ‘If you need help with your mum, you must come and get me. Whatever time it is, I’ll be over in a flash,’ she said as she kissed her friend’s cheek and saw him out the door.

The mention of Eddie had her wanting to read his letters once more. Reaching into the bureau by the fireplace, Ruby took out her mother’s small box where she kept all her treasured memories. She first pulled out the long Manila envelope and smiled to herself. To think she owned a property, and it was this very house that she treasured so much. She liked to think that number thirteen Alexandra Road was a place where family and friends could come when they were troubled, or simply to have a cup of tea and a natter. Even her two sisters had taken to visiting more, although she had yet to explain to them what had happened to Eddie. His letters were bundled together with a piece of ribbon. She knew it was something younger girls were doing when they received letters from their beaus, and as she still loved Eddie so dearly she had a fancy to do the same. The red ribbon had been purchased from the haberdashery department of Hedley Mitchell’s and she’d purchased a length of pink ribbon at the same time for Pat’s fair hair, not wishing anyone to think she had a man friend. Her daughter was so like Eddie, even down to his outspoken ways when things didn’t go as he wished them to. Fortunately, Pat understood how to control her temper, even at the tender age of six.

Deep in thought, she didn’t hear the front door open until George appeared. She looked up with a start. ‘George, is it that time already? Let me check your dinner.’

‘I have a couple of friends with me, Mum. Can they come in for a cup of tea?’

‘Of course, love, you never need to ask. Come along in and sit down, warm yourself up. It’s a bit chilly out there.’ She was rather surprised when two girls came into the room rather than his workmates, and they smiled shyly at her.

‘Oh, hello,’ Ruby said as she helped to take their coats. The dark-haired one thanked her. Ruby was surprised to see that the girl was heavily pregnant.

‘You probably don’t remember me, Mrs Caselton. I was Maureen Stokes from Manor Road. I’m Maureen Gilbert now I’m married, and I live with my mother-in-law in Crayford Road.’

Ruby thought for a moment. ‘Of course – I know your mum, as well as your mother-in-law. Doesn’t your husband work at Vickers with my George?’

‘Yes, that’s right, he did, but he’s in the Rifle Brigade now. George looks after us, doesn’t he, Irene?’

The other girl sat primly in the armchair that had been offered to her and nodded without saying a word. Ruby could see her eyes sweep the room, inspecting