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

down to dinner. Sadly, this year there was only Frank representing the Green family, and even though he’d brought Stephen along at her insistence, it still felt like a very small group. George had asked if he could bring Irene, and although Ruby had taken a dislike to the posh young lady, she had agreed. The last thing she wanted to do was alienate her son. She’d also tried to make peace with Stella, but when her friend had crossed the road rather than speak to her, Ruby had decided to let things rest. The last thing she wanted was to be snapped at in the street and for nosy neighbours to make more of their falling out than they already had.

Smoothing out the white tablecloth, she stepped back and smiled. Her sisters had both promised to visit later in the afternoon for tea – at least that was something to look forward to. Never before had she entertained her own family to a special meal. Perhaps it was because both their husbands had joined the army, although Fanny liked to remind Ruby that they were both officers.

Pat was in the front room, playing with the beautiful doll that had been her gift from Frank. With its pretty china face and soft body, dressed in the most delicate lace gown, Ruby knew it would have been hard to come by and probably quite expensive. When she scolded Frank for spending too much, he shrugged off her comments by saying he had picked it up in a house sale.

Frank had gone back to the bookshop to check everything was fine, and would return with Stephen in time for their meal. Frank’s friend, as he liked to call him, was as quiet as Frank, and both would have their nose in a book when Ruby visited, making the bookshop the perfect peaceful haven for browsers. Whatever their relationship when the front door of the shop was locked up at night, it did not bother Ruby. Live and let live was her philosophy of life. Only if her loved ones were ill-treated would she ever get involved in someone else’s business. Apart from a few white feathers handed to both men, which did upset her, the men’s life was peaceful.

George had gone to collect Irene, who lived in one of the posher houses at the top end of the Avenue. Ruby didn’t know much about Irene’s family and she didn’t like to pry in case George thought she was interfering. Perhaps one day he would tell her; there again, she hoped that the couple would drift apart, as she didn’t feel Irene was the right person for her George – far too prim and proper. Now, if it had been Maureen it would’ve been a different kettle of fish, as the girl was likeable and bubbly. Of course, she was taken – not only that, but she’d recently given birth to a beautiful baby boy. Young Alan was the opposite of his mother, being fair-haired, although they shared the same laughing eyes. Ruby thought it would be lovely to one day be a grandmother, but she shrugged off her fancies, laughing at herself as she heard a knock at the front door. There were plenty of years before a new baby was likely to join the family.

Wondering if Frank had forgotten his key, she opened the door to find a stranger on her front step. ‘Can I help you?’ she asked, wondering if the man had knocked at the wrong door.

‘I’m sorry to bother you on such an important day in the Lord’s calendar. I have some news to impart about your dear neighbour, Miss Hunter. I’m Reverend Gilroy, from Queen Street Church.’

Ruby frowned. Miss Hunter had been in hospital ever since her injury on the night of the bombing raid. ‘I don’t really know her that well,’ she said, wondering if perhaps he wanted her to do something for the old lady. She did feel a little guilty at not having visited her in the cottage hospital with some flowers, but there again, the woman had made her life hell. Ruby feared a visit could easily turn into a nasty scene. She could well imagine the old woman throwing the flowers at her and making spiteful comments as she fled from the ward; she shuddered at the very thought of it.

The man coughed, and Ruby snapped out of her thoughts. ‘I’m sorry – what is it I can do for you?’

‘I’m afraid Miss Hunter has passed away,’ he said, looking even more sombre, if that were possible.

‘Oh dear, I’m so very sorry,’ she replied, wondering whether she should invite him in. ‘Does she have family? I can’t say I’ve ever seen anyone visit – not that I’m one to pry, you understand,’ she added, thinking of all the times the woman had peeped from behind her curtains whenever Ruby or the children left the house. She was still smarting from the comments that had caused the rift between her and Stella.

‘There is a distant cousin, I believe,’ the man said thoughtfully. ‘I just wanted to inform her neighbours.’

‘That’s very kind of you. I would like to pay my respects. Would you be able to let us know when the funeral is arranged? And I’ve been so rude, forgive me. Can I offer you a cup of tea?’

‘No, thank you – I’m just going to give the news to the people at number seventeen, and then I’ll be away to my own dinner. My wife will be expecting me.’

Ruby thanked him and wished him as good a Christmas as they could have in these times of war, then closed the door and went back to the kitchen, peeping into the oven to see if the goose was ready. She wondered who her new neighbours would be. For a fleeting moment she thought she’d better tell Stella about Miss Hunter’s passing – but then she remembered that Stella wanted nothing to do with her,