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

Ruby sighed again with delight as they listened to the tune until it slowed and came to a halt. Frank showed her where there was a small handle underneath, to rewind it. ‘It’s such a beautiful tune,’ she said, her eyes dancing in delight.

‘The composer is called Tchaikovsky,’ Frank said. ‘When you next come to the shop, I’ll take you upstairs and you can listen to the full recording on my gramophone.’

‘There is more than this part?’ Ruby asked. ‘How wonderful.’ She wound it up and they listened one more time, while Pat danced around the room like a ballerina. ‘Now, you are all to go into the front room and join Irene. My children can help me clear up this mess and sort out the dinner.’

George followed his mum into the kitchen, while Pat continued to play with her new pram.

‘So, what have you got to tell me?’ Ruby said, looking her son straight in the eye.

George was now inches taller than her and a fine, strapping man. Even so, he cowered under her gaze.

‘I take it Irene is in the family way?’ she prompted.

‘How can you tell? I mean . . . we were going to say something later, after dinner, when Frank and Stephen had gone home . . .’

Ruby could only shake her head. ‘Oh, George! Whatever have you done?’

As George looked at his mother, Ruby was reminded of the little boy who always ran to her when he had a problem.

‘I don’t know what to do, Mum,’ he cried.

Ruby pulled him into her arms just as she had when he was a youngster. ‘It’s a bit late now, lad. You’ve got to do the honourable thing. What do her parents say about this?’

‘Irene’s father wants to arrange a wedding as soon as possible. He said the neighbours and his friends would only be told we were getting married quickly because I’m about to join the army.’

‘But . . . but you’re not, are you?’

Again, George couldn’t meet his mother’s eyes and looked away towards the window over the sink, even though there wasn’t much to look at. ‘Well, it’s like this,’ he said, coughing nervously to clear his throat. ‘As I’m eighteen in a few weeks, I’d be conscripted anyway, so I’ve been to the office and enquired . . .’

‘You bloody, bloody, fool,’ Ruby said angrily. ‘You had a bright future and are in a job that meant you might not have been called up due to your war work. Mrs Grant found you the best apprenticeship any young man could dream of, and you are thought of so highly at Vickers – and now you’re walking away from it all, leaving a wife expecting a baby at home, while you run off to play soldiers? What is to become of you, George?’ A single tear dropped onto her cheek.

George reached out and wiped the tear away. ‘I do know I’ve made a mess, Mum, but I’m a man now and I’m going to make a go of things. I’m very fond of Irene, and she is fond of me. I didn’t want to tell you without knowing that my future plans were secure. I’ve spoken to Mr Grant at work, and he told me that any time I came back there would be a job for me. The thing is, I want to go away knowing that Irene can turn to you if she has any problems. You might think she’s a bit snooty, but when you get to know her, I hope you will love her as much as I do.’

‘Oh, George, how could I not love anybody who loves you? Do you happen to know where you’re going to live once you’re married? I could always move Pat back in with me and let you have two rooms upstairs, if you wish.’

George looked a little embarrassed. ‘The thing is, Mum, Irene’s mother wants us to live with her . . .’

‘Oh, I see. It’s like that, is it?’ Ruby said, knowing Irene’s family had a much larger house and were a better class of people. ‘It looks to me as though you’re moving up in the world.’

‘Not if I can help it,’ George said. ‘My feet are firmly stuck in Alexandra Road. It’s good enough for me and always will be. Irene’s dad is a good sort – he just wants to make sure his daughter does all right for herself. He is interested in me and my job, and treats me like a son rather than somebody who fathered his grandchild out of wedlock. We had a bit of a discussion the other day. He told me I had to speak to you as soon as possible.’

Ruby considered this. ‘He does sound like a decent sort,’ she acknowledged. ‘What did he have to say, apart from you speaking to me?’

‘Well, he reckons Irene’s a bit on the spoilt side . . . and now she’s going to be a wife and mother, she needs to stand on her own two feet. I’m not sure Irene’s mother agrees with that, but she wasn’t there at the time, so she didn’t have a say. He reckons we should set up home on our own before too long, as it will give Irene something to focus on while I’m away. He says it will be the making of her.’

Ruby chuckled. ‘I’m looking forward to meeting him. What does Irene have to say about all of this?’

‘I think my dad is right,’ Irene said as she joined them, slipping her arm through George’s. ‘I hope you’re not too upset, Mrs Caselton?’

‘How can I be upset with you? Why, I was not much older than George when I married my Eddie. By then I had a nipper on the way as well. It was your nan who wasn’t happy. She was none too pleased, I can tell you.’ Ruby chuckled again. ‘I’m not going to interfere with your plans. The last thing you want is a nagging mother-in-law,’ she said, giving Irene a gentle smile. ‘However, if you want my advice and my help