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

‘Thank you, Mum,’ George said, kissing her on the cheek.

Irene did the same. ‘Thank you for not being angry with us,’ she said. ‘There is one thing I do want to ask you.’

‘Fire away,’ Ruby said as she opened the door of the oven again, worrying about the goose being too dry.

‘I wondered whether you might know of somewhere we could rent? My dad is giving us a generous allowance for our wedding present. I’d like to live nearby, if you don’t mind? I know my parents expect us to stay with them for a while, but I want my own home before the baby comes along.’

‘Mind? I can’t think of anything better. Are you looking for rooms or a house?’

‘I’d adore a little house, even though we would have to rent. Would your landlord have any properties on his books?’

Ruby laughed kindly. ‘I don’t have a landlord, love; I own every stick and brick of this house,’ she beamed proudly. ‘However, I know of a house that has just fallen empty. Leave it with me for a couple of days and I’ll make some enquiries.’

‘That will be great, Mum, thank you,’ George said, looking mightily relieved. ‘Is it far from here?’

Ruby glanced towards the wall that divided her home from number fifteen next door. ‘Not too far at all,’ she replied with a gentle smile.

There was silence around the dinner table apart from Pat chattering on about her presents. In some ways, Ruby was glad the child was unaware of what was going on with her close family and friends. Even Frank and Stephen were not their usual joyous selves. Trying to break the icy atmosphere, she turned to George and Irene. ‘Darlings, why don’t you share your happy news with everybody?’

George glanced to Irene, who nodded her approval. ‘I’ve requested Irene’s hand in marriage, and she has accepted. We plan to marry before I join the army in January,’ he said, looking to the two older men for approval.

Ruby looked to Frank to say something supportive, but her nudge was not required. ‘I say, that’s wonderful news,’ he exclaimed, leaping to his feet to kiss Irene’s cheek and shake George’s hand enthusiastically. ‘What do you say to this, Stephen?’ he asked his friend, who was already joining in with his own congratulations.

‘Jolly good show,’ Stephen said. He was the perfect foil for Frank, usually being the quieter one of the couple. Ruby smiled to herself. That was the first time she’d actually thought of them as a couple, and indeed they were. She’d never felt there was anything wrong in this, but was certain a rocky road lay ahead for her two friends. ‘You must tell us what kind of wedding you plan to have, Irene. Will it be a grand affair?’

Irene looked into her lap, but retained her usual air of aloofness. It was very seldom that Ruby was able to get behind her attitude. ‘It will be a simple wedding, under the circumstances,’ she said quietly.

Frank raised his eyebrows at Ruby, who gave a small nod back. Her friends had surmised the situation at once, realizing the need for haste. ‘I suppose with you going off at any time to serve our country, it is best to have the wedding as soon as possible,’ he said, doing his utmost to help preserve the illusion of everything being well in order.

Once the small group had finished eating, Frank cleared his throat. ‘I too have some news,’ he said, as Stephen nodded for him to continue speaking. ‘I brought these round with me today so we could have another ceremonial burning.’ He reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a handful of white feathers.

George looked angry. ‘Who is doing this to you? It’s disgusting,’ he spat out.

‘Reading the newspapers, you would think brave women walked up to us and handed them over, but I’ve found that not always to be the case. I fear Erith is full of cowards,’ he said sadly. ‘To begin with, I never spoke when the odd one was handed to me. It is not in me to be rude to a woman. However, I now turn my back on them and ignore their unkind words. I find enough left around the bookshop to stuff a pillowcase.’

‘But is it not our duty to encourage men to join the army?’ Irene piped up. ‘My mother says we women need to urge men to fight for our country.’

George shifted uncomfortably in his seat and waited for his mother to say something. Stephen looked wide-eyed at Irene’s comment. ‘I don’t think you quite understand the implication of what is happening here,’ he said, looking none too pleased.

Irene became quite animated as she explained how her mother’s friends saw it as their duty to encourage all men to join the army. ‘Mummy says there is no excuse for men not to fight.’

‘May I ask what your mother thinks about people who have principles and don’t believe that war is the answer?’ Stephen asked, his face turning rather pink.

‘Leave it,’ Frank said quietly.

‘No, I’m sorry, I won’t leave it,’ Stephen said. ‘I applaud any man who has strong principles and believes that war is not the answer to the problems in our world at the moment.’

‘But Mummy says . . .’

‘Please, Irene . . .’ George said as he started to fiddle with his pipe and tobacco. Ruby could see her son was finding it hard to support his fiancée’s views as well as those of his dear friends. Frank shrugged his shoulders at Ruby in despair.

‘Irene, dear, is your mother involved in handing out these white feathers?’

Irene beamed, oblivious to the tension around the table. ‘Yes, she chairs several committees where, as well as doing other good works, they seek out men who have yet to fight for their country.’

Ruby couldn’t believe what she was hearing, but tried to stay calm. After all, this girl was carrying her unborn grandchild. ‘Does your mother work?