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

I understand that many women are now taking on the jobs that men have relinquished so they can go to serve their country? Why, I’ve seen women working on the trams. Is this something your mother would do?’

Irene looked shocked. ‘No, a woman should not do a man’s job. It is most unseemly.’

‘That’s rather unpatriotic, wouldn’t you think?’ Stephen spat back.

‘I intend to do some war work,’ Ruby announced. The conversation around the dinner table had helped her make up her mind. For some time now she had thought she could do more, as she was certain her knitting did not contribute much at all. However, she was still not sure what work she could do to contribute to bringing the war to an end.

Frank grinned. ‘It seems to be a day for announcements. Mine is that after all this time, and searching my conscience, I too am going to take the king’s shilling.’

Ruby felt her heart plummet. ‘But you’re the most peaceful man I know; you always said you couldn’t bear arms. What made you change your mind?’ she asked.

‘Well, it’s not these.’ He pointed at the pile of bent feathers. ‘Shall we put them on your fire, or perhaps Irene would like to return them to her mother? To answer your question, Ruby, I intend to join the Royal Army Medical Corps to help people. I know I only have basic first-aid knowledge, but if I claim to be a conscientious objector and get thrown into prison I won’t be helping anyone, least of all myself. I can help treat the injured – both friend and foe,’ he said, throwing the last sentence in Irene’s direction. She had the good grace to look embarrassed, but said nothing.

‘I wish I could go with you, but there’s no way they’ll let me go with my health the way it is,’ Stephen said. ‘It’ll be so hard being here alone knowing what you’re facing – but I’ll be so proud of you.’ He reached out and took Frank’s hand.

This really did shock Irene. ‘Perhaps it’s time we left,’ she said to George as she stood up. ‘Thank you for the delicious meal, Mrs Caselton, and for your offer of help in finding us somewhere to live.’

‘Please, you must call me Ruby. Mrs Caselton seems so formal,’ Ruby said, trying to lighten the atmosphere a little. She was sure Irene couldn’t be as snooty as she made out. There must be some shade of decency in the girl, otherwise her son would not have fallen in love with her. She hung on to that hope as she helped with their coats and waved goodbye to George and his fiancée at the front door.

Now she’d made the announcement of doing war work, she really must put her mind to it.

Over the road at number fourteen, Stella sat alone. Wilf, not able to face spending the day in a house that had once been so full of laughter, had returned to the river. There was work to be done even on Christmas Day, and he felt needed. At the moment he didn’t feel as though his wife needed him at all.

Gazing from her window, Stella watched as Ruby’s guests arrived. She recalled Christmases past when her own door had been open to neighbours, just as Ruby’s was now. When her Donald was alive, and with his two older brothers bringing friends home, Christmas was always the best time of the year. Now, with Donald gone and Derek serving his country, her Frank preferred the company of a married woman: Ruby Caselton.

How had someone she’d helped on her very first day in Alexandra Road – at the lowest point in the other woman’s life – ended up taking her family away? Even Wilf preferred not to be at home and spent all his time on the river. Turning away from the window, she thought long and hard before taking a sheet of writing paper from the sideboard drawer and placing it on the table. Picking up Donald’s fountain pen, she grasped it tightly and started to write.

My dearest Derek,

It breaks my heart to inform you that we lost our Donald recently. I was told he was brave until the end, when he succumbed to his injuries. I have no idea how I am to go on. Frank seems to be a stranger to me and prefers the company of Ruby Caselton. As I write this letter, it is Christmas Day, and I’ve seen strange men entering her home. If the rumours are true, she is carrying a child, but goodness knows who is the father.

I only have you now, Derek. Please stay safe for me and give my regards to Eddie if you see him. My prayers fly through the miles, and I hope you can hear them. Until we meet again,

Your dearest mother

She folded the paper and placed it inside an envelope, using the address details she had been given some time before. Taking the envelope to her bag, which sat near the window, she tucked it away securely, not wishing Wilf to find it. As she straightened up she noticed Frank and his friend leaving number thirteen. Ruby kissed and hugged both of the men and waved as they walked down the road. It was fortuitous Derek had mentioned Eddie Caselton was serving with him. How would Eddie react after he heard her news? No one could tell, but he was bound to be jealous – and Ruby would suffer for it. Stella had no qualms about lying to her son: hadn’t Ruby done just that, pretending young Pat was her own granddaughter when in fact she had been fathered by Eddie? The same man who was supposed to have been such a bad husband and run away years before, no less.

Stella nodded to herself with satisfaction and snapped the clasp of the handbag closed, muttering, ‘I’ll have the last laugh, Ruby Caselton.’

Ruby enjoyed her sisters’ visit, as they passed a pleasant couple