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

After all, Doreen and Jean had started at Gilbert’s long before she had. With a spring in her step, she walked across the yard to the shed, and as she opened the door she bumped into Herbie Wilcox.

‘Hello, Ruby – I was hoping to catch you. I take it you’ve just come back from the manager’s office?’ he said politely. Herbie was of slimmer build than Eddie and had darker hair and green eyes. He was well spoken, and she liked his manners.

‘Yes, I’m rather pleased to be given the opportunity. I will enjoy the work,’ she smiled as he shook her hand.

‘I look forward to working with you,’ he said as he went on his way.

As she got back to her worktable, Doreen and Jean grinned at her. ‘It’s not what you think,’ she said, smiling back at them. ‘I’ve got a lot to tell you once we leave work.’

At Cissie’s house, she told them about her promotion. ‘I did think that one of you two would have been offered the job first, though,’ she was quick to say.

‘Blow me, I don’t want to be in charge of a load of kids,’ Doreen said. ‘I’m thinking of giving up working at the factory. I’m going to work at the Co-op, it’s closer to home. I’m fed up working in draughty old sheds. The excitement is gone now the war is over. Chances are they picked you because you’re older than everybody else,’ she added, making Ruby feel ancient.

‘I’m not that old,’ she laughed. ‘Why, I’m only forty-one.’

‘That’s older than all of us,’ Cissie laughed as she rocked her son in her arms.

Promising to treat her friends to tea in the New Year to celebrate her promotion, Ruby wished them all a merry Christmas and headed down from South Road back to the town, where she picked up a few extra bits and pieces for Christmas Day. She stopped by the bookshop to see Frank and Stephen. The shop looked beautiful, decorated with ivy and a few sprigs of holly; it felt warm and welcoming.

‘Stop and have a cup of tea,’ Stephen said. ‘I’ll just serve this customer, then I’ll be with you. Frank wants a word with you – feel free to pop upstairs and see him.’

Ruby very rarely went upstairs to the men’s private quarters, so as she climbed the steep staircase, she called out ahead of her to let Frank know she was coming.

‘Coo-ee, Frank – Stephen told me you wanted me?’ she said as she found herself in a cosy living room with large windows that overlooked Pier Road. ‘You’ve got this looking awfully nice,’ she said. ‘Do I smell fresh paint?’

‘Yes, we’ve decorated the whole flat now. You know how long I’ve been waiting to do this, ever since I moved in,’ he laughed. ‘I got sick of Stephen nagging. What do you think?’

‘It’s very attractive,’ she said, looking at the old paintings on the walls and the leather settee and chairs set around a large fireplace. ‘You’ve made it so cosy and welcoming.’

‘Most of the bits and pieces I’ve picked up from house sales when we are buying books there. It looks expensive and only costs a few pounds.’

‘I’ll have to get you to look out for some of these bits for me,’ she said, ‘especially as I’ve been promoted now and got a bit more money to spend. I’m going to be a foreman in the New Year.’

Frank was pleased for her. ‘You’ve worked hard down there, Ruby. You deserve the promotion – well done.’

‘So what was it you wanted to see me about?’ she asked.

Frank went to a side table and picked up a letter. ‘I’ve heard from our Derek. Did you know there is another child on the way?’

‘I did – Susannah wrote to me. I’m thrilled for them. Your dad seems to be settling in as well. The last time I visited, Wilf looked ten years younger. It must be all that fresh air and Susannah’s cooking.’

Frank nodded in agreement. ‘I’m pleased for Dad. I don’t know what he would have been like living on his own at number fourteen into his old age. I know you’d have been over the road to help him, but you know what I mean.’

‘I do, although it would have been nice to have his company now that George and Irene have moved away.’

‘Don’t be too sad,’ Frank said. ‘Your George is going to go far in the business world, but he will never forget his roots.’

‘So was that what you wanted to talk to me about? Could you not have saved it until Christmas Day?’

‘No, there’s something else. I thought it best to tell you without Pat around your feet. She picks up on anything that’s being discussed.’

Ruby chuckled in agreement as she sat down in one of the armchairs. ‘Come on, then, tell me. What is it?’

‘I don’t want you getting excited, but Derek’s found out something about Eddie. He wanted me to speak to you first, so that I could break it to you face to face.’

Ruby felt lightheaded and breathless as she gripped the arm of the chair. Taking a deep breath, she blurted out, ‘Come on, I can take it, whether it’s good or bad news.’

Frank sat down opposite her. ‘He’s not dead, Ruby. He is very much alive.’

Ruby felt anger wash over her suddenly. ‘You mean all these years he’s been alive, and he’s never bothered getting in touch with me? I’m not sure I want to see him now,’ she spat out, her happiness at her new job and Christmas forgotten.

‘It’s not like that,’ Frank said. ‘Eddie did sustain injuries at the same time that Derek was hurt, but for some reason, he was given the name of another soldier. I don’t know the ins and outs of it,’ he said, as Ruby opened her mouth to fire questions at him.

‘But where has he been all this time?’

Frank looked her straight in the eye. ‘Eddie’s in prison.’

Ruby