A Rare Ruby Read Online Free PDF

Mary Jenkins.
    ‘I know I shouldn’t speak out of turn, but I expect you know that the Manns are very religious and they had Bible meetings every day. That’s why I had to get out: they used the front room for all their chanting and praying. I can’t walk the streets with the baby, not with the winter coming. I’ll be able to pay you rent.’ Mrs Norton smiled and her blue eyes lit up. ‘This must be my lucky day. I’ve managed to get a little job.’
    ‘You’ve got a job?’ asked Ruby. ‘Where?’
    ‘Ruby,’ said her mother, shocked. ‘I’m sure Mrs Norton will tell us if she wants to.’
    ‘I’m sorry,’ said Ruby. ‘But as jobs are so hard to get round here, I was just wondering . . .’ Her voice trailed off.
    ‘Please, call me Beth. I’m going to work for that Mr Thompson in the Royal Albert.’
    ‘The pub!’ queried Mrs Jenkins.
    ‘Yes. I’m going to do his cleaning.’
    ‘But I thought Mrs Moss did that.’
    ‘She did, but she had a bad fall and broke her arm, so she’ll be off for a bit. As I said, I was lucky. I met her when she was at the cottage hospital. I was there with little Danny here.’ She patted her baby’s back.
    ‘Oh dear,’ said Mrs Jenkins. ‘Nothing serious, I hope.’
    ‘No, not really. He’s having a bit of trouble with his . . .’ She stopped and looked about her. ‘His little thingy,’ she whispered.
    Ruby wanted to laugh, but knew she mustn’t.
    ‘We should have been Jews, then this wouldn’t happen.’
    Ruby wanted to ask her mother what she meant, but she could do that another time.
    ‘What about the boy when you go to work?’
    ‘Mr Thompson said I could take him with me.’
    ‘In that case, then you are lucky. Take your bits in the room you’ll be sharing with Ruby here and my son Tom.’
    ‘This is very kind of you, Mrs Jenkins.’
    ‘As I said, we need the money. Ruby, give Mrs Norton a hand. When do you start working at the pub?’
    ‘Tomorrow.’
    Ruby lifted the two bundles from the pram and put them on the floor.
    ‘Come on, son. I think it’s time for your feed, then a nap.’ Beth Norton took a brightly coloured crocheted blanket from the pram and wrapped the baby in it.
    ‘What time do you have to do your cleaning?’
    ‘In the morning, about seven.’
    ‘That’s all right then. I’ll be up long before then.’
    Ruby could see her mother was trying to put Beth at ease, but there was a kind of undercurrent she couldn’t understand. Was Mary worried at what Mr Cox might say? Would he throw them out? That was a threat that hung permanently over them. But surely her mother could tell him?
    ‘You said your husband was in the Navy. Does he come home very often?’ asked Mrs Jenkins.
    ‘No.’ It was very abrupt. ‘I haven’t seen him for a while. Not since I had the baby.’
    ‘That’s awful. You must have been very young when you got married.’
    ‘Yes. I was.’
    ‘I don’t think he’ll be able to stay here when he comes home.’
    ‘Don’t worry about that. He’s the other side of the world.’
    ‘Will he know where to find you when he does get back?’
    Beth Norton blushed and looked flustered. ‘Yes, I did write and tell him, and Milly in the dairy said she’ll show him where I’m staying, but I don’t know how long it’ll be before I see him again. It could be months.’
    ‘I expect he’ll be pleased to know he’s got a son. Most men like that.’
    ‘I hope so.’
    ‘Shall I make a pot of tea, Mum?’
    ‘Yes, and I must get on. There’s always washing and ironing to be done in this house.’
    ‘I don’t mind giving you a hand if you ever need it.’
    Ruby could have kissed Beth Norton. Perhaps some of her luck was going to rub off on to them.
    In the kitchen, Ruby put the kettle on the hob.
    ‘What’s that?’ asked her father when the baby cried.
    ‘It’s all right, Dad. It’s our lodger’s baby.’
    ‘Baby.’ He smiled and sat up. ‘We got a baby?’
    ‘Yes, Dad. A little boy.’
    ‘I like