The Orphan Thief by Glynis Peters

Author:Glynis Peters [Glynis Peters]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780008384906
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2019-11-27T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

3rd September 1941

The summer flew by and soon the days settled into cooler and darker evenings. The war entered its third year, and people spoke of nothing else. Precious sleep continued to be disturbed by nightly sirens, and Coventarians wanted revenge. News of war took over their lives, and no one dared predict the end for fear of disappointment.

For Ruby and her new family, life still continued along an even path as they strengthened their emotional links into something more solid in order to cope. Financially they were stable.

Thankful for a hardworking builder, Ruby stood back and admired the pretty room she and Beatty had finished creating that morning. The ugliness of outside could not touch the delicate pastels inside Ruby and Beatty’s Meeting Place. Fred had created the wooden sign now hanging on a hook beside the door of the newly decorated room. Both women clapped as soon as he showed them. Eager to involve Beatty in the project, Ruby had agreed to Beatty’s favourite colours, green and pink, and the calm shades gave a feminine feel to the room. As she’d told Fred, men were welcome, but Ruby knew the visitors would predominantly be women.

Tommy arrived to inspect the finished work, and whistled his approval. As he strolled around the room, looking very much out of place, Ruby smiled inwardly. He copied his uncle in most things. Having met Earl, Ruby understood the influence he’d have over a boy of Tommy’s age. It still irked her that he kept his nephew looking on the shabby side. Probably a lesson for Tommy’s mother, who Ruby desperately wanted to meet.

‘Tommy, bring your mum for a treat with Beatty and me one afternoon. We’d love to meet her.’

Tommy picked a petal from a rose in one of the four vases on each table in the room.

‘She’s busy,’ he said.

‘Always? Surely she must have a few hours to spend with you, Tommy.’

‘Nah,’ he said and moved out of the room into the shop.

Ruby followed. ‘Well, mention it, at least,’ she said, no longer willing to force the subject on a disinterested child.

‘Yeah, but don’t think she’ll bovva. Here. I’ve got somethin’ from me auntie,’ he replied, and held out his hand.

A shiver of impatience ran through Ruby, but she held back from saying anything and took the small box from his hand. ‘That’s lovely. Oh, it’s a tiny painting.’

Ruby beckoned Beatty as she walked into the shop, laden with a basket of her freshly baked pies, and wrinkled her nose with approval. ‘They smell good. Tommy can have one for lunch. Look at what his aunt has sent today.’ Ruby held out the box.

‘Was your aunt a lady or someone rich, Tommy? She has perfect things, and they look expensive,’ Beatty asked him as she guided him to a seat before handing him a pie. ‘Sit there and don’t make a mess.’

Tommy’s mouth was full before he could reply to her question, and Ruby got the impression he had no intention of answering.

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