A Mother Forever by Elaine Everest (good novels to read txt) 📗

‘But why didn’t you come, why didn’t you knock on the door? What happened, Eddie?’ Ruby brushed aside angry tears. ‘Did you change your mind?’

‘No. You changed it for me,’ he said, looking beseechingly at her as he wiped the tears from her face with his fingers. ‘I saw you. I saw Frank and George, and Frank’s family, walking down the road together. You looked such a happy family, and because of that I misunderstood the situation. Ruby, I thought you’d given up on me and started a new life with Frank. Now I know that isn’t the case. But can you not see how it would have appeared to a man standing on the corner, watching from afar?’

‘But why didn’t you speak to me?’ she sobbed.

‘Because I was foolish. I was angry. Frank seemed to have everything I wanted. Besides, in my eyes, you’d had another man’s child. I was working down the brickfields alongside Derek Green. He was sworn to silence about my presence in the town. As it was, he didn’t want to be involved. I thought that was for the best, but now I know I was wrong. But it’s too late, even with us both knowing the truth: I’ll be leaving tomorrow.’

‘Leaving – where are you going?’

‘I’ve joined the army, and by tomorrow evening I’ll be out of your life once and for all.’

‘But, Eddie, aren’t you too old now to be a soldier?’

‘I lied about my age. Joining the army . . . it just seemed to be the best solution. I didn’t think I had anything – or anyone – to stay for.’

Ruby knew then that if she didn’t do something quickly, she’d lose Eddie forever. ‘I feel as though so much has come between us. I know I still love you, although I hated the man you became by the time we moved here. You frightened me, and to be honest, back at that time I was ready to leave – that was, until I fell in love with the house and made friends here. I knew it could be a good home for George, and for us, if you were to return. Losing Mum like we did, and then you disappearing on the same night, frightened the hell out of me. But I’m proud to say I coped – I worked hard, and I coped. Frank is a dear, dear friend. He helped me, and in return I was able to help him. He knows that Pat is your child, and he understands. If I told him today that you were moving back into the house as my husband, he would still understand. He would welcome you with open arms, and I hope that you too would accept Frank as the family friend who kept me going through thick and thin. He never once stepped in and spoke to George as a father figure; he knew that was your position. He always thought of you as George’s father and himself as nothing more than a friend to George, and George knows that. No one has taken your place in the household.’

Eddie didn’t know what to say. From the way Ruby spoke, he could walk back in the door this very minute and be accepted. ‘Too much water has gone under the bridge now. I’d hate anyone to talk about you, or Frank, come to that. I appreciate his friendship. Please pass that on to him. As for me pinching your mother’s money like that; I know it was for a reason, but I can never forgive myself.’ A look of shame crossed his face.

Ruby wiped her eyes and gave him a smile. ‘I want you to come back with me now, Eddie. You could tell him yourself, and I’m sure everyone would understand.’

‘No, I can’t do that. It wouldn’t be fair to Frank. The world would see this and assume the worst. We would be seen as the couple who turned out the man who loved you. Where would he go but back over the road to his mother and ridicule from his family and the nosy neighbours? Apart from that, everyone looks on Pat as being his child. I’d not do that to the man who has taken care of you all these years.’

‘I see what you mean, Eddie. Frank does have rooms over the bookshop. It was always his intention to move there once they’d been cleaned up and decorated, but I invited him to stay with us as it was convenient for his family, who believed Pat was his and we were a couple. I’m not sure now how we can undo things. Until you spoke, I hadn’t even given it a thought. What can we do?’

‘Are you sure you want me back in your life, Ruby?’ Eddie’s voice was raw with emotion.

‘I really do, Eddie. I know that if you’d explained all this to me when we first moved here, I might not have been sympathetic. But now – I do believe you. Even so, how can I do this to Frank? He’d be a laughing stock. And Stella would be heartbroken.’

Eddie thought for a moment before speaking. ‘Do we have to tell anyone? I’m going away tomorrow, and God knows when I’ll be back. Could we keep this our secret until I return? If I return?’

Ruby gasped. ‘Please don’t say that, Eddie. Not after everything that’s happened. We keep hearing already that this war won’t last long, so why not tell everyone now?’

‘Look, love,’ he said, squeezing her hand. ‘I don’t want you or the children hurt by nasty comments from ill-minded people. As far as others know, I’m out of your life completely. Only Derek knows that I’ve been around here, but he’s prepared to keep quiet. We will both be off to war, so why not carry on as normal?’

Ruby hated what she had to say. ‘I suppose you’re right.’ She took a deep breath. ‘It’ll be a good idea