Ruby by Marie Maxwell Page A

clientele made him some excellent contacts.
    One of these was Bill Morgan himself and the other was Eddie Stone, a failed boxer who was down on his luck after coming home from the war broke and depressed, and who’d happily sell his own mother if the price was right. Eddie was unpredictable and had a vicious streak, but no-one was really sure if he’d always been like that or if his boxing injuries had been more damaging than anyone had realised.
    Not wanting to dirty his own hands, Johnnie had spoken to him about the job he wanted doing, a lesson taught to Ray and Bobbie Blakeley, and carefully arranged for it to be done when he himself was well away and with an alibi. Their sister, Ruby.
    He wanted the Blakeley boys brought down a peg or two but he also didn’t want to blot his copybook with Ruby. Despite his Jack-the-lad reputation, Johnnie Riordan wasn’t a ladies’ man; he was far more into his business, his future and earning money. It wasn’t that he didn’t have the opportunity and he had the odd fling here and there – especially with Sadie Scully, when they’d shared a shift and the backroom was empty after hours – but anything more than that wasn’t what he was looking for.
    However, Ruby had a manner about her that he’d never come across before and she was intruding into his thoughts far more often than he wanted. There was something about the girl that kept pulling him towards her. Offering to take her to Melton had not been entirely a gesture of goodwill. He wanted to spend some time with her away from the local prying eyes, who may well tell Ray Blakeley, the man to whom Johnnie preferred not to give any ammunition. The man who Eddie Stone was going to deal with on the very day Johnnie and Ruby were miles away.
    ‘Any chance of service here?’ Eddie asked in the tone that always irritated Johnnie.
    Johnnie smiled none the less. ‘What do you want?’
    ‘What do you mean, what do I want? I want a fucking drink, that’s what I want.’
    ‘Of course. Coming right up, sir. Anything you want, sir …’ Johnnie’s tone was pure sarcasm but it went straight over Eddie’s head.
    ‘About time too!’
    Johnnie got the man his beer, took his money and made two mental notes. He would never use Eddie Stone again and he would also at some point teach him all about manners.

Nine
    As the train turned the final bend Ruby pulled down the carriage window and leaned out; she could see Babs Wheaton standing on the edge of the short platform, waiting for the London train to arrive. She was wearing the familiar beige coat that Ruby had long coveted and a matching hat perched at a jaunty angle with a large feather pinned to the front. The coat was shaped tightly into her waist with a row of black velvet buttons all the way from neck to hem and a neat velvet collar, and knowing that she had worn it specially made Ruby well up. She waved frantically as the train pulled in and, after jumping out as the train was still moving, she ran over and hugged her tight. Babs hugged her back for a few seconds before holding her away with both hands and looking her up and down.
    ‘My, how you’ve grown, even in this short time. Just look at you – you’re nearly as tall as I am with my high heels on!’
    ‘And you’re wearing my favourite coat!’
    ‘Maybe this time I’ll let you take it with you, now you’re just a little older.’
    ‘But not the hat.’
    As they laughed Johnnie stepped up beside them both and held his hand out.
    ‘Aunty Babs, this is Johnnie Riordan. He’s the friend you spoke to on the phone when I was so upset. He helped me arrange the visit.’
    Johnnie smiled confidently and tipped his hat. ‘Very nice to meet you, Mrs Wheaton. I’ve heard a lot about you from Red here.’
    ‘Red?’ Babs raised an eyebrow and looked at Ruby before taking Johnnie’s proffered hand. ‘Nice to meet you, Mr Riordan. It was kind of you to go to the trouble of helping Ruby. Dr Wheaton and I appreciate