including the baby, though there seemed more. perhaps because none of them could be much over six.
‘He fetched us a banana once,’ one wide-eyed toddler announced.
His mother laughed. ‘Not that you knew what to do with it, Henry, so hush up, Mr Clever Clogs.’ But she tickled him under the chin, to show she was only teasing, and Ruby felt the prick of tears at the back of her eyes as she experienced a spurt of envy at the family’s closeness.
Nobody troubled to wash since there was no tap in the room and most of the children were already dressed, having slept in every item of clothing they possessed to keep warm, a habit the McBrides fell back into with practised ease. But everyone seemed perfectly content. No one appeared surprised or in the least concerned that those who were old enough were expected to get themselves off to school as best they could. Their mother trailed around after them, picking up socks, tying boot laces and issuing instructions, the baby propped on one hip throughout the whole performance. Ruby thought Sister Joseph would probably have died of apoplexy at the sight of all these unclean bodies.
‘What about them two youngsters?’ The woman jerked her chin in the direction of Billy and Pearl. ‘Let them sleep in today, eh?’
Ruby nodded, relieved that she wasn’t to be questioned further.
After the older children had gone, leaving only a three year old and the baby, a pot of tea was brewed and Ruby gratefully accepted a mug. ‘You said he had one or two part-time jobs, Mrs Jarvis. What is it Kit does, exactly?’
‘Call me Marie. I don’t rightly know what he does. A bit of this, bit of that. Cleaning windows, delivering, sweeping - anything he can find. Right now he’s down at the docks helping with the stacking and loading and, with a bit of luck, will pick up summat to eat while he’s at it, and a nip of rum happen,’ she said, her face brightening. `At best, he might earn a copper or two.’
‘I see.’ It all sounded a bit vague and Ruby’s mind was in turmoil. It would be sensible to spend one or two nights here, but she couldn’t depend on handouts. They’d have to learn to stand on their own feet. Somehow or other she must find employment, but would anyone take on a thirteen year old with no experience whatsoever? She suddenly felt very young and vulnerable.
‘Since my Mick died . . .’ A flicker of pain crossed the woman’s face and her eyes filled with tears. ‘He was killed in an accident down in the loading bay twelve months ago.’
‘I’m so sorry.’
‘Aye, well, I’ll spare you the details. Mick were the nearest Kit had to a dad, but he’s never complained once. Just left school, found himself work and got on with it. He’s a good lad. To his mam anyroad,’ she added by way of qualification.
‘I shall need to find work too. How should I go about it, do you reckon?’
‘Finding work is easy enough, lass, so long as you look smart and clean and as if you don’t need it.’
‘Oh!’ Ruby didn’t quite know what to make of this advice.
‘Nay, don’t worry, love. You look well enough.’ Marie studied her more carefully, taking in the full measure of her youthful appearance, the telltale uniform, then glanced across at the sleeping Pearl and Billy, curled up together in their favourite fashion. Her gaze now was thoughtful and filled with pity. ‘How old are you, love? If’n you don’t mind me asking. I’d like to help you look after them babbies but, as you can see, me hands is a bit full already. And once I’ve weaned this little ‘un, I’ll have to get back to work meself. Old Maggie upstairs’ll watch childer fer me in return for a few handouts.’
‘Oh, that’s all right. I can manage, thank you. I’m nearly sixteen,’ Ruby lied.
Mare’s eyebrows lifted slightly in disbelief, then she gave a gentle sigh. ‘Well, you’re welcome to stop on till you find yer feet, but even if you finds a proper job like, getting paid a
‘He fetched us a banana once,’ one wide-eyed toddler announced.
His mother laughed. ‘Not that you knew what to do with it, Henry, so hush up, Mr Clever Clogs.’ But she tickled him under the chin, to show she was only teasing, and Ruby felt the prick of tears at the back of her eyes as she experienced a spurt of envy at the family’s closeness.
Nobody troubled to wash since there was no tap in the room and most of the children were already dressed, having slept in every item of clothing they possessed to keep warm, a habit the McBrides fell back into with practised ease. But everyone seemed perfectly content. No one appeared surprised or in the least concerned that those who were old enough were expected to get themselves off to school as best they could. Their mother trailed around after them, picking up socks, tying boot laces and issuing instructions, the baby propped on one hip throughout the whole performance. Ruby thought Sister Joseph would probably have died of apoplexy at the sight of all these unclean bodies.
‘What about them two youngsters?’ The woman jerked her chin in the direction of Billy and Pearl. ‘Let them sleep in today, eh?’
Ruby nodded, relieved that she wasn’t to be questioned further.
After the older children had gone, leaving only a three year old and the baby, a pot of tea was brewed and Ruby gratefully accepted a mug. ‘You said he had one or two part-time jobs, Mrs Jarvis. What is it Kit does, exactly?’
‘Call me Marie. I don’t rightly know what he does. A bit of this, bit of that. Cleaning windows, delivering, sweeping - anything he can find. Right now he’s down at the docks helping with the stacking and loading and, with a bit of luck, will pick up summat to eat while he’s at it, and a nip of rum happen,’ she said, her face brightening. `At best, he might earn a copper or two.’
‘I see.’ It all sounded a bit vague and Ruby’s mind was in turmoil. It would be sensible to spend one or two nights here, but she couldn’t depend on handouts. They’d have to learn to stand on their own feet. Somehow or other she must find employment, but would anyone take on a thirteen year old with no experience whatsoever? She suddenly felt very young and vulnerable.
‘Since my Mick died . . .’ A flicker of pain crossed the woman’s face and her eyes filled with tears. ‘He was killed in an accident down in the loading bay twelve months ago.’
‘I’m so sorry.’
‘Aye, well, I’ll spare you the details. Mick were the nearest Kit had to a dad, but he’s never complained once. Just left school, found himself work and got on with it. He’s a good lad. To his mam anyroad,’ she added by way of qualification.
‘I shall need to find work too. How should I go about it, do you reckon?’
‘Finding work is easy enough, lass, so long as you look smart and clean and as if you don’t need it.’
‘Oh!’ Ruby didn’t quite know what to make of this advice.
‘Nay, don’t worry, love. You look well enough.’ Marie studied her more carefully, taking in the full measure of her youthful appearance, the telltale uniform, then glanced across at the sleeping Pearl and Billy, curled up together in their favourite fashion. Her gaze now was thoughtful and filled with pity. ‘How old are you, love? If’n you don’t mind me asking. I’d like to help you look after them babbies but, as you can see, me hands is a bit full already. And once I’ve weaned this little ‘un, I’ll have to get back to work meself. Old Maggie upstairs’ll watch childer fer me in return for a few handouts.’
‘Oh, that’s all right. I can manage, thank you. I’m nearly sixteen,’ Ruby lied.
Mare’s eyebrows lifted slightly in disbelief, then she gave a gentle sigh. ‘Well, you’re welcome to stop on till you find yer feet, but even if you finds a proper job like, getting paid a
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