A Sister's Struggle by Mary Gibson

Author:Mary Gibson [Gibson, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781788542609
Publisher: Head of Zeus

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‘So, it’s all back on with Charlie, then?’ Ida said, unimpressed, as they hurried out of Crosse’s gates. ‘That’s put paid to my plans. I was going to ask you to our Christmas do at the Labour Institute. Don’t suppose you’ll chance it now, will you?’

Ruby thought for a moment. ‘Why not?’

Ida’s eyes widened and she gave an exaggerated step backward. ‘Knock me down with a feather duster. Are you sure?’

‘Charles has been more understanding since he came back from the College interview.’

‘That’s only cos you stood up to him, love.’

‘Or perhaps he’s changing.’

Ida looked unconvinced. ‘So, you’ll come?’

‘Yes, I will!’ she said decisively, and was rewarded with one of Ida’s broad smiles.

‘What are you doing for Christmas Day – are you at the Mission?’

Since joining the Mission, Ruby had always taken her brothers to the free Christmas dinner. Dodge usually protested, but only half-heartedly. It gave him the opportunity to spend Christmas morning in the World Turned Upside Down. He would invariably come home drunk at around the same time as his children were returning from the Central Hall. Later he’d wake from his afternoon stupor and hand out presents – usually whatever knocked-off toys he’d been able to acquire at the pub that morning. After the present-giving he’d fill a bucket of water, drop in a couple of apples and leave them to a game of apple bobbing while he returned to the Upside Down for the night, secure in the knowledge he’d done his Christmas duty by his kids. Ruby thought it strange that, with wet-eyed nostalgia, he regularly reminisced about their Christmasses and she supposed he genuinely believed that they always spent a happy day together.

‘Oh, I don’t know what I’m doing, Ida, and I don’t think I care. I’m not looking forward to it at all.’

‘Why not? You’ve got Dodge home – or is he going back to his minders?’

‘Who knows? I can’t get a straight answer. I just want us all to have a nice family Christmas for once. But I haven’t seen our Ricky for ages and if he knew Dodge was home, he wouldn’t come.’

Ruby was feeling guilty about Eric. He’d visited a couple of times, trying to give her money and had eventually given up, insulted. But she’d hoped he would relent and visit before Christmas, so she could invite him to Christmas Day dinner. Perhaps that way she’d get him and Dodge back on speaking terms.

‘It don’t take much to upset your Eric. He’ll be round when he needs something.’

‘Seems like he don’t need anything, Ida, except his precious jackboots and his blackshirt.’

‘He might not be wearing them for long. The government’s talking about banning the uniforms.’

‘I hope they do. If the BUF made him wear a docker’s cap and workman’s boots he’d change his tune; he’s as vain as Dodge!’

They laughed as they walked arm in arm to the Earl of Derby in Grange Road.

‘If you’re worried about Eric, perhaps you should just go down the dock office and catch him after work.

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