Rolex Ruby

Chapter 1 - Part 2

Ruby’s mother, Anya, busied herself in the next few weeks, trying to find a new place for her family to live, while her father tried unsuccessfully to find a job. Things were subdued; a miserable silence had grasped the Johnsons. Unanswered letters lay lifeless on the dense door mat and the answer phone beeped incessantly with enumerable messages. Not even Ruby’s boisterous older brother, Callum, could move the atmosphere. Anticipation rested heavily over them, until the fatal day when the removal lorry arrived.

The children were to stay at their grandparents’ while the new house was arranged. Ruby loved her Grandma Mary. She was a plump, cheery lady who always made homemade toffee like no other toffee in existence. Mary laughed and chatted with her all day, wanting to hear every little thing Ruby had been doing while telling her all the stories of her childhood. Ruby often went to see her grandma except, this time, things were different. Ruby didn’t feel like eating toffee or laughing about unimportant stories. The house was downcast. The only sound being Grandpa George’s usual light snoring from the living room.

Ruby looked about the room; her grandma sat doing her customary crossword, her glasses resting precariously at the end of her nose, the pencil shaking in her arthritic hand. Lindsey was reading, some huge book which Ruby didn’t care to read the title of; her brother Callum was nowhere to be seen – probably still in bed, he never rose before 2 o’clock on a weekend. Ruby couldn’t imagine how he could sleep so long, she smiled suddenly to herself.

“Was that a smile, Miss Johnson,” her grandmother interjected, a cheeky grin lighting up her brilliant blue eyes over the half-moon spectacles.

Ruby turned in surprise, her cheeks reddening as she hid her own grin behind her hand.

“Don’t miss anything me,” Mary laughed, putting aside her crossword she opened her arms, “Come here, Rubes.”

Ruby went over to her, curling up on her grandma’s knees as she was wrapped in her comforting arms. She buried her face into the soft, secure shoulder. She didn’t want to leave the safety of her grandma’s warmth.

Mary and George lived along an idyllic street of green oaks and chalk paths which led to the quaint Primary school Ruby had attended previously. She used to visit them every evening, for toffee and hot chocolate; she’d never be able to do that again...

“Don’t look so miserable Ruby darling, it’s an adventure you’re all going on, go and enjoy yourself. There’s a much bigger world out there, you’re just beginning to explore it.” Her gentle face lit up with an excitement Ruby had never seen in the wrinkled features; she saw the beautiful face of the young Mary smile down at her. It comforted her more than anything else could.

“You’re going to be here if I get lost aren’t you Grandma?” she asked innocently.

“Always,” Mary kissed her forehead, tightening her hold on the fragile child.

Lindsey looked over at her grandmother, a concerned frown on her face. Mary stared back; a sadness creeping into her old features as she smiled lightly, Lindsey’s eyes fell again to the page as silence drowned them once more.

The children stayed with their grandparents for another week before moving to the new house in Mortbrough. Ruby clung to the neck of her grandma, wishing more than anything she could stay.

Prising the young girl’s arms from around her, Mary smiled “Goodbye Rubes, be good and we’ll see you again soon.”

Ruby’s mouth trembled as her big brown eyes began to tear, “Love you, Grandma.”

“Love you too,” she whispered giving her a last squeeze before Ruby jumped into the car, waving frantically as they became smaller and smaller dots in the distance. Finally turning round, Ruby watched the road unfold before her. “An adventure,” she thought, gripped by excitement and fear.