Ruby rushed to meet Cathy at the front gate, her shoulders hunched forwards in protection. The mock concerned questions ringing in her ears, their high pitched words split her eardrums. She hurried her friend along the path, not waiting to explain her haste. Once around the corner, Ruby finally slowed down to face Cathy as they walked.
A confused look crossed the other girl’s brow as she stood fast making Ruby jolt forward, “Ruby, what is the matter with you?”
“Nothing, nothing,” she hastened, straightening herself, “I just wanted to get a move on.”
“No you didn’t,” Cathy stubbornly stated.
She turned to argue however, seeing her protest useless she determined to confess, “I wanted to get away from them, their prying eyes, critical glares, I could feel it. It was like they fed off me somehow. Fed of my fear...”
“I know how you feel,” the big green eyes fell to the floor.
Ruby started, her eyes widening, she thought “Of course Cathy did. She’d been through this, I’ve been so selfish” she placed a kind hand on her friends shoulder.
Cathy patted it, returning to her cheerful self, “Come on, we’re having beans on toast tonight.”
“What?”
“We’re having beans on toast for tea,” she replied, adding, “At my house, before the club.”
“Oh!” Ruby nodded, “I get you now... So we’re going to a club?”
“Not that kind of club, Rubes, a youth club, but that’s all you’re getting out of me.”
Ruby wryly smiled, following her friend along the path. It wasn’t long until they were turning into a terraced house. Its white door was clean and the windows shinning. She nearly gasped.
They entered the pristine house into an immaculate hallway with wooden floor panels and a polished staircase. Walking through however, Ruby soon realised that things weren’t quite as they seemed. The furniture was basic; a small brown leather couch slumped against a cream wall, a couple of coffee tables placed either side. There wasn’t a television; there weren’t any ornaments, just a bare fireplace. An old rug covered the cold floor boards and a battered pack of cards rested in one corner – waiting to be played again that evening.
“There’s just me and Dad,” Cathy shrugged in explanation, “We don’t need much.”
“Where is your dad?”
“Probably working,” she checked her watch, “Yeah, he’ll be back soon.”
“What does he do?” Ruby enquired, her curiosity aroused by the sparseness of their house.
“Er,” Cathy seemed reluctant to tell her, “He works in...em... sewerage,” she whispered the last word.
“Oh,” she blushed, embarrassed that she’d asked.
“Yeah... anyway, want a game of cards while we wait?”
“Sure, what are we going to play?”
***
It was getting dark before Cathy’s dad returned. He stumbled in the door, his gruff voice muttering a hello as he ascended the staircase.
“Hey Dad, want me to start tea?”
“Yeah, I’m starving Cath, what we ‘avin’?” he called down.
“Beans,” she replied, whispering under her breath “Again.”
“Yum!” he said in his best attempt at being pleased.
Catherine popped her head around the door, “Hungry?” she grinned at Ruby.
“Staarving!” she laughed, jumping up to join her friend in the kitchen.
Entering another sparse room, Ruby’s concern grew. The cupboard Cathy opened merely contained two cans of beans which she slammed down on the light, wood-effect countertop. A pan was fetched and stove turned on. The low whistle the only sound as Ruby examined the sterile room. Once again, everything was white giving it the impression of a show-house. The small fridge was immaculate; the cupboards looked almost new, it didn’t look like it had ever been lived in.
Ruby finally turned to her friend, her strong eyebrows frowning with curiosity, “Wh-”
Cathy interrupted, “Why’s it so bare?” she widened her eyes threateningly, “Because we can’t afford anything more than what was included in the rent.”
Ruby reddened, her dark eyes darting across the room, “Sorry,” she whispered incoherently.
“It’s alright, would you mind getting the bread, it’s in that cupboard, there.”
Ruby nodded, walking over to find another bare cupboard. Half a loaf of bread. They placed it under the grill – there wasn’t a toaster.
Sitting down to eat, the table was silent. The chewing of food becoming unbearable as eyes darted between inhabitants and imposter. Finally, Cathy broke the silence.
“How was your day Dad?”
“T’was ok, not much appenin’ like but same old, same old, you chuck?”
“Alright, just school,” she replied, shrugging “Thought I’d invite Ruby to the Youth Club tonight, she needs a break.”
Ruby’s head shot up from her plate, scared that Cathy would elaborate. Cathy’s father’s eyebrows rose slightly, “Good idea,” he said in agreement, laughing “Your cousin, Sam, will be happy. Do you need a lift, girls?”
The conversation ran smoothly after that, Cathy’s dad, George, was a lovely man. A gruff exterior to disguise his kind heart. Ruby immediately liked him. It was soon time for them to leave and George cheerfully dropped them off outside an iron-gated building.
The Meeting Hall was a small building nestled behind grey housing; it had a large black door and dappled glass windows which meant a light had to be constantly on in order to see. The carpet was worn bare, the chairs old but Ruby had never loved a place more. A friendly smile met her wherever she turned. The diversity was greater than anything she had seen before, ages ranging from seven to seventeen, everyone was welcome. And then she met Sam.
Blonde hair fell over his young face, a permanent beam presented itself boldly under his prominent nose. He spotted her immediately, making his way over to introduce himself.
“Hey, I’m Sam,” he grinned offering her his hand.
She shook it responding with a shy smile, “Ruby, nice to meet you.”
The young man shifted his gaze to Cathy, “Well done, always looking for new members,” he winked.
She grinned, “Ah, well, couldn’t let you down Cuz. Anyway, I think Ruby really needs it.”
Catching her intonation, Sam nodded, “Come and find me after,” he whispered before turning to the room, “Right Kids!”
Ruby enjoyed every single minute of the club. She felt like a weight had been lifted and she could be a child again. They played games, told stories even began work on a play to perform to their parents. It was all over far too quickly...
Cathy directed Ruby to the front of the hall where the two leaders where situated, waiting for her.
The other leader was a petite, blonde lady with her hair scraped back into a tight bun. She seemed strict at first, though soon showed her caring ability as she helped the younger kids with their coats. Right then, her big blue eyes were kind and honest imploring Ruby to explain her bruises. Coupled with Sam’s coercing, it didn’t take long for her to break down.
YOU ARE READING
Rolex Ruby
Teen Fiction'Staring in the mirror, she looked at her blurred face. Tears threatened at the corners of her almond eyes...' Everything in Ruby's life was about to change; sending all she knew and loved into disordered chaos... A story of social challenge, courag...
