Rolex Ruby

Chapter 5

5

She didn’t quite know how it happened. She’d told them everything. Reliving the last few months as her words tumbled out of her shaking mouth. Tears slid down her cheeks as tiny waterfalls and her fingers fiddled with anything they could grasp. She daren’t look into their sympathetic faces; her dark eyes were downcast, staring intently at a large splodge by Sam’s foot. It seemed to grow as time passed but eclipsed into none existence when she finally looked up – her story at a close.

The woman, Sue, placed a caring arm around Ruby’s shaking shoulders, “It’s going to be alright, Ruby, don’t you worry, the Youth Group’s on every week, but we’re here to talk to, always.”

Ruby smiled, tears glinting at the corner of her beautiful eyes.

“And you’ll soon make friends here, we’re all friends here,” Sam interrupted with his characteristic grin.

Tears fell again from Ruby’s sore, crimson eyes, “Thank you,” she whispered in exhaustion, her emotions completely drained.

“Come on, let’s get you a cup of tea, then we can start forming a plan, hey?” asked Sue cheerily, holding out a hand, “What do you say to a chocolate biscuit?”

Ruby took it willingly, smiling as the bricks seemed to drift from her fragile shoulders. Its suffocating mass finally relieving her chest.

***

They did form a plan. Ruby went to see her form tutor the next day and the three monsters where given detention for the rest of term. It didn’t stop their haunting glares though, but Ruby managed to find other friends in the rest of the class.

Nevertheless, Cathy remained her best friend and was soon integrated into the Johnson’s family. Her father, George, had become great friends with Peter eventually managing to get him a job at the sewerage firm. It wasn’t much pay so Pete had to bury his pride and ask his parents for help, Ruby’s grandparents looked after her every weekend and sent food parcel back with her.

Peter wasn’t happy, Ruby knew that, but it stopped the arguments. Her mother wasn’t any better, she’d relapsed badly after Callum’s desertion meaning she was out of work and they had even less. Though having two less mouths to feed helped.

Callum still lived with his friend. There was better food and more room – apparently. Ruby knew differently, she often saw him on her way home. The back of her neck prickling and a tug on her heart as she pretended not to see him. Peter had been called countless times to the police station; Ruby didn’t bother to ask why...

Lindsey went to university, one of the best, so she told Ruby. Ruby missed her tremendously - even though she now had a bedroom to herself. Lindsey was enjoying herself and it was a lovely break when they went to visit. It was a fantastic place. She couldn’t wait until she could go to university.

They still lived in poverty. Her mum was still unable to work after her injuries and her dad’s wage wasn’t much but it paid the bills. They were stuck. Stuck in a rundown little house in the middle of Mortbrough. But it wasn’t so bad, not really.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my amazing parents, Andrew and Julia Mason, for their help in editing this short story. I would also like to thank Nathaniel Pearson, Heather Mason, Eleishia Copsley, Adam Burnitt and Becky Martin for their helpful reviews and encouragement. Thanks guys!