A Promise Between Friends by Carol Rivers Read Free Book Online Page A

Marlon
Brando, who Ruby had worshipped ever since seeing A Streetcar Named Desire .
    When they arrived in the narrow streets of Soho Bernie parked the car. He steered them past the working girls and noisy nightlife of the clubs and bars towards the address Larry had given
them.
    Ruby looked for the street where Pete had once brought her one Sunday afternoon. A tall, terraced house beside a bookshop and opposite a small green park. ‘This is my boss’s bolt
hole,’ he’d explained. ‘He’s not here now. So I’ll show you round.’ The house had many rooms set over three floors. Pete had served her tea: real scones from
Lyons with thick red jam. There was a light, airy kitchen, a modern lounge and, up the winding stairs, several bedrooms, one with a four-poster bed. She’d never seen a bed like it before.
    Now, as Bernie led the way, Ruby looked around expectantly. But the bustling streets all looked the same in the dark. Nowhere could she see that park or little bookshop.
    Bernie stopped outside a rather grimy door. ‘Well, you two, I’ll pick you up later. And be good.’
    ‘Thanks for the ride, Bernie.’ Kath kissed his cheek.
    Ruby did the same, smiling. Everything had worked out all right in the end. She couldn’t wait to join the party!

Chapter Six
    ‘What’s this we’re drinking?’ Ruby enquired several hours later, as Larry tilted the chrome cocktail mixer over Ruby’s glass.
    ‘Gin and sin,’ Larry told them with a sly wink.
    They were squeezed into the small kitchen where bottles of wine and spirits were lined up by the buffet. Most of the snacks had gone, but the alcohol seemed to be endless. As empty bottles
disappeared, full ones took their places.
    ‘What’s a gin and sin?’ Kath asked, taking a big gulp.
    ‘Just what it says, my lovely.’
    Kath laughed. ‘It’s delicious.’
    ‘And so are you, dear girl.’
    ‘Larry, we don’t want a hangover,’ Ruby admonished. She had lost count of the orange- and lime-flavoured cocktails they’d drunk.
    ‘Stick to the one poison and you’ll be fine.’ Larry flipped the lid of a silver cigarette box. ‘Do try one, Kath.’
    ‘Are they poison too?’ Kath giggled.
    ‘Not at all,’ Larry assured her. ‘Try one and you’ll see.’
    Ruby watched as Kath took one of the cigarettes. After Larry helped her to light up, she inhaled, closing her eyes as she did so. ‘They’re amazing!’
    Larry chuckled. ‘I’m here to please.’
    ‘I could get used to these very quickly.’
    ‘Feel free.’ Larry gave her a wink. ‘Experimenting is such fun, don’t you think? Anyway, do enjoy. I’ll be back in a jiffy.’
    ‘What did he mean by experimenting?’ Kath whispered to Ruby when he’d gone.
    ‘I think you’re about to find out.’
    They both burst into laughter again. Ruby sighed with pleasure. This was turning out to be a very good night.
    ‘I’m Penny,’ a very tall girl said later that evening. ‘I’m a dancer at the Windmill.’
    ‘I’m Kath,’ Kath said shyly. ‘And I work in a factory.’
    ‘I’m Ruby. I work for Larry at the poodle parlour.’
    The conversation turned to dancing, and as Penny and Kath seemed to hit it off immediately, Ruby moved off to join Larry who was talking with an older couple. ‘This is Bruno Cuthbertson
and his delightful wife, Marianne,’ he introduced. ‘They run a studio on Wardour Street.’
    ‘Charmed,’ said Bruno flirtatiously.
    ‘Likewise,’ breathed Marianne in a husky, almost masculine voice.
    Ruby smiled at the casually dressed older man with long white hair tied back in a ponytail and his brunette wife who had a boy’s haircut and wore trousers.
    ‘Have you ever posed for a professional photographer?’ Bruno asked.
    Ruby blushed. ‘There’s not many of those in the East End.’
    ‘Then you should come to the studio,’ Bruno invited. ‘I can see great potential.’
    ‘Leave the poor girl alone, you monster,’ Larry broke in. ‘Goodness knows what would happen if