War Baby by Lizzie Lane Read Free Book Online

her teacup, turning it around on its saucer. ‘Except for Dad of course.’ She sighed. ‘I just wish he was his old self again.’
    â€˜So do I,’ Bettina said quietly.
    â€˜Oh well. I’d better be off. Lunch will be getting cold and I still haven’t found him. I wonder where he’s got to.’
    Actually, she suspected he was in the pub. He’d always liked the odd pint, but never during lunchtime, not until Charlie had died. The thought of it was worrying. Too much to drink and he became somebody else, somebody with a temper and the fists to match.
    They’d only ever seen it once, on the occasion of his brother Sefton dying and Sefton’s wife, Frances’s mother, taking off and leaving her child behind.
    There’d been a man involved. Stan Sweet had found out about him, following him to a pub in East Bristol where he’d faced him down and given him a licking he was likely to remember for some time. Not that it made much difference to Mildred. She’d still shot off. The last they’d heard she was in London.
    On Ruby’s return home, she found Mary putting away the dishes. Stan Sweet was sound asleep in one of the old armchairs placed either side of the fireplace.
    His mouth was open, his eyes closed and his arms were flopped over the chair arms. His snores were loud and clear. His breath smelled of beer.
    â€˜He came in ten minutes ago,’ she said when Ruby glanced accusingly at their father.
    â€˜No need to tell me where he’s been. I can smell it.’
    Mary shrugged. ‘He’s our father. We can’t tell him what to do.’
    Ruby gritted her teeth. She wanted to say that he could do with somebody telling him that life goes on, but held back. She thought about what she’d said over her mother’s grave. It was too much to hope for, but it was something. Hope, as somebody said, springs eternal.
    â€˜I take it Mrs Hicks wouldn’t let you go until you’d had at least two cups of tea,’ said Mary, an amused smile on her face.
    â€˜You’re right,’ whispered Ruby. She crooked her finger so that Mary would come closer, nodding to where her father was really sending the snores home!
    â€˜Best not to disturb him. He’s not sleeping well.’
    Mary agreed with her.
    â€˜I told Bettina about the time Frances came to live with us. Do you remember what he was like then?’
    â€˜Very angry with her mother. I don’t remember Mildred very well except that she wore a lot of make-up and never left the house unless she was looking her best. Dad called her a hussy.’
    â€˜That’s right. But he didn’t dwell on Mildred leaving. He brightened up for the sake of Frances I think. At least, that’s how I recall that time.’
    Mary nodded and kept her voice low. ‘He felt responsible for her so he brightened up. That’s how Dad is.’
    â€˜That’s what he needs now,’ whispered Ruby. ‘A responsibility to face up to and live for.’
    Mary agreed with her. ‘He’s only got us and we’re grown up and don’t need anyone to be responsible for us. Neither does Frances. She’s growing up too.’
    Ruby fiddled with the collar of her dress. ‘Poor Dad. What he needs is grandchildren. Imagine how happy that would make him.’
    â€˜Ruby!’ Mary managed to keep her voice down, but had no control over the heat spreading over her face. ‘Give me a chance. I have to get married first.’
    Ruby grinned. ‘Not necessarily, my dear sister. In fact, you don’t need to get married at all. Do I have to point out to you that babies do not come from under the gooseberry bush?’
    Mary’s blush deepened. ‘Of course I know where babies come from! Don’t be so silly! Honestly, Ruby, at times I can hardly recognise you as my sister.’
    â€˜At times I think I need to speak to you about the facts of life!’
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