Stan seemed to suddenly come out of his stupor, for he glanced at the clock, checked his pocket watch and got to his feet. ‘I’ve been neglecting my duties,’ he breathed. ‘Lord knows what’s been happening this morning. I’ve missed two trains already, and there are bound to have been complaints to Head Office. At this rate, I’ll lose my job without Ethel’s help.’

Ron followed him outside, slamming the door behind him and still carrying his mug of tea as they headed down the path to the gate which led straight to the platform. He was very worried that Stan would keel over with all the stress of the morning, but when he saw the little figure working in the signal box, he knew his old friend had love and support enough for him to be able to go and fetch the animals.

Ruby came flying down the steps of the signal box and flung her arms around Stan. ‘I’m so sorry, Uncle Stan. What Mum done was unforgivable.’

‘But what …? How …?’

Ruby eased him down onto the bench. ‘Bert Williams phoned through to the factory office to tell me what were going on,’ she explained. ‘I told ’im straight she could stay there and stew for what she done to you, and come straight up ’ere to see to the early trains ’cos I knew you’d be down there trying to ’elp her.’

‘But she’s your mother,’ breathed Stan. ‘Surely you should be looking after her, not me.’

Ruby gripped his hands. ‘I’ll see ’er later. It’s you what matters now. I told Mum to stop ’er thieving, and now she’s only got herself to blame for the mess she’s in. Her and that Olive ’ave been at it for months, and I don’t mind telling you, Uncle Stan, that sort of thing not only makes me sick to me stomach, but it rubs off on others what ’ave done no wrong. I can’t remember the number of times I’ve ’ad me bag and pockets searched, just because she’s my mother.’

As the train came chuffing and puffing into the station, Ron finished his tea and headed back to the Anchor without asking Stan about the letter Ethel had hidden – the poor man had enough to contend with today.

Ruby had lived at Beach View for a while after she’d escaped her brutal husband back in the East End, and he and Peggy had come to admire her courage and fortitude – and her downright good sense. Stan would be all right now she was with him.

20