The Lost Sister, Kathleen McGurl [best desktop ebook reader txt] 📗

and had to remind herself it was only her sister Ruby she was going to meet, and it had only been three weeks since she’d last seen her.

It was a twenty-minute walk to the hotel where Ruby worked, but Emma allowed herself half an hour. It was a warm day and she didn’t want to work up a sweat, not if they were going to go out for tea. Also, she wanted to take a longer route, via a park, and enjoy the walk. She reached the hotel at five to four, and went around the back to the staff entrance. There were a few kitchen staff standing around outside in the sunshine, smoking and chatting, and another man dressed in a lounge suit with a straw boater on his head, stood leaning against a fence, a cigarette dangling from his lip. Emma took a position a little way away from him. Something about the way his gaze had appraised her as she approached unnerved her. She hoped Ruby would come out on time.

It was just after four o’clock, by Emma’s watch, when the staff door opened and a stream of chambermaids began pouring out of the hotel, chatting and laughing. Emma stood upright, watching for Ruby, and then spotted her near the back of the group. She raised a hand to wave to her sister but then dropped it as she realised Ruby was heading over to the man in the suit. Ruby approached him, leaned towards him for a kiss and then linked arms with the man as they turned to leave the hotel. A couple of other girls glanced at Ruby, then turned away whispering to each other, their expressions harsh and disapproving. It was only then that Ruby spotted her, Emma, waiting.

‘Ems! So you’re back again? I thought it was next week.’ Emma noticed her sister had let go of the man’s arm and taken a step away from him.

‘Hello Ruby. I got back yesterday. I was hoping to see you last night, but I was so tired …’

‘I was working late yesterday. I’ll see you tonight? Ma doing dinner for six, is she? I’ll be home by then, I think … something I was going to do first. See you later then, eh?’

‘Rubes, I came to meet you hoping we could perhaps go out for tea, just you and me? I’m paying.’

‘Ah, but … I’ve got to …’ Emma noticed her sister glance towards the suited man, who was still nearby, watching and listening to their conversation. There was an amused smirk on the man’s face. Emma assumed this was Harry Paine. Ruby clearly did not intend introducing him.

‘Come on, Ruby. I haven’t seen you for weeks, we’ve got loads to talk about, and I’ve got my wages from the last voyage to spend. Tea and cake, on me. What’s so important that can’t wait another day?’

‘This your sister?’ the man said, stepping forward.

Ruby blushed and half turned towards him. ‘Um, yes. This is Emma.’

‘Pleased to meet you. I’m Harry.’ He held out his hand for Emma to shake. His hand was warm, his grip strong, and he held on just a fraction too long for Emma’s liking. His eyes were a cold blue-grey and although handsome, he had a couple of missing teeth and those that were present were blackened. ‘Looks like you aren’t free today, Ruby,’ he said. ‘Go and have fun with your sister. I’ll see you tomorrow.’ He didn’t wait for an answer, but strode off, hands in pockets, whistling.

Ruby watched him go, an expression Emma couldn’t quite read on her face. Was she disappointed not to be spending time with her boyfriend? Or annoyed that Emma had now met him, and her relationship with him was a secret no longer.

‘Ready?’ Emma said, and Ruby turned back to her with a too-bright smile.

‘Tea and cake, you said? Yes, I’m always ready for that.’ Ruby linked arms with Emma and they set off towards the nearest Lyons corner-house.

‘So that man was …?’ Emma asked, when it seemed Ruby wasn’t going to offer up any information.

‘That was Harry, as he said.’

‘Harry Paine?’

‘How did you know his surname?’

‘Something Ma said,’ Emma replied.

‘Ma? I’ve not told his name to Ma. How can she know?’ Ruby sounded worried.

Emma silently cursed herself. She’d heard Harry’s surname from the gossiping Mrs Williams. They crossed a road, and she tried to change the subject. ‘How did you meet him?’

‘Oh, he’s just one of the crowd that I goes around with. Remember when you were last home and you was telling me off for going to the pub? Well, if I hadn’t been going to the pub I wouldn’t have met Harry.’ Ruby smiled triumphantly.

‘So are you … stepping out with him?’ Emma asked cautiously. There’d been something about Harry she hadn’t liked. He was too old for Ruby. Too worldly-wise.

‘I’m … seeing him, is probably a better way of putting it. But we don’t want anyone to know.’

‘Why not? Wouldn’t it be better to bring him home to meet Ma? Then she’d know who you’re out with and perhaps worry less about it.’

Ruby shook her head violently. ‘No. You don’t understand. I can’t do that. God, I wish she didn’t know his name. It could ruin everything.’

‘How can just knowing his name be a problem?’

‘She knows him. Or knows of him.’

‘So?’ They were almost at the corner-house. This conversation felt like one that had to be completed in private, not sitting in the bustle of the tea-shop.

Ruby stopped walking and turned to face Emma. ‘Ems, Harry and I can’t be together openly. Not now. Not for ages – not until he leaves his wife. There. I’ve told you now. So you’ll understand why it all has to be kept as much a secret as possible?’

Chapter 9

Harriet

Friday inched around at last. Harriet had packed and repacked her suitcase at least a dozen times. It was mid-spring: warm enough in the daytime but evenings on deck might be chilly,