GIs and Ginger Beer, page 3
‘Wow, it must have been really good Chianti,’ Ashley said, and they laughed.
‘Well, my Arthur can be quite persuasive when he puts his mind to it.’
‘It was either cut short her holiday and fly back to sort me out, or leave me be,’ Ruby said.
For the first time Ashley felt a twinge of sympathy for Ruby’s daughter. She hadn’t taken to Serena but it couldn’t be easy looking after a woman like Ruby. She probably was entitled to a break. ‘So, Ruby, you’re back in Berecombe for a while, then?’
‘A month or so, lovie. Enough time for me to do your daft recordings for the memories project and for this Jack or Jake, or whatever he’s called, to paint me.’
‘Strikes me,’ Biddy added drily, ‘that young Jake is going to have his hands full. What with painting the portraits of half the female population of Berecombe.’
‘Maybe he’d like to paint me like one of those French girls?’ Ruby put in. ‘I take it that means in the nuddy? That’d soon cool his ardour.’
They laughed again. Ashley reached over a hand and said tenderly, ‘Oh Ruby, it’s so good to have you back!’
Chapter Five
‘You seem happier,’ Noah observed as they shared beer and pizza in her little flat.
May had slipped into June and the evening sky was clinging onto a blue that seemed to be lit from the inside and was dotted with stars. Ashley had left open the window and a salt-soaked breeze and late birdsong floated through.
She let a blackbird gild the night with a song before looking over to her cousin and answering. ‘I’m loving working at the Arts Workshop. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like teaching, but it’s so good to use my brain again. Ken’s good fun too. And it’s so great to have some kind of routine in my life. I hadn’t realised how much I needed it.’
‘It’s working. You’re looking better.’
‘Thanks, coz. I feel it, too. Must be all the cycling. I’m really glad I got Enid.’ Noah spluttered at the name but she ignored him. ‘The consultant said the exercise would build muscle and that would help my balance and stamina.’
‘That’s great, Ash. You know, you’ve done amazingly well. A fractured pelvis is no joke. I’m so glad living here is working out for you.’
‘All down to you. It was your idea. And you were right. Berecombe must be a magic place or something, as I’m beginning to feel so much stronger. Physically at least.’
‘It’s the sea air,’ he said, adding smugly, ‘so Big Coz Noah just has to sort your love life, then.’
‘I’m perfectly capable of arranging that for myself, thank you.’ She studied him as he lay sprawled in his usual spot on the floor. She was trying to decide what else to say. Apart from the conversation they’d had on the night of the ball, they hadn’t mentioned the Eddie situation again. She didn’t especially want to revisit it tonight. ‘I’m glad Ruby’s back,’ she contented herself with. ‘She makes life fun.’
‘And you’ll be able to carry on recording her memories.’
‘Talk about a one-track mind!’
‘That’s what makes me so successful.’
Ashley threw a beer cap at him. ‘Also, so modest!’ She frowned. It was no good. She was going to have to bring up the subject of Eddie.
‘Is there a problem? I thought you enjoyed hearing Ruby’s stories.’
‘I do, and I’m desperate to hear more about her and GI Chet and their baby. I really want to fill in the gaps. Learn more about her life here in Berecombe during the war. That letter she sent me was dynamite.’
‘Certainly was. What’s the issue then?’
‘Just before she said goodbye when I saw her at the café the other day, she insisted that any recording sessions be attended by me and…’ Ashley paused. ‘Eddie.’
‘As she did at the beginning.’
‘Yes, except…’ Ashley let the sentence hang and there was an awkward silence.
‘You’ve still not talked to him after your argument? I thought as much. I haven’t seen him around town at all since the ball.’
Ashley sipped her beer. ‘I’m not sure what I’d say to him even if I bumped into him, to be honest.’
‘Maybe start the discussion with the possibility that his ex deceived him and got pregnant with his baby deliberately?’ Noah caught her shocked look. ‘Petra shared her theories with me.’
‘Ah. Petra’s theories. You two are getting pally.’
‘Yeah. I like her. I think she likes me. We had a bit of a dance at the ball. A bit of a kiss. It’s nothing serious, though. I don’t think she wants anything like that. Unlike you, so stop changing the subject. Why didn’t you tell me about all this?’
Ashley shrugged. ‘It’s only a suspicion Petra has. She thinks Bree has manipulated Eddie all through their relationship and, just when he broke away, found the perfect way to keep him around.’ She sighed. ‘I’m not feeling too good about it all, to be honest. I stormed off without giving him the chance to explain himself. All I could think about was Bree having his baby. It was all such a shock.’
‘Can’t have been easy news. I know you wanted children with Piers. Before the accident, I mean.’
‘I did, although it might have been a lucky escape with him. Not sure he would have made that good a dad anyway.’
‘Whereas Eddie…?’
Ashley sighed again; she couldn’t help herself. ‘Eddie would make the perfect father. He will make the perfect father. Just not of my children.’
‘I can see why it all upsets you so much, Ash, I really can, but maybe you should cut the guy some slack? I mean, he could have been divorced or had numerous relationships before you met him. He could have a whole baseball team of babies. None of us are eighteen. We all have history.’
‘How would you feel if Petra told you she was having another man’s baby?’ Ashley countered.
‘I get your point, but it’s not really the same, is it? Me and Petra are strictly casual. I rather got the feeling you and Eddie were going places. Would be a shame to throw away such potential because of this.’ He hitched himself up onto one elbow. ‘Besides, I thought you were all prepared to do battle for him. That’s what you told me not so long ago.’
‘Maybe. Oh, I don’t know, Noah – I’m so confused. I don’t even know if he’s staying in England. For all I know, he’ll go back Stateside when his lecturing contract finishes. It’s only a temporary one. And now there’ll be a child there. Eddie wants to be involved, so I can’t see him being happy having an ocean between him and his baby.’
‘I know it’s a radical idea, but you could always talk to him about it.’
‘Don’t laugh at me.’ Ashley picked off a sliver of pepperoni and examined it.
‘I’m not. I’m really not. But here you are, tying yourself into knots about what he said or didn’t say to you, what you want to say to him, what you need to ask him. Just seems to me there’s a simple solution: you talk to the bloke.’
The blackbird outside was now cackling a warning. ‘Not sure I could face him.’
‘Well, if Ruby wants both of you at the recordings, you may have to. You know, I wouldn’t put it past her to have engineered this situation out of plain mischief.’
‘Or misguided matchmaking.’ Ashley chewed the pepperoni and swallowed. ‘Now you’d know all about that, wouldn’t you?’
Noah put up his hands. ‘Touché. Have to confess to pushing you together. I really thought you suited one another. And you’ve got to admit, he’s in a different league to Piers,’ he said.
‘Piers who?’ Ashley pulled a face at her cousin. ‘And I don’t suppose you’d mind having a renowned historian in the family?’
‘World-renowned, more like.’
‘He’s that famous, is he?’
‘In my humble circles, yes. I’m only the director of a small museum, but he’s done telly – which, for a historian, is fame indeed.’
‘Blimey. I hadn’t realised.’
Noah laughed. ‘Does it change things?’ He folded the lid of his pizza box down.
‘Not for me, no.’ Ashley sipped her beer thoughtfully. It didn’t. Although it revealed an unknown aspect of Eddie, he was still the same thoughtful, intelligent, funny man she’d got to know. And had let go. She bit her lip. Was he worth the inevitable hassle that Bree and the baby would cause? She simply didn’t know. It was completely uncharted territory for her.
‘If you’re wondering if he’s worth it,’ her cousin said, reading her mind, ‘maybe you should go and find out. It can’t hurt to talk to him.’
‘I don’t have any way of contacting him,’ Ashley said stiffly, not wanting to make the decision. Not wanting to give in.
‘Ah, but I do.’ Noah pulled his mobile from his shirt pocket with a flourish. ‘When do you want to schedule the next living memories recording session with Ruby?’
Chapter Six
On Saturday morning Ashley arrived early at the café. She was jittery with nerves so decided on a pot of tea. She didn’t really want anything, but it would give her something to do with her hands.
She sat in the window and saw him walking along the promenade before he spotted her. Tall, athletic, with a long stride, his light brown hair gleamed to blond in the sunshine. He wore jeans and a hoodie and had his hands thrust in the front pocket. Her heart flipped over. Why couldn’t it all be simple?
Petra had done them a favour and opened up early, saying it would be busy and noisy later. Ashley wasn’t sure how much longer they could carry on using the café. Lovely though it was to hold the recording sessions over tea and cake, it was going to become impractical as the town got busier with tourists. She was hoping Ken would let them use the Arts Workshop. Fiddling with her phone, she pretended not to notice Eddie until he was standing at the table.
‘Hi, Ashley,’ he said softly. ‘It’s good to see you again.’ He gestured to a chair. ‘May I?’
‘Of course.’ Ashley couldn’t break out of the awkwardness that was stifling her. ‘Would you like… erm… would you like some tea?’
‘Petra’s bringing me over a coffee. I’ve missed the coffee here. Best this side of the Atlantic.’
Ashley had missed the way he said the word. Korfee. She remembered how his lips had felt on hers, the heat seared onto her skin by his hands. For a second, she couldn’t breathe. Then she remembered Bree. And their baby. As Petra served them, leaving a fresh pot of tea for her, Ashley forced herself to get a grip. Pouring another cup of tea that she didn’t want but needed desperately, she added milk with a shaking hand. ‘How have you been?’
‘Good. Busy at work.’ He glanced at her before adding, ‘It helps. I hear you’ve begun working at the Arts Workshop. That’s really great, Ashley.’
‘Thank you. Yes, I enjoy it. It’s interesting. We’re putting on an exhibition of an exciting new painter soon. A portrait artist.’ She nearly invited Eddie to the opening but stopped herself.
‘Cool.’ When she remained silent, he sipped his flat white. ‘So, Ruby wants us both at the recordings, have I got this right? That’s what Noah said.’
Ashley couldn’t help but stare at his hands. Long-fingered and suntanned, with immaculately groomed oval nails; they were incredibly sexy. She couldn’t understand why she hadn’t noticed them before.
‘Ashley?’
She shook her head, forcing herself to concentrate. ‘Sorry. Yes.’ She grimaced. ‘Ruby insisted.’
‘She’s back in town then?’
‘Biddy and Arthur broke her free from the respite home she’d been put into.’ Ashley breathed a little more easily. Perhaps this was going to be possible after all. ‘Serena’s in Italy on holiday.’
Eddie shrugged. ‘No loss there, then.’
‘I agree. We might get Ruby to talk a little more freely in her absence. Did you get a chance to talk to any of the guest GIs about your grandfather?’
‘Yeah, I did actually. Had a long conversation with Victor. He was amazing. Told me stuff about D-Day that’ll live with me awhile. The memories are seared into him. Ninety-five years old and it could have happened yesterday.’ He frowned, staring into the distance. ‘Those men went through hell. I mean, it’s one thing to study it as history, as an academic subject, it’s a whole other ball game to listen to someone who was there describe it. I’m not surprised Grandpa wanted to put it behind him.’
He looked so lost, Ashley yearned to reach out to him, to hold him to her. ‘Did he know your grandfather?’
‘No.’ It came out on a long note of regret. ‘Turns out the good old US Army maintained the colour segregation from home. Kept the black and white soldiers separate.’
‘Ruby mentioned something about that.’
‘Victor was sent over before the white troops. He was in charge of setting up the camp at the top of the hill. The men were billeted there, with the officers in hotels and guest lodges down here in town.’
‘Was your grandfather an officer?’
Eddie shook his head. ‘Not as far as I know. Just an ordinary GI Joe.’
There was an awkward pause. Ashley filled it by saying, ‘That’s a shame. But don’t give up hope. I’m sure you’ll find out about your grandfather soon.’
‘Thanks.’
Ashley felt bereft by not being able to reach out to him, to give him some comfort. She changed the subject. ‘Noah said you’d done some television work?’ she said brightly. ‘You didn’t mention that when we went to the Focus Southwest studios.’
‘It was your day, Ash. As I seem to remember, you had enough to think about as it was.’
She gulped. He was so kind. She met his gaze and wondered just what she thought she was doing in rejecting him.
They were interrupted by Biddy bringing Ruby in. ‘Ah, there you are, young Ashley.’ She nodded coolly to Eddie. ‘Do you mind if I leave Ruby here and join you later? Need to get to the fabric shop for some material to make some more bunting.’
She’d gone before Ashley could ask where the extra bunting was going to go. There was hardly an inch of space spare in the café.
‘It’s for the Arts Workshop,’ Ruby explained as she sat down and made herself comfortable, pulling her pastel pink cardigan around her. ‘Biddy promised Ken she’d do some. Dab hand with a needle, is Biddy.’ She giggled. ‘I’ve been reading one of her naughty books. Darcey Spice is her writing name. It’s ever so good. Nice bit of plot to go with all the sexy stuff.’
Eddie choked on the dregs of his coffee. ‘I’ll go get another,’ he said when he’d recovered. ‘What can I get you Ruby? Tea?’
‘And a teacake, ta. Lots of butter.’
‘Anything more for you, Ashley?’
‘No thanks. I’m on my second pot.’
After he’d left the table, Ruby leaned nearer to Ashley. ‘Still nice-looking, ain’t he? Don’t know what it is with these Yank fellas, but they got something. Think it’s the teeth.’ She sucked her own and looked sly. ‘You two sorting yourselves out?’ When no answer came, she continued: ‘I heard the news, lovie. Got a bun in someone else’s oven, has he? So what if he’s got a baby on the way? Won’t be the first man to have messed up. Won’t be the last, neither.’ Her lips pursed and she added, bitterly, ‘Or woman, as we know.’ She put her bird-like hand on top of Ashley’s. It felt warm and dry and weighed nothing. ‘Don’t let it stop you being happy, dearie. There’s not much of it to grab hold of in the world.’ Changing tack as Eddie returned, bringing a tray of tea, she added, ‘Ooh lovely, a nice big pot of tea. Like a cup, would you, Ashley, love?’
Ashley thought she’d drown if she drank any more tea, so shook her head. Everyone was conspiring to get her back together with Eddie. But how could she? Bree loomed large in the background like Banquo at the feast. How was she going to get past this? She glanced at Eddie as he sat down and charmingly placed the pot and milk jug with the handles facing Ruby so she could easily reach them. Ashley knew she needed to try, for this kind, thoughtful man who had captured her heart. Trying to focus on why they were all there, she switched on the handheld recorder. ‘So Ruby, what would you like to talk about today? You’ve told us about working in the Larcombes’ grocery shop during the war, and Jimmy Larcombe being in love with you. And you’ve told us you were in love with your GI and were having his baby. I’d love to hear more details about Chet and how you began going out. Only when you’re ready, though.’
Petra had turned up the sound system and a throaty-voiced woman began to sing. Ashley and Eddie waited until Ruby had poured her tea, adding milk and stirring it carefully. They could see her reaching back into her memories, the sweet-smelling café fading and World War Two in a little Devon seaside town emerging from the fog of the past. ‘I’ll Be Seeing You’ drifted over their heads as she began to reminisce.
Chapter Seven
‘Chet came into the shop,’ Ruby began. ‘It was early December and we were gearing up for another dismal Christmas. The fifth miserable Christmas of the bloomin’ war. ’Course, I recognised him straightaway. It was the fella who jumped out of the Jeep in the high street and gave me that bar of Hershey’s and a cheeky smacker. I’d recognise him from the energy alone. So solid and healthy. Not worn out and grey like the rest of us in Berecombe. And he was lovely looking too. Like a film star. Not sure he wanted to buy anything, mind.’ She chuckled. ‘The Yanks had food and stuff galore. They brought it all over with them and could get anything they wanted in the stores they’d built down on the harbour. Just down from here, it was. They didn’t go short of nothing. Between you and me and the gatepost, I think he was bored and nosy. Wanted to see inside a proper English shop, he said. Of course, later, he sweet-talked me and said he’d gone and hunted all over town for the beautiful girl with the red hair. I was known for my hair, you see. Fell all the way to the waist it did, although I always had it pinned up neat and tidy when I was working. Well, you didn’t want a hair on your slice of ham, did you?
