Free A Rare Ruby by Dee Williams

stirrings of jealousy seemed to have subsided.
    Tom walked in clutching his stocking. ‘Where’s Mum?’
    ‘Still in bed. Here, come here and hold this toasting fork. I’m doing a piece of toast for Mum and Dad. Beth is setting out a tray. It’s a sort of present.’
    ‘Don’t think much of that for a present.’
    ‘It will be for Mum, so don’t burn the toast.’
    ‘Would be nice if we had a few flowers,’ said Beth, neatly arranging the cups.
    ‘We could put a bit of that greenery I picked up at the market on the tray,’ said Ruby, going to the mantelpiece and breaking off a sprig from the evergreen that was stuck behind the mirror.
    ‘That’ll give it the finishing touch,’ said Beth.
    When they were ready Ruby gently knocked on her mother’s bedroom door. ‘I’m coming in.’ She pushed open the door.
    ‘Hello, love,’ said her father. ‘Your mum’s still asleep.’
    This was so unlike her mother. Was she ill? Fear gripped Ruby’s heart. ‘Is she all right?’
    ‘Think so. She ain’t said much.’
    Ruby put the tray down and sat next to her mother. To her great relief she could see she was breathing. It was very slow and even. ‘Mum. Mum! Are you all right?’
    Mary Jenkins opened her eyes. ‘Ruby!’
    ‘I was worried about you. You looked so peaceful, hardly breathing.’
    ‘I’m fine. Now, what time is it?’
    ‘It doesn’t matter.’
    ‘Course it does. I’ve got to get up.’
    ‘Mum, are you sure you’re all right?’
    Her mother appeared disorientated as she sat up. ‘Yes, yes. Of course. I must do the fire.’
    ‘It’s done. Here, look, I’ve brought you and Dad breakfast in bed.’
    ‘Oh Ruby. Thomas, look. Look at the way Ruby’s done the tray. It looks so very pretty.’
    He too sat up.
    Ruby could see the tears well up in her mother’s eyes.
    ‘Beth helped,’ she said, not wanting to take all the credit.
    ‘I ain’t had breakfast in bed since young Tom was born. You and Beth are such good girls. I feel as if I’ve two daughters and a grandson, don’t you, Thomas?’
    ‘I should say so. We’ve got a lovely family.’
    Ruby felt as if her heart was going to burst with love. ‘You don’t have to get up till you’re ready. Can Tom come in and show you his presents?’
    ‘Course,’ said her mother, whose mouth was full of toast.
    ‘Sit up properly, Thomas, and I’ll pass you your tea.’
    Her father gave Ruby one of his grins. ‘Thanks, love.’
    ‘Is everything all right?’ asked Beth as soon as Ruby walked back into the kitchen.
    ‘Yes, she just overslept, that’s all.’
    ‘See, I told you.’
    ‘Tom, take your presents in to show Mum.’
    ‘Ain’t she gonner get up then?’
    ‘Yes, later on.’ Ruby couldn’t help wondering about her mother. Although she appeared to be her normal self, why wasn’t she up and jumping about as she always did?
    ‘If you like I’ll do the potatoes,’ said Beth, bringing Ruby back.
    ‘Thanks. That’ll be good. I can do the sprouts.’
    It was a good hour later when Mary Jenkins walked into the kitchen. ‘My, you have been busy,’ she said, looking round the room.
    ‘It’s a sort of Christmas present,’ said Beth.
    ‘Thank you.’ She kissed Beth’s hair.
    ‘Are you feeling all right?’ asked Ruby.
    ‘Course. Now, what’s to be done?’
    ‘The pork’s in and the veg’s done. I’ve put the Christmas pudding in that saucepan.’ Beth pointed to the back of the stove.
    ‘So it’s just the stuffing then.’
    ‘Looks like it,’ said Beth. ‘Now, when we’ve finished dinner, I’ve got a little treat.’
    ‘What is it?’ asked Ruby.
    Beth touched the side of her nose. ‘Just be patient.’
     
    The smell of the pork roasting had filled the house all morning. The dinner was lovely; even the sound of Mr Cox, who had come down to join them, sucking on his crackling hadn’t upset Ruby. Now, as they finished off the last of the dinner, the Christmas pudding was brought in.
    ‘It would have been