The decision had been made and Ruby felt liberated. She and Tommy would move in with Victoria as soon as she could accommodate them.
Filled with optimism, she entered Pennington’s through the staff entrance.
Another vile row with her mother last night had been the deciding factor that had pushed Ruby over the edge. Tommy had stood in their living room, his spine pressed hard against the faded wallpaper, his face etched with fear, his eyes watering as his sister and mother became enveloped, once again, in a physical confrontation.
Ruby had yelled at him to go upstairs, but Tommy had remained frozen to the floor by fear. The sight of him quivering had been too much and Ruby had immediately surrendered, allowing her mother to push her to the floor, thus finishing the fight. Her mother had then stalked from the house, foolishly triumphant.
Thankfully, leaving Ruby and Tommy to a night alone.
Residual anger simmered inside of her as Ruby marched through Pennington’s brightly lit atrium, nodding hello to the passing customers. It was barely past nine, but already the aisles and central areas buzzed with activity. No matter the month of the year, Pennington’s hummed with an invisible pulse, a beating heart that fuelled its staff and the public alike.
With its innumerable sparkling chandeliers, polished mahogany staircase, endless arrays of rainbow-coloured merchandise and smartly uniformed staff, Pennington’s presented a magical shopping experience. Somewhere people swarmed to see and be seen. A place of opportunity for women like Ruby who longed to make something of themselves. A place for men, women and children to see, touch and taste things they might not anywhere else.
It was a prime example of what anyone could manifest in their lives. What she wanted to manifest in her life.
Miss Pennington and Mr Carter were the walking embodiment of financial and romantic success who inspired Ruby to reach for more every day. She was under no illusion of the magnitude of work that must go on in the executive offices to ensure the continued, ground-breaking success of such a store, but her employers’ love and respect for one another outshone even their work.
Ruby smiled as she walked. The glances and touches between Miss Pennington and Mr Carter were subtle on the shop floor, but their shared energy was tangible to all who witnessed it. Maybe one day she would go somewhere where abiding to the rules of propriety and convention wasn’t the only way. Where principles were a little less strict than they were in England. Where she could be with a lover – a woman – and not live under a constant shroud of fear, revulsion and the threat of violent opposition.
In the staff quarters, she quickly locked away her coat and hat before heading to the stairwell that led to the design department.
‘Good morning.’
Ruby started, her heart jolting to see Victoria standing outside the design room.
‘Good morning.’ Ruby offered a tentative smile, unsure of Victoria’s mood. Her green eyes were unreadable, her arms crossed, yet her shoulders relaxed. They had barely spoken a word in days. ‘Is everything all right?’
‘Everything is fine.’ Victoria dropped her arms and came forwards, taking Ruby’s elbow and leading her away from the department door. ‘I need to know if you’ve made your decision about coming to live with me.’ Her eyes softened. ‘I shouldn’t have spoken to you the way I did. I’m sorry. It’s just…’
Ruby drew her gaze over Victoria’s face, her wonderful hair. ‘It’s just what?’
‘It’s just…’ Victoria’s eyes filled with sadness as though she held back tears. ‘I couldn’t bear it if one day something happened to you or Tommy at home, Ruby. Please, come and stay with me.’ She smiled. ‘I’ve spent the last two nights clearing out my spare room. There’s plenty of space, if you and Tommy don’t mind sharing. I have two beds, a wardrobe, a chest of drawers. I’ve laid a lovely rug on the floor. There’s—’
‘It sounds wonderful.’ Ruby touched Victoria’s face, a dangerous, yet necessary gesture that sped Ruby’s heart. ‘We’d love to.’
‘You let me babble on like that when you have already decided?’ She laughed, her cheeks reddening. ‘I feel like a foolish, eager youth now.’
Ruby smiled, her heart near bursting with love for this wonderful woman. ‘Let me know when we can move in and we will be there.’
Concern shadowed Victoria’s eyes. ‘And your mother? What will she do? How will you tell her?’
‘You leave my mother to me.’ Ruby lifted her chin against the treacherous nerves that took flight in her stomach. ‘I will tell her bluntly and with finality. You are not to worry.’
‘But if she protests? Or tries to stop you?’
‘Unfortunately, I’ve been pushed countless times to prove my superior strength, both physically and mentally, over my mother. Tommy and I will be leaving. Have no fear.’
‘Oh, Ruby. I’m so pleased.’ Victoria pulled Ruby into her arms and squeezed her tightly. ‘We are going to get along so wonderfully.’
Ruby closed her eyes and inhaled Victoria’s soft, floral perfume. She took this blessed moment to revel in the closeness, the soft roundness of Victoria’s breasts against her own. The sound of her satisfied sigh in Ruby’s ear…