Glynis Peters - The Orphan Thief

Keeping busy during the day helped Ruby, but the evenings were lonely and the night-time frightening. Planes flew overhead and bombs dropped in the distance. A few days previously, the Germans had bombed Birmingham, and Coventry had held its breath every day since, waiting for more to fall on the factories returning to production of vital supplies for the forces. Car production was on hold, and everyone worked to defend the country.

Each day, Ruby kept herself busy finding personal items for residents, and leaving them in boxes to be found should the owner return. After one particularly busy day, she returned home to find a white envelope pushed through the door. It was a response from Scotland. She marvelled at how quickly she’d received a response, tore it open and pulled out the contents.

Dear Miss Shadwell,

It is with regret I inform you that my wife passed away two years ago. I’ve sought advice about the property you mention, and it appears it is rented accommodation. With regard to the funeral of my brother-in-law, thank you for informing me. I have no desire to become involved in his affairs. I have written a second letter giving you the right to clear the property and sell items to fund any outstanding bills. We were distanced due to a rift between him and his sister, and I am not interested in any contact with regard to the matter. Please do not write again, nor pass along my address to a third person.

Regards,

Thomas McBrae

Ruby read the second letter, written in the same handwriting.

25th November 1940

To Whom it May Concern,

As the heir to my wife’s estate, and she to her brother’s, Mr Stephen Archibald Peabody of Garden Cottage, Spon Street, Coventry, I hereby give permission to Miss Ruby Shadwell, of the same address, permission to collect and sell personal items belonging to Mr Peabody (my brother-in-law), and use the money for any outstanding debts. Any monies remaining, Miss Shadwell is free to keep in repayment for her work in housekeeping the property after the death of Stephen Peabody.

The letter was witnessed and signed by the Reverend Burns of Dumfries, and formally signed by the sender. Ruby read through both a second and third time, and each time she realised she now had responsibilities beyond her comprehension. Where did you find a landlord of a property if he’d not already been to find out if the property was still standing? How long would it take for her to raise the money to pay for any rent Stephen owed?

Although she’d peeked into the odd drawer or cupboard, Ruby had never fully investigated Stephen’s belongings. Now it appeared she’d been given permission to do just that, and more. Since the bombing, her life had become quite bizarre – beyond a believable story – yet here she was, living it each day.

‘My, it’s cold outside today, and not much warmer in here, I’m afraid. Sit yourself down, Ruby.’ Helen Morgan unbuttoned her coat but didn’t remove it, and beckoned Ruby to sit in the same seat as on her previous visit. Today, she’d risen early and was the first in the queue to see Helen. ‘Do you have the form I gave you?’

Ruby nodded and with shyness handed the form to her. Helen looked them over and frowned.

‘You have no address written down.’

‘That’s why I’m here, Helen. I don’t know what to do. I wrote to the sister of the man living … well, he’s dead now … in the house I’m staying at, and this is what I received back.’

She passed the envelope containing the two letters from Stephen Peabody’s brother-in-law. Helen ran her tongue across her lips as she read, then replaced the letters into the envelope and handed them back to Ruby.

‘As I see it, all is legally binding. What does the landlord say?’

‘That’s just it. I don’t know who it is, and hoped you might be able to help me find out. I still have to register for a ration book, Identity card and everything else I’ve lost. I’m scared,’ Ruby said, and chewed on her bottom lip to stop herself from crying. Confessing she was scared and speaking out about her lack of papers had taken every ounce of courage. She waited whilst Helen walked around the room, blowing on her hands as she did so.

‘I understand, but I thought you were going to deal with this, Ruby. Give me your details. I’ll get the paperwork sorted out for you. Where is it you are staying?’

‘Peabody Accountants. He was Dad’s best friend. I found him dead.’

‘Not pleasant for you. I remember Stephen, and heard he was one of the unfortunates. Not pleasant at all. Right, why have you left it so long to register yourself, Ruby? It’s not that difficult.’

Ruby looked down at her feet.

‘Ruby?’ Helen said, and sat back in her seat.

‘I don’t want to leave Coventry. A friend’s mother told me I’d go into care or another home somewhere. I can’t … I won’t leave my family.’

Helen gave a slow nod of understanding. ‘But your family aren’t here, Ruby. I’m confused. At our last meeting you were ready to start again.’

‘You’ve heard my idea. I want to keep the Shadwell name alive. To have a business just like Granddad and Dad. They were proud of this city, and I don’t want to leave. If you fill in the forms I might –’

Helen held up her hand, indicating Ruby stopped talking and listen.

‘It will mean you have a right to stay here. We’ll put down the address you are at for now, and it can be changed when you move out. If the landlord hasn’t been around to check on his property, then there’s a chance he’s from out of town. This is to your advantage as it will be some time before they realise the rent hasn’t been paid. Or they have a private collector to collect on their behalf and, with so many dead, well, who knows, they might have not survived. Leave it with me. I’ll do all I can. When I have news, I’ll call on you. I promise. Do you have food in the house?’ Helen asked and pushed a pen and paper towards Ruby.

Ruby scribbled down her previous and present address, full name and date of birth.

‘I’ve plenty of tinned foods, and someone gave me milk for sorting out their property the other day. I’ve learned to go without it in my drinks; it was a real treat. Fresh and creamy.’

‘Right, well, you take care of yourself, and please, do not think me rude, but what about clothing?’

With a shrug of her shoulders, Ruby looked down at her coat, glad it hid her one outfit.

‘It’s due another wash, I know, but this is all I have –’ she gave a cough ‘– I’m wearing a pair of Stephen’s underpants and a vest. I wear one of his shirts and an old cricket jumper when this is drying. I have no fire. I’m not sure about gas pipes in the street. They blow up so easily.’

‘Stay here,’ Helen said and left the room.

Ruby sat watching snowflakes hitting the window; it was to be another cold night and soon she would be unable to retrieve any goods from nearby properties. The Anderson shelter in the garden of the cottage made an ideal storage room, and it was already a quarter full of broken items waiting for repair.