Every Friday, the young couple walked slowly past the grand restaurant called Ruby’s and paused at the foot of the path where they would stand and marvel at the magical glow of lights. Lingering at the open gate, they would listen to the familiar sounds of laughter…and wait, as the most delicious aromas would float down the path towards them!  But it was the lady on stage that would always draw them in further as they walked up the path towards the side of the house to where she would be and stand quietly at the window and gaze at her in awe as she captivated her audience with her enchanting presence and performance.  

This evening was no different, as they stood transfixed listening to her sing – arms at her side and her face looking toward a faded memory perhaps. She would pour out in song, the unforgettable pain of losing her greatest love. Each word would erupt from her heart and fall at their feet like angry waves and; like every time before, the tears would fall from the young girl’s eyes and the young man beside her would take his hand and gently wipe them dry and embrace her….and they would turn and leave before being seen. On this evening as they stood lost in her magic they never saw the man standing in the tall shadows watching them. “Please don’t stand outside, come in and join us, wont you?” They turned around in fright to face the kind stranger and the girl fumbled hopelessly trying to explain, “We are so sorry….we didn’t mean to intrude, it’s just that…..the lady…”  Smiling warmly at them he raised his hand to his mouth to silence her and said, “There is no need to explain anything dear child, I have been watching you for some time now and I must insist that you allow me to entertain you. This will be our pleasure” he turned and walked to the front door and waited for them to follow him.

The young girl moved forward and her companion followed as they made their way towards the open door. Looking into the great big dining room, facing a sea of smiling faces and different shades of magnificent colour, it was just too much to take in. Their hearts beating wildly, the couple clung to each other as they stood facing this new world. The magic seemed to go on forever. “Welcome to Ruby’s! Come this way please let Sophia show you to your table.” said the man pointing to a beautiful young woman who appeared from behind a pillar and showed them to a table. Her movements were like poetry in motion and her hands moved gracefully, as in a single gesture she seemed to pull out the two chairs and fanned the napkins open, and laying one in each of their laps. Overcome with emotion the young girl looked up and asked, “The lady, will she sing again this evening?” Sophia looked down her eyes opened wide and she smiled “Oh yes dear friends…at Ruby’s the magic never ends…and the lady’s  name is Eva”

How it came to be...

Eva came from up north and after years of running from shadows and chasing dreams, she found an adorable little house in this small yet friendly little town just outside metropolis, and slipped quietly into a different life. With her beloved dog   Co-Co, she soon found herself surrounded by the most wonderful people and the change of lifestyle and tranquility proved just what she needed.  

Going about her usual morning walk one day with Co-Co her faithful companion, her attention was drawn to a flurry of activity taking place at the grand old house on Bree that she had greatly admired for the past few months now. The house had stood empty for some time now and now suddenly this! She stopped to see what all the fuss was about and saw busy people everywhere – some were pushing wheel –barrows while others built towering scaffoldings – some men were barking orders whilst others obeyed commands industriously.

Then between the madness, she saw two women who were trying to listen to what a man was saying. They were leaning toward each other, swaying like orchestra conductors; the sight was somewhat comical from her viewpoint as their mouths moved furiously, their voices drowned by the noise around them. Eva wondered what they would be doing with this grand old madam, after all it would be a crying shame if they were to destroy her character as they did to so many of the older homes nowadays. “R for?” she wondered as she saw the large round letter drawn roughly on the front wall of the house. She edged forward wanting to walk up to the women and introduce herself, wanting to find out what they were doing – but she changed her mind. “What would they think of me – poking my nose in their business?” she said to Co-Co who too seemed engrossed by the hive of activity taking place.