I'll Be Seeing You
Well, here we go again, Chaps, this time, wandering back sixty nine years ago to join our two intrepid War time heroines, Charlie Buckton and Joey Collins in a sequel to 'The Very Thought of You'. "Put that light out!" ~Sweet and Lovely~
x X x
Chapter 1
"I'll be seeing you in all the old familiar places, that my heart and mind embraces all day through. In that small cafe, the park across the way, the children's carousel, the chestnut tree, the wishing well."
(Kahal/Fain)
WPC Charlotte Buckton stood holding onto the carriage rail as the steam train pulled into Charing Cross station, London. With her free hand, she held a black leather attaché case with a gold crest embossed upon it. The train's breaks squealed as they gently kissed the buffers at the terminus.
Charlotte's fellow travellers spilled out onto the platform and headed for the gates. Charlotte did likewise, but without, perhaps, as much practice as the others. Her life in the sleepy Kent town of Whitstable, was, on the whole, calm, and her experience of the London rush hour was limited.
"Tickets please." The ticket collector at the gate said, holding out his hand expectantly. Charlotte handed over her ticket and swept though with everyone else, not really finding her own feet until she reached the station concourse.
***
It was April, 1944. The sun was shining promising a warm, spring day.
Charlotte, or Charlie to her friends and family, made her way to the main road. She brushed down her crumpled Police uniform and then walked along several busy London streets before finding Great Scotland Yard. As she reached the building, she stopped and looked up at its vastness. She felt butterflies in her stomach, fluttering. Taking a deep breath she entered the building.
"Good morning. May I help you?" Said the gentleman at the desk.
"Good morning. WPC Buckton to see Deputy Assistant Commissioner Woodford, please?" Charlie said, still feeling nervous.
"One moment, please, Constable." The gentlemen said, plugging a wire into his switchboard and dialling a number.
"A WPC Buckton," he said, glancing at Charlie, "to see the Deputy Assistant commissioner. Right-ho. Thank you."
The gentleman looked back at Charlie.
"Third floor and to your right. Second corridor to the left. Room 1212."
"Thank you." Charlie said trying to remember the verbal map she had just been given.
***
Charlie had been commissioned by Whitstable's Sergeant Crosby, upon orders of the Chief Superintendent for the district, to take some very important documents to Scotland Yard and in particular, DAC Woodford. Charlie was chosen by the Sergeant, out of respect of her relentless hard work and in merit of her tireless efforts to put a gang of Kent based Racketeers, (who had been flooding the market with black market goods, such as nylons and spirits) behind bars. It was an unusual feat for a Woman Police Constable. She was excelling!
Charlie Buckton had every reason to be excelling in her work. These days, it was all she did. For nineteen, long months, she had thrown everything she had at it. Working longs hours and taking on extra shifts, hardly taking time for herself or her family. She was quick witted, intelligent and one hundred percent committed to her job. Her friends and family despaired of her, but Charlie was relentless.
***
She had travelled up from Whitstable on Thursday afternoon to her Father's house, in Blackheath, South East London and was to stay with him until her mission with the Deputy Assistant commissioner was complete. The details of this mission Charlie had not been a party to and secrecy was of the essence.
Charlie reached the DAC's department, knocked on the office door and entered.
"WPC Buckton to see DAC Woodford." She announced.
The secretary buzzed through to the DAC to announce Charlie's arrival.
"Would you like to go straight in, please?" The secretary said.
"Thank you."
Charlie knocked at the DAC's door and walked in.
"WPC Buckton, Sir." She said, standing to attention.
"Ah, good." DAC Woodford said, looking up and smiling at Charlie.
"Is that for me?" He said, indicating with a nod to the attaché case Charlie was holding.
"Yes, Sir."
Charlie handed over the case.
"Please take a seat, Constable." The DAC instructed.
Charlie was surprised at the congeniality shown to one of such low rank. She sat on the edge of the seat and awaited further instructions.
The DAC flicked through the documents in the case. Suddenly he looked up and grinned at Charlie.
"I knew your Father!" He said.
"Sir?" Charlie said, surprised the DAC would know of her retired, Detective Chief Inspector father.
"We served in the Great War together." He said, smiling. "How is he?" He kindly enquired.
"Not as well as I would like, Sir."
"What a pity. Poor old Plucky."
"I'm sorry, Sir?" Charlie said, looking bewildered.
"Plucky. 'Plucky' Buckton! Saved my life on more than one occasion!" The DAC recalled. "Grand fellow. We served in the East Surrey's together.
Charlie stared in astonishment.
"Give your Father my very best, won't you? Tell him 'Woody' Woodford sends his best regards."
"Yes, Sir. I will."
"Good. Right Constable. I won't need your assistance until Monday morning. So if I were you, disappear off for a few days and take in the sights!"
"Thank you, Sir." Charlie said, standing to attention. "Good day, Sir."
"Good day to you, too. Oh! And don't forget, 'Woody' Woodford!" He said, chuckling as she left his office. Charlie was totally surprised by his relaxed manner.
***
She trotted off along the corridors and down the stairs and out into the mid morning sunshine. The day was too nice to waste, so she decided to indulge herself and take a long walk along the River Thames, before making her way back home.
A little tug boat blew its whistle catching her attention. The crew cordially waved. She smiled and raised her hand back to them. Continuing her river walk, she heard a voice call out her name.
"Charlie! Charlie Buckton!"
Charlie turned around and was surprised to see two uniformed women standing a few yards away from her. For a while, Charlie couldn't focus on the faces as the sun shone into her eyes. One of the service women moved a step or two closer and called her name again.
"Charlie! It's me!"
This time Charlie recognised the voice, but could hardly match it with the smart young service woman standing before her.
"Joey?"
So there's part one out of the way...Everyone's getting into part, so please have patience! look out for part two, coming soon! S&L xx