The Very Thought of You
Author's note:
This is a Charlie and Joey romance with a difference. I'm setting their story in another time and country! I've had to 'tweak' one or two names in order to be 'in keeping' with the times, but I have tried to 'hint' here and there, so hopefully you'll know who's who! I hope it works and you find it interesting enough to keep reading! Keep smiling through! S & L x
Chapter 1.
"The mere idea of you, the longing here for you, you'll never know how slow the moments go 'til I'm near to you. I see your face in every flower, your eyes in stars above. It's just the thought of you, the very thought of you, my love". Composer, Ray Noble
The smoke hung around in The Old Neptune public house. It was lunchtime. Alf Stewart, the Proprietor, glanced at the clock on the bar wall. Thank Heaven it was nearly closing time.
"Alf! Over 'ere mate!" A customer yelled impatiently waiting for a pint.
"Alright." said Alf. "I've only got one bleedin' pair of 'ands!"
"Afternoon Alf!" Another voice called out, just entering the pub. Alf glanced over in the direction of the cheerful greeting.
"Elo Mate. Be with you in a shake. It's like Piccadilly bleedin' Circus in 'ere this afternoon!" Alf muttered, pulling a pint.
"Want a hand?" Called the young man.
"If you can spare me half hour; just to get rid of this lot!" Replied Alf, gratefully.
Andrew Aden opened up the counter and walked behind the bar. Andrew was in his early twenties; a well looking, good natured chap. He worked on a fishing boat docked down at the harbour and had just finished working his morning shift.
"Cor! You're a God-send, Mate." The proprietor said. "I'm gonna have to get some new bar staff from somewhere, but all the youngsters have been called up and I can only rely on Nellie Radcliff down the road when her arthritis allows, and she drinks more of the profits than not!" Alf muttered, throwing his hands in the air.
It was August 1942, Whitstable in Kent. War torn Britain was still holding out against Nazi Germany. Nearly everything was on ration and though the nation was used to the dreary wartime routine, the smiling weather, that afternoon, was a treat, but the hot, dry sun made nearly everyone in Whitstable, very thirsty indeed! Or that's how it appeared to Alf Stewart.
"Alf, I have a friend who works with me on the boat sometimes. Her name's Josephine Collins. You might remember her dad, Ted Collins?" Andrew said, pouring out a pint of bitter. "She might be interested in some extra hours. She's not working on the boat at the moment."
"Ted Collins, poor sod. Yeah, bring her in, mate. Long as she can pull a pint, I don't care!" Alf said, sighing.
Andrew smiled and handed over the pint.
Later that afternoon, Andrew left Alf in 'The Neppy', closed, tidy and ready for evening opening. He popped into his lodgings to wash and brush up and was about to leave the house to find his friend when the sound of heavy aircraft flying overhead intruded on the peaceful afternoon. He glanced up into the cloudless sky and watched as the bombers headed off towards the channel. He couldn't make out what the aircraft were as they were too high up. He saluted them and continued on his way.
Josephine Collins, or Joey, as she had been called by her family all her life, was pegging out washing in the yard. She sighed when she heard the cry of a Seagull overhead and not for the first time wished that she was back on board 'The Summer Bay' scrubbing decks and off loading fish. But alas, it was not meant to be. He had put a stop to that. He had ruined her life, for good.
"Joey!" Called a familiar voice, breaking Joey's reverie. She glanced around to see Andrew Aden peering over the back fence at her. "How are you, Jo?"
Joey half smiled wishing she could be left alone. She sighed deeply.
"I'm okay, thanks," she replied, half heartedly.
"We'll be hanging out the washing on the Siegfried line, have you any dirty washing, mother dear!" he sang cheerfully, but Joey was not in the mood for flippancy.
"Any chance of a cuppa?" Andrew asked, trying again.
"Well, I'm a bit busy, but... okay. Use the side gate." She instructed, without a smile.
Andrew let himself in while Joey finished hanging out the washing. She unhooked the peg bag from the washing line. He watched her stoop down to pick up the linen basket; the spirit had gone from the girl and she had the appearance of a woman much older than her years. It was Andrew's turn to sigh. The war was taking its toll on everyone, it seemed. Joey led the way into the scullery.
Joey Collins was about twenty two years old, very pretty and had been, until their recent, tragic death, the youngest child of Edward and Margaret Collins. They had died a few months previously in a bombing raid in Canterbury, while at the cinema. Joey had been devastated at the loss of her parents, especially a much beloved mother. Her death had shaken Joey's world. Her Mother was her rock and confident. Now she was gone. Now Joey had no one.
Joey lived with her brother, Brian several years her senior. Theirs was not a close relationship. They tolerated each other, and with little in common, were unlikely ever to be friends. Brian had narrowly missed 'the call up' as he had a slight heart murmur. He filled his days doing farm labouring, but in the evenings, drinking or playing the small town 'Spiv' with his shady friend was his pleasure.
Joey filled the kettle with water and put it on the stove. The gas lit with a "woof". She glanced at Andrew.
"How are you?" She asked quietly.
"Missing you at work!" he replied. "It's not half as much fun when you're not around!"
Joey smiled and reached for the cups and saucers. Andrew could see the pain in her eyes and felt sad.
"Joey. Mr. Stewart – the old fella who's the Landlord down at The Neppy is looking for a barmaid. Would you be interested? He knew ya Dad, y'know?"
Joey looked up with interest.
"Do you think he would take me on?" She asked, hopefully.
"Yeah, I should think so. He's pretty desperate at the..." Andrew realised what he was saying and looked at Joey. Joey glanced at Andrew, but grinned. "Sorry Jo. Didn't mean to imply that Alf would have to be 'desperate' to...." He grinned back at her. "He really needs someone and quick!"
"I'd be glad to, if he'd just give me a chance," said Joey, spooning tea leaves into the tea pot. "I've had no experience of bar work you know."
"That's alright. He'll show you the ropes." Said Andrew, with confidence. "And you're good with ropes!" He said grinning.
"What d'ya mean?" She enquired, with a frown.
"Telling people to get knotted! I heard you tell Cruze to several times, the other day!" Andrew said laughing.
Joey poured boiling water onto the tea leaves and replaced the teapot lid. She let the pot brew for a while and then strained the liquid into the cups. She didn't laugh.
"Sorry, I can't offer sugar. My brother will go mad if I use up the ration." Joey said, sadly.
"Don't worry, love. This is fine."