I'll Be Seeing You
Over the next few chapters, I am 'unleashing my imagination' a little, so please forgive any fault in detail. "Your Country needs you!" S&L xx
Chapter 10
"Good morning, WPC Buckton and how are you today?" DAC 'Woody' Woodford asked as Charlie entered his office.
"Very well, thank you, Sir." Charlie replied, sitting in the chair the DAC indicated to.
"Well, now, Constable. You're probably wondering what this is all about. Dare say you've been thinking about it all weekend, if the truth be known. I know you are totally dedicated to your work." He said shuffling some papers around on his desk.
Charlie blushed slightly. She'd hardly given the DAC or her meeting with him a thought over the weekend.
"Important things are happening in the next few months, war wise. Information that you hear in this office is not to be repeated."
"Sir." Charlie acknowledged.
"It's been in the planning for many months and we hope, within a few weeks that the plan will come together and God willing, will be the turning point of the war."
Charlie listened intently to the information, but couldn't find a connection between herself and the plan.
"WPC Buckton, or may I call you Charlotte?"
"Charlotte, please." Charlie allowed; once again, surprised at this man's familiarity towards her.
"Charlotte, there are certain parties who wish to destroy this plan; for want of a better name, let's call it 'Operation Bums Rush'!" He smiled. "We need someone on the inside to snoop a bit."
"Me Sir?" Charlie frowned incredulously.
"Reports about you are excellent, Charlotte. I have no doubt you will do your duty to the best of your ability and more."
"You mean you want me to become a spy?" Charlie asked, horrified.
"God Lord, no. We leave that for the 'MI5' chaps. No. We need someone to observe for us. Be at certain places at certain times and 'snoop'. You will use a basic form of communication which will be very simple, like sending a post card with a cryptic message, that way it will look like you are just a young woman, enjoying a few days away on holiday! What do you think? Are you game?" The DAC asked Charlie with confidence.
Charlie sat back in her chair, feeling rather nervous.
"It's a great honour, Sir, but I'm not sure if I'm the best person for that type of work."
"Rubbish. Charlotte, I wouldn't ask you if I didn't think you were capable. It will mean you being away from home for several weeks, but I'm sure that can be got over."
"I have a younger sister, whom I'm guardian to, Sir. I have to put her first."
"Yes, of course, but your Country needs you too, Charlotte, and I can almost guarantee that you will be as safe as houses." The DAC continued.
"Almost?" Charlie said, quietly.
"You can't expect me to give you a one hundred percent guarantee, can you? This is war time, Charlotte." The DAC reasoned.
"No Sir. Can I think about it?" Charlie asked.
"Yes of course. Let me know this time on Wednesday. But remember, your Country's relying on you! Good morning, Constable."
***
Charlie wandered away from the Scotland Yard building and back towards Charing Cross station. What a dilemma. What should she do? Part of her wanted to say 'yes' and get stuck in to what could be something really exciting, but there was Ruby to think of and her Father, too. What if anything were to happen? Joey flashed into her mind. If only I could speak to Joey!
She sighed heavily.
***
Joey Collins was ordered to the First Officer's office.
"Ah, Collins. Come forward." First Officer, Joyce Harding said, beckoning to Joey.
"Yes, Ma'am." Joey obeyed, standing to attention.
"Collins. I am pleased to inform you that you have been promoted to Third Officer from twenty four hundred hours tonight. Well done. You deserve it." The officer said, rising and shook the surprised, but happy Third Officer by the hand.
***
Whitstable, Kent
Tuesday, 25th April, 1944
Dear Charlie,
Thank you for your lovely letter. I'm well thank you but missing you like mad. When do you think you'll be home? Please say soon!
I am glad to read that Dad is happy, though sad to read that he gets no better. Please give Dad and Morag my love.
I was so surprised to read that you'd met with Joey Collins! How wonderful! How did your evening go? Did you end up best friends or and maybe a little more? I'm so excited for you. Please say it all worked out happily!
Janet and Vince send their best love.
We heard some very sad news yesterday. Do you remember Andrew Aden who used to work on one of the fishing boats? (I recall he was a friend of Joey's.) His ship, HMS Kite was torpedoed and sunk. I believe there were a few survivors, but Andrew's name wasn't on the list. He was mentioned in Church on Sunday.
That's about it for now, Charlie. I miss you so much. Please come home soon!
Lots of love,
From,
Ruby.
xx
The news about Andrew Aden saddened Charlie. He was a very likeable young man and had been a good friend and support to Joey during her dark days. He was a kind and responsible young man. Andrew would be missed by everyone. It would be hard telling Joey.
***
Somewhere.
Tuesday, 25th April, 1944
My Dearest Charlie,
I was so thrilled when I received your wonderful letter this morning. My heart still flutters every time I read it! (At least three hundred times since breakfast!)
Our journey home was uneventful, thankfully. The train was delayed somewhere on route. (I wasn't paying attention at the time. My mind was busy elsewhere! No prizes for guessing!)
My plan was to write to you on the journey home but Helen wouldn't shut up nattering about Chuck long enough for me to put pen to paper. She is very smitten which, worries me a little. I suppose she is a big girl and can look after herself but it's all so soon after the loss of her brother. But then, I guess, sometimes in misery, we find good things, like I found with you after my troubles.
I can't tell you how much I've missed you. My mind is full of you and when it's not, my dreams are! (I'm very pleased to say.)
I, too, have been remembering our weekend. It reminds me of that song where the words go,
"I haven't said thanks, for that lovely week end, those two days in Heaven, you helped me to spend..."
Well, I know it was three days, really! I wish it could have been longer. Just when we found each other, we had to part again. But we are not really apart. We have each other in our hearts and it's a warm feeling knowing you are nestling within my breast. (Of course, I would prefer you to be on top of it! – don't scold!)
I had some news today, Charlie. The first officer sent for me and has made me up to Third Officer! I'm so chuffed! It will mean a little extra pay which I intend to put away for the future.
Well, it'll be lights out soon, my sweet. I look forward, with bated breath, to your next letter. Please make it soon!
With all my fondest love,
Joey.
Xxx
Charlie smiled lovingly at her two letters. They had arrived at breakfast time on the day she was to give DAC Woodford her decision about the special task. She still felt uncertain about the job, but quite excited at the prospect of doing something a little different and something which may have some baring on the outcome of 'Operation Bums Rush'.
Charlie tucked the two letters into her bag; she felt happier having them travel with her, especially today.
***
Charlie walked into DAC Woodford's office.
"Ah! Charlotte, good morning! Please sit down."
"Thank you, Sir."
"Well, have you an answer for me?"
"Yes, Sir. I accept the job."
Charlie had spent an agonizing night trying to decide if to accept or not. There was an element of danger she realised, but a Police Constable's job was a dangerous one and this certainly would be a challenge. She also had a hunch it might take her mind off a certain Wren for whom she had been long pining.
"Good." The DAC said. "This means I can give you a simple briefing with regard to your forth coming task." He said standing up and walking to the window. He tapped the end of his pencil on the glass and cleared his throat.
"Charlotte. Does the name Hugo Austin mean anything to you?" He said, watching her intently.
"Hugo Austin? Yes Sir. We're old friends." Charlie confirmed, surprised to hear Hugo's name.
"As I thought." The DAC mumbled and returned to his desk.
Charlie watched as the senior officer sat down.
"Erm, has Hugo done something... wrong, Sir?" She asked, trying to sound as casual as possible.
The DAC toyed with his pencil and quickly glanced up at her.
"How good a friend are you of Austin?"
"We, erm... we know each other a little. He sometimes visits relations in my home town. It's the sort of place where you bump into each other." Charlie explained. I haven't seen him for quite some time. The war keeps him away, I suppose."
"And is that the extent of your friendship?"
"We've shared dinner a couple of times." Charlie said swallowing; feeling as if she were being interrogated.
"Good. That will make your task easier!" He said with a smile on his face.
"I'm sorry, Sir, I don't understand. What has Hugo got to do with any of this?" Charlie asked beginning to feel a little worried.
The DAC noticing the doubt in Charlie's voice studied her for a moment.
"Hugo Austin, Lieutenant Hugo Austin of His Majesty's Royal Navy is a name not unknown to us, here at the yard. We've been watching him for months."
"Why?" Charlie asked, quietly.
"The less you know, Charlotte, the better. All you need to be aware of is that we're watching him and he is a potential threat to this country's security. That said we need your help to catch him in the act, preferably before he does something rash. He knows you and will trust you and I'm sure will be more than happy to spend time in your company." He said with a smile.
The Policewoman was shocked and shifted uncomfortably in her chair.
She remembered their last meeting, in Canterbury, nineteen months ago. He had acted in a very honourable way after she had rejected him for Joey. He had never breathed a word to any of their friends and now she was to be a party in betraying him.
"What will you expect me to do?" She asked.
"Get re-acquainted with him. Become as friendly as possible." The DAC advised.
"How friendly?" Charlie asked raising one eye brow.
"As friendly as necessary, Charlotte." He said, very seriously.
Charlie swallowed. Was he really expecting her to compromise her honour to nab Hugo?
"I-I'm not really sure, Sir, if I can..."
"Charlotte! Do you think I would ask this of you if it wasn't so important to National Security? And you are the ideal person suited to this task. You're clever, quick witted, and very beautiful and what's more, you do have a history with the man."
"Hardly a history, Sir!"
"It's enough, Charlotte. There aren't too many men who aren't susceptible to a beautiful young woman, like you. You'll have no problem reeling him in." The DAC said with more confidence than Charlie was feeling at that moment. "We have to achieve this Charlotte. Otherwise there will be great losses to our Shipping and Navy personnel in hot spots along the coast."
Charlie looked up sharply at the DAC. Suddenly her mind was full of Joey Collins.
"But Sir, why are we getting involved? Surely if it's a naval matter, shouldn't their security people be handling it?" She asked, suspiciously.
"Quite so, and they have been. It's a joint venture. This bit is our part of the bargain."
"Me, you mean?"
"Quite so."
Charlie looked down at her hands.
"Now," The DAC continued, before Charlie had a chance to raise another objection. "We know he is currently in Suffolk, Ipswich to be precise. Our man there says he is residing in a public house called the, erm..." he checked a file on the desk. 'The Three Jolly Sailors', in Handford Road. Very apt, I must say." He said glancing at an anxious Charlie. "We believe he is likely to stick around in this spot for a while. He will be giving a series of lectures at HMS Ganges; giving them the benefit of his experience, I dare say." He said, sarcastically.
"So what will I have to do?" Charlie asked.
"Firstly, you will take an extensive course in firearms."
"FIREARMS!" Charlie cried in disbelief.
"We don't expect you to use a weapon, Charlotte, but all Police on special assignments take this course. It will stand you in good stead. You will be issued with a small pistol, which you will carry with you at all times."
Charlie was stunned.
"You will have several briefings this week, but you will be allowed to return to your home on Friday and then travel to Suffolk on Sunday. Your tickets will be paid for in advance and ready for you to take on your journey." The DAC explained. "You will take a holiday in Stowmarket, just outside of Ipswich. Your billet will be with a 'set up family', but you will accidentally meet 'our hero' in Ipswich. The rest is up to you, my dear."
"A set up family?" Charlie enquired.
"Yes, an Aunt and Uncle. You are visiting for two weeks. Details of 'your family' will be given to you in due course."
"What information do you need me to get from Hugo - I mean Lieutenant Austin?"
"You will not be required to ask any questions, just bring the conversation round to certain subjects, which, again, you will be briefed upon in due course. Once you have established these facts, you will send postcards with encoded messages to safe house addresses; again provided. Now, that doesn't seem too difficult, does it?"
Charlie closed DAC Woodfords office door behind her as she left. Woodford watched her leave and picked up the telephone receiver.
"Put me through to the Commissioner." He drummed his fingers on the desk.
"Commissioner? Yes Sir. She has accepted."
Oo-er, Mrs!