Part 3
Jessica's other job was cleaning part time for the vicar. She usually looked forward to this on a Friday. However today she was unexplicably nervous. Well that's not quite true. She knew exactly why. It was because she thought it may just be possible that she would see that new fella from the pub. Not usually wearing lippy for cleaning she looked at herself in the mirror. Oh this is stupid she chastised herself. Having only glanced at the man she knew nothing about him other than he was slightly criminal. As for what he looked like she told herself he probably wasn't anything special in the light of day. His sort always went for the real glamour girls anyway.
7.15pm and she had done her cleaning but took her time getting ready to go. She slowly took some rubbish out the back. Standing against the wall there he was, that Spiv. Throwing his cigarette out he called out Ere you following me, let me take that bag for you. He was interrupted by Sgt Wilson who told him to go in and proceeded to take the bag from him. I'm in no hurry said Joe, Mainwarings doing one of his bleeding lectures tonight isn't he. Yes he is Joe replied Wilson and we haven't even got the tea ready yet. So Joe was his name. Jessica feeling brave said she would stay and make tea. After you said Joe putting an arm on her waist as he bent down saying my names Joe, Joe Walker and you are Jessica is that right. Yesss she stammered. Its ok I don't bite he said.
When they got in Mainwaring shouted come on Walker hurry up. Jessica went to the back and set about making tea. All the while she watched the platoon and couldn't help laughing quietly when Joe would make funny remarks annoying his Captain. She also noticed her first impression was right, he was good looking but definitely dodgy.
They eventually broke up for tea and Jessica handed Godfrey the first cup. Dont give him too much laughed Joe. Mainwaring glared saying enough of that Walker. Pike said hello to Jessica and enquired if she liked films, before she could answer he told her he liked Edward G Robinson gangster movies. Frazer tutted in the background. Give the girl some room said Joe, you're crowding her Spikey. How much sugar she asked Joe staying professional. Oh just black I'm sweet enough he joked. Jones found this funny and splurged his tea. Watch out ya silly old duffer teased Joe. Awfully nice tea said Wilson as Mrs Pike entered the hall complaining her Frank and Arthur were late home. Mainwaring annoyed just gave out his final instructions and informed them all not to be late helping out at the stalls tomorrow for the orphans charity. Joe nudged Mainwaring causing the small man to loose his balance. What is it he said. Well Jessica could help Mrs Pike with tea tomorrow an all. Very well you sort it he replied.
Getting her coat Joe casually strode up close to her. Jess, ya don't mind if I call you Jess do ya, do you wanna earn a few bob tomorrow, legit like, doing teas down the Orphans Holiday Home Hut. Feeling him close to her she struggled with her coat getting all in a muddle. Here he said helping her on with it.I can manage she said. OK come on let's walk you home. I live the other way said Jess. Joe laughed, how do you know, you don't know where I live. Come on its no big deal. Stepping outside and down the road the moon was bright but Jessica seemed gloomy. To get her laughing Joe started clowning about singing Underneath the Arches and doing a little dance. Truth be known this was exactly why she was down. She knew this guy was probably trouble and after one thing tonight.
Reaching her small house where she lodged Joe stopped and said Voila, safely home. See you tomorrow he said kissing her forehead before turning back in the other direction. Jessica headed inside. She had loved the smell of aftershave on Joe, it was a rare thing for men to have with rationing and even without most men didn't care about their grooming. She knew she would have a sleepless night.