As Time Goes By
Chapter 2
Detective Chief Inspector, Robertson had been transferred from Ashford Police Station, in Kent, after Sergeant Crosby had retired from the force six months previously. He was a quiet, but firm man. He played completely by the rule book. He was first and foremost a Police Officer and his job was to retain law and order always, in a time when little things were often overlooked or rules bent to accommodate the difficult times in which they lived.
He walked about the village hall straightening a chair or two which had been set out by a Police Constable for the comfort of the Detective's invited guests. In front of the chairs were a blackboard and easel and a couple of fingers of white chalk. The blackout matter was firmly in place and the tea urn was bubbling away merrily on the trolley to the side.
The entrance door opened and Captain Alfred Stewart of the Whitstable Home Guard entered.
"Evening, Detective Chief Inspector!"
"Good evening Captain Stewart. It's a fresh one!"
"You're not kidding!"
Behind the Captain of the home guard followed an array of khaki glad Home Guard volunteers and members of the St. John's Ambulance, Women's Royal Voluntary Service and Civil Defence. They all chatted at once and the din in the hall became overwhelming until the DCI clapped his hands three times and brought everyone to order.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you for attending this evening's gathering... "
His opening speech was interrupted as the door opened and Police Constables Buckton and Watson entered, tittering about something trivial and not realising that the meeting had actually commenced.
"Thank you Constables; when you're quite finished!" The DCI said in a tone of reproof.
The two young Police Women glanced at each other. Georgie Watson raised one eyebrow and Charlie grinned as they seated themselves at the back of the hall.
"Alright. Hitler's V1 Rockets. 'Doodlebugs', as we like to call them; not a new concept to any of us. They've been raining down in the South East of England since June of this year. We all have first-hand experience or know someone whose life has been affected by these terrible war weapons." The DCI said, pausing for a few moments before continuing. "Last week, in Canterbury, a V1 rocket fell and completely wiped out the General Post Office's sorting room and some surrounding shops. Five lives were lost. Ordinary men and women, with families to support, like ourselves, going about their duties, sorting mail for the good of all. There were also cases of looting reported! Absolutely disgraceful! Regardless if there are spoiled goods lying about or not, it must not happen. After all, 'the law is the law!'"
Charlie and Watson grinned at each other, hearing the Inspector using a term he used constantly at the station.
"As fellow servants to the community, it is our responsibility to be ready to handle any sort of disaster which may face us in the coming months. This is what I propose." The DCI announced as he turned to the mobile blackboard with his plan of action.
Watson gave Charlie a look which spoke volumes. Charlie grinned. But their boss was a good, sensible man and his suggestions made sound sense. But Charlie and Georgie Watson had already put in a full day's work and now wished for home and a chance to relax.
***
Janet Leah, who was a leading light with the Whitstable Women's Royal Voluntary Service, walked home with Charlie after the meeting.
"Well, it's your birthday tomorrow Charlie! What plans have you made?" Janet asked, pulling her scarf snugly around her neck.
"Nothing really. Don't really feel like celebrating." Charlie replied, feeling a bit down.
"Well, we'll have to think of something!" Janet said. "We could go and have a drink at The Neppy, if you like, only there's Vince and Ruby. Mind you, we could stick them in the Children's room."
"Oh yes, Ruby'll love that!" Charlie laughed.
"Well, maybe it'll be more temping if her friends Annie and Geoffrey are there too!" Janet suggested.
"Well, I guess that is a solution. But I don't know. Birthdays are just not the same anymore." Charlie said digging her hands deep into her coat pockets and hunching her shoulders against the wind.
***
The two women walked into a very cosy kitchen. Ruby sat at the kitchen table reading her book and the wireless played quietly in the background.
"Good evening, Rubykins!" Her affectionate sister said and then placed her cold hands around Ruby's neck.
"AGHHHHHHHHH!" Ruby yelled in protest. "You're blimming freezing!" She complained, pushing her sister away.
Charlie chuckled and put the kettle on the stove.
"Fancy a cuppa, Janet?"
"Yes please, love. Can't spit sixpence!"
"Think I'll take mine off to bed." Charlie said, yawning.
"You can't!" Ruby said quickly, glancing fearfully at Janet.
"Why?" Charlie said and turned round to face her sister as she arranged their cups.
"Because... you'll never sleep! You've only just come in and you should wind down first." Her sister recommended.
"What about if I go to bed and read a book for a while? Is that alright?" Charlie asked, filling the teapot with hot water.
"No, that'll never work!" Janet broke in. "You should play a game of cards or something first. That'll relax your mind."
Charlie looked at Janet in astonishment.
"Why all this sudden concern for my sleeping habits? I don't usually have any bother dropping off!"
"No, but do you go into a proper sleep?" Ruby asked seriously.
"Well, of course I do! Otherwise I'd wake up, wouldn't I, stupid?"
"Well, maybe you can help me with my History homework?" Ruby asked, opening up a book on the table and pointing to a paragraph entitled,
'Richard 3rd, The House of York and The Plantagenet Dynasty'
"Ruby! It's nearly twenty past eleven!" Charlie said looking at the clock. "Why have you left it this late to do homework?"
Ruby considered for a few moments and then said,
"Well, you were out this evening so I didn't have a chance to broach the subject."
Charlie took a deep breath and sighed. It hadn't occurred to her that tomorrow was Saturday and therefore, Ruby's homework was not imminent.
"Okay! Where do we start?"
Janet quickly glanced at Ruby and winked. Ruby's lips twitched at the corners.
***
"I'm sorry, Ruby! I'm gonna drop if I don't go to bed. I'm dead beat." Charlie said yawning and stretching her long arms. "Besides, you should have been in bed ages ago! How come you're up as late as this on a School night?"
"It's not a School night. It's Friday! Well, in fact, it's almost Saturday and your birthday, Charlie!" Ruby said with a big grin. "Do you want your present now or later, in the morning?"
"Well, I think I can wait until morning. Good night all." Charlie said, walking away.
"Night, Charlie!" Ruby called. "If you change your mind about that present, I've left it on your bed! Oh, and I've fixed the blackout in your room, too!"
"Thanks, sweetheart!"
"Night, love." Janet grinned.
Janet and Ruby listened for Charlie to walk into the bathroom before retiring to her bedroom.
"All set?" Janet asked quietly.
"All set!" Ruby confirmed, with a grin.
***
Charlie washed, then, brushed her teeth. She yawned again and opened the bathroom door.
"Goodnight!" She called out once more.
"Goodnight!" Janet and Ruby chorused.
"Not too late now, Ruby!" Charlie warned.
"Alright!"
Charlie opened her bedroom door and felt her way along the wall for the light switch. Finding it, she flicked it. The light didn't come on.
"Damn!" She cursed in the darkness. "Bulbs gone!"
She carefully walked across to the bed and felt her way around, seeking out her bedside cabinet and lamp. As she groped in the darkness, her hand stumbled across something large and soft. She froze for a moment but tentatively continued to explore until she found something which felt like a human hand. She screamed!
"AUGGGGH!"
The hand grabbed her.