As Time Goes By

Chapter 4

Joey took Charlie's hands in her own and looked deep into her eyes.

"Charlie," She said, trying to find the right words. "I've been teasing you again!" She finished with a big grin on her face.

"What!" Charlie exploded; snatching away her hands as Joey fell about laughing. "Joey Collins! You're such a beast! You know anything you say I take seriously!"

"I know and that's why I can't help myself!" Joey chuckled. "But I think you might like this... I'm being transferred to Dover!"

Charlie's mouth fell open in disbelief.

"Joey! That's wonderful! Oh, that's tremendous!" Charlie enthused and caught hold of Joey and pulled her in for a hug. "When?"

"Well, it won't be quite yet, but I think it will be before New Year. I'm likely to finish at HMS Midge on 24th December, and then, Charlie, I'll be home for Christmas!" Joey announced with a big smile.

Charlie was beside herself with joy. She jumped around like a child and Joey had to fight to restrain her! Was this really serious, no nonsense Charlie Buckton?

"Oh, Jo, apart from you being here with me right now, that's the best birthday present you could have given me!"

Joey smiled at her girlfriend's happiness.

"What will you do in Dover?" Charlie asked when she became a little more rational.

"Firstly, I'm going to be sent to Brighton on a course to learn about electrics, torpedoes, demolition and mining. Apparently I'll be specialising in electrics. I've had some experience already up at Midge, but this is a bit more involved, so I'm led to believe."

"Demolition and mining?" Charlie asked incredulously.

Joey chuckled.

"Not in the 'knock it down' and 'pick and shovel' sense! But explosives!"

Charlie frowned; wondering if her first impression might not have been preferable.

"When you start to work at Dover, will you sleep out?" Charlie asked, hopefully.

"Not permanently. I'd love to, but the journey from here to Dover every morning and evening would be too much, I think, and apart from that, they like to have their staff near to hand."

Charlie frowned. Joey took her hands and smiled.

"But at least every spare moment I get, I'll jump on the bus and come home to you. You'll be so fed up with me, you'll be glad to see me back off to Dover!"

"Never, Joey Collins, Never!" Charlie said hugging her lover.

Joey gently parted them.

"Careful, sweetheart! Someone's bound to be watching!"

Charlie's eyes furtively looked about her. No one was in sight, but she knew Joey was right. She smiled.

"I always forget myself when I'm with you Joey Collins."

"Good. Come on, let's finish our walk, then we can get back home in the warm. You can ravish me then, if you like?"

Charlie smiled, liking the idea. She linked arms with Joey again and they continued to walk.

"How's Helen?" Charlie asked, curious to know if she had fully accepted Joey's relationship with her yet.

"She's fine. I think she's a bit upset about my transfer though. First of all she begged me not to take it, but then I reasoned with her by asking wouldn't she do the same if she had the chance to work near home and be near the woman, (or in her case) the man she loved. She couldn't argue with that!"

"And she's fully forgiven you, about me?"

"Oh yes! I think once she realised that I don't bite just because I am what I am, she carried on as though nothing had happened! I was a bit worried to begin with that she might not be able to keep her mouth shut. Not maliciously, but just because she is so innocent. I remember her saying to me one day, in front of some of the girls, 'did you tell your Charlie about this and that...' I nearly died, but I suppose they just assumed you were a chap. Thank God you go by that name!"

Charlie laughed.

"Well, that one worked for me once, until 'our eyes' gave it away! Do you think our eyes still give it away?" She asked, gazing at Joey.

"Charlie! Listen!" Joey said, grabbing Charlie's arm.

The girls stopped and listened. They could hear a low droning, spitting noise in the distance and it was getting louder as it approached. It was difficult to pin point from where exactly, as the sea's winter waves crashed onto the pebbled beach, distorting the sound.

"It's a Doodlebug!" Joey said, looking up and scanning the sky.

Charlie lifted her head likewise and looked about.

"Look! There!" Charlie cried as the huge flying bomb approached them from the east.

"My God! I've seen them at a distance, but never one as close as this!" Joey choked.

Charlie looked about her for a safe haven. There was only a bus stop up on the top road but they'd never make it in time! She grabbed Joey, who seemed hypnotised by the sight of the rocket and pushed her to the ground, covering her with her own body. They lay, listening to the drone as it continued past; eventually disappearing out of sight and hearing.

"I remember us in this position a few years ago!" Joey giggled as she lay beneath Charlie's body.

"I remember us in this position only a few hours ago! What a bad memory you have, Joey Collins!"

Joey laughed and Charlie lifted herself off her girlfriend and helped pull her up. They looked at the direction in which the V1 rocket had travelled.

"I guess its heading for London." Charlie said in a small voice; thinking of her father and Morag.

Joey took her hand.

"They'll be fine." She said, instinctively understanding Charlie's thoughts.

Charlie smiled at Joey.

"Come on, let's go home."

***

Charlie and Joey lay in their bed huddled together. They'd spent the last hour making love. Nobody else was in the house. Janet was working at the tea rooms, Vince was with his Grandmother and Ruby was on her date with Geoffrey Campbell. No one was expected back until teatime, which was a long way off yet, so the lovers made good use of their time together.

"It seems to get better and better." Charlie said, kissing Joey's neck.

"Mmmm. Its practice makes perfect!" Joey grinned. "Give me your lips again!"

Charlie obliged and their lips met bestowing warm, loving feelings to each other.

"After the war has finished, Jo, we'll get a place of our own. We can't keep creeping about in someone else's house. Janet is a great support and has no problem with us as a couple, but we have to hide things from Vince and I don't like us not being able to relax together unless we're alone."

"Where would we live? In Whitstable?"

"I don't know. We'll have to think about it!" Charlie said with a sudden smile; feeling quite excited at the prospect. "And of course there's Ruby to consider."

"Well, as long as we're together, I don't care! Now, come here. I have plans for you!" Joey said, leaning over Charlie and capturing her lips again.

***

Janet and Vince walked into the kitchen. The room was in darkness and there seemed no trace of life anywhere.

"Oh! I thought Charlie and Joey would've been about." Janet remarked to Vince, looking at the sad fire in the grate and shivering.

"Maybe they went to the pictures with Ruby and her new beau?" Vince suggested.

"I wouldn't have thought so, sweetheart. I doubt very much if Ruby wanted her big sister there to chaperon!"

"What does that mean, mum?" Vince asked curiously.

"Someone who keeps an eye on another person."

"Well, why would Charlie need to keep a 'chaperon' on Ruby and Geoff? Surely they'll be watching the film, won't they?" He stated, innocently.

"Yes, well, maybe!" Janet said, wondering how far Vince was going to push his point.

At that moment, Ruby came in from the cold.

"Hello, had a good time?" Janet asked with a wink.

"Yes! We had a wonderful time!" Ruby enthused.

"Oh great!" Janet answered. "Fancy a cuppa?"

"Ooh, yes please! Geoff and Annie are coming down to the pub tonight to keep me company. I thought Vince was staying at your mums?" Ruby said, glancing at Vince.

"He was supposed to, but he showed off something rotten! Wanted to come; frightened he might miss something!" Janet grinned. "Anyway, that's kind of Geoff and Annie. We'll make sure there's plenty of lemonade to go round!" Janet said, with a grin.

"Where's Charlie? Aren't they back yet?" Ruby asked, looking about for her sister.

"No. We haven't seen them since we got in. The place was in darkness when we arrived home, so I guess they're still out unless they've come back and..."

Here, Janet stopped and blushed. She really didn't want to say it in front of Ruby, let alone Vince, but Ruby had a fair idea of what Janet was thinking.

"Unless they've come back and what, mum?" Vince asked.

"Nothing!"

"Yes, but you said..."

"Yes, I know what I said, but it's not for your ears!"

"Perhaps you should go and check." Ruby suggested.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Janet said in surprise. "She's your sister!"

"Yeah! And this is your house!"

"What are you both talking about?" Vince looked up, questioningly.

"Nothing!" Ruby and Janet chorused.

Poor Vince frowned; weary of being told that whatever he was witnessing was 'nothing' or 'not for his ears'. He sighed.

Janet finished making the tea.

"Perhaps you should go and ask them if they want a cup?" Janet suggested to Ruby.

Ruby exhaled.

"Okay." She said, reluctantly. "I'll go and give them a knock, but if she moans at me, I'm gonna blame you!"

Janet grinned.

"Blame you for what mum?"

***

Ruby crept up the stairs to the first floor landing where Charlie's bedroom was. She braced herself and put her ear to the door. Dead silence. She frowned and was about to knock when she lost her nerve and lifted her hands in the air in desperation to Janet who watched from the bottom of the stairs.

"I'll do it!" Vince volunteered, excitedly.

"No, it's okay Vince. I'll do it." Ruby said, heading him off at the pass.

Janet dragged a disappointed Vince away from the scene to let Ruby continue with her quest.