As Time Goes By
Good morning everyone! And thank you for the reviews! Will keep the story going as requested as long as you keep your reviews coming! ~S&L~ xx
Chapter 6
The next morning, the household awoke to a very cold and wet November day. Janet, who was first to rise, lit a wood-fire in the kitchen fireplace. As the reluctant flame barely burnt the kindling, she held a sheet of newspaper in front, trying to encourage the flame to take hold. She shivered as she waited and considered what she would cook for breakfast.
***
Charlie shifted in her bed and felt Joey's warm body next to her own. She smiled and snuggled into her for extra warmth. Joey murmured and came to. She opened her eyes a little and saw Charlie's smiling face.
"Hello you." Joey croaked, sleepily.
"Good morning, darling. Did you sleep well?"
"I did when you let me!" Joey grinned.
"What are you talking about? We didn't..."
"No, I know we didn't, but every time I was about to nod off, you started mumbling in your sleep!"
"Did I?" Charlie asked pulling away from Joey a little. "What was I saying?"
"Well, nothing significant really, but I did distinguish 'Hugo' and 'Martha' a couple of times, but then, after last night's little fiasco, I'm not surprised. It obviously played on your mind."
Charlie sighed and cuddled back into Joey.
"First thing tomorrow, I'm going to ask to see the Detective Chief Inspector. Jo, I'm certain someone's been blabbing. What happened in Ipswich was top secret! You know and I know, but nobody else does! But Martha has been making snide remarks at me for weeks now and it's getting on my nerves! It's not so much the snide remarks; though they are hurtful, but how does she know so much of what happened?"
Joey watched Charlie's eyes flash as she tried to understand this fresh intrigue which was emerging from the ashes of Ipswich.
"Charlie, I know this might sound a bit far-fetched, but you don't think Martha had anything to do with that business, do you?"
Charlie looked at Joey and frowned for a few moments.
"It would make sense with what's been going on if she had, but it seems too fantastic for words!"
"But why?" Joey said, shifting and leaning on her elbow. "Think about it. Miss. Innocent; at home in dear old, sleepy Whitstable. She works in a local factory making parts for aircraft - war work! That's always good for collecting information about! She belongs to Hugo Austin's family, by marriage, I accept, but she's obviously fond of him. What a wonderful chance to be able to help him!"
"But why, for all those months, was she trying to pair me off with Hugo?" Charlie asked incredulously.
"I don't know." Joey said, leaning back into the pillows and facing the ceiling. "Unless it was all part of the plan!" She said sitting upright. "Get you involved with Hugo, all 'lovey-dovey cat's eyes', and that way, you might turn a blind eye here and there or worse still, get involved in something unsavoury!"
Charlie lay thinking about what Joey had suggested; twisting the ends of her long hair.
"It would explain his regular visits into Kent, wouldn't it? After all, how come he was always able to get leave at the drop of a hat? You can't – or at least you say you can't!" Charlie giggled, digging her girlfriend in the ribs. "And Martha always said he was in something 'hush-hush'! How would she have known? He wouldn't have been allowed to tell her that! When I was recruited to flush him out, I wasn't allowed to tell a soul!" Charlie said and turned to her girlfriend. "Joey! You may have hit the proverbial nail on its head!"
"Well, I certainly think you should speak to your Detective Chief Inspector thingamajig."
"The only thing will be convincing him. He does rather like to see things in black and white. I'm not sure how he is with hysterical females throwing around accusations!" Charlie mused.
"I'd hardly call you 'hysterical', my darling, and apart from that, if he's reads your records, surely there will be some reference to what happened?" Joey suggested.
"No, I wouldn't have thought so. It probably just says I was seconded to Whitehall to dispatch some documents or something equally as boring. No, I will speak to him, but I think I'll contact DAC Woodford at Scotland Yard too." Charlie said, scratching her head and looking at Joey for encouragement.
"Maybe speak to your Detective Chief Inspector first. If you get nowhere, then speak to Woodford."
Charlie nodded, accepting Joey's advice.
***
The family of friends sat down to breakfast. Janet had managed to get a cheerful fire burning in the grate and with the heat of the stove, the room became very cosy.
"What time have you got to leave today, Jo?" Janet asked, setting her cup back on its saucer.
"My train leaves Whitstable at two fifteen. Then I'm catching the three fifty from Liverpool Street station. Hopefully be back at base by... well, there's no point in speculating. It really depends what's on the rails." Joey said, speaking from experience.
"Is Charlie seeing you off?" Vince asked.
"Yes, I'm travelling up to London with Joey." Charlie answered, with a smile.
"Can I go?" Vince whined, looking at his mother.
"No!" Both Janet and Charlie answered in unison. They grinned at each other.
Vince tutted and carried on with his boiled egg and soldiers.
Charlie found a warm hand on her knee under the table. She looked at Joey and smiled. By this time, Charlie was usually feeling upset and down at the thought of Joey's departure, but this time, she had Joey's transfer to Dover to look forward to. The happy prospect of perhaps, a weekly visit from the woman she adored, and of course her leave at Christmas too, making their parting somewhat easier.
***
Charlie and Joey sat in the Ladies Waiting Room at Whitstable Railway Station. The little grate in the fireplace contained only a few cold ashes from the previous days use. Sunday traffic, obviously wasn't considered busy enough to warrant the cheery glow of an open fire.
They girls sat on hard wooden chairs huddled together to keep warm and be near each other, which was probably nearer the truth. No one else was around apart from the Station Mistress who was sweeping the platform.
"Write to me when you get back to Yarmouth, won't you, sweetheart?" Charlie said, resting her head on Joey's shoulder.
"Of course. I'll miss you." Joey said, turning to face Charlie.
Charlie looked into Joey's eyes and they kissed gently, aware that their opportunities to kiss 'farewell' between Whitstable and Liverpool Street Station where they must part, were slim.
"What's the time?" Charlie whispered.
"Ten past two." Joey said, looking at her wrist watch.
"Joey! Listen!"
The girls listened intently and a now familiar sound of the low droning and spitting V1 rocket became evident.
"Doodle bug!" Joey breathed.
The V1 rocket got louder as it approached. Joey and Charlie left their seats and ran to the waiting room door. They opened it and looked into the sky. They could see nothing.
"It must be behind us!" Charlie cried.
Joey took hold of her hand. They both stopped breathing, waiting for the rocket's power to cease, and the dangerous weapon to come plummeting down upon them. But the droning and spluttering noise continued as it passed over head and travelled, way off in the distance.
The girls looked at each other and began to breathe again.
"My God! They're gonna be the death of me!" Joey said, trying to regain her composure.
"Don't say that!" Charlie said, sharply.
Joey shot her a look.
"Sorry." She said and pulled Charlie away from the open door.
She closed it and they walked back to their uncomfortable wooden chairs. Charlie sat down and looked anxiously at the empty fire grate.
"Are you very cold?" Joey asked, slipping her arm around Charlie's shoulder.
Charlie smiled and leaned her head against Joey's.
"No, just inside. Those rockets give me the heebie-jeebies!"
Joey was about to kiss Charlie when the waiting room door swung open and the Station Mistress called,
"Train's coming!"
"Thank you!" The girls called back.
They looked at each other and smiled. The Station Mistress walked along the platform preparing to do her duty. Joey kicked the waiting room door closed and pulled Charlie to her and kissed her urgently.
"I love you, darling." She breathed.
"Joey, I love you too!"
"Come on, or we'll miss that train."
The girls stepped out onto the platform and watched as the steaming locomotive squealed to a halt.
***
Liverpool Street Station was busy. It was Sunday, but in war time, not even the Lord's Day was accepted as good enough reason to sit down quietly and reflect upon one's beliefs.
The girls checked which platform Joey would have to board her train to Great Yarmouth. The destination board indicated Platform five and they walked in the direction of the gates.
"How long is it before the train leaves?" Charlie asked, feeling butterflies dancing around in her stomach.
"Another fifteen minutes yet. Do you fancy a cup of tea? There's a lady with a trolley standing over there under the clock."
"Yes, I can always do with a cup of tea!"
The girls walked over towards the lady and purchased two cups of tea and a currant bun for Joey's journey.
Charlie shivered.
"It's cold enough for snow!"
"Bet it's gonna be cold on that train." Joey said, moving closer to Charlie so they could share their body heat.
"Wish I could travel up with you, darling." Charlie said, her blue eyes turning to Joey.
"I wish you could too. These next few weeks are going to be the devil. I'll be counting the days!"
"It'll make it all the sweeter when Christmas comes. I can hardly wait. It's going to be the best Christmas ever! You'll let me know your travel plans as soon as you can, won't you, because I want to be here to meet you!"
Joey smiled at Charlie's words. Nobody had ever made her feel as special as Charlie did. She nodded and placed their empty cups and saucers back on the trolley.
**
They walked reluctantly towards the gates at platform five, neither wishing to reach it for at least fifty years! But inevitably, in a few moments they stood before the gate.
"Are we saying 'goodbye' here or are you going to wave me off at the train?" Joey asked.
Charlie looked anxiously towards the train. She usually preferred to flee at this point, but she closed her eyes briefly and exhaled.
"I'll come onto the platform." She said at last.
Joey smiled; glad to keep Charlie with her for a few extra, precious moments.
The ticket inspector checked Joey's travel permit and waved them through. They found a compartment with some empty spaces and Joey boarded the train and placed her luggage on a vacant seat. She jumped off the train again and came to rest at Charlie's side.
"Thank you for making my birthday the best I've ever known!" Charlie said, tears welling in her eyes.
Joey smiled.
"Anything's worth seeing your beautiful face!"
"So it's not my mind you're interested in!" Charlie said, trying to look stern.
"At the moment, no! I need to keep your image in my mind; I need it to last me until Christmas!"
Carriage doors started to close at the other end of the train and the girls knew their precious time together was nearly at an end.
"Won't be long now." Charlie said, so quietly that Joey hardly heard her.
"Take care of yourself and keep away from those Doodlebugs! I'm the only one who is allowed to drop in on you without warning!" Joey said, chuckling. "I love you."
"I love you too. I just wish I could kiss you, here!"
Joey leaned forward and placed her lips on Charlie cheek but so close to her lips that they actually touched. Charlie flung her arms around Joey and they hugged, not wishing to let go.
The whistle blew.
"I have to go. Be good."
Charlie just nodded her head as tears prevented her from speaking. Joey broke away and stepped up into the carriage and closed the door behind her. She let the window down and leaned out. Charlie offered up her hands which Joey willingly accepted.
"God bless you, Charlie." Joey said, fighting the tears which welled up in her eyes.
"God bless you too, my Joey. God speed!"
And with that, the girls' hands were broken apart by the necessity of the train beginning to move. Charlie began to walk along side Joey's window waving and blowing kisses. She had to hasten her steps as the train started to move faster and faster and at last, Charlie ran, trying to keep pace, but sadly she ran out of platform and instead, stood panting and waving like mad to the young woman half hanging out of the train window as it chuffed away from the station.