As Time Goes By
Chapter 14
The day of Colleen Smart's funeral was cold. Snow still lay on the ground in patches and the wind was chilly.
"I hate funerals!" Janet Leah mumbled as they left the Church following the horse drawn hearse to the cemetery.
"It's bitter today, too!" Irene Roberts said, pulling her deep mauve scarf around her neck.
Charlie and Joey glanced at each other. Both wore their uniforms in respect for the woman who had died bearing her secrets to each of them only a few moments before. Charlie tucked her arm through Joey's and they followed the other mourners.
"... He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;"
The Vicar recited as the mourners reached the deeply dug hole awaiting Colleen's coffin.
Joey took a sharp breath; this was all too familiar to her. She glanced across and saw where her own parents lay and tears filled her eyes. Charlie felt Joey's tenseness and took hold of her cold hand and squeezed it gently. Joey sniffled quietly but looked at Charlie and managed a little smile.
"Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me, thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over."
The coffin which had been removed from the hearse was carried over to the six foot deep hole and with the aid of ropes was gently lowered into the hole.
"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."
Martha Holden held onto her Grandfather's arm looking grim. Alf Stewart stood watching as the remains of his sister were laid to rest. Morag stood bolt upright wearing black, which seemed to suit her so well. She eyes followed her sister's coffin and she swallowed hard.
"Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the resurrection into eternal life."
The Vicar concluded by gently throwing a handful of earth down onto the coffin. Alf, Morag and Martha followed suit. Other mourners did the same and followed the main mourners back towards the Church.
Charlie and Joey stood for a few moments when everyone else had departed.
They wiped their tears and Joey threw down a single sprig of Christmas Rose saved from a handful she had brought along to lie at her parent's graveside. They looked at each other and smiled.
"Well, I suppose we should follow the others." Charlie said, seeing the last of the mourners heading away from the Church. "Everyone's going back to The Neppy for a drink and a bite to eat."
Joey nodded and they took one last look at Colleen's resting place and after a silent farewell, left.
***
Alf Stewart had catered for a small reception at The Old Neptune public house, in memory of his sister. The sandwiches and cakes were laid out on a large table and teas, sherry and whiskey offered round on trays by the ladies of the WRVS. Charlie and Joey were last to enter the pub and a hum of happy voices and laughter, as often happens at wakes, greeted them as they walked through the door. The girls gravitated next to Morag and Ross and were glad to accept a steaming cup of tea from one of the ladies serving.
"How are you, Morag?" Charlie asked after she'd sipped her tea.
"As well as can be expected on a day like today." She answered, tartly.
Charlie gave Joey a quick look and raised her eyebrows.
"How are you, Joey?" Ross asked, touching her arm, gently.
"I'm much recovered, thank you, ."
"Please, call me Ross."
Joey smiled and nodded. She was fond of Charlie's father. Of course, he didn't admit to knowing about their relationship, but if he did suspect anything, he certainly didn't make her feel uncomfortable about it.
"When do you expect to finish your sick leave?"
"Probably by the end of the week. I have to go back to see the Doctor on Friday and if he gives the all clear, I will travel to my new base on Monday."
"Charlie will miss you." Ross said, glancing at his daughter who was deep conversation with Morag. "You are both very close, aren't you?"
"Yes. Very close."
Ross smiled.
"I'm glad. Charlie needs someone like you in her life. She's too much of a loner; always has been. You add warmth to her."
Joey blushed.
"I haven't been to her all that I should have been over the years, but I hope she has forgiven me for that." Ross said, looking into his whiskey glass. "I hope she doesn't hold it against me."
Joey took hold of Ross's hand and smiled.
"She doesn't. She's very fond of you and Morag."
Ross looked up into Joey's eyes and he smiled.
"Thank you for telling me. Whatever happens, Joey, I wish you both well. My illness is something which I cannot control and I won't always be around, in either mind or body, to convey this, but take care of her for me."
And with that, he broke away and went to talk to Alf.
Joey's eyes followed Ross; her heart beating with the knowledge that he accepted her relationship with Charlie; something Charlie would be ecstatic about.
***
Charlie felt a hand take hold of her shoulder which forcibly spun her round. She came face to face with Martha Holden.
"What the hell do you think you're doing here?" Martha hissed at Charlie.
"I was invited back by your Grandfather and Morag."
"Auntie Morag and had no right!" Martha growled. She glanced at Joey who witnessed the interaction. "You and your little girlfriend, making a mockery of Auntie Colleen's funeral!"
"If you would prefer us to leave, we will." Charlie said, in a quiet voice.
"That won't be necessary!"
Morag, who had also witnessed Martha's attack on Charlie stepped forward and held a restraining hand out to Martha.
"Martha, Charlie and Joey are our guests. Please don't embarrass them and yourself." She said, quietly but firmly.
Martha, who stood breathing heavily but still glaring at Charlie, suddenly turned and walked away.
Morag looked at Charlie and Joey and smiled.
"I'm sorry about that. I can't think what came over her."
"It might be better if we did leave, Morag. I would hate for anymore unpleasantness to occur. Martha does seem to have it in for me at the moment." Charlie said, sadly.
"It would be for the best." Joey agreed.
Morag nodded.
"Please express our condolences to Alf. You'll stop by before going back to London, I take it?"
"Yes, your father and I are staying at 'The Duck of Cumberland Hotel' again, tonight. We'll pop by and see you later." Morag smiled laying a hand on Charlie's arm. She glanced at Joey and smiled and then walked over to her husband.
"Come on, let's go home." Charlie said, taking Joey's arm.
***
They walked out of the door and along the sea front.
"She's off her chump!" Joey said, taking a last look at The Neppy as they strolled away. "Has your Detective Chief Inspector said anymore about it?"
"No, that's what I can't understand. I know he was worried about it, because he got Georgie Watson to keep an eye on me, but since then; nothing!"
"Do you not think it might be a good idea to speak to him again or even go to DAC Woodford like you suggested, originally?"
"Humm. I'll certainly speak to Robertson, but now I've made mention of it to him, it'll look like I'm going over his head if I talk to Woodford as well." Charlie said, frowning.
"Well, why don't you go and speak to him now?"
Charlie bit her lip and nodded.
"I'll walk you home first, then, I'll go back to work."
***
"So, Constable, what can I do for you?" DCI Robertson asked, giving Charlie a quick look before averting his eyes back to his paper work.
"Sir, it's been sometime since you spoke to me about Martha Holden. I wondered if there have been any developments." Charlie asked, feeling her throat drying up with nerves.
Robertson looked at Charlie again, and rose from his seat. He walked over to his office door and quietly closed it.
"Constable Buckton. I have been trying to find a way of explaining this to you without causing anymore concern than you have at present. Martha Holden is being fed information and instructions by someone who obviously worked closely with Austin. I have spoken with DAC Woodford and he told me you were more than capable of looking after yourself. But..." Robertson said standing up and walking over to the window. "I don't like to have any member of my staff in danger."
"Danger!" Charlie said, her eyes widening.
"Well, maybe my wording was a little stiff. I should have said 'exposed to harm.'"
Charlie looked at Robertson wondering what the difference was.
"Woodford suggests I send you out to track down the third party. I'm not so sure. I would rather be involved myself." Robertson said, glancing at Charlie.
Charlie was quietly thrilled that DAC Woodford had enough confidence in her as a Police Officer to track down the 'third party' but was also pleased that DCI wanted to be part of the proceedings.
"Holden isn't intelligent enough to be able to do this by herself. Yes, she can push and insult you, but that isn't difficult considering her feelings for Hugo Austin. What we need to do is follow her. Find out what she does outside of her life here." Robertson said, getting up a head of steam. "Find out what she does after her shift at the factory finishes; those sort of things."
Charlie nodded enthusiastically.
"I don't suppose you happen to know if she is working at the moment."
"No, Sir, she isn't. She's just attended her aunt's funeral this morning and I dare say she is still at her Grandfather's pub."
"Good. You and WPC Watson get out there as soon as possible. If she leaves the public house, follow her discretely. If she knows you are tailing her, she'll panic."
"Understood, Sir." Charlie said, standing to attention.
"Okay, off you go. Report back anything you might find interesting."
"Sir."
***
"Come on, Georgie, we've got a job!" Charlie said, excitedly.
Georgie Watson was eating a sandwich as Charlie hurried back to her desk.
"Oh! You're joking! I've Just this very minute sat down to have a bite to eat!"
"No time for that!" Charlie said, snatching the bread from her mouth. "Hat and coat on!"
Watson sighed and reluctantly got to her feet. She put her things on as instructed, but picked up her sandwich to eat as they walked along.
"Don't let the Inspector see you doing that!" Charlie said as they stepped out into the street. "He'll have your guts for garters!"
"Oh! He's already had those!" Watson said, with a mouthful.
Charlie briefly explained their job and they marched off in the direction of The Old Neptune.
***
A hand picked up a telephone receiver and dialled a number.
"She's on her way. Be careful."