As Time Goes By
Chapter 20
March arrived, blown in by stormy winds. The sea was grey and rose high, covering the beach as it fell with an angry roar, foaming over the pebbles which rushed forward and retreated with each wave.
Joey stood by the sea wall, looking out onto the angry scene. Each gust of wind sprayed salty water into her face, which mingled with her own tears, falling from her eyes. She blinked and licked the salt on her lips and sighed; wondering for the hundredth time why she had decided to go through with it.
***
"Where's Jo?" Charlie asked as she walked into the kitchen on the morning of the Collins V Cruze court case.
"She went out for a walk a while back. To be honest, she looked a bit pasty." Janet said with concern.
Charlie nodded.
"I'll go and look for her."
Charlie put on her coat and gloves and left the kitchen. She walked down towards the harbour, knowing it to be a favourite haunt of Joeys. Before she reached the harbour, however, she saw a lone figure standing looking out to sea. She stopped and regarded the young woman; her shoulders hunched against the unfriendly weather.
"Joey!" Charlie called, but her words were carried away by the wind; never reaching Joey's ears.
Charlie walked over some grass, leading to the sea wall and made her way towards Joey. When she reached her, she put her arms around her and held her tight as Joey sobbed.
"Shhh.." Charlie comforted and kissed Joey's cheek.
"I never thought it would make me feel this way." Joey croaked.
"I know. You've been reliving it all and that can't have been easy. But the sooner you get this over with, the sooner you can put the past to rest. Come on, sweetheart. You need to get ready."
Joey nodded and reluctantly let Charlie lead her away from her spot by the sea.
***
Joey, Charlie and Morag walked into the Magistrates Court. Morag drifted off to speak to a colleague who waved to her. Joey and Charlie stayed where they were; Charlie holding onto Joey's hand; Joey, feeling sick.
Charlie looked at Joey and gave her a little smile.
"Do want to sit down over there, sweetheart?"
Joey shuddered; her face becoming deadly pale.
"Or be sick?" Charlie hastily added, noticing the change which had come over Joey.
Joey nodded urgently.
Charlie looked about her and noticed a sign for a public toilet and dragged Joey off in its direction.
***
Joey threw up what little content was in her stomach as Charlie rubbed her back comfortingly. When Joey stopped retching, Charlie handed her a handkerchief and Joey gratefully wiped her mouth and blew her nose. Straightening herself, she looked at Charlie through glistening eyes and gave her half a smile.
"I'll be alright now." She said, trying to reassure Charlie who was regarding her anxiously.
Joey rinsed her face in the wash-hand basin and straightened her uniform and hair.
The Ladies cloak room door opened and Morag popped her head around, looking at the girls as they stood in front of an old pitted mirror.
"Everything hunky-dory?" She asked.
"Yes." Joey nodded, not wanting to admit her moment of weakness to Morag.
Charlie raised her eyes to Morag and smiled.
"Come on then. It's time to go in."
Joey swallowed and glanced at Charlie who took hold of her hand and tightly squeezed it.
***
The three women walked into the court room which was very old and grand; the walls were beautifully clad in dark oak panelling adorned with ancient court apparel of a by-gone era. Several clerks of the court stood around talking to each other and occasionally chuckling over something or another; waiting for the session to begin. The usher came forward and showed the women to their seats and Joey gratefully sat down, swallowing and tasting the bile which still hung in her throat.
"May my friend have a glass of water, please?" Morag asked.
The usher nodded and scuttled away. Morag looked back at Joey and smiled at her kindly.
"Now, remember what I told you and you'll be fine."
Joey sighed and nodded. Charlie tried to smile reassuringly at Joey, but her own nerve was beginning to falter.
The court usher hurried back with a glass of water and Joey accepted it, gratefully. She looked around the room and tried to focus on its history rather than the present. Morag cast a quick glance in the direction of the opposition as a sudden agitated flurry of gowns and paperwork sent the Defence lawyer rushing out of the court room. Morag frowned and turned to Charlie.
"Something's up. I think I'm going to black my nose!" She said standing and walking away hastily.
"What's happened, I wonder?" Joey asked; her eyes following Morag as she left the court room.
"Search me." Charlie said. "How are you feeling now, Jo?"
"A little better. Just wish it was all over."
Charlie laid a warm hand on Joey's knee and smiled.
"Wish I could stand for you, darling."
Joey looked at Charlie and smiled gratefully.
"But I wouldn't put you through this, Charlie. I wouldn't, anyone!"
Suddenly the court door opened and Morag bustled back into the room clutching her law wig; her eyes animated. The girls watched as she spoke to a clerk who glanced over once or twice at Joey. Joey moistened her lips and swallowed anxiously.
"Something's happened." Charlie said, not taking her eyes from her step mother.
Morag nodded at the clerk and made her way back to the girls.
"What's going on, Morag?" Charlie asked, getting to her feet.
"Well, it looks as if this case goes no further!"
The girls looked at each other and back at Morag, questioningly.
"It would appear that Mr. Hitler has thrown a spanner in the works. Maidstone prison was hit by a Doodlebug early this morning. Robert Cruze is no more!" Morag said slowly and picked up her papers.
"You mean...?" Charlie asked, her mouth falling open.
"I do indeed! I'm not sure if to be happy or sad!" The lawyer said, with a smile.
Joey sat motionless staring into space. The evil which had once consumed her, had now, itself, been destroyed, but by a different kind of enemy. A quick, clean assassin, dispatching Robert Cruze to Kingdom come.
***
Joey expressed very little feeling about the events of that day. Morag had taken care of any remaining paperwork with regard to the case, and suggested that Charlie took Joey home.
The girls sat on the train as it snaked its way through Kent, heading for home. Joey was to remain over night with Charlie and would head back to Dover the following morning.
"Joey. Are you alright, sweetheart?" Charlie whispered.
There were one or two other travellers on the train and Charlie didn't want to attract their attention from their knitting or newspapers.
Joey, who was silently looking out of the window, slowly turned to Charlie. Tears were fresh upon her face and Charlie frowned with concern as she saw them.
"Oh Jo. Don't get yourself upset. It's all over now. He can't hurt you anymore!"
Joey sniffled quietly.
"I-I don't quite know what I'm upset about. Maybe it's relief. It seems Doodlebugs haunt us, don't they Charlie? Only a few months ago, poor Colleen was taken by one and today Robert Cruze. I can't honestly say I'm sad about him, but it still gives me the shivers. I can't quite believe it's happened."
Charlie smiled and took hold of Joey's hand, disregarding the other passengers.
"It'll take time to get used to, Jo. Maybe it was Mr. Hitler who gave a helping hand, but I think it was a much higher authority that played a part. Well, it'll be a fresh start tomorrow!"
"Thank you for everything, Charlie." Joey said looking lovingly at the other girl. "I couldn't have coped without you."
Charlie smiled and Joey laid her head on Charlie's shoulder and closed her eyes.