As Time Goes By

The penultimate episode.... ~ S&L ~

Chapter 21

The war continued as the weeks passed but more and more countries were being liberated by allied forces. The Germans were being forced back on all sides and the likelihood of war ending in Europe was now becoming a reality rather than just a dream. In the Pacific, however, the war continued to rage throughout this time. Peace wasn't quite in the bag, yet!

***

Janet and Charlie sat at the kitchen table playing cards. The wireless played quietly in the background and when the news came on, they paused for a few moments to listen.

"It sounds as though it's coming slowly to an end, don't you think?" Janet asked, as she dealt a new hand onto the table.

"I sincerely hope so!" Charlie said, with sigh. "There's going to be such a lot to sorting out to do when the boys come home. It's going to be pretty chaotic I would venture to suggest." Charlie said, picking up a playing card and glancing at it. She laid it down again and frowned.

"I suppose we're all going to have some sorting out to do. I've already started thinking about mine." Janet said, in a small voice.

Charlie quickly glanced at Janet.

"What's up, Jan? Is everything alright?" She asked with concern.

Janet frowned for a moment and tried to find the right words. She looked up into Charlie's anxious face and smiled.

"Charlie, after the war, Vince and I are going to move on. I've lived here for a long time now and five years of war and unrest have taken its toll. I want a new start for us both. He's growing up fast, but I don't think I can give him the opportunities here that perhaps, once I could've. I'm thinking of selling up and going to New Zealand to live. I feel bad about you and Ruby." Janet said; her eyes falling into her lap. "But I want to give you plenty of notice."

Charlie watched Janet as she spoke.

"Jan, please don't feel bad about this. It's your life, whatever you do, and of course you must put Vince first! It will be a wonderful opportunity for you both!

Charlie paused for a moment, trying to find her own words. She glanced at Janet and gave her half a smile. "In fact, we have a few plans of our own."

Charlie laid down her cards on the table and sat back in her chair, playing with her fingers.

"Joey and I want to set up our own home together after the war. We're not sure where yet, but I have my doubts it will be in Whitstable, but I think Joey may still want to be within eye and ear shot of the sea!" Charlie said with a grin. "We've been lucky so far with our relationship, but it's not going to get any easier as time goes by. It won't be easy wherever we go, but it will be better than trying to do it here. The best way would be to move to a completely different county, but I have Ruby to think about. She is growing up so fast now. She'll be seventeen soon. I can't cut her off from everyone and everything just so Joey and I can live comfortably ever after. She'd hate it! It's gonna take a lot of working out!" Charlie said with a sigh.

Janet smiled.

"Of course you need to think about Ruby, but don't forget, she's almost a woman and it won't be long before she'll move on with her own life. Charlie, she's not your daughter, you can't sacrifice your whole life for her. She'll adapt as you and Joey will adapt. Have you spoken to her about it?"

Charlie shook her head.

"I suppose that's the trouble. I still see her as my little sister, though she is she quite the young woman now. I will speak to her."

"It's funny how things turn out. Remember what it was like, five years ago, before it all kicked off? Life was so different. We had our own little problems, but those problems have disappeared and a whole new set have taken their place. We have to bend with the wind and face them. We can do it; that's what we humans do best. I wish you and Joey well, Charlie. No, it won't be easy for you, but life isn't meant to be easy, is it?"

Charlie smiled at her friend and took her hand.

"Thanks Jan, for everything."

***

The bus journey between Whitstable and Dover was long and the roads were small and bumpy. Charlie looked out the window at the passing countryside and felt a little travel sick. The cigarette smoke from the gentleman in a seat in front of Charlie didn't help either, as if wafted around her face. She stretched up and wound down the little window, hoping to get some fresh air and to calm her churning stomach. At last, the bus pulled into the town of Dover and its breaks squealed to a halt and hissed as the driver opened the door for his passengers to disembark. Charlie quickly rose and managed to get to the door before the other passengers stirred.

***

"Charlie!" Joey called from the other side of the road.

Charlie looked up. She smiled and waved when she saw Joey running towards her; her face beaming.

"Hello!" Joey cried as their hands met. "Did you have a good journey?"

"No, I feel as sick as a dog!" Charlie said, pouting miserably.

"Oh, honey. Come on, let's get you a nice cuppa and something to eat." Joey said, taking Charlie by the hand and leading her along.

"Not sure if I can eat anything at the moment, Jo!" Charlie said, anxiously.

"Best to have a full stomach!" Joey advised, cheerfully.

"Spoken, just like a sailor!"

***

Joey led Charlie along to a small cafe. There were plenty of tables free as lunchtime was only just getting underway. They selected a quiet table for two in the corner and sat down.

"How are you, darling?" Joey asked, looking into Charlie's blue eyes.

"All the better for seeing you!" Charlie grinned. "How about you? Hey! What's that mark on the side of your face?" Charlie asked, frowning and gently fingering Joey's skin.

"Oh! That's nothing! Just a little mishap at work a few days ago." She said, brushing Charlie's hand away.

"What sort of a mishap?" Charlie asked, frowning.

"We were playing with a mine and ... "

"A WHAT!" Charlie cried.

"Shhh." Joey said, looking around. "We were wiring a small explosive and it fizzed a bit."

Charlie blinked several times and moistened her lips nervously.

"Jo, please be careful." She pleaded.

Joey smiled and placed her hand on Charlie's knee.

"Don't worry. Worse things happen in Whitstable!" She whispered and grinned.

Charlie couldn't see the funny side of it and clutched Joey's hand.

"I'm not joking!" She said in frustration.

Joey's smile disappeared as she sought to reassure Charlie.

"I am careful, Charlie." She said seriously.

Charlie nodded and after a few moments a little smile appeared on her lips.

"I'm sorry. I'm a bit over protective."

Joey grinned.

"Maybe I like it. Come on, let's order."

***

Later that day, Charlie and Joey walked up onto the white Dover cliffs overlooking the English Channel. There was much naval activity on the water as the girls looked over towards France.

"You'd never believe we were so close to an occupied territory for so long, would you?" Joey mused taking Charlie's hand.

"Quite scary when you think about it." Charlie replied. "We came so close, didn't we? It could have been us who were invaded, all but for the grace of God..."

They walked on a little further. Joey suddenly turned to Charlie.

"Hello Charlie." She said.

"Hello yourself." Charlie grinned as Joey wound her arms around her.

"Don't I get a kiss or anything?"

"A kiss, maybe – I'm not sure about the 'anything'!" Charlie grinned. "Well, not out here, anyway!"

Joey chuckled. She closed her eyes and pressed her lips to Charlie's and her heart trembled as she felt Charlie's soft lips move against her own. After a long, sweet embrace they reluctantly pulled apart.

"It looks like the war may be drawing to an end, in Europe, anyway." Joey said. "The base has been full of it for days now. Mr. Churchill was down here the other day and he said as much to one or two of the girls who were working for him."

Charlie smiled but it didn't reach her eyes.

"Charlie?" Joey asked, sensing Charlie's anxiety.

"What Morag said, at Christmas; will you remain in the service?" Charlie asked quickly.

Joey averted her eyes for a few moments and Charlie feared the worse.

"Charlie, I can't say it hasn't crossed my mind to remain in the Wrens but it would have to be under all the right circumstances. I don't want to be without you for long periods anymore. We've had enough of that already and I'm not willing to give up any more time to something or someone else. The problem is if I don't become a regular, what else can I do? I can't go back to just hanging around the house or hoping I can get a job on a trawler. The men will come home and take all those jobs and besides, I've moved on since then." Joey said, hanging her head.

Charlie slipped her hand beneath Joey's chin and lifted her head until they were both looking into each other's eyes.

"Jo, I want us to be together more than anything else in the world, but I don't want to restrict you; that wouldn't be fair! You have worked so hard to get to where you are now. Maybe you should think carefully before making a decision." Charlie said, trying to convince herself as much as Joey. "I will support you whatever you decide to do."

These were the hardest words Charlie had ever spoken. She desperately wanted Joey to return home to her, but her conscience wouldn't allow her to admit to it.

Joey looked deeply into Charlie's bright blue eyes, but could see how troubled she was. Joey smiled and her fingers gently brushed against the side of Charlie's cheek.

"Liar!" She said, grinning. "You want me home just as much as I want to be there!"

Charlie closed her eyes trying to suppress a smile.

"Yes, I know." She said in a small voice and pulled Joey into her arms and held onto her tightly.

"I'll examine my options." Joey said at last. "If I should choose to remain in the service, it would mean moving to another part of the country."

"Well, that was on the books anyway. We couldn't really stay in Whitstable, could we? Apart from that, Janet wants to immigrate after the war. She's talking about going out to New Zealand to live!"

Joey's eyes widened in surprise.

"Well, that's a bit extreme just to get away from us, isn't it?"

Charlie laughed, pushing a few strands of hair from her eyes.

"Must have something to do with the amount of time you spend in that tin bath!" Joey grinned.

"Heaven preserve me from that tin bath!"

They laughed together for a few moments and then became serious again.

"I don't want to be without you, Charlie, I can't and I won't. You are my life, not the Wrens and not this damn war, it's you I love and need.

Charlie shivered inside at Joey's words and couldn't help a smile of happiness which was eager to come bursting out.

"Then we'll find a way, somehow, even if it means I get a transfer within the force or find another job, it doesn't matter. All I want is to be with you, Joey."