As Time Goes By
Hello everyone. This is the last chapter of 'As Time Goes By'. Thank you all for taking the time to read and a very special thank you to all the reviewers for being there all the way through. It means a lot. ~ S&L ~ xx
Chapter 22
On 28th April, Benito Mussolini, the Italian Fascist leader was found hung. On 30th April, Adolph Hitler committed suicide in Berlin as the Russians moved in. By 2nd May, Soviet forces had taken Berlin after twelve days of fierce house to house fighting. On the 7th May 1945, the Germans unconditionally surrendered to the allies.
8th May 1945~ VICTORY IN EUROPE DAY ~
"Oh please, Charlie! Please can I go? Everyone else is going! Please!" Ruby pleaded, hanging on to Charlie's hand as she walked from her bedroom through to the kitchen.
"Ruby! There will be thousands of people there. What if I lose you in the crowd?" Charlie said, wearing her anxious face.
"You won't! You can hold onto my hand if you like!" Ruby cleverly suggested. "Please, Charlie! This is a once in a life time event! Please!"
VE day celebrations were already getting under way, but the place to be, in the south of the country, was London and Ruby was as anxious to be there as every other youngster in Whitstable.
"I dunno, Ruby." Charlie said, pouring out a cup of tea.
"Mum! Can I go too?" Vince asked, looking up at his mother, expectantly.
Janet looked at Charlie and shrugged her shoulders.
"It's going to be quite an occasion!" Janet suggested, not really helping Charlie's cause.
Charlie sighed. It wasn't that she was being a kill joy, but as a Police Officer, she wondered if she might be called into work to help control happy revellers celebrating in their own town. If Ruby was going to London, she would need to be with her. She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and frowned.
"Well, as long as I don't have to go into work, we'll ..., " But before Charlie could utter another word, Ruby had jumped into her arms and was smothering her in kisses of appreciation.
"Ruby! Get off!" She laughed, trying to shake off her sister.
***
Joey Collins was drinking her third glass of gin, a drink she was not used to, and was feeling somewhat light headed.
"Go on, Jo! Have another!" Someone said, trying to re-fill her glass.
"No! No more!" Joey laughed, covering it with her hand. "I've got to get somewhere!" She said, trying to formulate a plan while her brain was swirling around in her head. "I'll see you girls later!" She waved, putting her glass down on the side and heading towards the door.
"Where are you going?" Someone yelled.
Joey just smiled and kept on walking.
***
Charlie had spoken to the acting Sergeant at Whitstable Police Station and he gave her clearance to be away from the town so she might escort her younger sister up to London to join in the peace celebrations. She walked back to the house grinning and listening to the whoops of delight coming from all over the district as 'merry-making' broke down the British reserve.
***
Whitstable station had never been so congested, at least not since the last armistice nearly twenty seven years previously at the end of the First World War. People stood in bunches; some drunk, some only merry, but all in good spirits. Children ran around waving Union Jack flags and being showered with pennies and ha'pennies from the happy crowd. Someone started singing and before long, everyone had joined in.
Charlie, Ruby, Janet and Vince arrived just in time to witness the spectacle and joined in accordingly; that is, all but Charlie.
Charlie stood regarding the happy crowd wishing, not for the first time since news broke of the war ending, that she could be with Joey. She wondered what she was doing and how she was celebrating and how long it would be before they would be reunited.
***
Joey jumped off the bus and smiled appreciatively at the driver.
"Thanks!" She said, waving.
The driver waved back and drove off. Joey had been lucky; the driver of the bus lived in Whitstable and he was making his last trip home from Dover before joining in the Victory celebrations with everyone else.
Joey ran as fast as she could to Janet's house and knocked at the door. She stood panting but was disappointed not to receive an answer. She stepped back and looked up at the windows, but the house stood empty. She frowned and decided to walk down into the town. The town, apart from one or two drunks weaving about and asking Joey for a dance, was deserted. She headed off towards the railway station and began to hear the sound of happy singing in the distance. Joey hastened her steps and within minutes, met a huge throbbing crowd all descending on the little station.
"Jo!" Someone yelled as she was passing.
Joey stopped and looked at the crowd and her eyes fell upon her brother, Brian.
"Brian!" She yelled, delightedly as he eased his way out of the merry throng and headed towards his sister.
"Joey! It's wonderful to see you!" He enthused, putting his arms about her and holding tight.
"Brian! Where is everyone going?" Joey asked as he released her from his arms.
"We're all going up to town to celebrate! You'll come, won't you?" He asked, excitedly.
"I would, but I'm actually looking for Charlie." Joey said shyly. "I thought she'd be home, but no one was there!"
"I'm not surprised! You'll probably find her in this crowd somewhere." Brian said, thumbing towards the mass of people. "By the way, I'd like you to meet someone." He said, beckoning to a girl in the crowd who shyly walked over to the siblings. "This is Rita. We're walking out together. Rita, this is my lovely sister, Joey." He said, proudly.
Joey glanced at her brother, surprised by his gentle tone and then smiled warmly at his young lady.
"Lovely to meet you, Rita. It's quite a crowd!" Joey said, looking about her.
Suddenly, her eyes fell upon a familiar face and her heart did acrobatics in her breast.
"I'm sorry, you'll have to excuse me; I've just seen someone!" She said, looking back at her brother. "Have a wonderful time both of you! Maybe we'll bump into each other later."
Brian watched Joey's eyes as they quickly moved towards another part of the crowd and smiled.
"Good luck, Jo. See you later!" He kissed his sister on the cheek and watched as she hastened away, looking for her own happiness.
***
Ruby, who had met with Annie, Geoff and Irene, were all laughing and singing with the others, but suddenly, she stopped as a face in the crowd caught her eye. She smiled and with a little sideways nudge of her head, invited the smiling face to join their party. Ruby turned to Charlie, who was still a little less than happy and took hold of her hand.
"Don't be sad, Charlie-Farley. Your Fairy Godmother is about to grant you a wish. Hey Presto!"
Ruby took hold of Charlie's shoulders and whirled her around to face Joey.
Charlie could hardly believe her eyes as they fell upon Joey's beaming face.
"Joey!" Was all she could manage as they fell into each other's arms.
They held on to each other tightly for what seemed an eternity until the rumbling sound of the London train pulling into the crowded station, prompted them to part.
"I was longing to be with you, Joey. I didn't want to celebrate without you. I'm so pleased you're here!" Charlie enthused.
"I wouldn't have missed it for anything – well, whatever we're doing, that is!" Joey said, looking about her. "What are we doing?"
"We're going up to town. From there, I have no idea!" Charlie said, helplessly.
Joey grinned and took hold of Charlie's hand and they looked adoringly into each other's eyes.
"We'll be lucky if we're able to get on this train!" Geoffrey Campbell said in disappointment. He was wearing his brand new Marines uniform and looked very handsome.
The train was full to capacity, and Ruby's party weren't able to board, so had to be content to wait for the next one. They didn't mind though. At least they would get there at some time.
***
Two hours later, the group of friends followed the rest of the crowd, seemingly heading for Buckingham Palace. The crowds were made up of civilians and service personnel in various uniforms. Everyone held hands as they walked along and greeted complete strangers with hugs and kisses. Flags waved and songs were sung. Ruby and her friends came to a halt behind the rest of a huge crowd which had collected outside the gates of The Palace. After a while, a chant of, "We want the King! We want the King!" echoed through the expectant crowd. The people were not disappointed; suddenly a huge roar went up as the large balcony windows of Buckingham Palace opened and the King, Queen, and Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose appeared along with Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. The crowds were ecstatic with joy. They gave three rousing cheers of "Hip, hip, hooray!" and sung 'For He's a Jolly Good Fellow' as the proud Churchill waved and the smiling Royal Family looked on.
***
Joey squeezed Charlie's hand and whispered in her ear.
"Can we get away?"
Charlie nodded and whispered in Ruby's ear. Ruby nodded and winked at her sister; a look which Charlie chose to ignore.
The lovers fought their way back through the happy crowds which seemed to stretch most of the way down The Mall and other adjacent roads, but eventually they freed themselves and made for anywhere that was quiet.
Joey linked arms with Charlie as they walked into the relatively quiet St. James Park.
"I'm playing hooky!" Joey said with a wicked grin.
"Are you?" Charlie asked, anxiously.
"Ah ha!"
"Won't you get into frightful trouble?" Charlie asked with a frown.
"I think I'd have been in more trouble had I remained in Dover!" Joey said, laughing. "They were plying me with Gin, and you know I can't drink, so I thought best to escape and come to you, where I know I'll be safe!"
Charlie grinned.
"I'm pleased you don't drink much – their loss is certainly my gain!" Charlie said with a giggle but followed on with a sigh. "Well, Jo, it's all over bar the shouting."
"Things are still happening in the East though." Joey reminded Charlie.
Charlie nodded.
"It'll only be a matter of time though before it all finishes, I'm sure."
"You're probably right. This is exciting though!" Joey said, waving her hand about and enjoying the atmosphere.
They walked on a little way and Joey suddenly stopped. Charlie paused likewise and looked back curiously at Joey.
"Charlie, I've made my decision."
Charlie felt the blood drain from her face in anticipation of Joey's announcement.
"You have?" She said in a small voice.
Joey nodded.
"Charlie, I'm coming home!" She said, with a smile.
Charlie exhaled loudly with relief and Joey giggled.
"Joey, that's, that's marvellous!" Charlie said, wrapping the Wren in her arms. "But are you quite sure, darling?"
"I'm coming home and then I will re-apply to become a regular, but only when you and I are quite ready and can be together all the time. I'm not willing to do things any other way. And we mustn't forget Ruby, either! She must be happy with the situation. I'll not have a shadow of any problem coming between you two."
Charlie was ecstatic. The glad tidings pleased her so well that she promptly burst into tears. Joey drew Charlie into her arms with a chuckle.
"I didn't think you'd be this sad about my decision!" She said, with a smile.
"Joey, I don't know what to say. You're the most wonderful, generous person on this earth. I love you so much!" Charlie managed to say through her tears of joy.
"Yes, it's hard being this perfect, Charlie. One day I'll show you how it's done!"
Charlie's tearful eyes widened and her mouth fell open.
"Joey Collins! I can't believe you've just said that!"
Joey smirked and smacked Charlie's bottom.
"Get used to it sweetheart!" She said with a wink.
Charlie shook her head in disbelief and they carried on walking along the long footpath, lost in their own private world and looking forward to an eventful, yet peaceful life together.
'It's still the same old story, a fight for love and glory, a case of do or die. The world will always welcome lovers, As Time Goes By...'
~THE END~