The Very Thought of You
Chapter 6
Andrew walked around for a long time trying to take in all that had happened over the last few hours. He had threatened to 'brain' Robert Cruze if he as much as breathed at Joey again and immediately, Cruze had, once more, intimidated the girl. And wasn't Joey full of surprises! Not only did she dress and work in a man's world, but she also loved like one too! He shook his head in disbelief. Why had he not worked this out for himself? He had been in her company often enough, listened to her talk about her likes and dislikes and it only now occurred to him that she never mentioned men or boyfriends, only her brother. It wasn't as though he was disappointed for himself; he hadn't been attracted to Joey in that way. Oh yes, he knew she was sassy and very pretty, but apart from being 'mates' he didn't have feelings for her. He felt sorry for the kid. Everything rotten that life could throw at her, it had. How she held up, he could only wonder at.
"Hello Andrew." Came a voice from nearby.
"Hello Officer." Andrew replied to Charlie Buckton's cheery greeting. "How are you?"
"Very well, thanks and yourself?" The Policewoman asked.
Andrew sighed.
"Good Lord!" grinned Charlie, "As good as that, eh?"
Andrew walked over to where the Police Constable had perched as she took a few minutes break from her beat. "How long have you got?" He asked.
"Something's wrong?" Asked Charlie, seriously. Andrew looked out into the sea and thought for a few moments. He looked back at Charlie and sighed.
"What if I put a case to you? What if I tell you that a friend of mine has been attacked by someone and she won't do anything about it?" Andrew said, still looking at the pretty Police woman.
"Attacked?" Asked Charlie, frowning.
Andrew looked up into the sky trying to find a 'nice' way of putting it to the lady. "Erm.. What if a girl has been ... err, forced to have... 'relations' with someone she doesn't want to..." his voice faltered.
"You mean," Charlie suddenly felt a little uncomfortable discussing this sort of issue with a very young man, out in the street. "You mean 'taking' her without her consent?" she said, quietly.
"That's it, exactly!" Andrew said, pleased not to have to say it himself.
"Well, she really should report it. Does she live locally?" Charlie enquired.
Andrew looked uncomfortable. He wanted to tell Charlie the truth. She did strike him as being a very compassionate woman. But it wasn't his secret.
"Andrew, if this is a local girl, it's your duty it report it, especially if the girl is unwilling to come forward herself. We could help her, you know?" Charlie advised.
"I don't think she wants me telling everyone her business, Constable. She's very uptight about it all, as it is. I really want to help her, but if she won't let me, what can I do?" He almost pleaded.
Charlie watched his face as he made this speech. After he finished, she sat quietly for a few moments chewing her lip. A thought suddenly struck her.
"Andrew. I'm not asking you to name, 'names', but if I name, 'names', you could nod or something if I'm right, couldn't you? The Police Officer said, smiling.
Andrew glanced at her and smiled back. "I suppose that could work." He replied.
"If I mention a certain Robert Cruze and a little barmaid called Joey?" Charlie said quietly, looking out to sea.
"You'd be spot on." Andrew breathed out with relief as he shared his burden.
"If you take me to her, do you think she will talk to me?" Charlie asked.
"It's worth a try, but I don't think she will. She'll probably kill me too!" said Andrew.
"Poor you!" replied Charlie, smiling.
The Police Officer and Deck hand stood up and began to walk in the direction of Joey's house.
Suddenly, Charlie had second thoughts. "I think it would be better if I approached Joey alone."
"How will you do that?" Andrew asked looking puzzled.
"Well, I assume she comes out of her house occasionally? I could accidently on purpose bump into her and get talking. We did meet the other evening in the pub, so there would be no harm in me having 'a chat' with her, to ask after her health and such, eh?" Mused Charlie pleased with her plan.
"Whatever you think best, Constable. I'll make myself scarce. Thanks Miss. Buckton. I appreciate your help. I wasn't really sure how to approach it. Perhaps you'll let me know at sometime how you get on?"
"Andrew, don't give up on Joey. She's bound to be all over the place at the moment. I can't promise you anything but the solution to this, is in Joey's hands. Now Sir, point me in the direction of the young lady, if you please?" The Police Officer smiled at the young man, who was still sad. "Hey! Cheer up! Might never happen!"
"Think it already has!" Andrew smiled back.
He gave Charlie Joey's address and they parted. Charlie, following directions and Andrew heading for home.
Charlie glanced at Joey's house as she walked by. The house was small but looked tidy enough from the outside, even though it was not classed as being in one of the 'better areas' of Whitstable. The houses had been built for the fishermen whose business was 'Oyster'. A well known and thankfully, well stocked, delicacy of the region, before war broke out.
Charlie prepared herself for a long wait. Who knows if Joey would even come out of her front door today? Charlie glanced at her watch. Her beat would be over in an hour. She would have to report back to the Police station then.
Joey did not show her face at the door that afternoon. Instead, after her second attempt to hang the washing out she elected to potter around indoors and rest a little. She was beginning to feel a little off colour, which, she concluded, had something to do with the traumatic life she was living at present. Would it ever end? Later, resting on her bed, she dozed, hoping this time, Robert Cruze would not poison her dreams.
Charlie glanced at her watch once more. Five minutes before her beat finished. Oh well, she had tried. Maybe she could try again tomorrow. She slowly walked back up the road, passing Joey's house once again. Charlie smiled to herself as she had yet another idea.