The Very Thought of You
Chapter 12
The two young women walked along in silence. Joey looked for all the world like one of the little evacuee children from an earlier period of the war, grubby, tear stained face, possessions in a battered suit case and a label pinned on her lapel. But there was no label, only the 'lost look' label which was written all over her frightened eyes. They had walked a suitable distance away from the scene of heartbreak when Charlie paused to reflect upon what had happened.
"Joey," She said, putting down a bag she was carrying for the tearful girl. "Joey, we need to talk about what has happened, before we get to my place."
"Charlie, I can't stay with you. It wouldn't be right! Besides, what will your sister and your land lady say?"
"Don't worry about them. It's you we need to worry about at the moment. Just look at you!" Charlie said, grinning. "You look like you've been pulled through a hedge, backwards!"
Joey chuckled at Charlie and put her suitcase down.
"Charlie, what would I do without you?"
Charlie blushed and smiled. "Oh, you'd be alright."
She took out her hanky and dabbed Joey's tear stained face. Joey stared into the Policewoman's eyes feeling for the first time in a long while, safe and sound.
Night had crept on and a distant "Boom, Boom!" could be heard. "Looks like someone must be having a raid. Perhaps over at one of the airfields in Essex." Charlie mused, as they neared her lodgings. "Now, are you sure you're okay?"
"Charlie, I'm too tired to even think about it, anymore." Joey replied, yawning.
"Come on you," smiled Charlie. "Let's get you to bed."
"Under the circumstances, Charlie, I think you'd better rephrase that!"
Charlie turned in surprise to the other girl, at first not comprehending her words, but chuckling and blushing when the penny eventually dropped.
The kitchen was in darkness when the two young women walked in. Charlie could hear the distant sound of a wireless playing dance band music. Ruby was still up. She gestured to Joey to leave her bags in the kitchen and follow her to the sitting room.
They found Ruby laying on the sofa, whistling along to "I kiss your little hand, madam", reading the latest addition of 'Picture Goer' and munching her way through her sweet ration.
"Enjoying yourself?" Charlie enquired, making Ruby jump.
"God! Charlie you made me... Oh! Who's this?" Ruby asked, putting her magazine down.
"This is my friend Josephine. She's staying with us for a few nights – in your room, so you'll have to share with me." Charlie informed a stunned Ruby.
"But..."
"The sofa will be fine, honestly!" Offered Joey
"No. Bed for you, young lady." Charlie ordered, marching her towards Ruby's room.
"But is it fair throwing your sister out of her room?" argued Joey.
"Convenient, let's say. Her room has a single bed, mine has a double. Right, that's that sorted out. There's the bathroom and there's the whatnot. I'll pop into see you before lights out." Charlie said, almost pushing a bemused Joey into Ruby's bedroom.
"You might have asked first, Charlie!" Said an annoyed Ruby. "Who is she, anyway?"
"Joey has been having a rotten time Ruby. I can't go into detail, but I have to look after her for a few days. Don't worry, she honest and clean, and she's ever so sweet. Look, it's getting late. Turn the wireless off and let's get ready for bed."
"But all my night stuff is in my room!" Ruby whined.
"I'll take Joey a cup of Cocoa in, in a minute and I'll get your nightgown." She turned and headed towards the kitchen, but then stopped. "Ruby," She said turning her head, "Thank you."
Ruby just smiled, knowing she had no option but to follow and obey.