The Very Thought of You
Chapter 15
Charlie and Joey lay in their underwear, in what was left of the warm afternoon sun, drying off.
"Joey Collins! What are you doing to me?" Charlie laughed, grinning at Joey. "I do believe you're leading me astray!"
"Who me?" Joey said, innocently.
"Yes, you! What do you think my Sergeant is going to say if he finds out about this?"
"Who says he's gonna find out?" Joey said in a low, husky voice which made Charlie glance again towards her friend. Joey smiled at her, a smile which made Charlie's heart leap. She swallowed nervously and checked to see if her clothes were dry.
"Well, I'm almost dry. What about you?" Charlie said standing up.
"Yep, just about. Give me a hand up, please." Joey said holding out her hand to Charlie.
Charlie took hold of Joey's hand and heaved with all her might - lifting her off the ground with such force that Joey nearly knocked Charlie over. Joey took hold of Charlie's arms to support herself. Chills ran up and down Charlie's body with the touch of Joey hands on her skin. She felt herself blush and moved away quickly.
"Better get dressed." She muttered, picking up her trousers and putting them on.
Joey stood feeling nervous, aware of what had just happened between herself and Charlie. She couldn't deny that Charlie was quickly becoming the most important person in her life. She pleaded with herself not to fall in love. It mustn't happen. Charlie wouldn't want her. It was too much to hope for. She bent down and picked up her blouse, her heart feeling heavy. "Please God; don't tear me apart, please!" She prayed, silently.
They walked and peddled home enjoying the end of their day. From time to time they stopped to exclaim over a pretty view or to re-pump Ruby's soft bike tyre. They encountered many hills as Charlie had predicted and these they walked up, leading their bicycles alongside them. The two girl's shoulders, touching softly, from time to time; mostly contrived.
Charlie glanced at Joey, noticing how the other girl's hair was highlighted by the soft sun rays, breaking through the trees. The sight was so beautiful; she could hardly steel her eyes away. Joey looked across at her companion, sensing Charlie's stare. She smiled gently and reached for Charlie's free hand.
"Thank you for today." Joey said quietly. "It's been wonderful. I was able to forget about everything and just be me for a while. I haven't been able to do that in a long time. I couldn't have done it without you."
Charlie blushed and smiled prettily but was too overwhelmed to respond.
"I wish..." Joey started and then stopped.
"You wish what?" Charlie asked quietly, her heart beating a little faster.
"It doesn't matter." Joey said looking ahead at the road.
Charlie frowned, a little disappointed for some reason, wondering why Joey hadn't finished her wish.
Joey felt Charlie's fingers squeeze hers a little tighter, causing the same feeling to her heart.
"Please, please no!" She pleaded silently with herself.
The hill climb came to an end and from the top the girls could see Whitstable nestled down below. They looked at each other and reluctantly released their hands; a sudden shyness engulfing them which had not been present before. They climbed onto their bikes and started the descent, back to real life.