The Very Thought of You
Hello! Just to say a big thank you to those of you who have taken the trouble to leave reviews. I didn't realise how much it would mean. I'm so chuffed! Thank you! S&L xx
Chapter 16
Ruby sat at the kitchen table studiously reading a romantic novel. Charlie arrived home from work and greeting her sister with a big smile.
"Hi Sun Shine! How was your day?"
Ruby looked at her sister through narrowed eyes. Why was Charlie always so cheerful these days?
"Why?" She asked.
Charlie looked round in surprise. "I just wondered, stroppy! Joey at home?"
"She's up at the allotment, digging." The younger girl replied, not taking her eyes away from the page.
"Great! I'll go and help her." Charlie said, running into her room to change into some work clothes.
"Thought you might." Ruby muttered.
Charlie could see Joey digging over the ground. She stood watching her friend bending and heaving with the spade enjoying the sight of her body moving in a regular rhythm. Joey, sensing she was being watched looked around and caught Charlie watching her.
"Hello!" Joey called. "Come to do some work?"
"Thought I might." Said Charlie, blushing slightly.
"Good. Grab a spade."
The two girls worked for an hour or so then decided to call it a day and go home. Janet would be waiting for any fresh vegetables they may have dug up to cook for their dinner.
"Did you lock the shed door, Joey?" Charlie called as she brushed the earth from her hands.
"Yep!" Joey replied as she ran down to the gate to join her friend.
They walked a little way along the lane talking about their respective days, when they became aware of the sound of an aircraft. They stopped in their tracks and looked up into the sky. The aircraft sound was getting nearer and nearer until suddenly,
DACKER...DACKER...DACKER...DACKER... The sound of machine gun fire filled the air and the pathway behind them began to jump as bullets sprayed on the path. Charlie threw herself on top of Joey bringing her to the ground with a thud.
DACKER...DACKER...DACKER...DACKER... again, missing their legs by inches. Charlie felt the breeze of the bullets as they past. The sound of the aircraft making its assent higher into the sky suggested that this stray German fighter plane had finished its sport for the evening and headed back towards the east coast. Charlie remained where she was covering Joey's body, afraid to move in case the aircraft came back.
After minutes of silence, Charlie felt Joey's body shift a little beneath her own. But she didn't want to move. She wanted to stay where she was forever. Her fingers which had covered her friend's hands during the attack, curled around Joey's fingers tightly, not letting go. Charlie felt Joey's fingers intertwine with her own.
After what seemed an eternity, voices and the sound of running feet could be heard along the pathway, heading for the allotments. Charlie came to her senses and moved.
"Joey." She whispered. "Are you alright?"
"Yes." Replied a muffled Joey.
Charlie got off her friend and helped the girl up. Joey had a few minor cuts and grazes; mostly from the impact of Charlie's body landing on her with such force.
Charlie looked at Joey's palms. They were splintered with gravel and she carefully picked it out, trying not to hurt her friend in the process.
The girls said nothing but felt as though they were in a world of their own; hearts beating fast.
"Hey! Are you alright?" A voice came from further along the path, making them jump.
"Yes, we're fine. Has anyone been hurt?" Charlie asked.
"A few casualties in town, but thankfully, nothing worse. I guess 'Gerry' must have gone under the radar. Bloody swine!" The man said gruffly.
Charlie brushed Joey and herself down. Joey stood in shock.
"Come on you. Let's get you home. I want to check on Ruby and the others. Then I better get down to the station." Charlie took Joey's hand and they hurried back along the pathway to home.