The Very Thought of You
Chapter 21
Charlie shuffled the paperwork around on her desk. In doing so, catching the edge of her tea cup with a folder, spilling the remains of the beverage over the report she had just typed out. The report concerning a wave of Black Market crimes saturating the district was due on the Sergeant's desk in ten minutes.
"BLAST!" She cried out in frustration.
Woman Police Constable Watson glanced over the top of her own typewriter to see what ailed her colleague. Watson had noticed Charlie's strange mood earlier that morning but kept her head down. Now she would have to say something.
"Charlotte, are you alright?" Watson almost whispered.
"Does it look as though I am?" Charlie answered angrily.
"I'll get a cloth." Watson said quietly, moving to the rest area.
Charlie felt like crying. She put her head in her hands and closed her eyes.
Watson returned with a cloth and dabbed at the damaged document. She glanced at Charlie.
"I don't think it's helped, Charlotte." Watson said, gently.
"Oh God!" Charlie said, falling back into her chair. "I'll just have to start again. Oh! Why can't the Sergeant be called out or something?" She said desperately.
At that moment, the Sergeant's office door opened and he walked out heading in Charlie's direction.
"WPC Buckton. Your report on Black Market goods. Is it ready yet?" He asked, looking over the top of his spectacles.
"I'm sorry Sergeant. It was, but I've just had a little accident with my tea cup." The WPC replied, glancing at the mess. "I'm very sorry. I'll type another as quickly as possible." She promised, biting her lip.
The Sergeant glanced at the mess on Charlie's desk and frowned.
"WPC Watson. Be kind enough to tidy this desk, if you please. WPC Buckton. I would like to see you in my office, immediately!" He said, returning to his office.
Watson gave Charlie a sympathetic look as she walked to her feat.
Charlie closed the Sergeant's office door behind her. He indicated for her to take a seat which he had kindly placed before his desk. Charlie obeyed.
"WPC Buckton. I've noticed a marked deteriation in your work of late. Late reports, second class standards and you were late for work again this morning, second time this week! It's not good enough!" He said frowning.
"No Sergeant." Charlie agreed in a small voice.
Sergeant Crosby looked at the young woman sitting opposite him and sighed.
"Charlotte. What's happening to you at the moment? You've not been yourself for weeks now. One minute you're prancing around the office like you're on a day trip to Margate and the next, heading for the gallows!"
Charlie's chin hung down almost to her chest.
"Charlotte, I've known you for many years; since you were a baby, in fact. I know when there's something wrong. Until recently, your standard of duty was beyond what was expected of someone of your age and ability. But now," the sergeant shook his head sadly, "now you seem to have lost all interest in your job."
"Sorry, Uncle Fred. I've let you down. I'm so sorry." Charlie almost whispered to her Father's best friend.
"No Charlie, you've not let me down, but you've let yourself down. Now, what is the problem?"
Charlie looked up at the Sergeant. She didn't think using him as a confidant would help her case. So, she wittered for a while about her worries concerning Ruby's welfare and generalized on the pressures of wartime.
Sergeant Crosby watched the young woman, but knew there was something else which concerned her.
"Well, WPC Buckton," he said; formalities returning. "Take this as a warning from me. Pull your socks up or else! Oh! And I want that report on my desk in forty five minutes. If you please!"
"Yes, Sergeant. Thank you, Sergeant." Charlie said jumping out of her seat, grateful for just a reprimand when she knew it could have been far worse. She stepped away from his office closing the door behind her and took several deep breaths.
Joey deliberately avoided Charlie the morning after the boat picnic. She had heard Charlie's voice from the kitchen talking to Janet and had waited until she heard the Policewoman leave for work before rising. Her night's sleep had been fitful and disturbed. Horrible dreams of Robert Cruze haunted her sketchy slumber but the angel-faced Charlie of her former dreams, who'd always saved her, had been absent last night.
"Morning Joey!" Greeted the ever cheerful Janet. "Ooh! Someone looks like they've had a bad night! Didn't you sleep well either?" She asked.
"No, not really. Felt a bit warm and couldn't get comfortable." She said, lifting the teapot to her cup.
"Charlie said she had a bad night too! Must be catching!" Janet laughed.
"Janet, I thought I'd pop home today while my Brother is at work to sort out one or two things. Then, I'm going fishing. I wondered if you'd like me to cook a meal this evening with the catch? A sort of 'thank you' for putting me up, or maybe I should say 'putting up with me'!"
"Sound great! Oh! But I've got a dinner date with Paul this evening, but feel free to use the kitchen. Help yourself to anything you need up at the allotment – after all, you tend it mostly, these days!"
"Thanks, Jan. Enjoy your date." Joey smiled.
Later, to avoid going home for lunch and the possibility of being along with Joey, Charlie decided to wander into town. She hadn't walked very far when she bumped into Hugo Austin.
"Charlie! How nice!" He said, smoothly.
"Hello Hugo. It's another lovely day. I expect the weather will break soon. There's a nip in the air in the mornings now, I've noticed." Charlie said, trying to keep the conversation light.
"Well, I'm sure if you come out to dinner with me this evening, we can chase always those autumn chills!" Hugo smarmed.
Charlie stared at him for a few moments and smiled.
"Alright Hugo, you win! When and where are we going?"
"Really?" Hugo asked in surprise. He had just about given up hope with Charlie. "I know a nice, quiet little restaurant in Canterbury. Does the yummiest black market you can imagine!" He said with enthusiasm.
"Not sure if you should be telling me this Hugo, especially when I'm in uniform!" Charlie teased.
"Oops!" Hugo said. "I'll pick you up at seven."
Ruby and her school friend, Annie were walking along the high street. Annie had saved her pocket money and purchased a new seventy eight record from Woolworths. The girls were excited and could hardly wait to get back to Annie's house to play it on her gramophone. They walked arm in arm and sang the chorus of the song, much to the amusement of passersby.
"I'll never smile again, until I smile at you. I'll never laugh again, what good would it do."
"Ruby!" Came a voice.
"Ruby!" A second time. Ruby stopped singing and looked behind her. Charlie waved.
"Charlie!" Ruby said. "Are you on your beat?" She asked, laughing.
"Yes, and I can't stay long. Can you tell Janet I won't be in for a meal this evening? I've got something to do."
"Okay. Whaz cookin?" Ruby asked using a new expression she'd heard at the pictures.
"Never you mind!" Charlie muttered and marched on.
"Bet ya she's gotta date." Ruby muttered to Annie.