The Very Thought of You

Good day to you all. Thank you again for your kind reviews. I'm posting a few more, just because it's Sunday and especially for my little primate pal, Purplemonkeyys, who has been so sweet. Tin hats on girls and boys! S&L xx

Chapter 24

Andrew Aden was just coming into Whitstable harbour on 'The Summer Bay' when he noticed a lone figure on the dock acting suspiciously. He watched as the man hid behind a shed. He wondered who he could be. The man then peeped around the edge of the building as if watching something or someone. The trawler changed direction and Andrew had a better view of what the stranger was doing. He saw Joey Collins walking along the road away from her family home. He hadn't seen Joey for a few days and was surprised to see her in the neighbourhood especially, with, he noticed, a suit case and some additional bags. His eyes went back once more to the stranger. He had vanished.

Joey left Janet's house with her belongings before Charlie arrived back from her date with Hugo. She couldn't bear the thought of Charlie dating someone in front of her eyes. She had to leave. She stayed at her family home for the night. She crept in late while her brother was asleep. Brian, who was as a farm labourer, was working particularly long hours as it was harvest time. Up early and out late and at the moment of Joey's arrival, he was sleeping like a log.

Brian was out by five o'clock the following morning and Joey was up shortly afterwards. She intended to catch the seven o'clock bus into Canterbury for her interview at nine. She walked to the bus stop and put her case and bags down, which were feeling a little heavy.

Andrew watched as Joey walked out of sight and was about to resume his duties when he spotted the stranger again, this time obviously following Joey and taking a little more interest in her than perhaps he should have been. Suddenly, a heavy crate being unloaded by another boat crashed to the ground capturing the stranger's attention for a moment. Andrew gasped when he saw who it was.

Charlie was busy filing away some reports which she had been using. The Police Constable on the desk out front called her name.

"WPC Buckton. Someone to see you!"

Charlie wondered if it could be Joey and her heart skipped a beat. She didn't know if it was caused by panic or pleasure. She hastily moved to the front desk only to be met by Andrew Aden.

"Good morning Andrew. How can I be of service?" Charlie asked politely, but regretting not seeing Joey.

"I may be wrong, but I'm worried about Joey Collins. She erm... Well, I saw her then I saw him and I thought...."

"Slow up, Andrew! What do you mean you saw Joey Collins? Where?" Charlie asked, quickly.

Andrew swallowed trying to calm himself down. Charlie felt the blood drain from her face.

"We were just coming into dock and I saw this chap, a dodgy looking fella, creeping around by the sheds in the yard. As the boat came about, I saw Joey heading away from her house, with a suit case and bags and stuff."

Charlie felt her heart twinge.

"Then I saw the bloke's face – it was Robert Cruze! I'm sure he was following Joey. Soon as I could get off the boat I ran in the direction that Joey went, but they'd both disappeared!" Andrew said frowning with worry.

"When was this?" Charlie asked in a small voice.

"About half an hour ago. You've got to look for her! I think he's up to no good!"

"Leave it to us. Don't worry, we'll find her." Charlie said, trying to convince herself as well as Andrew.

Charlie hastily reported the incident to the Sergeant who ordered her and three colleagues including WPC Watson, to go and look for Joey and order two male officers to apprehend Robert Cruze.

"Georgina. I'm going home to see if she's there!" Charlie called out, about to leave the station.

"Hold on a minute! What would she be doing at your place?" Watson asked, confused.

"She's been staying with me. It's a long story. I'll tell you later." And with that, Charlie ran frantically towards home.