The Very Thought of You
Chapter 35
WPC Buckton sat at her desk reading a report about the attack on the fishing boat, 'The Summer Bay'. Reading the name of the vessel brought back painful memories of Joey.
WPC Watson looked up from her desk to the frowning Charlie.
"I see your friend's been mentioned in despatches." She said, holding up her report.
"My friend?" Charlie asked, looking up.
"Josephine Collins." Watson said, popping her pen behind her ear. "'Says here she reported the incident."
"Oh!" Charlie frowned. "What was she doing there?"
"Just visiting friends, it says here."
Charlie tried hard to study her own report but Joey crept time and time again into her thoughts, until at last she threw down her pen and slouched back in her chair.
Watson quickly looked up.
"Something wrong?" She enquired.
"No." Charlie answered, quietly. "Just a bit restless."
"Well, tell you what, do me a favour, will you? I need to get down to the Co-op at lunch time, but the Sarg' wants me to speak to these people on this list. You could get some fresh air and I can get my shopping done! The fishmongers promised to put me by a nice bit of skate." Watson grinned and winked at Charlie.
"Oh yes! And what have you done to deserve that?" Charlie asked, her eyebrows raised.
"Not that!" Watson said frowning. "He's courting my Aunt Silvia and probably wants to make a good impression and who am I to do him down?" Watson replied with a smirk. "If he wants to be generous, so be it!"
"I wish I had an Aunt who was courting a butcher. What I'd do for a decent bit of steak!" Charlie said, dreamily.
"Well, maybe if I speak to my Aunt nicely, she'll court the butcher too. And if there should be any bits of crackling going, you'll be the first to know, if you do my visit list for me, that is!" Watson suggested slyly.
"Okay!" Charlie said smiling, accepting the piece of paper Watson handed to her.
Watson picked up her things and made for the door.
"See you after lunch."
Charlie finished the cup of tea and made ready to start Watson's visits list. As she pulled on her tunic, she glanced at the names. Second name listed was Josephine Collins.
Joey rested the hot iron on the stove. Glancing at the clock, she picked up the pile of freshly ironed sheets and was about to place them in the airing cupboard when she heard a Tap! Tap! at the front door.
Joey took off her apron and walked along the passage way and opened the door.
"Hello, Joey." Charlie said, sheepishly.
"What do you want?" Joey asked sharply. "I'm rather busy!"
"I... I've come in an official capacity. A follow up call regarding the incident at the harbour last week." Charlie replied as professionally as she could, trying to hide her own grief at Joey's coldness.
"You'd better come in." Joey said, already regretting the sharp tone she had used.
"Just a few questions I need to ask you regarding this event. Did you notice any suspicious looking persons around the area, prior to this incident?"
"No."
"And did you recognise either of the men fighting with crew members of 'The Summer Bay'?"
"No."
Charlie noted down Joey's responses.
"Okay. I think that's it. Thank you for your assistance." Charlie said, managing to look into Joey's eyes.
"Good." The other girl said quietly; standing up and heading along the passage way to open the door for the Policewoman.
"Joey, please don't ignore me!" Charlie said, hurrying along behind her.
"I'm sorry officer, I'm busy."
"Joey, I just thought, - can't we be friends at least?" Charlie pleaded.
Joey turned around quickly.
"I don't think you realised just how badly you've broken my heart!" Her voice cracking.
Charlie blinked and swallowed hard.
"I do." She replied, her eyes filling with tears. "Because I broke mine too."
The two girls stood gazing at each other, both longing to find the right words and eventually saying each other's names simultaneously.
"Charlie"/ "Joey". Neither girl smiled but their eyes spoke volumes.
At long last Charlie moved and walked to the door. She paused, looked back once more at Joey and left, closing the door behind her.