The Very Thought of You
Okay gang, this is my very favourite chapter! For anyone who doesn't know the song "The Very Thought of You" written in the 1930's by band leader Ray Noble, do give it a whirl. I know it's an old song but the melody is wonderful and the words are so perfect. *sighs* There are loads of versions around. Anyway, back to 1942...Please take your partners... S&L xx
Chapter 42
Charlie was willingly led by a far more agreeable partner onto the dance floor. She thrilled as Joey's arm encircled her trim waist and smiled as Joey's sparkling eyes made contact with her own. Joey held Charlie at an appropriate distance for two females dancing together, though she would have preferred to pull her love a lot closer.
The band finished playing the opening bars of a familiar tune and much to Charlie's surprise and delight, Joey moved closer to her ear and started to sing those words which had become their song.
"The very thought of you, and I forget to do, the little ordinary things that everyone ought to do. I'm living in a kind of day dream, I'm happy as a king, and foolish though it may seem, to me, that's everything..."
Charlie's heart beat quicker. Chills travelling up and down her spine as she felt Joey's breath touch her ear, crooning those beautiful words to that wonderful song. She closed her eyes and instinctively pulled Joey closer to her, not caring who may be watching. They were the only two people in the world.
"The mere idea of you, the longing here for you, you'll never know, how slow, the moments go, 'til I'm near to you. I see your face in every flower, your eyes in stars above, it's just the thought of you, the very thought of you, my love."
Joey finished her song, but the band continued to play and the two girls swayed slowly in time; lost in time.
All too soon, the tune ended and they reluctantly broke apart, both looking into each other's eyes and smiling shyly. Sense, at last prevailed and they started to make their way back to their friends, when Charlie suddenly stopped and pulled Joey back to her and quickly whispered in her ear.
"Meet me outside in a couple of minutes!" And with that, weaved her way through the crowd heading for the exit. Joey's eyes followed her, her heart beating in anticipation of seeing Charlie again, alone.
Colleen Smart was in charge of the ladies cloakroom. Joey stepped up to where she sat.
"May I have my jacket please, Mrs. Smart?" She asked, politely.
"Yes, love. Of course. Now, which one is it?" Colleen asked.
"That one." Joey said, pointing to her garment.
"Not leaving already, I hope?" Colleen said.
"No, just getting a breath of air." Joey answered accepting her jacket and slipping it on.
"Plenty of night left yet!" Colleen chuckled, "and I dare say if you look hard enough you'll find a nice young man to trip the light fantastic with!"
"I'm sure I will." Joey smiled. "When I come back in."
"You just do that. Mind you, don't you go disturbing Constable Buckton who's just gone out there. I think she might be having a romantic assignation with a certain young Naval Officer at the moment. Wouldn't want you playing gooseberry now!" Colleen winked confidentially.
Joey smiled at the older lady.
"Don't worry! I'll be very circumspect." And with that, opened the exit door and left.
After the bright lights of the entrance hall, the darkness outside rendered Joey blind for a moment. She walked a few paces so she might be seen by Charlie, but Charlie was not to be found. Joey looked around her and discretely cleared her throat. But still no Charlie. She turned right and slowly strolled along by the side of the building, keeping an ear and eye open for her love. She frowned. What was Charlie up to?
Suddenly,
"Oough!" Joey cried as someone from behind slapped their hand tightly over her mouth and with their other arm pulled her between the main hall and a little shed to the side. She was roughly spun round but before she could cry out for help, her mouth was assorted by soft lips, belonging to Charlie.
After what seemed a blissful eternity, Charlie released Joey from her assort and gently laughed at her breathless girlfriend.
"I may not be able to sing like you, but I can set your heart a flutter in a different way." She whispered.
"Charlie! You rotter! You frightened the living day lights out of me! I thought I was being attacked again!"
"Oh! Sweetheart, I'm sorry." Charlie cried, with genuine concern. "It was foolish of me. I shouldn't have frightened you like that. Please forgive me!" She begged. "I got caught up in the moment, let's say."
"Well, kiss me again and I'll consider your request." Joey said pulling Charlie to her.
In a bush a little way away from where the girls were making love, a pair of unfriendly eyes watched with disgust and anger, and intent on revenge.
"Have you seen Charlie?" Ruby asked Janet taking a swig from her glass of lemonade.
"No. She was up dancing a while back, but I've been dancing since then, so I don't know. Maybe she's found herself a sweetheart?" Janet suggested. "Do you think the Navy have won her over at long last?"
Ruby wrinkled her nose.
"I do hope not!" She grinned, knowing better. She glanced around for Joey, her absence suggesting the two girls were probably spooning together somewhere. She rejoined the young people, especially the nice blonde boy with wavy hair.
"Charlie, we really ought to get back to the dance." Joey pointed out as Charlie pulled her back onto the bed.
"We won't have many chances like this Jo, the house empty and all. Let's just make the most of it." Charlie huskily replied as she kissed Joey's neck.
"What if they come home suddenly?"
"They won't."
"What if..."
"JOEY!" Charlie cried. "I get the distinct impression that you might prefer to be somewhere else than here with me at this moment!"
"You know it's not that. I can think of no better place on this earth than here with you." Joey said, I'm just a bit worried – concerned. Just got a funny feeling, that's all."
"About what?" Charlie asked, propping herself up with her elbow and looking at Joey.
"I don't know." Joey replied, flatly.
"You're just being silly. And what if someone does come home early? I'll just say you had too much to drink and was sick! So I brought you home."
"Oh! Thanks ever so!" Joey choked. "Why is it me that has to be drunk?"
"Coz you're a Sailor!" Charlie laughed, tickling Joey.
Joey laughed and pulled Charlie on top of her, trying to ignore her bad vibrations and enjoying their stolen moments, together.
A large dark shadow in the sky slowly made its way back eastwards. Smoke billowed from one of its engines. The pilot, confident that he and his crew could make it safely across the Channel, as long as they could release the jammed bomb. He barked an order to his crew to work quickly and release the bomb from its housing. The crew did as they were bid.
Martha, her father in law, Tony and Hugo Austin stood at the make shift bar drinking. Hugo turned to Alf, who for the evening had agreed to look after the liquid refreshments, and ordered Martha a drink.
"Only small gins, sorry." Alf informed him.
Hugo sighed ungraciously, but accepted the drink.
"There is a war on, mate!" Alf reminded Hugo.
"Yes, and don't we all know it!" Hugo said passing the glass to Martha. He looked about him, in hopes of getting another dance with Charlie or maybe her pretty little friend, who he didn't know very well. "Excuse me." He said, leaving Martha and the others in pursuit of exercise.
The German bomber had flown way off course. Its crew were beginning to sweat. Suddenly, thanks to an almighty kick and some jiggery-pokery inflicted by the crew, the bomb dislodged and the thankful bombardier quickly released their burden and the aircraft managed to gain some height and continued on its way home, little caring where the rogue bomb fell.
Charlie lay sleepily in the crook of Joey arm. Both girls happy and satisfied in their love making.
"Charlie? Are you awake?" Joey whispered.
"Mmm." Charlie said, shifting slightly.
"After the war, what will happen to us?"
"What do you mean?" Charlie opened her eyes and glanced at Joey.
"In war time, all sorts of strange things happen and nothing really matters. Nobody seems to mind so much about anything. But in peace time, things will change." Joey mused, deeply.
"Joey, nothing will change us! We'll still be together. I love you and want to be with you always. We'll work things out. Perhaps we'll be able to get a place, you, me and Ruby; if not here, somewhere along the coast a bit ..."
"Not Herne Bay!" Joey interrupted.
"Not if you don't want!" Charlie laughed. "I guess you'd want to stay by the sea?"
"People will talk, Charlie." Joey warned.
"Oh let them!" Charlie sighed. "But anyway, if we're careful, why should anyone think it strange? Two spinsters living together. It's not unknown."
Joey shuddered at the term, Spinster.
"When one of the said 'spinsters' is the most beautiful women in the world, there will be talk! They'll wonder why this beautiful woman hasn't got a husband and children. And then they'll wonder about you too!" Joey grinned.
"You rat bag!" Charlie cried going into tickle assort again.
The girls laughed. After a few moments they calmed down.
"When do you think the war will end?" Joey said, holding Charlie's hand to her cheek.
"Well, strange as it may seem, Mr. Churchill and the War Office haven't let me into their confidence!" Charlie said with a grin.
Joey tutted and poked her in the ribs.
"I'm being serious." She frowned.
"And so am I!" Charlie said. "I really don't know. I hope every year it will be by Christmas, but..."
"Hey!" Joey sat up straight. "That's the siren going!"
Before they had a chance to move, there was a huge flash and explosion.
Silence.