The Very Thought of You
Chapter 47
August had gone but September's weather was proving to be just as nice as the month before. Farmers continued to harvest their crops and work all the hours that God sent.
Brian Collins had gone off to his labours early on Monday morning. He had not repented or asked forgiveness of his sister for his evil doings and cared little for the consequence.
Joey waited until Charlie left for work at seven o'clock and quietly left soon after. She made her way to her brother's house to remove whatever she could manage of her few possessions to take back to Janet's house. In addition, she needed to find a suitable outfit to wear for her Ministry of Labour interview, which was at eleven o'clock, that morning, in Canterbury. She had purposely omitted to remind Charlie of the event, not wishing to give her anymore anxiety.
She rummaged through her wardrobe seeking out the suit which she had worn to her parent's funeral. It wasn't fancy; just a plain black knee length pencil skirt and a matching Military style tailored jacket, with the addition of a natty little hat which she wore slightly to one side.
She took the suit and as many other clothes as she could manage, packing them into her battered old suitcase. With them she packed some jewellery which had belonged to her mother and a photograph of her parents.
Now she was to leave her bedroom, not knowing when she might return, if ever, and turned around for a last look. She spied a small china boat on her mantelpiece and fingered it lovingly. Her Mother had made a gift of it to Joey on her fifth birthday. On impulse she popped it into her trousers pocket and closed the door behind her.
Charlie walked into the Police Station and smiled at the Police Officer behind the desk.
"Charlotte, the Sarg' wants a word." The officer informed her, not meeting her eyes.
"Oh, okay. Thanks Tom." She said, walking over to her own desk.
Charlie placed her bag down and WPC Watson came out of the Sergeant's office with a strained look on her face.
"Charlie. The Sergeant wants to see you." She said, quietly.
"Yes, Tom just said. What's it about?"
Watson took a deep breath.
"I think you better go and see him." She said, uncomfortably.
Charlie starred at her; a feeling of dread enveloping her body.
"Okay. I'll go now." She said quietly and walked off
"Come in WPC Buckton." Sergeant Crosby said as Charlie knocked at his office door. "Please close the door and take a seat." He said indicating to the chair in front of his desk.
"Has something happened to Dad?" Charlie said anxiously.
The sergeant took a deep breath.
"No Charlie. Nothing has happened to your father. I'm afraid what I'm about to impart, is of an extremely serious and delicate nature." He said to his best friend's daughter.
"Uncle Fred. What's wrong?" Charlie asked nervously.
"Charlotte. I should invite another member of staff in here whilst I..." Here he paused as though trying to find the right words. "Whilst I make you aware of a very serious allegation which has been made against you."
"Serious allegation?" Charlie asked, frowning. "I-I don't understand."
"I'll not beat about the bush, Charlotte. A man, whom I believe is known to you, a Mr. Brian Collins, has made a formal complaint that you have been systematically leading astray and sexually..." Here his words faltered. "Sexually abusing his younger sister. A Miss. Joey Collins." He said referring to his notes.
Charlie gasped and blinked in disbelief at the words she had heard.
"Charlotte! Please tell me he's wrong."
Charlie sat without saying a word. She was dumb struck. Her head buzzed with the words the Sergeant had spoken and the pulses in her ears throbbed so loudly, she could hardly make out anything else he said. Black spots appeared before her eyes and she slumped forward.
Joey jumped off the bus in Rose Lane, Canterbury. She made her way along the road and headed for the Ministry of Labour building in Sun Street. Having left her property back at Janet's house and dressed for her interview, she felt pleased with her choice of outfit. A white blouse under the black suit jacket and a little gold broach pinned upon her lapel, set off her costume, beautifully. Her shoes, with a medium size heel took a little more getting used to after wearing Wellington boots or stout shoes for so long.
The building was of a brick construction. All the windows were plastered in brown parcel tape as prevention against bomb blast. The City had received much bombing, losing many beautiful and ancient buildings. Joey walked up the steps into the reception area and up to the desk, where a stout middle-aged lady sat, with horn-rimmed spectacles.
"Good morning. My name is Josephine Collins. I have an interview with Miss. Harbottle at eleven o'clock." Joey announced, feeling a little nervous.
"Ah yes, Miss. Collins. Do take a seat." The stout lady said, indicating to some rather uncomfortable wooden chairs set out along the wall opposite. A number of young females sat waiting, presumably for their turn with Miss. Harbottle or another such civil servant.
"WPC Watson! Please bring in a glass of water!" The sergeant called out from his office.
Watson looked up in worry. She had already been briefed about the interview which Charlie was now enduring and was feeling very sorry for her friend. She knew Charlie's relationship with Josephine Collins was extremely close, but she never dreamed that they had entered into an affair together.
Watson hurried along with the glass of water for Charlie and gently laid her hand on her shoulder. Charlie was pale and had obviously been crying.
"Is there anything else I can do Sergeant?" Watson asked.
"Unless Charlotte would like you to stay?" He said, looking at Charlie.
"No." Charlie almost whispered but managed a little smile at Watson.
Watson half smiled and returned to her desk.
"Uncle Fred. My relationship with Jo – Josephine Collins is one of a best friend. We do everything together and therefore, perhaps people may take a dim view of it, but," She said, crossing her fingers in her lap. "Our friendship is very innocent."
"Then why should this man make such a serious allegation against you Charlotte? I can't help wondering if you've done something or said something to give him this idea!"
"I think I made an enemy of him when I first met Josephine. It was basically my fault that Collins threw her out of her family home." Charlie said, looking at her hands.
"Your fault? How?"
"It was after Josephine was raped by Robert Cruze. Brian Collins didn't believe her because Cruze was his best friend and I encouraged her to make a statement against Cruze. You probably remember the rest. After that Joey and I became such good friends. She came to stay with me at my lodgings and has done so on and off, since then." Charlie related.
"Why has she been living at your lodgings, Charlotte? And why wasn't I informed of this?" The Sergeant asked, obviously miffed. "This is totally unacceptable and against regulations. You have got yourself too involved and it must stop!"
"But Joey had nowhere else to go! I'm sorry Uncle Fred, I felt responsible for her, somehow. I know I should have told you, but so many things have happened since and I just got caught up in it all." Charlie said desperately. She swallowed and blinked back some tears.
The Sergeant sighed deeply and looked at Charlie over the top of his spectacles.
"Charlotte. I know you mean well, but you can't take on the world's problems. You have a responsibility to your colleagues and your position. You have compromised yourself and this young woman by your actions. You say your relationship is innocent, but regardless of that, gossip like this could ruin you."
The Sergeant became thoughtful for a moment or two and then looked at Charlie with kind eyes.
"Charlotte. You wouldn't be the first person to get caught up in relationship which, well, let's just say, is of a peculiar nature, if you follow my drift." He said, believing there was more to the relationship than Charlie was willing to admit.
Charlotte's face reddened.
"However, I must warn you; although, a woman, unlike a man can't be prosecuted for homosexuality, a dim view will be taken by the Superintendant if you should admit to such an affair. So, off the record, I'll say to you, please be careful. On record, if there are anymore rumours or complaints aimed at you with regard to this young woman, I can't be held responsible for the Forces actions. Do I make myself clear?"
Charlie nodded her head but said nothing.
"Good morning, Miss. Collins. Please take a seat." Miss. Harbottle said, pointing to yet another wooden chair, this time in her office.
"Now, I hope you are recovered since your accident, a few weeks ago?" She asked kindly.
"Yes, much better, I thank you." Joey replied, surprised that her incident had been remembered.
A rather slovenly looking girl of about Joey's own age knocked and walked into Miss. Harbottle's office, placing a cup of tea down on her desk.
"Tea!" She declared.
"Thank you, Mabel." Miss. Harbottle replied. "More in the saucer than in the cup." She muttered under her breath.
Joey grinned.
"Well now, Miss. Collins. I see by your application that you wish to apply to join the Women's Royal Naval Service, or as we know it, The Wrens. A worthy establishment if there ever was one. Now, I hope you have not got the idea that the life of a Wren is one of romance on the high seas, because it just isn't the case. Like all the Services, these young women work hard and are often involved in very dangerous situations."
"I quite understand, Miss. Harbottle." Joey said, nodding.
"Good. Now why do you think you would be suited to the Wrens?"
"I come from a sea-faring family, Miss. Harbottle. My Father and Grandfather were both at sea, as I was myself until only recently."
"Indeed?" Said the Civil Servant starring at Joey over the top of her spectacles. "Rather an unusual occupation for a young woman, if you don't mind me saying?"
"Not at all. The sea is in my blood, so to speak. I sail boats, I read maps and have firsthand experience of practical nautical and celestial navigation."
Miss. Harbottle looked astonished, but impressed by the young woman's credentials.
"Well," She said, smiling. "I'm sure you'll be a great asset to the service. Of course, it doesn't mean you will be going off to war with the men, but your work will be of the uppermost importance to the war effort. I shall submit your application. You will be able to choose your occupation within the service at a later date."
Joey smiled. It was the first job interview she had ever attended and felt rather pleased with herself.
"Well, Miss. Collins. Thank you for coming in to see me today. You will hear in due course; in a week or so. May I wish you good luck?"
"Thank you for your kindness, Miss. Harbottle."
Joey rose to take leave and shook the older woman's hand.
She almost skipped out of the Ministry building, relieved that the interview was over but proud of the outcome. It was something she had achieved herself. She looked forward to telling Charlie about it, though she made up her mind to play it down as it would no doubt mean a separation for them. She made her way back to the Whitstable bus stop ready for the journey home.
Upon her arrival, Joey could hardly wait to remove her suit. She felt uncomfortable and longed to get back into her usual style of blouse and slacks. She slipped on her casuals and plaited her hair, curling and pinning it up into a bun, and walked to the kitchen to make herself some lunch.
The household was quiet. Ruby had restarted School and Janet was at work in the tea rooms. Joey filled the kettle and as she lit the gas she spied a note on the table addressed to her, in Janet's hand writing. She read it.
Joey,
Please can you call in at the Police Station as soon as you get home?
Thanks,
Janet.
Joey frowned at the note. Perhaps Charlie needed to see her about something. She turned off the gas and slipping on her cardigan, left the house.
"Charlotte. We will be speaking to Miss. Collins later today. I have given orders for her to be brought into the station. In the mean time, you will not be permitted to converse with the young woman in any way. In fact, from this moment, I am suspending you from duty pending the outcome of this case. I recommend you go home and think on what I have said." The Sergeant ordered, standing up.
Charlie almost stumbled out of the Sergeant's office and stood for a moment to catch her breath.
Watson jumped up and hurried over to Charlie.
"Are you okay?" She asked, kindly.
Charlie nodded.
"I have to go home. I've been suspended, pending the outcome of the complaint." Charlie said quietly.
"I know, love." Watson said.
At that moment, Joey Collins walked into the station.
"Charlie, what's going on?" She said, walking towards her girlfriend.
Charlie paled as she turned and spotted Joey.
"I'm sorry," interposed Watson. "Please will you come with me, Miss. Collins? This way."
"Charlie?" Joey said, nervously as she saw the anxiety on her lover's face. "What's going on!"
Watson took hold of Joey's arm and forcefully led her into the Sergeant's office.
Charlie stood by helplessly and watched as Joey's frightened and pale face disappeared out of sight. She quickly collected her belongings and left the station.