The Very Thought of You
Chapter 49
The evening had been very pleasant. Lieutenant Hugo Austen had been wining and dining Miss. Charlie Buckton handsomely. They were dining at the County Hotel, Canterbury. Hugo knew the manager very well and the fare served was admirable for war time, and not all black market!
"So, Charlie," Hugo said, filling Charlie's wine glass, yet again. "You've become quite the headliner in Whitstable recently." He grinned.
Charlie shot him an anguished look.
"It's okay", Hugo said, holding up his hands. "I'm sure it's all rumour!"
"Of course it's all rumour!" Charlie hissed, pain entering her heart.
"Well, you know what they say, 'there's no smoke without fire'!" Hugo challenged.
Charlie coloured and looked at her empty dessert plate.
"Don't be ridiculous."
"Well, it would explain why you've never succumbed to my gallant charms!" He grinned, mischievously.
"Hugo, please! Not here." Charlie said, frowning and looking about her.
Hugo leant across the table and took Charlie's soft hand in his own.
"If it were true, it would make you all the more interesting." He smirked.
Charlie was getting tired of his probing and innuendoes.
"I think I'd like to go back to my hotel now, Hugo."
"Waiter!" Hugo called.
***
Joey lay in her bed. She hadn't managed to get any rest. Her mind was full of Charlie, wondering how and where she was. Ruby read the note Joey had left for Charlie. Her sister had not come home from work and Ruby was worried about her and had hurried off to Joey's new lodgings wondering if Charlie was there.
"No." Joey said quietly to Ruby. "I don't know where she is. All I know is that I'm not allowed to see or speak to her until the mess, which, my big, brave brother has got us into, is resolved."
"But where would Charlie be? Could she still be at the Police Station, do you think?"
"No, Ruby. She left before I did. Don't worry sweetheart, I'm sure she's alright. Maybe she is staying with a friend for the night." Joey suggested, trying to put her young friend's mind at rest.
"But Charlie doesn't have any friends apart from you!"
Joey grinned.
"I'm sure she'll be with Georgiana Watson or someone like that." She said, kindly.
Ruby sighed.
"Come on, off you go home now. It's getting late and Charlie won't want you roaming the streets in the dark." Joey said, smiling. "I'll see you to the end of your road."
Ruby thanked Joey and they left.
***
Hugo walked Charlie back to the Canterbury Gate Hotel.
"Well, thank you Hugo for a lovely evening. I hope you have a safe journey back to your unit when you leave." Charlie said pleasantly.
"Thank you Charlie." Hugo said smiling and guiding Charlie into the hotel lobby.
"Room six and seven, please." Hugo said to the elderly gentleman behind the desk.
The gentleman handed Hugo both sets of keys as Charlie looked on in astonishment.
"Hugo! Are you staying here too?" She asked.
"Well, I can't get transport until tomorrow, so when I left you this afternoon, I booked myself in!"
Charlie stared at him in disbelief.
"Oh. Well, thank you again for a lovely evening." She said feeling a little uncomfortable.
"I'll see you to your room." Hugo purred.
They walked up the stairs in silence. They reached their landing and Hugo turned to Charlie and took her hand.
"You know Charlie, if it wasn't for your, let's say 'change in direction', we could've had a lot of fun tonight!" He winked.
"Hugo, I haven't...changed direction, as you so nicely put it!" Charlie said, beginning to get annoyed.
"Haven't you?" He smiled. "Go on then. Prove it!"
Charlie in the frustration of trying to hide her affair with Joey suddenly pulled Hugo to her, placing her lips very firmly on his. Hugo, accepting her challenge, quickly drew his strong arms around her and manoeuvred her into his bedroom kicking the door closed behind them.
Oh my gawd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!