The Very Thought of You
Chapter 53
The day Joey Collins walked out on Charlie Buckton was the day the light went out of Charlie's life. Her sister, Ruby, did what she could to help her sibling over her great sorrow, but just couldn't reach her. That same night, there was a great thunder storm.
The day had been humid and the evening sultry and as Charlie lay prostrate with grief on her bed, the first big flash of lightening arrived closely followed by a huge clap of thunder.
Joey sat at the bedroom window in her new lodgings in Mrs. Glover's house. She watched as the rain hit the window. With each clap of thunder, the window frames shook with the force. She shivered involuntarily and wrapped her arms around herself missing those warm arms that would never hold her again.
She remembered she had mail which had been delivered that day to Janet's house and was still waiting to be opened. One was an official looking brown envelope; her name and address typed neatly on the front. She tore open the envelope and took out its contents. Her eyes devoured the words on the paper. When at last she finished reading, she held the letter in her hand, and once again returned her attention to the rain on the window.
***
Charlie got up for work the next morning feeling like she had a hangover. Her eyes hurt from constant crying and her head ached. She could not stomach the breakfast offered by Janet, who grieved for her friend, having been made aware of some of the circumstances by Ruby.
"Do you think you should be going into work today, love?" She asked kindly.
"Well, I've got to face it at some time." Charlie said, pouring herself a cup of coffee.
"You could try talking to her?" Janet suggested quietly. "Have the day off and talk?"
Charlie sat thinking about Janet's suggestion.
"What if she won't see me?" Charlie said at last.
"She loves you Charlie. She will see you. She won't be able to stop herself."
Charlie was not so sure. She knew Joey was bitterly upset and disappointed and doubted she would be ready to forgive and forget, even though Charlie was innocent.
"Maybe I will have the day off. I'll go for a walk to try and clear this headache." She muttered.
Janet smiled sadly at her friend. She wasn't aware of all the circumstances surrounding her friend's misery, but felt for her all the same. She put a friendly hand on Charlie's arm, squeezing it.
***
On Friday, Joey gave notice to her landlady that she would be leaving on the following day. She would be catching the nine thirty train from Whitstable to get her into Victoria Station, London, an hour and fifteen minutes later, depending on delays due to repairs to bomb damaged lines and other such hazards.
She decided to take a letter around to her brother's house to let him know that she had received her call up and was leaving the next day. Even though she didn't want to have any contact with him, he was her only relative and therefore, should be informed. She wrote her letter and placed it in an envelope.
***
Charlie asked Janet if she would pop into the Police Station on her way to the tea shop, to pass on the message that Charlie was sick. This Janet did gladly.
***
Charlie put on her slacks and a short sleeved, knitted jumper and left the house. She made her way to the harbour in hopes of clearing her head. She found herself walking the same route she had taken the day she planned to speak to Joey about her assort. She stood watching the fishing boats bobbing up and down on the water. She felt a chilly breeze coming off the sea and was about to head for home when she saw Joey popping an envelope through her brother's door. Before she realised what she was doing, Charlie found herself running towards Joey and calling out to her, frantically.
Joey looked around in alarm but was frozen to the spot. She hadn't wanted to encounter Charlie, but now there was no choice.
In a moment, Charlie stood by her side and gave Joey a half smile.
"What do you want, Charlie?" Was the cold response.
"Joey, please can we talk?"
"We've nothing to talk about Charlie."
"Joey, please. I have to speak to you!" She said laying her hand on Joey's arm trying to detain the other girl as she turned to go.
Joey whipped her arm away.
"Leave me alone, Charlie." Joey warned.
"I can't. I love you too much!" Charlie cried.
"Tell that to the Marines!" Joey sneered.
Charlie was crestfallen. Her heart was breaking and Joey hated her.
"Joey, please give me time to explain what happened. Please, I beg you!"
Joey sighed deeply. She hated seeing Charlie so upset and wanted desperately to take hold of her and comfort her, but she felt the victim here, not Charlie. She needed to be strong.
"Why did you do it Charlie?" She asked calmly.
"Joey, I didn't do anything apart from have tea and dinner with Hugo. We just stayed at the same hotel over night, in separate rooms, and breakfasted together the next morning. Then we said goodbye – he's gone back to his unit and I came home, with flowers for you." The last few words she spoke very quietly.
Joey looked down at the ground frightened to look at Charlie in case she gave in to those beautiful blue eyes.
"Charlie, I need some time to sort this out in my mind. I'm sorry you are so upset. I have to go." Joey said turning and walking away from Charlie.
"But Joey!" Charlie cried out.
Joey kept on walking.
Oh dear!!! Will Joey ever forgive poor wronged Charlie? Tune in tomorrow for the finale. xx