I'll Be Seeing You
Well, here we are at the penultimate chapter of 'I'll Be Seeing You'. It's a bit of a sad one, so tissues to the ready. Many, many thanks to everyone who has reviewed this story (love you all to bits and this chapter is dedicated to you!) and many thanks to everyone else for reading it. I believe I can squeeze out another CJ war time story, but that's only if you are still interested enough to read it. Please let me know. If so, it'll be a project for the not too distant future. As for now, I am writing a new story which I hope to start to post in a week or so. Anyway, enough of my rabbit and on with the story... "Careless talk costs lives." ~S&L~ xx
Chapter 23
The Bedford lorry pulled up along the sea front at four thirty. Charlie Buckton jumped out of the cab and smiled at the driver who waved and drove off. Charlie watched until the lorry was out of sight, then turned and headed back to the hotel.
***
Joey parked the lorry and collected the paperwork. She checked the cab for any miscellaneous bits and pieces which either she or Charlie may have left including a quick look in the back. She was just about to leave when something shiny caught her eye. She bent down and picked up a small diamond earring. She popped it in her pocket and smiled to herself.
***
Charlie entered the hotel room and threw her bag and jacket on the chair. She walked over to the bed which she had blissfully shared with Joey for the last two nights and sighed. Tonight was their last night together before she returned back to Stowmarket and then, London. The thought tore through her soul. Joey was right. When they were apart, there was a huge gap which bled and nothing would stop it until they were together again. She closed her eyes and wished the war was over.
***
Joey walked home feeling low in spirits. Charlie was leaving in a few hours and she didn't know when she might see and feel her loveliness again. She sighed and hastened her steps.
***
Charlie had bathed by the time Joey arrived home. She was drying herself off when Joey tapped at the door and announced herself. Charlie wrapped the towel around her body and opened the door.
Joey said nothing but took Charlie into her arms and they held each other, silently, for many minutes both knowing by instinct, the other's thoughts.
After a little while, Charlie gently broke away and smiled at Joey.
"What are we going to do, Jo? I can't live without you!"
"I know." Joey said, "But we've got to try. I don't want you to go!" She said, burying her face in Charlie's shoulder.
Charlie held her close.
"Do you want to go and eat?" She asked.
Joey shook her head.
"I'll be sick."
"Me too."
"Just hold me."
***
Early the next morning, Joey got out of bed. The two girls had retired early the night before; both wished only to hold each other until they fell asleep in each other's arms. Each fought with sleep, not wishing to miss a second of precious time together or a beat of the other's heart.
Joey rested the kettle on the stove and yawned. She looked over at Charlie sleeping peacefully in their little bed. A single bed wasn't ideal for two people, but it had been cosy. She smiled.
Charlie gave a little moan as she slowly awoke and stretched her long legs. Joey poured out the tea and took a cup over to Charlie.
"Hello you." She said gently to a sleepy Charlie.
Charlie opened her eyes and smiled.
"I wish I could wake up every morning like this." Charlie said huskily.
"We will one day, sweetheart." Joey said, kissing the tip of Charlie's nose.
***
Charlie washed and dressed and packed up her travel things. Joey watched Charlie's progress. Neither girl spoke.
Charlie suddenly looked up at Joey and tears appeared in her eyes.
"Joey!"
The two girls were in each other's arms in a moment, spilling tears of love and regret.
"Oh my darling. I love you so much." Charlie cried.
"Charlie, don't! I can't bear it!" Joey cried in return.
They let go of each other and sat on the bed.
"Well, I think that's everything packed." Charlie said, wiping her eyes.
"Oh! There is one thing. I found this in the lorry when I dropped it off back at base." Joey said, searching through her jacket pocket and handed Charlie the diamond earring.
"Oh God! Thank you. I'd have been heartbroken to have lost that. It's one of a pair of Mum's earrings. When she died, Ruby and I had one each. I suppose it must have fallen out of my bag."
She looked at Joey thoughtfully.
"Joey, I want you to keep it."
"Charlie, I can't! It was your mum's." Joey protested.
"No. I want you to keep it. It's one of my dearest possessions and I know it'll be safe with you. Then you'll have a little of me."
Joey hung her head and looked at the beautiful jewel.
"I'll treasure it, because I know you treasure it and when we are back together, I'll give it back."
Charlie nodded.
They looked at Charlie's luggage.
"Well, I'd better get going." Charlie said at last.
"I'll get my jacket." Joey said, about to walk to the cupboard.
"NO! Joey, please! I'd rather say goodbye here, away from everyone. At least we're alone."
Joey's eyes filled with tears again.
"Charlie, don't go!"
"I have to darling, you know I do."
Charlie wiped the tears from Joey's face. Joey took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
"You'll write when you get back home?"
"I'll write when I get to Dad's and I'll write when I get back to Whitstable." Charlie promised.
Joey nodded.
"You'd better get going then." She said, hanging her head.
"Yes. I'd better."
Charlie took hold of Joey's hand and squeezed it.
"Goodbye, my love. Look after yourself."
"Goodbye. God bless you." Joey croaked.
Charlie turned to leave, but Joey caught hold of her arm and pulled her back; their burning lips coming together urgently.
Charlie forcibly broke them apart and hastily left Joey's room.
***
Charlie's journey back to Stowmarket was free of delay and incident. She collected the rest of her possessions from Ted and Edna's house and bid them a very fond farewell, especially Edna, who had become a good friend to her. Ted saw her to the railway station and put Charlie on the two twenty six to London and waved her goodbye.
***
"Hello Helen. Are you ready for home?" Joey asked.
Helen Wetherby was ready to leave the sick bay and Joey had gone to collect her.
"Ee, love. You look a bit down in t'dumps! What ails thee lass?" Helen asked as she picked up the last of her wash kit.
"Oh, I'm alright. Just didn't get much sleep last night, that's all."
"How's ya, pal? Did she enjoy her stay?"
Joey tried to smile.
"Yes, I think she did." She looked away from Helen and took a deep breath.
"Well, as long as she were comfortable in my bed." Helen grinned.
Joey picked up Helen's bags and they left the ward.
***
"Hi Dad." Charlie said as she entered her father's lounge in Blackheath.
"Darling! Good to see you. Is Ruby with you?" Ross enquired.
"No." Charlie said, glancing at Morag. "I've been away for a few days, on Police business."
"Charlie hasn't been in Whitstable Ross, she's been up country." Morag explained to the slightly confused Ross.
"Oh, I see. So who's taking care of Ruby? Does her Mother know she's by herself?"
Morag sighed and guided Charlie out into the kitchen.
"He's having a bad day." Morag confided.
"I'm sorry. With me keep appearing and disappearing; it probably doesn't help." Charlie sighed.
"That can't be helped Charlie. It's life. You look a little drawn dear. Are you feeling alright?"
"Just a little tired from the journey."
"Well, I'll make you a nice cup of tea. Go and relax in the lounge with your father."
Charlie nodded and left the kitchen.
***
"It's good to be 'ome, lass!" Helen said, cheerfully as they walked back into their room at the hotel.
Joey opened the door and half expected; half hoped to find Charlie Buckton still waiting for her. Her heart thudded with disappointment.
"Well, you make yourself at home and I'll put the kettle on." Joey said, placing Helen's bags next to her bed.
Helen sat down in the easy chair. She looked at her friend and frowned.
"Josie love. You look tired lass. Come and sit down."
Joey walked over to her friend and presented her with a cup of tea. She sat down on her bed and looked down at her hands.
"Jo?"
Tears formed in Joey's eyes and they quickly spilled over onto her cheeks.
"Josie love, come 'ere, lass." Helen said, quickly rising and hugging her sad friend.
"I'm sorry, Helen. I'm just a bit emotional at the moment." She said, breathing hard, trying to stop the flow of tears.
Helen rubbed her back affectionately.
"Come naw. Can't be as bad as all thart, surely?"
"No." Joey lied and smiled at her friend, through her tears. "I'll get over it."
***
Ross was dozing quietly in his chair. Morag was knitting. The wireless set played classical music quietly in the corner. Charlie set out her writing things and took a breath.
Blackheath
Sunday, 7th May, 1944
My dearest Joey,
Darling, I can't put into words how I feel, except to say I feel empty inside without you. I feel as though I've died but I shan't reach Heaven until we are together again. How I shall cope until then, I don't know.
My journey home to Dad's was uneventful. I think all I did was sit and daydream about you most of the time.
Well, I've been here a while now, but find Dad not so good. Morag looks drawn; I suppose from worrying about him. I feel so guilty that there isn't more I can do to help. If they lived nearer, maybe I could do more, but Dad will not budge and of course Morag's work keeps her near to town.
I will go and see the DAC tomorrow morning and be formally released from their services and then go home to Whitstable. I look forward to going home and seeing Ruby, but I fear I shall be a poor sister for a while. At least she will understand the reasons why and sometimes I shall be able to talk to her about you. Just mentioning your name out loud will help.
Well, my darling. I'll finish here. Promise me you will take care of yourself. I'll write as soon as I'm back in Kent.
I'll be seeing you, my darling Joey, in my dreams.
My love always,
Charlie.
xxx
From time to time, Morag watched Charlie's progress with her letter; watching her face and noticing how she wiped an odd stray tear away.
"I'm just going to post my letter." Charlie said, affixing the stamp to the envelope.
"I'll come with you, Charlie, if I may?" Morag said, rising out of her chair. "I could do with a breath of air."
Charlie would have preferred to walk alone, but she could tell from Morag's eyes that she was determined to accompany her step daughter.
"Charlie." Morag said, as they were walking along the road. "I've noticed that you haven't been in the best of spirits just lately."
Charlie's eyes became anxious for a moment and she bit her lower lip.
"I worry about Dad." She replied simply.
Morag smiled, but sighed.
"Charlie, I'm not stupid, I do have eyes. Your tears haven't been for your father! But your father finds them distressing."
"I don't want to talk about it." Charlie quickly replied.
"That's it, Charlotte. Cover it all over. Let's pretend it's never happened, as usual." Morag said, with a little sarcasm in her voice.
Charlie shot her a look.
"It's none of your business, Morag!" She said, curtly.
"Charlie, forgive me, but when Ross is affected, it becomes my business. I don't want to pry into your personal affairs. I just want to help, if I can." Morag said, gently.
Charlie swallowed, feeling guilty for her sharp words.
"Sorry." She said, quietly. "I shouldn't have spoken to you like that."
She was silent for a few moments.
"I'm having a relationship with someone..." she paused, "and I've seen them several times just recently." She paused again. "And it's very precious to me and I know I won't be seeing... them again for a while and I'm just finding it hard to accept, that's all."
Morag nodded as they continued to walk.
"The war won't last forever, Charlie." Morag predicted. "You'll be together again soon."
It was Charlie's turn to nod.
Suddenly, her letter to Joey dropped from her hand and fluttered down at Morag's feet. Both women stooped to pick it up, but Morag beat Charlie to it by a split second. She handed the envelope back to Charlie after surreptitiously reading the addressee name.
Miss. J. Collins.
Charlie thanked her and popped the letter into the red pillar box a few yards away. The two women turned and headed for home. Charlie, feeling a little better for knowing that Joey would soon receive her letter and Morag; for having confirmed whom Charlie had been spending her time with, so pleasantly.