I'll Be Seeing You
Hi everyone. Well, this is the last chapter of my story. Thanks again for reading and hopefully, "we'll meet again" in the 1940's, in the not too distant future. I'm dedicating this whole story to my mum and late grandmother, for all the wonderful stories of their lives during the second world war which they have passed down to me, some of which, I have used within my story. So, for now, "I'll be seeing you..." S&L xxx
Chapter 24
"Please come in Charlotte." DAC Woodford said, beckoning Charlie into his office. "Sit down, won't you?"
"Thank you, Sir." Charlie said and did as she was bid.
"Well, now. Please accept my grateful thanks for your help, Charlotte. I never dreamed we would be in such a position as we are now and it's thanks to you. The information you gleamed for us has been more than useful. We have made several arrests and a plot to destroy British Naval and US Airbases in East Anglia and East Kent have been thwarted." The DAC said, opening a file and turning a page. "Special significant areas were Dover, HMS Mantis in Lowestoft and HMS Midge in Great Yarmouth."
Charlie's heart skipped a beat. HMS Midge was Joey's base.
"Charlotte. You did wonderfully!"
Charlie was speechless. It was all too much to take in at once. She swallowed several times and then asked,
"And Lieutenant Austin, Sir?"
"He is being dealt with. Pity, bright young chap. Anyway, the name you got from Austin; the professor at Oxford, Miss. Martha Sheer, or, her proper name, 'Marta Scheer'; blood parents are German; is being well looked after by the Intelligence Services." He said, with a significant look at Charlie.
Charlie swallowed again.
The DAC stood up and walked round his desk to Charlie.
"We are in your debt, my dear." He said, taking hold of Charlie's hand. "You seem to have taken to this type of work easily, Charlotte. The earlier reports I had about you were correct. You certainly put your job first; always. You are determined and courageous, and for this reason, I'd like to offer you a permanent position within our special team. It has good promotional prospects. Few women ever reach as far as this, Charlotte."
"I'm very flattered, Sir, but I'm afraid this type of work isn't for me. I will gratefully return to 'plodding' at home." Charlie said, with a smile. "But, it has been an experience."
"I understand." The DAC said in a disappointed tone. "Pity. Thought we had another 'Plucky Buckton' on our hands. Having said as much, I have no doubt you will be a very successful woman one day, Charlotte. Good luck." He said with a smile.
Charlie and the DAC shook hands and Charlie turned to leave.
"Oh! I meant to ask you, did your father remember me?"
***
Operation 'Bums-Rush' or The Normandy Landings took place on 6th June, 1944 (D-Day). By the end of May 1944, British ports were clogged with ships of all sorts. On the evening of 5th June, the Invasion fleet set sail across the English Channel; 175,000 troops landing on 6th June and 195,700 Allied Naval and Merchant Navy personnel in over 5000 ships were involved. There objective, to liberate Europe from Nazi rule.
***
Somewhere
Tuesday, 9th May, 1944
My darling, darling, darling Charlie,
Thank you for writing to me so promptly, my sweet. I'm glad you arrived home safely.
I miss you more than I can explain in a mere letter. How I miss your beautiful eyes and loving arms, which wrap around me, making me feel safe and loved. The memory will have to keep me warm until June, when I have been granted leave to come home, to be with you, my love! Hurrah! How I ache for you, every moment! I look for you around every corner and I see your lovely face in every beautiful day.
Helen came out of the sick bay on Sunday and I helped her home. She seems much recovered, but has said very little about the loss of the baby. Mind you, there may be another reason for that. Remember Helen said you could use her bed? What we didn't realise was she had left blood marks on the sheet the day she became sick (the miscarriage) and it hadn't been removed for washing since then! Unfortunately, I was sad and emotional on the day she came home from hospital but couldn't tell her why. So, when she saw her bed hadn't been slept in, she started to ask some very awkward questions! She may appear a bit of a dolly-daydream on the outside, but she's not stupid and she very quickly started to put two and two together and came up with a pretty close answer. I told her a little of our history and though she was very shocked at first, I think she is getting used to it now. She treats me with courteous detachment, let's say, but I hope this will relax back into our old comfortable friendship in time. She will keep our secret, I have no doubt.
I'm so sorry to read that your dad wasn't too good. It must be a worry for you and your family. I wish there was something I could do or say to ease your pain.
Well, I must close here. Its eleven fifteen and I must be up at five tomorrow morning.
I'll be seeing you, Charlie, in all my dreams.
Until I hear from you again, my darling, please take care of yourself.
With much love,
Joey.
xxx
p.s. Give my love to Ruby, Janet and Vince. x
p.p.s. Missing you with all my heart and soul. xx
***
Whitstable
Friday 12th May, 1944
My Darling Joey,
Thank you for your wonderful letter. I hope you are well, my darling and settled since our adventures together. I have been back on 'the plod' for a few days now, and everything that happened a few days ago, seems like a dream now – all, that is, except you, my Joey.
I am thrilled to read that you will be getting some leave in June and am counting the days until we are together again. I'm deliriously excited! I was looking at the moon last night and I wish you could have been there with me. I was imagining its mellow light caressing your beautiful face and me being in your tender, loving arms. What Heaven! Please June, come soon!
We had some wonderful news today. Andrew Aden is alive! I'm sure you will be rapturous about this. He and some comrades; who had been floating around in a dinghy, were picked up by a small boat and taken ashore. We have no more detail at present. Isn't it wonderful?
Glad to know that Helen is much recovered. Poor you, having to cope with all this by yourself. I'm so sorry, my darling. I hope it hasn't affected your friendship with Helen to badly. That would be so sad. I pray she is broad minded enough to accept it! I guess we will always run up against this for the rest of our lives. It's something we will have to cope with and share together.
Ruby sends you her best love and is likely to be writing to you soon!
Well, my darling, I will finish here and look forward to your next letter. I miss you so much and long for the time when you near me again.
God bless you, Joey.
My love always,
Charlie.
xxx
"I'll be seeing you in every lovely summer's day, in everything that's light and gay, I'll always think of you that way. I'll find you in the morning sun and when the night is new, I'll be looking at the moon, but I'll be seeing you."
~The End~