Okay, so this story is set at the beginning of 2009. The difference is that Jack was never killed and Charlie and Angelo's drunken fumbles have become a relationship. Charlie has never met Joey before but she's about to – and it's a decidedly more minx-like girl than we saw on the show itself! I hope you enjoy it. Love, IJKS xxx

Chapter One

Senior Constable Charlie Buckton was enjoying a nice day off, although her mind was racing as fast as her feet as she powered across the hot, golden sand. She'd lived in Summer Bay for eight months now and she felt like, after some initial teething problems, she had settled down to life in a small town. She was established at work and got along with colleagues such as Jack Holden and Georgie Watson. When she'd first arrived, she'd immediately started dating local chef, Roman Harris but it had been short lived. His heart had never really been in it and retrospectively, she was furious with herself for allowing him to treat her so badly.

But since then, after a night of drunken debauchery, she had started dating a guy who seemed to really like her. Constable Angelo Rosetta had broken up with his girlfriend, Belle Taylor, at the same time as Charlie and Roman had broken up and they had quickly fallen into each other's arms. She didn't think it was love of the Century exactly, but she liked him and they had fun together. Of course, that was until the other day. He'd suddenly gone cold with her and Charlie didn't know why. He'd become moody and avoided her for the best part of two days. She was sure she hadn't done anything wrong and was baffled over what the problem was. But all the while he wasn't taking her calls, she remained in the dark.

Pausing to catch her breath, Charlie looked up and saw Angelo's car pull up at the bus stop. She watched for a moment and saw him getting out of the car. He approached a young woman with long, dark hair. Her back was to Charlie so she couldn't make out any of her features but Angelo hugged her and took her bags from her, slinging them into the boot of his car. Then they climbed in and drove off. Immediately suspicious, Charlie kept running. Things were not looking good.


It was the evening and Charlie had spent much of the day wondering what was going on. It hadn't been quite the nice day off that she'd planned. In fact, she'd largely driven herself crazy. She'd drafted several texts to Angelo and sent one of them but he hadn't replied. She dreaded to think what he was up to with the girl that she could only assume was attractive. Charlie hadn't seen much of her but she thought she had pretty hair and a good figure. That was enough.

"Okay, that's it!" Ruby announced dramatically.

Charlie looked up in confusion.

"I cannot cope with you moping," Ruby told her. "So I'm going to let you take me to dinner at the Diner."

"Lucky me!" Charlie remarked.

"I'm glad you appreciate it," Ruby said, hauling her sister to her feet and dragging her towards the door.


Fifteen minutes later, Charlie and Ruby entered the Diner, only for Charlie to freeze in the doorway. It didn't take long for Ruby to notice Angelo sitting at a corner table with a dark haired girl. Taking Charlie's hand and ignoring her protestations, she charged on over. Angelo looked up, startled and immediately looking guilty. He stuttered and stammered over what to say. The stranger looked between him, Charlie and Ruby with mild curiosity, wondering what kind of situation she had found herself in this time.