The Morning After

I received several requests to continue the story of 'Man! I Feel Like A Woman'. So, here's the first of a few extra chapters. ~S&L~ xx

Chapter 1

Charlie looked out of the passenger window at the trees which appeared to be moving. In fact, it was Joey's car that she had borrowed from her father, which was moving. It travelled along the road leading from Joey's home in Yabbie Creek to Charlie's, in Summer Bay.

Everything had happened so quickly and Charlie's mind was whirling like a Dervish, much like the optical illusion of trees moving outside the car window.

How was she going to explain this one to her family and friends? She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the window.

Joey glanced at Charlie, feeling a little shy now that both had admitted an attraction for the other. Things had happened so quickly; they had barely met twenty four hours before and her life had already been turned upside down by this beautiful, tall brunette who had inadvertently exposed her inner-yearnings to Joey and now, completely sober, was probably struggling to maintain her nerve.

Joey reached out and let her hand rest lightly on Charlie's bare leg. Charlie jumped and moved her leg away to disallow Joey's hand from resting there. Joey felt a slight stab at her heart but tried not to let it upset her. After all, Charlie was new to all this and would certainly have moments when she would hardly be able to cope at all.

Charlie said nothing but continued to look out of the passenger window. Joey put her hand back on the steering wheel and inwardly sighed.

***

The 'Welcome to Summer Bay' sign was now within sight and Joey wondered if Charlie had lost her confidence. Charlie had invited her out to dinner that evening, but Joey was not going to hold her to something which she may now be uncomfortable with. Joey hoped Charlie would mention it again but, if she did not, Joey would pick herself up, dust herself off and start all over again.

"You'd better direct me to your home, unless you'd prefer me to drop you somewhere else?" Joey said giving Charlie options.

Charlie looked over at Joey and tried to think of something to say, but could not find the words. Joey glanced at Charlie and her heart sank; Charlie was losing her nerve before her eyes and there was little she could do. She could see the ocean straight ahead and made for the front. Finding a parking space, she pulled over and switched off the ignition.

Neither girl said anything for a few moments; both concentrating on the view out on the horizon.

"My dad used to bring my brother and me down here when we were kids. He had a boat and he'd take us fishing with him." Joey recalled. "When he bought the club, he named it 'The Trawler Club' because he used to work on the trawlers down at the Summer Bay docks when he first left school; that was before mum, Brett and I came along. He used to say it was the greatest freedom he'd ever had; being out on a boat."

"Joey... I..."

"It's okay Charlie, I know what you're gonna say. Well, it was nice while it lasted." Joey said, trying to sound cheerful but feeling a large lump forming at the back of her throat.

Charlie closed her mouth again, unable to continue. Joey wished Charlie would get out of the car so should could head off back to her own life in Yabbie Creek and shut down for a while.

Charlie took one or two breaths, trying to control her emotions.

"It's not that I don't.... want to be with you, it's just... I'm not sure how I'll handle things. What do I do first? What do I say? What do I..."

Joey looked across at Charlie and felt a little relieved that the brunette wasn't dismissing her feelings as carelessly as she had surmised. She tentatively reached out again; this time touching Charlie's hand. Charlie did not shy away, but curled one finger around Joey's. She looked shyly at the girl in the driver's seat but the driver smiled back, reassuringly.

"Charlie, I won't promise you it will be simple because it won't and that's why I am not going to push you. I am happy to leave things here if you prefer and if you want to see me again... well, perhaps you can contact me. I'm very keen on you Charlie and would love to see you again."

Charlie felt a wave of excitement travel up her spine. She remembered the lovely feeling she had experienced when Joey's lips had touched her own, and now considered a kiss from another, would pale into insignificance.

She smiled at Joey and closed her eyes briefly as a sign of affection for Joey. Joey's heart beat a little quicker and she squeezed Charlie's hand.

"I'd like you to meet my sister." Charlie said. "But, I'm not sure at the moment if I want to explain..."

"Hey! I've given you a ride home as a mate, that's all." Joey confirmed, comfortingly.

"Thank you."

Joey looked about her and back at Charlie.

"I suppose a little kiss is out of the question?"

Charlie smiled and blushed. She also looked about, and then moved closer to Joey. Joey moved likewise and their lips met gently; slightly moving against the other.

Charlie's heart strings began to twang wildly and she smiled into their kiss.

Joey slowly pulled away.

"Why were you smiling?" She asked with a grin.

Charlie chuckled and blushed again.

"I was just thinking how wonderful you feel against my lips. You're so soft and gentle." She said, touching Joey's lips with her finger tip.

A noise a little way from the car made them jump. The Bait Shop was having its shutter pulled down after closing for the day.

"Oh my god! It's Alf!" Charlie cried, looking over at Alf Stewart as he fastened a padlock.

"It's okay Charlie! Breathe! He's not taking a blind bit of notice of us; I'm sure if he'd seen anything, his eyes would be out on stalks by now!" Joey conjectured.

Charlie exhaled and laughed weakly.

"I'm sorry, I'm afraid I'm gonna be a trial to you. I shall be as jumpy as a cat on a hot tin roof!"

Joey smiled.

"It's okay. You'll get used to things in time and who knows, one day you might even be proud to call me your girlfriend... I hope." She added quietly.

Charlie looked at Joey sharply.

"It's not that I wouldn't be proud, it's just that I don't know how to handle anything at the moment."

Joey smiled.

"Don't worry. Now, do I get to meet your sister today?"

***

Joey pulled up and parked across the back of Charlie's car in the driveway.

"Are you nervous?" Joey asked, unbuckling her seat belt.

"A little."

"Me too!" Joey grinned.

"You? Why?"

"Well, don't forget, I'm meeting your family for the first time! At least you managed to dodge mine this morning!"

"There's another thing... You'll probably meet Leah again and I'm not quite sure how she will react. She was pretty upset about me being out all night and nobody knowing where I was..."

"Yeah, and I think she was pretty pissed off that I was in the toilet cubicle with you last night. I think she thought I was taking advantage of you!" Joey grinned. "Oh well, tin hats on! Let's go face the music!"

The girls climbed out of the car and walked up the pathway leading to the kitchen door. Upon reaching it, Charlie looked back at Joey and their finger tips met in a gesture of solidarity.

Charlie opened the door and walked into an empty kitchen. Taking advantage of this little respite, Joey wove an arm around Charlie's waist and kissed her cheek. Charlie blushed but her heart beat a little quicker at Joey's touch. She turned to give Joey her lips when suddenly, footsteps were heard as someone approached, and Joey jumped quickly away from Charlie.

Leah appeared before them.

"God Charlie! I've been so worried about you!" She said, taking Charlie into her arms.

"I'm sorry Leah! I didn't mean to worry you or any of the other girls. I was so drunk, I just got lost!"

"Well, as long as you're safe and back home now, that's the main thing." Leah smiled.

Suddenly, Leah noticed Joey standing a few feet away. She stiffened and pulled away from Charlie.

"What's she doing here?" She asked, rather ungraciously.

"Do you remember Joey from last night?" Charlie asked, taking Joey by the arm and walking her nearer to Leah.

"Yeah, I do. But I don't understand why she's here now!" Leah said suspiciously.

Joey felt the slight which Leah intended.

"It was Joey whom I stayed with last night." Charlie said, swallowing.

"You told me it was the owner's daughter who gave you a bed for the night!" Leah said accusingly.

"Just so. Meet Joey Collins; her family own The Trawler Club!"

"How do you do?" Joey said, cordially holding out her hand to Leah.

"How are you?" Leah said stiffly; ignoring Joey's extended limb.

Joey let her arm fall by her side and nervously licked her lips.

"Would you like a coffee, Joey?"

Joey nodded and thanked Charlie.

"Is Ruby at home, Leah?" Charlie asked brightly, trying to change the atmosphere in the room.

"She's at The Diner with Annie. I think they're working on their assignments together."

"Oh, in that case, I think we'll head out and meet up. We'll see you later, Leah!"

"Yeah."

Joey nodded and smiled nervously at Leah, then followed Charlie to the door.

***

The girls jumped into Joey's car and Joey took a deep breath.

"Wow! That was worse than I expected! She certainly doesn't like me, does she?"

Charlie looked anxiously at Joey.

"She'll be fine! She was just worried that I was out all night. She really is such a lovely person, Joey. She's one of my best friends!"

Joey exhaled.

"Joey? Don't worry."

Joey chuckled.

"Funny, it was me saying that to you a while back!"

"Well, what goes around comes around!" Charlie smiled. "Let's go and have that coffee at The Diner and meet up with Ruby."

"Will she be angry too?" Joey asked with a frown.

"No, she'll probably laugh! It's the first time I've got ratted and stayed out all night! I'm probably her hero now!"

"And what does that make me?" Joey enquired with interest.

"A very pretty and exciting companion." Charlie said, smiling gently.

Joey smiled happily and started the ignition; heading off towards The Diner.