The Morning After
Chapter 2
Ruby began to wave frantically when she noticed Charlie's entrance into The Diner. She jumped from her chair and ran over to her sister, hugging her tightly and giggling.
"Hi Rubes!" Charlie said, hugging her sister likewise but paling slightly.
"God! What happened to you last night, Charlie? I've never known you not get home before!"
"I was very drunk and... a friend took pity on me and gave me a bed for the night." Charlie answered, glancing at her silent companion.
"Oh that sucks! I thought at least you were sleeping rough in a gutter somewhere!" Ruby giggled.
Annie, Ruby's friend, gave Charlie a look of disapproval from their table but continued to drink her strawberry shake.
"Ruby, I'd like you to meet Joey. Joey is the one who rescued me last night!"
"Hey! Glad to know ya, Joey!" Ruby said cheerfully. "And thanks for looking out for my depraved sister! I can't trust her to go anywhere without me!"
Joey grinned. She liked the sound of Ruby.
"Nice to meet you, Ruby. It was my pleasure. She was a good girl, really; she wasn't even sick!"
Ruby laughed.
"Come on, come and sit with Annie and me. We've just about finished our assignments and were thinking of ordering some food. Why don't you join us?"
"We'll stay for a coffee, but then..." Charlie said, glancing at Joey.
"We're popping by to visit an old aunt of mine who lives in the area." Joey finished.
Charlie smiled gratefully at Joey for the 'off the cuff' excuse.
"Cool." Ruby smiled. "Annie, this is Joey; a mate of Charlie's. She rescued her last night when she was pis... I mean, drunk!" She said behind her hand.
"Pleased to meet you." Annie said with reserve.
"And you."
"Okay, what are you having, Annie?"
"My usual please."
"Okay, two usual's and two coffees, coming up!" Ruby cried.
"Here sweetheart!" Charlie said, opening her purse. "Pay with this."
She handed her sister a note to cover the food and Ruby 'whooped' with glee.
"Can I keep the change?" She asked eagerly.
"Don't push your luck!" Charlie said, raising her eyebrows.
Annie sat looking at Charlie and Joey from the other side of the table. She eyed Joey suspiciously and then, fidgeted around with her homework.
"What is the assignment?" Joey asked with interest.
"We're studying 'Austen' in English Lit and trying to establish why she wrote certain things and if they have any bearing."
"Ooh, I love Jane Austen's work!"
Annie looked at Joey with disdain.
"I suppose you've watched 'Pride and Prejudice, like a thousand times!"
"Strangely enough, no! I've never seen any of the Austen adaptations; I feel they can't do her wit justice." Joey casually remarked.
Charlie gave her a sideways look.
"So, if I was to say to you, what are your feelings with regard to the way Elizabeth Bennett behaves immediately after her refusal of Mr. Darcy's proposal, what would you say?" Annie challenged.
"His first or second?" Joey asked quickly.
"First." Annie said, starting to feel a little unsure.
Joey took a deep breath and rubbed her chin.
"Well, when she finds herself alone, she sits down and cries for half an hour! The crisp precision of that half-hour bawl is typically Elizabeth and typical of Jane Austen, too. A fifteen-minute howl would show a lack of sensibility and a full hour, a lack of sense. Weeping, in Elizabeth's case, gives way to 'agitated reflections', and by the next morning she turns, sensibly, to the remedy of 'air and exercise' and to a serious rethinking about Mr. Darcy's motives."
Annie's mouth fell open as Joey spoke. Charlie pressed her hand to her lips; trying not to laugh.
"Oh." Was all Annie could manage to say.
"There we go; two coffees!" Ruby said, proudly placing the cups in front of her sister and Joey. "God! Has someone died?" She asked sensing an atmosphere.
"No, not in the least. We've just been discussing your assignment." Joey grinned. "An interesting one; I quite envy you!"
"Well, you're more than welcome to do my homework!" Ruby grinned.
"I wouldn't dream of depriving you!" Joey laughed.
"Besides that, what would be the point of someone doing your homework for you?" Charlie asked sipping her coffee.
"The point being, I'd have a hell of a lot more free time for fun!" Ruby grinned, wickedly.
Annie frowned and returned to her books.
The girls finished their coffees and after noticing Leah turn up for her evening shift, made a move for home.
***
Once again, Joey parked across the back of Charlie's car and the girls smiled at each other as they walked into the empty house.
"How come you knew all that stuff about Jane Austen's work?" Charlie asked as she threw her bag onto the kitchen table and grinning at her new girlfriend.
"I've been around." Joey said with a wink.
Charlie frowned and Joey stepped closer.
"Besides, I read a book recently where it said just that, so I was cheating really!"
Charlie laughed and allowed Joey's arms to snake around her slender waist.
"So, I have you all to myself, huh?" Joey grinned and raised an eyebrow.
Charlie blushed prettily but averted her eyes from Joey's. Every time she looked into Joey's eyes she blushed and felt as silly as a school girl with a crush on the prefect.
Joey placed her lips on Charlie's cheek and moved them gently around near to Charlie's ear; her warm breath causing Charlie to shiver with delight. She turned to face Joey; her eyes at last finding courage to seek the pleasure Joey's offered.
Slowly, Joey's mouth moved towards Charlie's and as their lips touched, the moist-softness of Joey set Charlie's heart aflame and she pushed her own lips with more force against Joey, their kiss intensifying immediately.
Charlie moaned softly as Joey's lips massaged her own. Her heart beat rapidly and she was quickly aware that her body was catching fire.
Joey's hand moved from Charlie's waist; travelling up and down her spine; her touch adding fuel to Charlie's already raging fire. Her tongue touched Charlie's lips and was welcomed in most cordially as Charlie held on tightly to her body.
Suddenly, the house phone rang and Charlie sprung away from Joey and stood panting before her.
"I-I better go and answer the..." Charlie stammered and ran off, red-faced, into the lounge.
Joey closed her eyes, feeling breathless. It was seldom she made-out quite as intensely and without trying to take it further, but she did not want to push Charlie too far, so soon.
Charlie walked back into the kitchen and smiled shyly.
"It was a wrong number." She said, unsure if the rush back into Joey's receptive arms or to take the safer route by suggesting dinner.
She decided on the latter and after changing from Joey's clothes into some very tight skinny jeans and a flouncy top, they left to eat in a small restaurant further along the coast.
***
The 'Sea Shell' restaurant was small but romantic. It had its share of coastal gimmicks, like the Sea Urchin shell lamps on each table, which flickered prettily and cast a dim candle-light, aiding and abetting romantic couples wanting to express their love for one another but not to the world in general. The Sea Shell was famous for its tasty seafood and their service was splendid.
Charlie sat back in her chair in the corner and sighed contentedly.
"Wow! That was wonderful!" Joey grinned as she laid down her napkin.
"Mmm, and now I'm fit to burst!" Charlie said, sighing again and shifting uncomfortably in her tight jeans.
Joey grinned and leaned forward; removing a crumb of bread from Charlie's hair.
"Were you saving this for later?" She smiled.
Charlie could not answer. She was too busy marvelling at how even the simplest of contact could set her soul on fire. Instead, she leaned forward and touched Joey's lips with her own.
Joey was overwhelmed! She knew Charlie was not drunk; she'd only had one glass of wine. The kiss was short but very sweet and Joey grinned like a Cheshire cat when they parted.
"What was that for?" She asked.
Charlie blushed fearing she may have overstepped the mark.
"No reason; I just wanted to." She replied shyly.
Joey smiled and returned the favour; this time the kiss lasting longer and starting to become more heated until a waiter cleared his throat; waiting to take their dessert order.
***
After their meal, they strolled along a long stretch of beach in the moonlight. The evening was comfortably warm and the sea gentle. Charlie allowed Joey to take her hand as they walked silently together; each with her own set of thoughts.
"When can I see you again?" Joey asked, breaking the silence.
"I'll be working nights all this coming week." Charlie murmured sadly.
"And I'll be working days and all day next Saturday too. It looks like fate is dealing us a bad hand all of a sudden!"
"Maybe I can come into your shop to buy something when I'm off duty?" Charlie suggested hopefully.
"It will be an expensive relationship if every time you want to see me, you have to buy something, especially in 'Cue'!"
"I'll get staff discount, won't I? Besides maybe I wouldn't mind the expense." Charlie grinned. "Maybe it will be worth it!"
"What to see me or to line your wardrobe a little more?"
"Maybe a little of each!"
Joey giggled.
"Just be sure I'm free to serve you then... I don't want to have any of the other girls falling over themselves to help you."
"Especially not that scary woman who had me before you did!"
"What are you saying, Charlie? I thought I was your first girlfriend!" Joey said, trying to look serious.
"What?" Charlie asked innocently. "I-I meant that woman who tried to sell me a ball gown!"
Joey grinned and pulled Charlie into her arms. She loved Charlie's naivety. She touched Charlie with her lips and felt hot blood rush through her veins as Charlie quickly reacted to her love making. Something told her this relationship was not going to be a mere dalliance, but something which would develop and flourish with time.