A Pathway of Adversity
Chapter 3
The shareholder meeting broke for an hour's recess. Each made their way to the staff canteen, where manageress, Leah, had laid out a tasty buffet lunch with refreshments. The shareholders broke up into smaller groups and sat, huddled together, discussing the morning's events.
"I'm sure that dirty, little rat has something up his sleeve!" Irene hissed in Joey's direction. "Look at the smug, gits face!"
Joey Collins glanced up at Hugo Austen, who was just enjoying a gulp of wine; she caught his eye and he winked at her over the top of his glass. Joey shuddered. She had made her feelings for Hugo abundantly clear several years previously, when she spurned his drunken advances at the company Christmas party by slapping his face, thus causing much amusement for fellow employees and friends.
Hugo licked his wet lips slowly and deliberately; raising his eyebrows at her in a seductive manner. She didn't react, but turned her attention back to her friend.
"Irene, I'm not sure what is going on, but I agree, there is something. I've spoken to Tony Holden. As far as he's concerned, the trawlers are bringing in the normal amount of stock for the time of year. He also said, the quality is just as good as ever, so no change in that respect. And as far as he's aware, there is no change to the shipping conditions either, but suggested checking it out with Despatch."
"That might be so, darl, but we only have his word for that!"
"Well, I've always thought Tony a trustworthy sort, but I guess you can never tell. If it is as you suspect, and stocks aren't leaving the premises in the normal way, it's either here on ice or being despatched elsewhere! I'll do a little investigating over the next few days to see if I can come up with some answers, and..."
Her words were temporarily halted by the entrance of Martha Holden, Alf Stuart's granddaughter and Hugo Austen's girlfriend. Martha worked in the Accounts department, under Financial Controller, Alison. Martha was less than mediocre in her role, but due to family connections, was an immoveable object, much to the annoyance of Alison, who spent much of her working life sorting out the mistakes and blunders which Martha had instigated.
"Oh, here she comes!" Irene muttered under her breath! "Lady flippin' Dunnabunk!"
Joey smirked and watched as Martha snaked her arms around Hugo's neck from behind; keeping him in the vice-like grip for longer than he cared for. Joey, catching Hugo's eye, winked at him, but unfortunately, the gesture also caught the rather jealous and less than forgiving eye of Martha Holden. Martha muttered something at Hugo which certainly annoyed him and he roughly and forcibly removed her arms from around his person and continued to drink his wine, but this time, without any enjoyment. Martha sat down beside her doting Grandfather and gave Joey 'daggers'.
"Gawd love! If looks could kill, you'd be pushing up daisies by now!" Irene whispered to her companion.
"Yeah. I wonder if she'd want me so 'dead' if she knew I was gay and considered her lover, a complete tosser?"
Irene smirked into her glass of juice and nudged Joey.
"Isn't it about time you got yourself a nice young lady, Joey? You've been single, far too long now." Irene pointed out, with genuine feeling.
Joey sighed and looked into her glass.
"Unfortunately, work out-weighs the inclination. But I'll get around to it one day, I promise." Joey smiled.
"But darl, you seem so lonely at times! You should be with someone and have yourself a few laughs!"
"I take your point, Irene, but you have to admit, Summer Bay isn't exactly bubbling with Lesbian suitors, is it? Besides, when do I get the time to go looking for love?" Joey pointed out, rather sadly.
Irene wrapped a comforting arm around Joey's shoulders.
"She'll come along one day, don't you fear! Seriously love, you need to take some time out for you... let Mr. High and Mighty Austen take on some of your work! After all, we pay the little shit enough! Time he stopped acting the playboy and knuckled down to do some real work!"
"Try telling Alf that!" Joey sighed, placing her empty glass on the table.
"I might just do that!"
"Irene, please don't get involved!" Joey put in quickly. "Hugo dislikes me enough, without that being suggested."
Joey, owning some company shares, had been a thorn in Hugo Austen's side for some time. He was intent on becoming top-dog by fair means or foul and Joey had become a constant hindrance and an annoying obstacle to his purpose. His first plan to seduce her into silence had failed dismally. Now she would have to be crushed... or silenced for good.
"Your trouble is you won't stand up for yourself, love!" Irene said pouring more juice into her glass.
"Yeah, I know, but let me deal with Austen in my own way." Joey instructed.
"Okay darl, it's your call."
Charlie Buckton sat on the sand with a sandwich. She slowly raised the food to her mouth, but stopped as she read an interesting paragraph in a Police magazine. She slowly laid the bread back in its plastic box to enable her to make some notes.
"Well, howdy stranger!"
Charlie looked up but shielded her eyes from the bright sunlight to discover who this cheery person was.
"Miles! How are you?"
"All the better for seeing you, Charlie. How's things? Don't get to see you much these days."
Charlie sighed; half because she knew her chance for five minutes alone had now vanished and half because a chat with Miles meant more than just a chat.
"I'm okay, Miles... And you?"
"Yeah, good! So, not eating at The Diner?" Miles asked, looking at her sandwich.
Charlie looked at Miles incredulously.
"Woops! Sorry... I forgot that Angelo is now running the joint! Tact isn't my strong point, is it? Sorry Charlie!"
Miles had a way of appearing like a sad old sheepdog when he'd made a faux pas. His cheeks turned slightly pink and he wished himself elsewhere.
Charlie had recently been promoted to Sergeant after a scandal concerning her ex-boyfriend and former Senior Officer, Angelo Rosetta, had been uncovered. He had lost his badge, but kept his liberty only because the Senior Investigating Officer was an old family friend of the Rosetta's. Angelo had therefore, gone free and was now running The Pier Diner.
Charlie, in a rare moment of amusement and compassion, nudged Miles in the ribs and offered him half of her sandwich.
"Are you sure?" He asked, taking the food.
"Sure, I won't eat it all anyway. So, what's new with you?"
"Very little, I'm afraid. And you?"
"Much the same. Still working."
"Working too hard, I'll bet. Do you... err... see much of Rosetta?" Miles asked, flicking his curly-locks from his eyes.
"Not if I can help it." Charlie said, closing the magazine and laying it by her side. "He's a jerk."
"And a good looking one!" Miles pointed out.
Charlie hunched her shoulders.
"Well, that's part of his charm, isn't it? And I fell for it hook, line and sinker... He charmed me with every damned plan he could think of to get me into his bed and take my mind off the fact that he was up to God knows what!"
Miles remained silent, but munched on his sandwich. Charlie glanced at her silent companion.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have said all that. Not very professional."
Miles watched her look away sadly. Her blue eyes settled on the ocean which rolled into the shore and cascaded over the warm sand.
"You know, Rosetta was a damned fool. He had everything going for him and he ruined it all with greed. A good career; a nice place to live and a very, beautiful woman, whom he didn't deserve." Miles mumbled; his eyes now studying the horizon.
"Well, I guess... I guess he wanted more than just... I thought he was... I thought that was it! I thought our lives were sweet and we'd grow old together... two kids, a dog in the yard... the whole works!"
Charlie's words faltered and she became angry for allowing herself to crack in front of Miles. She discretely wiped a tear from the side of her eye.
"I've got to get back to work." She said, hastily getting to her feet.
"Charlie..."
Charlie looked down into her companion's sad eyes.
"You know, it won't always feel like this. Someone is out there for you who won't stuff-up your life. You know Charlie... I'm a kind guy... I'd love to grow old with you... the two kids and even the dog in the yard! I think you're a wonderful person... And this little blip won't last forever."
Charlie smiled and ruffled his mop of curls.
"In another life, maybe. You're a wonderful person, too, Miles... but it's gotta work both ways. The feeling's got to be there! I need someone who is gonna sweep me off my feet! Turn me around so quickly that I won't know what's hit me! I need someone who is gonna make me look at life in a whole new way. Someone who will clear my mind with their freshness and make me want to embrace life again. I don't think you and I..." She paused, looking at Miles sadly and quietly, walked away.
"Now hold on there, love... Give Hugo a chance to explain!" Alf said, as Joey, for the third time that afternoon, aimed a barrage of questions at Hugo's proposals."
"But Alf, what he is suggesting, just isn't right! We can't conduct ourselves in this way!" She argued.
"Its business, Joey! You'd better get used to it!" Hugo warned.
"It's illegal business, Hugo!" Joey threw back. "And you know it!"
"Get real! Everyone does business in this way!"
"Not in the 'SBF and C', we don't!" Irene chirped.
"Then WE go down!" Hugo hissed, leaning towards Irene in a threatening manner.
"Okay, calm down everyone!" Alf said, knocking his knuckles on the conference room table for order. "Let's keep a little decorum here!"
"But Alf..."
"Joey, love, Hugo has a point. If we allow every other galah to do it and we act like a lot of old biddies at a tea party, we could miss a vital opportunity!" Alf advised.
Joey glanced at Hugo who had settled himself back in his seat, smirking. Joey's blood began to boil, but knew there was no way to get her point over while Alf Stuart shielded his favourite.
"Whatever." She muttered.
"What was that, Miss. Collins?" Hugo grinned sarcastically.
"She said 'whatever', cloth-ears!" Irene said, collecting her things together.
"Irene! Where are you going, love? The meeting hasn't finished!" Alf said, rising from his seat at the head of the table.
"Alf darl, there seems little point in remaining here. Perhaps I'm getting too old for all this, so I think I'm gonna get myself along to the canteen and have a nice cuppa with the girlies."
Irene rose from her seat and squeezed Joey's shoulder as she passed.
"Sorry love. I'll see you later."
Joey watched sadly as Irene left the conference room. Some of the other shareholders muttered to each other as Hugo continued to smirk.
"Okay, let's get on now. We have one more topic on the agenda this arvo. Let's get it over with." Alf said, without humour.
Joey turned the page of the agenda and decided to keep her head down for the rest of the meeting, but secretly planned the downfall of Hugo Austen!