Chapter Three
The next morning, Charlie jogged down to the beach, stopping to look out for Joey. She waited a few moments and then smiled when she saw her new friend approach dressed in a nicely fitting t-shirt and tracksuit bottoms. She was surprised when she spotted Angelo behind her.
"Well, well, well," the policewoman said. "I didn't think you'd show."
A little breathlessly, Angelo pushed forward and kissed her firmly on the mouth.
"You'd be surprised what a little challenge can make someone do," Joey smirked.
Charlie laughed, knowing Angelo's competitive streak pretty well.
"Ready to go?" she asked.
"You bet," Joey grinned.
The three of them tore towards the sand.
At first, they remained in a line, with Charlie in the middle but as the seconds passed, the pace built up. Charlie knew she was competitive and she knew Angelo was worse but, as it turned out, so was Joey. She was also very fit and perfectly capable of keeping up. It felt like hours later when Charlie was regretting not choosing a point at which their race would finish. Feeling like her lungs were about to collapse, she gave in and crashed onto the sand. Joey hesitated for a moment to check she was alright. Charlie smiled and waved her on. Lurching forward to keep back up with Angelo, the siblings glared at each other as they continued to power across the sand. Angelo felt his heart racing and he wanted to quit but he desire to beat Joey was overwhelming. Without thinking it through, and grateful that Charlie wasn't close by anymore, Angelo flicked his foot out, sending Joey sprawling onto the floor. She crashed without dignity, hitting her head before rolling over to clutch her ankle. Angelo jogged on a few more feet before turning and looking celebratory.
"I think that means I win," he said, heading back over to Joey.
"I think that means you're a bastard," Joey hissed.
Charlie hurried over to both of them, confused and worried.
"What exactly are you implying?" Angelo asked, feigning innocence.
"You tripped me," Joey accused.
"I did not!" Angelo protested indignantly.
Charlie arrived, eyeing Angelo curiously. She had been a distance away but she'd thought something dodgy had occurred. She just didn't know what. Kneeling on the sand, she attempted to look at Joey's injury but the younger woman pulled sharply away.
"But you're hurt," Charlie said, trying not to sound offended.
"I can cope," Joey said, curling herself up protectively.
Angelo sat down, still looking smug.
"I wouldn't waste your effort," he told Charlie. "She always has been sullen about this kind of thing."
"What, about you cheating because your fragile ego can't cope when I'm better at something than you are?" Joey challenged.
"You're not better than me at anything, Joey," Angelo snapped.
"Seriously, guys, do you ever get along?" Charlie asked.
"No," they replied in unison and then finally burst out laughing.
"Maybe on a couple of things," Joey said, rubbing her ankle.
"Now and again," Angelo added.
Charlie smiled.
"Okay, well maybe races aren't the best activity for us to do together," she said. "But Joey, please can I look at your ankle?"
Joey hesitated. She didn't like to be touched. Ever. But looking into Charlie's eyes, she found something inside her melted a little. The police officer seemed inherently kind and gentle. Joey liked her. She also wondered what on earth she was doing with Angelo. Reluctantly, she uncurled her leg and offered it out to Charlie, who smiled and gently examined her. Angelo watched with interest.
"I think it's just a sprain," Charlie said. "But we'll help you back to the Diner where Angelo will buy us both breakfast."
Angelo looked set to object but Charlie's look silenced him, letting him know that she'd seen him kick his sister. Sighing heavily, he helped Joey to her feet and they took a slow hobble back to the Diner.
Sitting at a table in the busy restaurant together, Charlie observed Angelo and Joey with interest.
"So, um... how did you two end up in each other's lives?" she asked, hoping it was an acceptable question.
"His parents fostered me," Joey replied, focussing on her food.
"Can I ask...?" Charlie ventured.
"My family died," Joey replied simply, still poking at her fruit salad and refusing to look at either Charlie or Angelo.
"I'm so sorry," Charlie said compassionately.
Joey glanced up at her for the briefest moment and shrugged.
"It doesn't matter," Joey said. "We weren't exactly close."
While Angelo offered Joey a dirty look, Charlie struggled over what to say. Of all the reactions she might have expected, that wasn't one of them.
"Joey doesn't do close, do you sis?" Angelo eventually said.
Charlie was shocked by the venom in his voice, especially at a time when they were discussing the death of her family. She promptly kicked him under the table.
"Ow!" he yelped.
Joey snorted.
"Don't worry," she told Charlie. "He's never been gentle with me."
"What's the big problem between you two anyway?" Charlie wondered. "I mean, I like both of you..."
"You don't know her," Angelo said.
"I have no idea why you like him," Joey commented.
"Well, he did kind of nag me into it," Charlie smirked.
Angelo looked annoyed. Charlie patted his hand.
"Oh, you know I don't mean it," she said affectionately.
"It'd be nice if you said something complimentary once in a while," he complained.
"I say lots of nice things to you," Charlie told him. "And it wouldn't kill you to say something nice to Joey for a change."
"It's impossible for him," Joey said.
"You're horrible to me too!" Angelo snapped.
"You deserve it," Joey argued.
"Ugh, why the hell did Mum have to have the bright idea to send you here? I wish she'd just had you committed and been done with it!" Angelo snapped, suddenly very serious.
He stood up and stormed out, sending his chair clattering to the floor.
