"Morning Rubes" Charlie offered her a piece of buttered toast "what are you at for the weekend?"

Here it goes "I was thinking I might head out tonight, if it's ok with you that is?" I don't stand a chance.

"Ha, nice one, but no Rubes, you know well you're still underage! I see what kids get up to once their fuelled with alcohol, and I'm not letting you go down that road. I could drop you and Xavier into the cinema if you like, and then collect you after if you want?" I still can't help try and act like her sister, I don't think that's ever going to change.

"Really? Charls that'd be great! Thanks you, I'll just get changed and go over and tell him, we'll decide what to go and see, what time suits you?"

"Ah any time after seven would be fine, just give me a text when you know, I'm heading to the gym for a while now, so I'll talk to you later" Charlie picked up her gear bag and left the house.

She was in the middle of doing her sit up's when Roman came over and stood above her. She stopped midway and sat up, glad of the break.

"Hey I didn't know you were coming here today?"
"Yeah well I guess I have to keep in shape to stop my girlfriend from running off with someone else.." Roman replied half joking half serious. Charlie chose to ignore the dig.

"Right… So what are your plans for the rest of the day?" best stay clear of that are with him

"Charlie I told you yesterday I'm working the evening shift in the diner."

"Sorry I completely forgot! I'm taking Ruby and Xavier into the city to the cinema so I probably won't be around until late either" boy is this awkward or what… "I was just finishing up here anyway but I'll give you a text later on ok?" Roman leant in and kissed her on the cheek "Charlie why don't I see if I can get the evening off, we could head out and I'll drive them home then?"

"Yeah that'd be nice, are you sure?" we need to give this another shot.

"I'll check with Irene but it shouldn't be a problem, I'll let you know."
"Ok, I'll talk to you then, bye"

********

"What time will you be finished work Jo?" Toni called from the sititng room.

The least she could do is come in and talk to me, get her arse of the couch for a change.

"Depends how busy it is, about three I suppose, so don't wait up" Joey retorted.

"What makes you think I was gonna, I do have a life of my own!" Toni shouted back.

Great, sensitive, loving, caring what more could I ask for.Joey came into the sitting room, Toni sensed Joey's presence but still didn't avert her eyes from the TV screen.

Joey left the house without a word of goodbye. Joey sighed as she started the engine of her car and began on her journey to work. Why do I get the feeling I'm settling for second best here.

At precisely the same moment that exact thought entered Charlie's mind, as she sat across from Roman in the bar in the city. The conversation between them was very limited, based mainly on small polite talk. I can't stand this I think I'm going to crack if I have to sit here a moment longer.

"Roman, what's going on here, is it just me or are things really… tense tonight?" Charlie looked into his face for some hint of an explanation.

"I don't want things to change between us Charlie, I love you, but since it seems the love here is pretty one sided, things have changed between us" Roman admitted defeated.

"Roman, just because I don't love you just yet doesn't mean anything, I just need time…"

"Charlie the moment I met you I knew I loved you, if six months later you can say with so much certainty that you don't love me, then I don't see how things will change within the next six?" Now he had started Roman didn't know how to stop.

"I can't make myself love you Roman, I wish I could but…" I can't say it, he doesn't deserve this.

"But you can't, and I wish I could make myself not care but I do."

"So where do we go from here?" Charlie enquired afraid that the ball would be left in her court.

"I think that's up to you Charlie, can you see yourself with me in five, ten years time?"

"Can you?" she asked Roman wanting to hear what he had to say first.

"I think my answer is clear Charlie" I know this is over, if she can't see herself with me in five years, what chance do we stand for another six months time.

"I can't answer that Roman" she said in a low tone, knowing she was hurting him.

"That's an answer in itself Charlie" he dropped his gaze from hers. "Charlie it's been a great few months on my part at least, but am I just someone you're settling for, until someone else comes along?" He already knew the answer to this.

"I'm sorry Roman, maybe we should call it a day for now. You deserve better."

"I don't want better Charlie, is that not clear to you?" Roman couldn't stop himself from the pleading with her, the deperation coherent in his voice.

"I'm sorry Roman, you'll find someone soon who truly deserves you and all that you offer them, I'm sorry for everything" Charlie couldn't stick it any longer, she was rattled with guilt, she rose from her chair, picked up her bag and left the bar.

Now standing outside Charlie looked up and down the street spotting a sign for Speedz night club she walked down the street towards it. Charlie plonked herself down on a stool at the bar "Double vodka please" she asked the barman, she took her phone out of her pocket and rang for a taxi to collect Ruby and Xavier from the cinema, then text Ruby to tell her so

"Rubes I won't b picking you up later, a taxi wil b there when the film finishes, see u tomoro xxx"

Three double vodka's later Charlie was feeling the effects of the alcohol in her bloodstream. The barmaid came over to collect the glasses and Charlie looked up at her. "I know you from somewhere miss barmaid!"

Joey looked up to where the voice was coming form "Charlie! How are you?" what's she doing here on her own?

"I've neeeeeeeever been better!" Charlie chanted "Single, sexy and utterly smashed, don't you agree?

"Whoa, well I, yeah I do" Joey was flabbergasted at Charlie's outburst, even on that one time they'd met she had seemed a lot more reserved. "What are you doing on this side of town anyway,?"

"Ahhhhh needed to let my hair down, actually I'm gonna start walking home now, see ya Josie!"

Joey burst out laughing "It's Joey, and you're not walking home, I'll be finished soon, wait there!" When Joey returned Charlie had another double vodka in hand "Charlie, I get off in ten minutes so wait for me."

"Joey how do you know Ruby?" Charlie questioned, they were almost at her house and it did seem like a logical question.

"Oh Charlie if I told you that I'd have to kill you" she giggled at her own response "lets just say I'm getting a bit of déjà vous here!"

"WHAT?" Charlie suddenly sobered up. "No way, Ruby doesn't drink much." she stopped and though about t for a moment, knowing full well Ruby would drink like a fish if given the opportunity! "I'll kill her!"

"No you won't Charlie, that's not fair! I'm telling you this as a friend, not as Ruby's mother! She's a smart girl Charlie, you have nothing to worry about"

"You must think we're awful drunks. I can safely say this is my second time ever being truly hammered!" Joey was shocked to hear this "I never really drink and definitely not to this extent!"

"So when was that other time you were drunk?" Joey laughed, there must be a reason for this, seeing as it was seldom she drank.

They had pulled up outside Leah's house and Charlie had opened the door to get out. "That my friend, is a story for another day!" Charlie cringed at the memories from that night.

"I'll hold you to that! Here, take my number just in case you decide to get ossified some other night and I'm working, I could give you a lift home." Charlie rummaged her mobile from her bag and typed in the number Joey recited.

"Thanks again Joey, oh and don't mention this to Ruby, she'd never let me live it down, not to mind I'd seem like a bit of a hypocrite!"

"Your secret's safe with me Charlie, and you know what they say, like mother like daughter" she winked at Charlie as she closed the car door.

Charlie waited until Joey had driven off before moving from her position. I really can see why Ruby likes her so much she thought, before falling in a heap in the door.