A Pathway of Adversity
Chapter 9
"So, Mr. Stuart, is there anything else I can offer you?" Marilyn asked, with a coquettish smile.
"Marilyn love, I'm fit to burst!" Alf cried as he patted his full stomach with satisfaction.
Marilyn showed her appreciation by squirming with pleasure, but was startled as a sharp 'rat-a-tat-tat' on the front door, made her jump.
"Do you think Martha has forgotten something?" Marilyn asked Alf as she got to her feet.
"No love. She'd have rung me and asked me to collect anything she'd left behind."
Marilyn made her way to the front door and upon opening it, was more than a little surprised to find yet another member of 'Stuart' family standing on the door-step.
"Would you like another glass of wine?" Charlie offered; holding the bottle in her hand.
"No thank you, Officer! I'm driving, don't forget!" Joey chuckled.
Charlie grinned and rested the half empty bottle on the coffee table.
"So, if someone has been meddling with the Company accounts ledgers, shouldn't you report it directly to Alf Stuart?" Charlie asked, sitting along-side Joey on the sofa.
Joey sighed and swirled the rest of the wine in her glass.
"Not as simple as that... Charlie, can I count on your discretion?"
"Of course."
"I think Hugo Austen is up to something. I've never trusted him, but it's a lot deeper than that now. Even Irene Roberts believes he's up to no good. He's not well liked at the 'SBF and C', so I dare say there might be other's out there who will be willing to come forward with information."
"That's all very well, Joey, but how do you know it's not someone trying to besmirch Hugo's name? Granted, he isn't a well liked man around town, so I would imagine he has a few enemies out there, just waiting to strike, therefore, there is a good chance that someone within the 'SBF and C' has just this in mind! You have to be careful when accusing someone of dirty dealings!"
"I understand all this; that's why I need to talk to Alison, our financial controller; just to see if she is aware of anything strange happening! I really wanted to see her before work on Monday."
"Well, I have a suggestion; why don't you have Sunday lunch here tomorrow and I'll invite Alison along too. It will be an informal gathering and it will give you the chance to speak to her without exciting the interest of anyone else at work."
Joey thought for a moment and was pleased to accept Charlie's kind invitation.
"But what if Alison has something else to do tomorrow?"
"Well, we'll have to face that if it happens. Regardless, please feel free to come to lunch anyway!" Charlie said with a smile.
"Thanks. I'll look forward to it!" Joey said, standing up. "Well, I guess I'd better be making tracks. It's gone twelve and I'm keeping you up!"
"Why don't you stay over?" Charlie suddenly suggested; not wanting Joey to go home quite yet.
Charlie felt safe in Joey's company. She found sincerity, warmth and honesty; things which had been lacking in her own life with friends and lovers. And there was something strangely attractive about Joey; she found her appearance pleasant and her dark brown eyes, entrancing.
Joey felt a little embarrassed and was sure Charlie was only asking her to stay out of politeness. Stumbling over her words, she tried hard not to show her excitement of the possibility of remaining in Charlie's company for a little longer.
"And we do have the other half of this bottle to finish!" Charlie grinned, picking it up and refilling Joey's glass. "I'd like you to stay!"
"Can I get you something to drink, Colleen?" Marilyn asked sweetly after making the older woman comfortable.
"That won't be necessary, young woman! I do not partake in any alcoholic beverages as well you know! No, I've come around here to find out just what's going on between you and my poor brother!" Colleen announced, nodding her head towards Alf.
Marilyn's face reddened with embarrassment and Alf's with anger.
"Strewth Colleen! What the hell are you suggesting? Marilyn and I are old friends and just enjoying an evening meal together! Bloody hell woman!"
Colleen Smart jumped to her feet.
"I have reason to believe that this young woman is trying to pull the wool over your eyes, Alf Stuart, and I'm here to put a stop to it!"
"Colleen! I'm an old man! Do you really think that a lovely young woman, like Marilyn here, has any interest in me?"
"If she thought there was a few bob in it for her, she would!"
"Mrs. Smart!" Marilyn interjected. "How could you imagine such a thing?"
"Take no notice, love! She's off her blinking rocker! For Heaven's sake, Colleen, put your witches broom away and leave the poor girl alone!"
"Please believe me, Mr. Stuart, when I say that I'm not after your money! It's the last thing on my mind!" Marilyn pleaded tearfully.
"That's what she says now!" Colleen cried. "If she thinks there's a chance she can become the next Mrs. Alf Stuart, she'll be in your bed before you can say 'Jack Robinson'!"
"Colleen!" Marilyn wailed unhappily.
"You stupid woman! No way would Marilyn be interested in marrying an old fool like me; with or without money. Mind your own flaming business!"
Unabashed, Colleen swept out of the door and into the night leaving Alf and Marilyn speechless.
Charlie and Joey giggled on the sofa as they finished off a second bottle of wine.
"Oh Joey! I'm so pleased you popped by this evening! You really have brightened up my life – I mean... night."
Joey blushed and looked into her wine glass. After a moment, she looked up into Charlie's bright blue, smiling eyes and almost melted. The words she wanted to say to Charlie were on the tip of her tongue, as she longed to tell her how beautiful she was and how she wished she could kiss her lips. She found her breathing becoming laboured, as she fought an impulse to move a little closer.
Charlie was having her own struggles; she found herself completely lost in Joey's eyes and though her head was advising her to move away swiftly, her heart was pushing her forward, more and more until at last, her lips touched Joey's.
