Chapter Ten

George and Charlie later that afternoon

There is a knock at the back door, Charlie gets up from the couch, seems to have spent most of the day watching TV. Not having moved for over an hour, her leg has stiffened up, bloody hell this hurts, I wish it would all miraculously heal overnight.

Hang on, I am coming, who is it?

Charlie, it is me George, don't worry take your time, I am in no hurry.

Charlie opens the back door and is hugged by George.

I bring refreshments for us, and I know Ruby isn't here, I just saw her on her way to Nicole's place so we can have a chat if you like.

So what gifts have you brought me?

Charlie has a grin on her face, in anticipation of having some alcohol something she hasn't had for a long time. It is good to see her smile, god it has been ages since I saw her light up like that. The old Charlie is there somewhere. George produces two bottles of Aussie Champagne – Chandon, Yarra Valley Victoria, you know the Mexican state down south! Charlie takes the bottles one in the fridge, the other in her hand, gestures to George to grab the glasses and follow her back into the lounge room.

Well I will be honest I have come around to check up on you after yesterday I just wanted to see how you are filling in your days at home. Although, now that I see the mess in here I can see you aren't doing that much with your days at all.

George, catches Charlie's reaction, and smiles at her, just having a friendly dig at her boss.

Well I sacked the last carer I had, she was really mean and said I had to come home, and stay here!

Charlie getting one back at George, grins and laughs at her, flopping down on the couch covered with a doona, pillow, sheet, couple of TV Week mags, and an empty ice cream container, with spoon sitting upright.

Can you do the honours, I don't have the strength to pop the cork.

Yeah, sure, hand it over. Listen seriously though, I was checking up on you, after – after yesterday, I realised that I needed to make sure you and I are ok.

Course we are, why wouldn't we be, I know you don't see me cry, unless it was over spilt milk. Trying to lighten the mood again she caught Georges' eye. You know I mean Angelo, don't you?

Yes, Charlie, I know you are doing your bit for climate change by not crying. It looks like your sense of humour is returning, well at least attempting to return. Here have a glass and chill a bit, although looking at the state of this place, maybe you have chilled enough. Listen when is Leah coming home?

She and VJ are not due back for at least another 2 weeks.

The next hour passed very quickly as did the champers. Very light conversation, mainly focussing on George mimicking Charlie's dad, Commander Buckton, and impersonating Angelo and Aden.

Hey, I will go get the other bottle shall I?

Without waiting, George gets up and goes to the kitchen grabs the remaining bottle and walks back to the couch, where the girls are very relaxed. George makes a note that she can't drive home. Just as well she lives around the corner then isn't it.

George, can I ask you something?

Charlie usually holds her liquor easily, but given the medication and the lack of alcohol for the last 6 weeks, she finds herself very light headed, and her normal barriers have come crashing down around her.

Sure Charlie, what is on your mind?

I know we spoke about the whole incident yesterday, but I am slowly coming to terms with how close to death I was, and it really hit home yesterday with Ruby.

George looks at Charlie and sees that she is close to tears, damn do I want to get her upset, she is fragile, and this is going to be harder than I thought to broach speaking with Brett's sister. George puts her glass down, and moves in to Charlie to gently pull her into a hug. She feels Charlie relax into her chest, George, feels nothing but love for her friend, and knows only some of the trauma Charlie is going through, or does she?

George, I need to tell someone, something, and I don't know if you will hate me after I say this, but, but.

Tears are falling now down Charlies face, onto George light blue singlet, George very carefully pulls away from the hug, so she can look into Charlie's eyes, George can see the most amazing blue piercing through now reddening eyes.

Charlie, I promise, you can tell me anything, I won't judge you.

George pulls Charlie back to her chest and into a hug that she hopes will stem the flow of tears, now trickling down between her breasts, she feels the warmth of the tears too.

George, when I was in the hospital, and Dad was up here, he told Ruby something, something that I thought would never come out, ever. But it did, and last night Rubz and I spoke about what had happened to me.

Charlie stops mid sentence, not knowing whether to let anybody know the secret she has kept all this time.

Charlie, it is okay, whatever it is, I am here for you, just have faith that there are people around who love you and I get that you are taking a big leap of faith in trusting me. I promise I won't react, I will sit here and hold you no matter what.

George gently strokes Charlie's hair, so aware of how upset Charlie has become.

Charlz, what is this big secret?

I-I-I'm Ruby's mother George, that is the secret.

Charlie didn't want to speak anymore, those four words, said enough. George although shocked, continued to hold Charlie, she realised she had been given an insight into Charlotte Buckton that very few if any people had before, and George was determined not to betray that trust.

Well Ruby is lovely Charlie, absolutely gorgeous girl, you should be really proud of how she has grown up. Mind you I can see some of your stubbornness in her, explains a few things too.

George laughs remembering, breakfast the morning before, and how cheeky Ruby was to Charlie. As George laughs, Charlie pulls away, to see Georgie's face. Charlie realises that the first person she has told, isn't concerned at all.

Charlie, I gather your parents adopted Ruby then, and she was raised as your sister. I remember the hospital that night, your Dad was in tears, I had never seen him show any emotion in the 4 years I have known him. You know, I was there when he told Ruby, I just didn't know what he was saying exactly.

Charlie nods, relieved that George isn't going to question her any further, rather, just make calculated assumptions.

Hey Charlie, it is okay, truly, this doesn't impact on us as friends as colleagues, or you as my boss. Come here, I told you have faith Charlie, you are wonderful person, and someday someone is going to take your heart in theirs and steal you away from us.

George, again pulled Charlie to her, it was important for Charlie to realise that opening up was a good thing. I am glad I attended the advanced counselling training now, I honestly thought that it was a waist of 5 days, all those psychologists, questioning so how does that make you feel. Even if the only practice is with friends, I know I have to work on the skills when dealing with victims.

Right, now that you have that off your chest, have a top up, and let us drink to your newfound motherhood.

To Ruby, may she not suffer too much at the hands of her mother.

George bursts out laughing after proposing the toast. Great now I am going to get bad mother jokes, argh.

The next hour passes by much lighter than expected. Charlie is very merry and now her words are slurring. Oh well Ruby should be home soon, I will help get dinner and get Charlie to bed. I will also make sure Ruby is aware that Charlie has told me, just so she knows there is someone else if she needs to talk but more importantly to reassure Ruby that her secret is safe with me.