Chapter Ten

Charlie and Joey stood back as Tegan was cut out of the car. After far too long trying to talk to her and keep her calm, both women were exhausted. They were also grateful that another ambulance crew had arrived to take over. More police officers had also arrived to cordon off the area.

"You live a complicated life," Joey remarked.

Charlie stood uncomfortably beside her. The last thing she'd wanted was for Joey to find out all the sordid details regarding her affair with Brax. Joey already had a low enough opinion of her without making it worse.

"I guess," Charlie said weakly.

Joey considered asking who this 'Brax' guy was but she managed to convince herself that she didn't care. Remaining silent, she observed the drying world around them and wondered if it was too early to go back to the city with Aden. Although, having worked through the night, she wasn't entirely sure they would be safe to drive back. Exhaustion could most definitely be a killer.

"Listen, Jo…" Charlie tried.

She broke off when she saw Brax's car pull up. He climbed out of the vehicle quickly and then opened the back door. From there, he guided Darcy out and held her hand. Spotting her quickly, Brax hurried over.

"Charlie!" he said. "Where's Tegan? I found Darcy wandering through the woods by herself…"

Charlie nodded silently towards where Tegan was being extracted from her car, a broken, bloody mess.

"Oh my…" Brax managed.

Joey studied the way Charlie watched him. It didn't take a genius to work out that he was her latest man candy. She looked him up and down, supposing he was good looking if you liked that kind of thing. Excessively tattooed and a mildly handsome face, she thought that he was at least better looking than both the man Charlie had cheated on her with and the one she had replaced her with so soon after their breakup, although not by much.

"Can you…?" Brax said, nudging Darcy towards Charlie.

She nodded and caught hold of the little girl's hand as Brax rushed forward to check on his ex-girlfriend.

"That's him, I take it," Joey remarked.

Charlie looked instantly guilty.

"Yes," she said.

Joey nodded. She clenched her fists, suddenly hating her ex-girlfriend for how easy it seemed to be for her to move on. It seemed unlikely that Charlie even remembered her or their relationship anymore. And yet, despite her own insistence, Joey had never quite managed to move on.

"Hot," Joey said. "Can you get a lift back to wherever you need to go? I really have to be getting back to Aden and then go home."

Charlie opened her mouth to object but no words came out. Taking it as permission to leave, Joey headed back to the ambulance. With her heart in her mouth, Charlie watched her leave. The whole thing seemed like some sort of surreal dream. She couldn't believe she had actually come face to face with Joey again and she couldn't believe she was letting her go without even having a proper conversation.

"Watson!" Charlie yelled.

Her colleague had made her way over the crash site as soon as Heath and Bianca had been freed. She'd been quick to inform them that they were both fine with no long term damage, although they were both shaken up after having a roof fall on them.

"What's up, Boss?" Watson said.

"I need you to look after Darcy," Charlie said.

Apologetically, she nudged the girl in her friend's direction. Then, without another word, she broke into a run down the street. Watson and Brax both watched her go.

Joey had the radio on rather loudly as she drove back towards the school where she was hoping to collect Aden and then be on her way. Exhausted or not, she had to get out of Summer Bay as soon as possible. Nothing good ever came from this place.

"What the…?" she mumbled in disbelief as she caught sight of a police officer running towards her in her wing mirrors.

Furrowing her brow, she sighed. There was no mistaking that it was Charlie.

"Now what am I meant to do?" Joey muttered.

Had there been a problem with Tegan? Did she need help somehow? Or was it personal? Sighing heavily, Joey gripped the steering wheel. She couldn't help but be rather impressed at how quick Charlie was. A smile twitched at the corner of her mouth as she recalled all their former running competitions along the beach, back when life hadn't seemed quite so complicated. Then she pictured finding Charlie's earring in disgusting Hugo Austin's house and having her betrayal confirmed. She pressed the accelerator.

Charlie felt like her lungs were about to explode as she tried desperately to catch up with the retreating ambulance. There was no way she could let Joey disappear, perhaps never to be seen in the Bay again, without at least attempting to talk to her. She had practised so many times exactly what she would say to her ex-girlfriend if she was given the chance. She still thought of her so much that she renewed her apologies and explanations with every bad decision she made. She knew the chances of Joey ever forgiving her for what she had done was minimal but she also knew she had to try.

"Joey!" she cried, gasping for breath.

Dizzy with lack of oxygen, Charlie's head spun. She stumbled and then tumbled off the side of the road.

Next time… Joey tries to save Charlie's life…