Love Me Love My Dog
Chapter 11
Charlie pulled up in the car park next to the Church at seven fifty five. Joey had already arrived and Charlie watched as the pretty brunette climbed out of her car and walked the short distance between them; her long hair quivering in the soft evening breeze. Charlie climbed out and smiled as Joey neared.
"Hey."
"Hey, Charlie."
Charlie held out her hand to Joey and Joey smiled as she felt the softness of Charlie's skin beneath her fingers.
"Your car or mine?"
"I'll drive. You can drive next time!" Charlie grinned.
"So there's gonna be a next time?" Joey asked innocently.
"Only if you want there to be." Charlie suggested, anxiously.
Joey smiled at Charlie's uncertainty.
"Don't I get a kiss then?" Joey asked; looking down at their joined hands.
Charlie smiled and moved a little nearer. As their lips met, their eyes closed and they enjoyed the sweetness of a soft, chased kiss.
"I've looked forward to that all day." Charlie said shyly.
"Me too. You don't know how much!" Joey smiled. "Shall we go?"
"Where are we going?"
"I've booked a table in a restaurant along the coast where I doubt you will be recognised. I've also asked for a dark, corner table for two!" Joey grinned.
"It all sounds a little cloak and dagger!" Charlie laughed.
"Well, it's probably as well for the time being until ..."
"It won't always be like this, Joey. I've just got to get my head around things."
"It's okay. I understand, honestly I do." Joey said smiling into Charlie's eyes. "Everything will be fine, you'll see."
Charlie nodded and blinked slowly at Joey.
"Better get going."
They shared one more kiss and got into Charlie's car.
***
At eight fifteen, Angelo Rosetta drove his car into the car park beside the church and parked next to Joey's car. He got out and walked around his victims car; trying the doors with his gloved hands.
***
"Come this way, ladies. Your table is over here." The waiter said as he escorted Charlie and Joey to a discrete table in the corner. "A wine list?"
"Thank you." Joey replied, accepting the laminated board and running her eyes over the choices.
"Call me when you are ready to order!"
"Many thanks!" Charlie said, smiling up at the waiter.
"I really have no idea what I'm looking at, but don't you think I look intelligent?" Joey said, giving Charlie a little grin.
"Quite the connoisseur!" Charlie laughed taking the list which Joey offered her. "Let's just go for a bottle of house white, shall we?"
"Sounds good to me!"
The girls ordered their wine and meal and waited for the food to arrive.
"How did you find this little gem of a place?" Charlie asked in awe of Joey's choice.
"I've been here before. My boss treated me to a meal here when I qualified."
"When was that?" Charlie asked with genuine interest.
Charlie wanted to find out as much as possible about this creature that attracted and fascinated her so much.
"Four years ago. I've been out here since, on one or two other occasions. I think it's very special."
Charlie sighed in agreement; her eyes searching around the place admiring its quaintness.
Joey took the opportunity to study Charlie's pretty face without being noticed; happy in the knowledge that she had been allowed to kiss those pretty features already and trusting she would again. Charlie felt Joey's eyes upon her and looked back unexpectedly and caught Joey with a smile on her lips.
"What's wrong? Have I a smut on my nose?" She asked with embarrassment; rubbing the tip of her nose, vigerously.
"No, you're just perfect!" Joey advised, taking Charlie's hand beneath the table and gently caressing it with her fingers tips.
Charlie blushed prettily and enjoyed the feel of Joey's soft fingers sending shivers up and down her spine.
***
Angelo opened Joey's car boot with a special device. He used a torch to look around at the contents of the storage area; moving one or two things with his protected hands.
***
"So have you always wanted to work with animals?" Charlie asked as she swirled around the contents of her glass.
"Pretty much so. My aim was to become a vet, but unfortunately I didn't pass muster." Joey said sadly.
Charlie put her head on one side and smiled at Joey.
"You pass muster for me." She said sweetly; her eyes shining in the candlelight.
"You're cute!" Joey laughed.
"Seriously, couldn't you try again at sometime?"
"I could, but to be honest, I love the job I have now and though it doesn't pay so well as a veterinary surgeon, it's as rewarding; sometimes better! I get to over-see the aftercare of the sick or post operative animals. That is so rewarding to see their little faces as they start to recover! And another thing, if I were a vet, I would have to put animals to sleep from time to time, and I'd hate that. I understand the necessity of it coz I hate to see a creature suffering, but to physically do it myself, makes me shudder at the thought! I can't even swat a pesky fly!" Suddenly she stopped talking and looked into Charlie's smiling face. "What?"
"I was thinking to myself, how wonderful it must be to enjoy your job so much."
"Don't you enjoy your job?"
Charlie frowned.
"I used to, but I'm finding it tedious at present."
"I'm sorry."
"So am I, but in time, perhaps it will improve. In the mean time, at least I have you to look forward to seeing." Charlie said with a grin; her fingers touching Joey's on top of the table.
Joey smiled. She could hardly believe Charlie was getting so positive about their relationship.
***
Angelo carefully hid something beneath the spare-wheel housing; tightening the nut which secured the wheel, after him. He rubbed a soiled piece of material around the sides and lid of the boot and closed it down; furtively looking about him before making his way back to his own car.
***
"Would you really like to come with me?" Charlie asked as they discussed the forth coming carnival taking place in Summer Bay shortly.
"I'd love to, but are you sure you want to be seen with me?"
Charlie looked sadly into her dessert dish.
"Oh why does it have to be like this?" She sighed unhappily.
"What if I come along with a friend? It might not look so obvious that way. We can still be together but not be on a date!"
"You'd do that, just to be with me?" Charlie asked in surprise.
"Of course, if it's the only way!"
Charlie smiled.
"Remind me to tell you, you're wonderful!"
"I'll remind you one day when you're mad at me, then, you can eat your words!"
"I don't think I'd ever be mad at you, Joey." Charlie said sincerely.
"I'm no saint, Charlie!" Joey said, her face colouring.
"Are any of us?"
"No, I guess not. Be a boring old world if we were!"
"Joey..."
Joey looked up at Charlie who was trying to say something.
"Joey, I... It's nothing." Charlie said, unable to continue.
"Maybe I should ask for the bill."
Charlie nodded and Joey waved to the waiter.
***
Charlie pulled up beside Joey's car and turned off the engine.
She looked over at Joey and smiled.
"That was a wonderful evening, Joey. Thank you."
"Charlie, before we left the restaurant, you were going to say something to me. What was it?"
Charlie sighed and looked out into the darkness.
"Angelo told Georgie Watson about us. I tried to speak to her today, but she is very hurt and quite bitter. I guess we can't expect anything different at the moment."
"I'm sorry. It can't be easy having to work with these guys. At least I have friends that understand me. I only wish there was something I could do or say to make it easier for you, but I don't know what!"
"It helps just knowing you're around."
Joey brushed the hair away from Charlie's face; her hand settling on her cheek.
"It will get easier, Charlie. Do you think Georgie will say anything to anyone?"
"I don't think so; she's not a vindictive person and she is reasonable. She is probably hurting at the moment. I do feel so bad about that." Charlie said anxiously. "But as for Angelo, he's a loose hypodermic."
"I know he is pretty pissed about losing you, but I still don't understand why he's been such a git to me, right from the start!"
"Yeah, I know. I'll have to get to my sister before he does. He'll just love unloading this one on her! They hate each other at the best of times!"
"What will you say?"
"Heaven knows! Oh Geez, when can I see you again?" Charlie asked in desperation.
"Come to dinner on Wednesday; bring your sister if it would help." Joey suggested.
"Do you really mean that?"
Joey nodded.
"I would like her to meet you properly before I break the news." Charlie said, taking Joey's hand.
"I can't promise I'll charm the birds off the trees, but I'm sure Jess will. She's not frightened of dogs, is she?"
Charlie laughed.
"Not that I'm aware of."
"Well, I'd better let you go. Goodnight Charlie. Safe journey home."
"Goodnight Joey. Thank you again for tonight."
Joey smiled.
"See you on Wednesday?"
"Wednesday."
Joey touched Charlie's lips with her own; moving them gently in the darkness of the car. They parted, smiling at each other; Joey tingling and Charlie finding it hard not to beg for more.
Joey opened the car door and stepped out.
"Bye Charlie!" She said as she walked away to her own car. "It's a good job I'm walking away from you at the moment! Might have lost control otherwise! Phew!"
Charlie laughed and waved, thinking Wednesday couldn't come quick enough. She waited for Joey to start her vehicle and the two cars moved away together; both heading for Summer Bay.