A Pathway of Adversity

Chapter 25

"Alf, sweetie!" Marilyn smiled as she walked into the private ward. "How are you feeling today?"

"Not so bad, Marilyn love. Sorry if I gave you a scare." Alf said, trying to sit upright in the hospital bed.

"Now, don't you go wiggling about like that, Alf Stewart! You let me help you!" Marilyn cried, and assisted her fiancé to shuffle up the bed a little. "There! Are you more comfortable now, my sweet?" She smiled.

"That's much better love. Thanks. I don't know what I'd do without you!"

"Oh! Mr. Stu... I mean, Alf!" Marilyn giggled. "You know I love to look after you! And it's for that very reason that I've brought you in some very healthy food! It's Haricot Vert soup. My own recipe and I know you'll just love it!" Marilyn cried enthusiastically as she whipped a spoon from her handbag and handed it to her love.

"Is this... Err... Vegetarian?" Alf asked; looking at the green, watery concoction, with much suspicion.

"Indeed! And it will do you the world of good!" She replied with a smile.

"Oh, right... thanks love." Alf replied with little enthusiasm.

Suddenly the private ward door opened and Colleen Smart walked in with one of her famous full-bodied, meaty soups.

Joey sat down at the wharf; over-looking the blue ocean. Her thoughts did not stray far from the ghastly happenings of the day before. Who had murdered Irene Roberts and what reason did they have? Irene was one of the genuine ones; she called a spade a spade, but was never unkind or vindictive. All she wanted was to help people and where she loved, she loved with dedication and affection. Why did they take her life? What had she done wrong?

Joey rested her head against a metal rail; it had been warmed by the late afternoon sun and afforded some comfort to the sad, young woman. She closed her eyes and let her mind drift away with the sound of the water as it lapped against the sturdy wall of the wharf.

Georgie Watson followed Angelo Rosetta as he left the diner. She had hastily called Sergeant Buckton, informing her of her mission and had received Charlie's blessing. Angelo jumped into his car, but instead of driving away at break-neck speed as expected, calmly took out his mobile phone and made a call. Watson climbed into her own car and waited for the ex-Police Sergeant to drive away, ready to follow him in order to discover a secret or two.

"Joey."

Joey Collins looked up to where the familiar voice came from.

"I thought I'd find you here. How are you?" Charlie asked as she sat down, close to her girlfriend.

Joey sighed and laid her head on Charlie's shoulder.

"Rotten."

Charlie instinctively put her arm comfortingly around Joey's shoulders and kissed the top of her head.

"Did you have any lunch, sweetie?" She asked.

Joey shook her head in response.

"I thought not; that's why I came looking for you with this." Charlie announced as she produced a light snack and a bottle of water from a bag. "Come on... Eat!"

"You certainly aren't going to let me die of starvation in peace and quiet, are you?"

"Nope!" Charlie grinned and opened a box of salad. She dug a fork into the leafy mound and began to lovingly spoon-feed Joey with it.

Though Joey still felt rather queasy at the thoughts of food, as she began to eat, was surprised at just how hungry she was, and soon, was happy to oblige her worrying girlfriend with an empty box. Charlie smiled with pleasure, and placing the empty box and fork down, took Joey's hand in her free one, fondling it gently.

"Any news about..." Joey asked quietly.

"No, not really." Charlie answered truthfully.

"You mean, not that you can tell me!"

"That's about it. But apart from that, there is nothing much to report at the moment." Charlie said, nuzzling her.

"Hey, you two!" Another voice put in.

Joey and Charlie jumped in surprise to see Ruby Buckton and two friends walking towards them. For the first time since she had joined her girlfriend at the Wharf, Charlie realised her arm was still around Joey's shoulders and her fingers were fondly weaving their way in and out of Joey's. Her hand twitched, as if ready to pull away, but somehow, an inner strength gave her the power to leave it where it was and to face the consequences with courage. Joey sensed this and her heart leapt with joy and love for Charlie.

"Hi Rubes... Xavier... Nic..." Charlie smiled. "You all know Joey, don't you?" Charlie asked; a little self-consciously.

"Sure! Hi Joey!" Ruby smiled.

The other friends smiled their recognition, but seemed more preoccupied with Charlie's fondness for her companion rather than passing the time of day.

"Won't you be late back to School?" Charlie asked, in hopes of scaring the younger adults back to class.

"Na... A study period right after lunch." Ruby informed her sister with relish. "Okay to park ourselves next to you?"

Charlie opened her mouth to object, but upon quick deliberation, decided it was likely to cause more comment if she disallowed the request.

"Sure. We'll have to be leaving soon at any rate, won't we Jo?"

Joey just nodded her head; not really feeling like social chit-chat with a bunch on teenagers.

Nic and Xavier gave each other a knowing glance and suggested that they moved on to leave Charlie and Joey to their lunch in peace.

"Why?" Ruby asked, looking up at her friends.

"Coz I need to go to the library and I remember hearing you say you have homework to do!" Nic said, grabbing Ruby's shoulder and forcing her to stand.

"Okay!" Ruby whined dramatically. "See you guys later."

The friends waved at Joey and Charlie and sauntered away with Ruby in tow.

Charlie exchanged a look with Joey, who raised her eyebrows and glanced at Charlie's protective arm.

"Hmmm."

"Hey! I didn't know your sister was a Lezzy!" Xavier cried excitedly.

"She isn't; doughnut!" Ruby replied with a frown. "What makes you think she is?"

"Well, she's got her arm around Joey's Collins' shoulder! They look real-cosy!" Xavier winked.

"So? They're mates and Joey's very upset about Irene Roberts' death. But it doesn't make Charlie a Lesbian, you plonker!"

"Did you know Joey Collins is a Lesbian?" Nic asked Ruby, raising her eyebrows questioningly.

Ruby looked at her friend in surprise.

"No, I didn't." She mumbled.

She stole a glance back at her sister and Joey, still sitting together on the wharf wall, just in time to see Charlie giving Joey a very tender kiss on the lips. She swallowed nervously at this new dimension to her sister's love-life. It answered several questions which Ruby had recently mulled over; why was Charlie always so happy these days and why was she spending so much time with Joey Collins, whom she hardly knew? Or had hardly known until recently!

Nic and Xavier had missed 'the kiss' but were both speculating as to how long Charlie and Joey had been an 'item' and wondering if Charlie was going to 'come-out' to the world in general.

"What do you reckon then, Rubes?" Xavier asked, nudging his friend.

"Don't be an arse, Xavier!" Ruby muttered and strode on quickly, encouraging her friends to do like-wise.