Chapter Fifty Four

Joey held Charlie's hand as they led Alf and Roo to Martha's grave. It had been a quick and quiet funeral, paid for, organised and attended only by Joey before she had found herself so caught up in the murder investigation that she'd had to leave her home. At the time, she had had no means of getting in touch with her friend's family.

But now, friends with Alf and his daughter, Martha's birth mother, it was time to give them a chance to say goodbye to the woman they had loved but never got the chance to know. She hoped that the gravestone was acceptable and that she could continue to find the time to tell Alf and Roo both all the good things about her best friend.

Hanging back, Joey kept hold of Charlie as she watched Alf and Roo lay flowers at the grave.

"You're doing great," Charlie whispered quietly.

Joey managed a smile, fighting tears of sadness over losing her best friend.

"I wish she could have lived," she said. "We could have both broken free of our lives and started again."

Charlie nodded, holding her close.

"At least she's not suffering anymore," she said.

"You think?"

"I'm sure," Charlie said. "Up in Heaven, she'll be free of her addiction and her pain."

Joey nodded, hoping she was right. She watched as Roo began to weep and Alf put his arms around her.


Charlie and Joey arrived home, quiet and sombre. They had spent a lot of time with Alf and Roo that day and hoped they had helped. Joey had been honest about her friend's failings but she had shared as many good memories of her that she could think of. She had shown them the few photographs she had of her and the one piece of video she had on her phone.

"Did I do okay?" she asked tiredly, settling against Charlie on the sofa.

"You were wonderful," Charlie replied. "I think it meant a lot to them."

Joey nodded, hoping she was right. She shifted, snuggling closer.

"Sometimes I can't even believe the life I'm living now," she admitted. "The way things turned out."

It had certainly been a long few weeks, mixing such good futures with such painful pasts. Hugo Austin was in jail awaiting trial, where he was pleading guilty to multiple murders. The funerals of all his victims had been held. Brax and his colleagues were also serving time behind bars and most of the girls had been taken into rehab or supported housing to try and help them change their lives. Joey had even taken Charlie to her mother's grave and shared stories about her. She felt free for the very first time in her life.

"It's been pretty eventful," Charlie agreed.

Joey leant closer and stole a gentle kiss.

"Thank you," she said. "For everything."

"My pleasure," Charlie smiled. "I think you underestimate how happy you make me, Joey. It's not just me doing something for you. You've done more for me than I could ever truly explain."

"I…" Joey started.

She laughed as she was interrupted by Bear Cat hopping on top of them. Giggling, she stroked his soft head and allowed him to settle on her hip.

"Looks like we won't be moving for a while!" she remarked.

"I'm home!" Ruby hollered, marching through the front door.

She stopped and grinned when she found Charlie, Joey and Bear Cat in a tangled mess on the sofa.

"Group hug!" she bellowed, leaping on top but being careful not to disturb the cat.

Charlie and Joey both laughed.

"If someone had told me a year ago that I'd be in a loving, healthy relationship, absolutely adore my girlfriend's teenage daughter and be settled with a cat and a normal bar job, I would never, ever have believed them," Joey admitted.

"Life is full of surprises," Charlie agreed. "And sometimes, like now, they're wonderful."


I can't believe that this one is over! It took me a long, long time to actually write this one down and start posting it because I wasn't sure how people would respond to the situation I put Joey in. But thank you for going with it and I do hope you have enjoyed it. Thank you to those who stood up for me when I got some negative reviews and thank you to everyone who left positive ones! I have a good few stories in the pipeline and Jensy25, I may be onto something with the 'Joey as a cop' story you wanted. Watch this space! Thank you all for reading, including those that don't review but favourite the story and keep up with it etc. Love, IJKS xxx