I Kissed Ya

Chapter 50

Joey drew a fine pencil line along graph paper attached to her drawing board. The lead broke and she swore softly to herself as the telephone rang.

"Joey Collins." She said, rummaging in a draw for a new pack of leads. "Hi, Connor. How are you? Long time, no hear!"

"Hi Jo, I'm fine thanks. Look I won't beat about the bush; I ring with an interesting offer..."

***

Ruby sat at her desk studying. The three girls had moved into the new house four weeks before; Ruby had excitedly taken up residence in the annex feeling she was the luckiest girl in town to 'almost' have her own flat. But she wasn't as secluded as she had imagined. Charlie and even Joey at times, would come by for a visit and sometimes out-stay their welcome; Charlie's fixation of Ruby feeling 'left out' would often drive the younger Buckton sister to distraction.

"I'm alright, Charlie! If I want your company, I'll come and see you!" She would wail then feel immediately guilty as her sister sighed and looked anxious.

A little tap at the door sent Ruby's eyes rising to the ceiling.

"Come in!" She called.

Joey popped her head around the door.

"Hey! How's it going?"

"Fine, want a coffee?"

"Yeah, if I'm not disturbing you."

"No, I was gonna make one anyway. No Charlie?"

"Working."

"So, you're at a loose end?" Ruby suggested; her lips tightening.

"No, I'm very busy as a matter of fact. Ruby, I wanted a quick chat with you. Charlie was a bit upset about last night."

Ruby remembered the occasion and bit her lip realising this talk might be a ticking off.

"I'm sorry, Jo, but she panics so much; it drives me mad!"

"It's not really panic, hun; she just wants you to know she loves you. Don't get mad at her for that!"

Ruby hung her head for a few moments then, looked up.

"Sorry, I just don't want her to feel she has to check on me every moment of the day! After all, we eat together, so what else does she want?"

"Okay, so we're over reacting a bit, but I just want you to know, you don't need an invitation to walk through that door. It's all part of the same house and we're a family; don't be a stranger!"

"Okay." Ruby grinned back at Joey. "I suppose my own space is quite a novelty and I felt like I was being invaded!"

"Well, if we promise not to keep popping by, you promise to pop by and see us from time to time! Deal?"

"Deal."

"I'll leave you to it. Is that a script you're studying?"

"Yeah! We're going through the motions of a play at the Academy. Bobby has allotted us parts but it's weird; he's given the girl's, boy's parts and the boys, girl's parts!" Ruby said frowning. "Something to do with seeing how the other half think and feel."

"Sounds interesting. What's the play?"

"'A Man For All Seasons' by Robert Bolt."

"Ooh! Heavy stuff! Which part are you playing?" Joey asked picking up the script and flicking through.

"Thomas More."

Joey's eyes widened in awe.

"As I say, I'll leave you to it! Good luck!" She said, hastily handing back the script.

"Don't you want that coffee?"

"No, I'll take a rain check. See you later."

"Thanks Jo and Joey, thanks for the little chat!"

Joey winked at Ruby; trusting a little of what she'd said may have penetrated Ruby's conscience.

***

Joey was still working at her drawing board when Charlie arrived home from work. She was listening to some music and was so deep in thought, she had no idea Charlie was creeping up behind her.

"Bo!" Charlie whispered in her ear.

"Charlie! Geez! You made me jump. Why didn't you yell out?"

"Because I wanted to surprise you." Charlie said wrapping her arms around Joey's neck. "What are you working on?"

"I'm trying to create a sort of collage of pictures; things which would have been in use during the decade that the show is set in – adverts for soap powders and brands of tea; that sort of thing. I want to have these super-sized; hanging like washing around the set; giving a feeling of the era."

"Hey! I've got a book somewhere about popular house-hold things from the nineteen fifties and sixties. It was mum's. Can you use it?"

"Yeah, that would be great. I've been looking on the Internet, but it will be easier just looking at one book. Are you hungry?"

"Ravenous! But we can start dinner in a minute. I just want to pop in and check on Rubes first."

"No, don't do that, honey! Leave her alone for a bit."

"Why, what's wrong?" Charlie asked curiously.

"Nothing's wrong, that's the point. She's getting pissed off with our constant checking up on her."

"Why? Did she tell you?"

Joey took a deep breath.

"I went to see her earlier. We had a chat about what happened last night when you went for a visit. She doesn't want us keep popping by; she's enjoying the novelty of having her own space and is beginning to resent you and I butting in every whip and turn."

Charlie stared at Joey.

"But, she's my little sister; I can't just ignore the fact..."

"Of course you can't, my love." Joey said standing up and taking Charlie's hands. "But you'll see her at dinner and you can talk to her then; pry into her life as much as you want! I think just at the moment, she wants to enjoy her new space by herself." Joey explained. "I'm sure the novelty will wear off sooner or later."

Charlie sighed.

"She's growing up so fast. She'll be seventeen soon."

"Yes, and you'll be thirty! You shouldn't be playing big sister all the time! Take some time for yourself... and me, of course! I'm happy with all your attention!"

Charlie smiled.

"You can have all the attention you want. But you might have to remind me from time to time to lay off Ruby. It's just years of always being there and guiding her. I forget she's almost grown up."

"You devote all your spare time to me; you won't find me complaining!" Joey said, winding her arms around Charlie's middle.

"Mmm. You're easily pleased!"

"Hey! I had a call from a guy I used to work with called Connor James. He works in London now in the West End; real theatre land! He's involved with some of the big shows over there and he's offered me a six month contract!"

Charlie felt her colour drain. She was torn between feeling proud and pleased for Joey but desperately frightened she might accept the job. She swallowed and prayed that her eyes didn't give her feelings away.

"My! That's something! What did you say?" Charlie asked; almost choking out the words.

"Well, 'no' of course. He's left it open, but I assured him that I was far too busy with my girlfriend to contemplate such an idea! I think he understood. He knew Amy!" Joey said, with a grin.

"But Joey, it's a wonderful opportunity for you! The West End of London! Theatre land! Surely you don't want to miss that?"

"Charlie Buckton! I'm beginning to think you want me to go!" Joey said with a frown.

"Of course I don't! I'd hate it! I'd miss you too much, but I'm only thinking of you!"

Joey smiled.

"There will be other opportunities like it in the future; maybe ones where we can both go together!" Joey said smiling into Charlie's blue eyes.

Charlie's eyes closed in relief. She couldn't imagine life without Joey by her side, even if only for a short time. She smiled pulling Joey into her arms. They kissed; their arms wrapping around each other tightly. Joey began to pull out Charlie's shirt from her belted trousers and her hands crept slowly along the soft skin on Charlie's back and played around with the clasp of her bra. Charlie's hands ran through Joey's thick dark hair; marvelling at how lucky she was.

***

"So, children, we can ascertain the feelings which Thomas More must have felt at this time." Bobby said as he wafted around the theatre; waving his kerchief in the air and accentuating his gestures.

Nic grinned and nudged Annie who tried not to smile. Xavier and Jai grinned at each other. After Ruby had been enrolled in Bobby's Acting Academy, a whole host of friends had also shown an interest. Bobby was pleased and welcomed all new comers with open arms.

Suddenly, Bobby's mobile phone began to ring.

"Bobby Ramsbottom.... No, I'm sorry, it's not convenient.... Look, I said no!" Bobby said, his voice becoming fraught.

The students looked up quickly from their scripts; surprised by the tone of his voice. Bobby switched off his phone and took a deep breath.

"So, where was I?" Bobby continued; his voice faltering slightly.

***

At the end of the three hour session, the students were dismissed without the normal flurry of tributes and speeches which were part of Bobby's usual repertoire. The girls and boys bid a cheery farewell to Bobby without receiving a reply. Ruby looked back in surprise and dropped behind the others as they filed out.

"Bobby, is everything alright?" Ruby asked quietly.

"Yes, my darling. Don't worry your pretty head about it. Off you go home to that lovely sister of yours and give her and Joey my best love." Bobby said dismissively.

Only once before had Ruby seen Bobby with that look of worry in his eyes; it was during the opening night of 'Calamity Jane.'

"Bye Bobby. See you next week."

Bobby had already turned and started to walk away, ignoring her words.

Ruby walked out into the car park frowning. What was going on with Bobby? She stood still for a few moments wondering if to return into the theatre.

"Come on Rubes!" Annie called. "Geoff's waiting to drive us home."

"Okay! Just coming." Ruby waved back and started to trot over to her friends.

***

Charlie lay with her head on Joey's chest; her finger tracing imaginary pictures on Joey's tummy and sighed.

"What's up?" Joey whispered; stoking Charlie's hair.

"Nothing; just enjoying the peace and serenity." Charlie said looking up at Joey with a smile.

"You don't regret any of this then?" Joey asked; still a little sensitive about their living arrangements.

"Not one teeny-weeny bit!" Charlie said, kissing her chest. "If it means we can live like this for always, I'll be the happiest woman on earth!"

Joey smiled; she still couldn't believe that this Goddess was hers to have and to hold.

"What?" Charlie asked; trying to read the expression on Joey's face.

"Nothing."

Suddenly Charlie's mobile phone rang.

"Who's that?" Charlie asked with a frown.

"Well, unless you take a look, you'll never know! Joey grinned.

Charlie pulled a face as she stretched out to her bedside cabinet and lifted the phone.

"Charlie Buckton...Hello? ... Charlie Buckton speaking..."

Suddenly, the phone at the other end went dead. Charlie's mouth turned down at the corners and she frowned.

"Who was that?" Joey asked.

"I've no idea. There was certainly someone there, because I could hear them breathing, but they just put the phone down."

"A heavy breather, huh? Lucky you!"

"I should be so lucky!" Charlie laughed. "But if there's any heavy breathing to be had, I only want yours!" She said, biting Joey's earlobe.

Joey squirmed and giggled. Charlie had a thing about Joey's ears and assaulted them with regularity.

The phone rang again.

"Oh for Pete's sake!" Charlie moaned. "Yes!"

Charlie listened but only heard the same breathing noises she'd heard before. She immediately hung up.

Joey looked at Charlie with concern.

"Did you recognise the number?"

"No, if it rings again, I'll write it down." She said, opening the bedside cabinet draw and taking out a notebook and pen.

"People keep the strangest things in their draws!" Joey said, with interest.

"Such as?" Charlie said making sure the pen worked.

"Like that ping-pong ball you keep in there!" Joey said with a grin.

"Have you been fidgeting around in my draws, Joey Collins?" Charlie asked, trying not to laugh.

"Well, I may have rummaged the other evening when I was looking for a cork screw."

"A cork screw!" Charlie cried incredulously. "Why on earth did you think you'd find a cork screw in there?"

"Well, it begs the question why I found it in the bathroom the next day!" Joey said, raising her eyebrows.

Charlie opened her mouth to speak, but couldn't come up with the answer.

"Have you been tippling in the bathroom without me?" Joey asked, straddling Charlie and holding her arms down.

"No I haven't!" Charlie chuckled in her own defence. "Oh! I've just remembered! The shower head was a bit limed up, so I used the tip of the cork screw to unblock it! I thought I was being quite resourceful!"

Joey laughed and fell on top of Charlie as the phone rang again.

"Oh Geez! Give me that bloody phone over!" Charlie moaned.

Joey handed Charlie the mobile phone with a grin.

"Who is it?"

Her question was met with silence to begin, but shortly followed by a low, seductive laugh which issued from the ear piece.