For Thane xxx

Chapter Five Hundred and Sixty Eight

Charlie and Joey were already up and dressed when Ruby ventured into the communal living space, still in her pyjamas. She was exhausted from her time in hospital and it was frustrating her.

"So…" she said. "Do you think your behaviour last night was appropriate?"

Charlie and Joey exchanged nervous glances.

"Um… what do you mean?" Joey eventually asked.

"Right there," Ruby said, pointing. "On the sofa."

Charlie and Joey both turned red.

"I have to sit there, you know," Ruby said sternly. "I really don't think it should be so hard to keep that sort of thing in your room. Especially when I'm in the house!"

They mumbled their apologies. Ruby merely tutted and shook her head. Joey quickly offered her some breakfast.

Bianca froze in the school corridor. Just ahead of her, she could see Dex making a huge fuss of his friend of her birthday. She hurriedly pulled out her phone and checked the date.

"Shit!" she muttered.

VJ and Danny and couple of other kids in their year walked past her with wide eyes at hearing a teacher swear. She didn't care. She had forgotten her sister's birthday.

Charlie and Watson were patrolling the beach front. They had to do it more and more these days, now that the River Boys were making their presence felt. They had stopped to get a coffee from the Diner only fifteen minutes earlier and had barely got out alive thanks to John harassing them about the presence of the lads in the Bay. He didn't think just asking them to leave the other night was enough. He had wanted them to be arrested even though actually, they hadn't been doing anything wrong. Charlie was starting to find people like him more stressful that the gang itself.

She rolled her eyes at a wolf whistle and ignored a question about whether she and Watson were sleeping together. No. Nobody in Summer Bay was more stressful than these morons.

Bianca grabbed hold of Liam, urgently explaining that she had forgotten her own sister's birthday and she didn't know what to do.

"Calm down!" he said. "It's still early. She need never know! It's not like you had breakfast with her and never even spoke to her."

He wrapped his arms around her.

"And it's not like your two best friends don't own a restaurant," he added. "I'm sure they could help you out."

"You're a genius!" she declared.

He aimed for a kiss but she was too busy calling Joey.

"Of course, Bianca," Joey said. "That's no problem. Just let me know how many people and I'll book you an area, okay? Don't panic. She can have thought you did it days ago!"

"You're a lifesaver, Jo," Bianca said gratefully.

"Shall I just do a selection from the menu?" Joey asked. "Starters, some mains, desserts? That sort of thing? I can probably manage a cake if we're not too busy."

"Yes please!"

Ruby was bored at home. She was still shattered from her collapse and under strict instructions from her parents to stay at home and rest. But she just wanted to get back to normal. She didn't especially want to run into Romeo, especially not with Indi but she did want to get back out into the wide world. She had had a lot of time to think while she had been in hospital and as hurt as she was by what had happened, she wanted to put it all behind her and move on.

"Come in!" she called when there was a knock on the door.

She was expecting Claire. She smiled when the woman in question poked her head round the door.

"How are you feeling?" Claire asked.

She had hardly left Ruby's side at the hospital and Ruby appreciated it. Claire was always the person she knew she could count on, no matter what.

"I'm okay," Ruby said from the double seater. "A little bored."

Claire sat down on the couch.

"You might not want to sit there," she said.

"Why?" Claire asked worriedly.

Bianca caught up with April after class.

"Happy birthday!" she said, pulling her sister into a hug.

"I was starting to think you'd forgotten," the teenager replied.

"As if," Bianca said, lying through her teeth. "In fact, I've arranged a little get together for you at Bucktons'."

April looked hesitant.

"I really don't want a fuss," she said.

"April, it's your eighteenth," Bianca said seriously. "We have to make a fuss. It's the rules. I've already arranged it with Joey. We have food and gifts. And your friends are coming."

"What friends?" April asked.

She was pretty thin on the ground right now.

"Your friends!" Bianca said.

She had taken Dex aside and asked him to take care of the guest list.

"They're all coming, April," Bianca said. "Tonight! It'll be amazing!"

She hugged her again.

Charlie arrived home to find Claire and Ruby squeezed onto the two seater sofa. She burst out laughing and told Ruby she really needed to get over it.

"And I really thought better of you, Claire!"

"She freaked me out," Claire admitted.

Charlie merely laughed.

"Now, how are you feeling?" she asked more seriously.

"I'm okay," Ruby assured her. "Bored. I mean, not bored of Claire. Just bored of being trapped here."

"Well, how would you girls like to come to a party at the restaurant?" Charlie offered.

Ruby's eyes lit up.

"Under supervision," Charlie added hastily.

"What's the party in aid of?" Claire asked.

"It's April's 18th," Charlie said.

"I thought she wasn't doing anything," Ruby said. "I was just texting her."

"Bianca's arranged something," Charlie said. "And she's really keen for a decent turnout."

"Yeah," Ruby said. "April hasn't exactly been herself lately. Since the whole thing with Xavier and the chemicals. We'll absolutely come. Won't we, Claire?"

"Of course."

"Feel free to bring Hannah," Charlie said.

Claire looked awkward.

"What?" Ruby and Charlie both asked her.

"We kind of broke up," Claire admitted.

Ruby sat up straighter. Charlie sat down on the sofa, concerned.

"What do you mean, you broke up?" she asked. "You seemed so happy together."

Claire shrugged, feeling awkward. How was she supposed to explain that Hannah had dumped her and accused her of being in love with Ruby?

"We were," she sighed. "I loved her."

Ruby swallowed.

"But she didn't think I made enough time for her," Claire explained anxiously. "She didn't think I put her first. She couldn't be with me when she felt second best."

Ruby hugged her. Charlie reached out and squeezed her hand.

"I'm sorry, Claire," she said sincerely.

"You'll find someone who gets you," Ruby told her. "You deserve to be happy."

April felt anxious as she arrived at Bucktons'. She hadn't wanted a party. She had just wanted her birthday to pass by without anyone noticing. Dex had been very sweet. He'd given her a lovely card and gift and a little cupcake. He had made her feel special. Irene had given her some amazing presents and she had woken up to a special breakfast and a chorus of Happy Birthday. But she was certain that Bianca had forgotten. Normally, her sister was all over her on her birthday. She hadn't come to find her until after her first lesson. And she had told her that her card and gift would be provided at the party.

"Happy birthday!" Bianca greeted her, pulling her into the room enthusiastically. "We've got two booths reserved just for us and all your friends."

April wasn't sure she had that many right now. Hardly anyone at school was talking to her. She and Xavier had broken up. Ruby was only just out of hospital. Who was even going to come tonight? But ever optimistic, Bianca took her by the hand and led her over to the small gathering. April plastered a smile on her face as she was greeted by Liam, Irene, Dex, Romeo and Indi.

"Hey, April," Charlie greeted, appearing behind her with Claire and Ruby. "Happy birthday."

She squeezed the teenager's shoulder and headed into the kitchen to find Joey.

"Happy birthday, April," Ruby said.

"I can't believe you made it," April said. "I thought you were sick."

"I am," Ruby said, sliding into a seat. "Sick and tired of being stuck at home!"

April grinned and sat opposite her. Claire slid in beside Ruby.

"Well, I'm glad you came," April said. "Both of you."

Bianca watched April seeming to relax and talk to her friends. She leant against Liam and let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding. He put his arm around her.

"She's having a good time," he assured her.

Joey jumped when Charlie appeared in the kitchen and put her hands on her hips from behind her.

"Oh!" she scolded, turning around in her arms. "Don't do that, Charlie!"

Charlie giggled and apologised, stealing a kiss.

"How's it going?" she asked.

"Fine," Joey said. "I think. A little stressful. I normally don't take on such a big project like this without any warning but Bianca sounded so desperate."

"I'm sure she's really grateful," Charlie said.

Joey nodded.

"I've got everyone on it!" Joey said, gesturing to the rest of the kitchen where everyone was working hard.

"I'd help but I don't want anyone to get food poisoning," Charlie grinned.

"Hey, you're a good cook," Joey said. "You just let me do it all the time!"

"I make toast and stuff," Charlie mumbled.

Joey chuckled and stole another kiss.

"Hey, I'll stop distracting you," Charlie decided. "But I will go and make myself useful out front."

"You're the best!" Joey declared.

"You can thank me later," Charlie said. "But um… in our room. I found the girls crammed onto the two seater this afternoon because they're afraid of the sofa!"

Joey snorted.

"Imagine if they knew where else we'd been in that house!" she remarked.

Out in the main area of the restaurant, April was feeling awkward. She was touched that Ruby and the others had shown up but she genuinely hadn't wanted a fuss to be made of her birthday, especially a last minute fuss. She knew that Bianca had forgotten her birthday, despite how much she had denied it.

"Casey!" Ruby called out.

Claire rolled her eyes. She felt like she could see the future. Ruby had already had a one night stand with Romeo, convinced that he would turn out to be the love of her life. Now it had all gone wrong. But Casey had made it clear he was interested in her so she was going to hurtle into a relationship with him. And I'm just going to have to sit by and watch, she thought to herself, single and alone.

Ruby waved the new boy over, inviting him to join the group. He shyly offered a card to April. It had an Amazon voucher in it. He hadn't known what to buy her but Brax had helped him out. Everyone liked vouchers, didn't they? They were useful.

"Thanks," April accepted, opening it. "That's really sweet of you."

"You're welcome," he said shyly. "Happy birthday."

He sat down beside Ruby. Claire was on her other side. He felt nervous. He still really liked her. He just wished that she didn't like Romeo. Why didn't she know that that was a non-starter? He was at another table, all over his girlfriend. At least Ruby wasn't even looking at him today.

"Hi…"

Everyone looked up to find Xavier hovering beside them.

"Hi…" April replied.

"I wasn't sure if I should come but… I just, I wanted to wish you happy birthday."

Charlie paused when she spotted Angelo walking into the restaurant. She waited for him to approach.

"I um… I left some things in the staff room," he said. "I just came to collect them."

"No problem," Charlie said. "I'll take you through."

He looked annoyed.

"You don't trust me to be in there alone?" he asked.

"Well, you're not actually a member of staff anymore, so…"

He shrugged and followed her through to the back where he unlocked his locker and began to clear his things into his bag. An awkward silence filled the air.

"How are your plans going?" Charlie eventually asked.

"Fine," he said. "We've nearly completed sorting out the new place."

The truth was, he was working extremely hard clearing out the new place and getting it ready for opening. Brax had helped out a bit and got some professionals in. He had sent some of his boys in but mostly, they had drunk, messed some things up and messed around. They had been more of a hindrance than a help.

"You know Brax is using you," Charlie said.

"He values me," Angelo snapped back, turning around to face her.

Even as he said it, it felt like a lie. He didn't feel valued. He didn't feel the same part of a team as he had when he worked for Charlie and Joey. He missed them terribly. But his pride refused to let him admit it.

"He's using you," Charlie repeated. "It's not too late to back out, Angelo. There's still a place for you here."

Angelo laughed bitterly.

"If anyone uses me, it's you," he said. "You patronise me. You throw me just a little bit and then you take it away. You completely use me, Charlie. Brax is giving me the chance to run my own place. You would never have given me that kind of freedom."

He slung his bag on his back.

"Forget it, Charlie," he said. "We're done."

He walked out.

Bianca was pleased that the party was going well. Joey and her team had done her proud with the food and she and Charlie had even joined them for a little while before they had been dragged back into work.

Irene waved when Leah arrived. She had just popped in to drop off a card for April and wish her happy birthday. VJ left her side the moment he spotted Joey, eager to go and say hello.

"I can't stay," she said. "We're going to the hospital to see Thabo."

"Oh, how is he, love?" Irene asked. "I heard things were pretty serious."

"The poor kid needs a heart value replacement," Leah said. "I'm doing my best to support Elijah and Grace. And VJ's become pretty fond of Thabo. I just hope he's okay."

Morag strode into the restaurant, Colleen by her side.

"Morag!" Joey said, genuinely pleased to see her. "Colleen! It's great to see you both!"

"Lovely to see you too, Joey," Morag said. "Do you have a table?"

"For you? Of course," Joey said, leading them to the best table for two she had.

She took their drinks orders as they sat down. Morag smiled at Colleen.

"See?" she said. "Isn't it nice to get out and about again?"

Colleen nodded anxiously. She hadn't left the house since she had moved into Summer Bay House; since she had been abducted by Brodie. He had done what he could to make things right. It seemed like she was no longer under threat. But she had admitted today that she was too scared to move back into her van. She couldn't go back to work. She couldn't go out.

So Morag had decided to take her on as a cause. She wanted to help. She hoped she could. She didn't want this incident, this stupid boy to ruin Colleen's life, to turn her into a victim, a prisoner of her own mind.

April sat between Dex and Claire. She listened to everyone talking. Casey was speaking quietly to Ruby about Gina testing him for dyslexia. The results had shown that he was indeed dyslexic. He wasn't sure how he felt about it, except that it explained a lot and it also meant that he could get proper help at school. Ruby was being encouraging. Claire was being quiet. Dex was chattering away to Romeo who was standing nearby. Indi was draped around him. Xavier had left. At a table full of her friends who were meant to be there for her, April felt completely alone.

The more she thought about it, the sadder, she felt. The sadder, she felt, the angrier she felt. The angrier she felt, the more she wanted to cry. The more she wanted the cry, the more she knew she needed not to cry. The more she tried to stop herself crying, the harder she found it to breathe. The more she struggled to breathe, the more she began to panic. The more she began to panic, the harder she found it to breathe. Suddenly, she stood up, shoved past Dex and looked for a means of escape. She locked eyes with Joey who recognised the terror in her eyes. She carefully took her arm and guided her into her office, seating her in her chair.

"April," she said calmly.

April still struggled to breathe.

"April, look at me."

She tried.

"Breathe with me, okay?" Joey said.

It felt weird to be the person calming down a panic attack. It hadn't been long since she'd last had one. She'd only just had her first counselling session. The woman had said that every experience served to help others.

"Just try and slow down," she said gently. "You're having a panic attack. But it's okay. You're not in danger. I've had plenty of them and I'm okay. You're okay. Just hold my hands and breathe with me."

April focused on her words and her breathing. She tried not to cry. She held on tightly to Joey who pulled her into a hug.

"You okay?" she asked.

April nodded into her shoulder. Joey pulled away, looking into her face.

"What happened?" she asked.

"I just… couldn't cope," April said. "Everyone was there for me but not there for me and I just feel so lonely."

Joey sighed.

"I'm sorry, April," she said. "I get it. Feeling out of place."

"I had such a shit summer… Sorry."

Joey smiled.

"You can be honest," she said.

"I had such a shit summer," April repeated. "And then I made such a bit mistake. I nearly killed Xavier and now I've lost him."

"I think he still wants to be with you," Joey said. "The way he looked at you when he came by tonight…"

"But I can't be with him," April said. "I can't stand the guilt. I just… I can't stand it."

She burst into tears. Joey hugged her again. They looked up when Bianca appeared in the doorway.

"Is everything okay?" the teacher asked worriedly.

"I think you guys need to talk," Joey said. "I'll leave you to it."

She stood up but April caught hold of her hand. She asked her to stay.

Casey came home from the party feeling encouraged. Gina had been so kind to him at school and Ruby had been really supportive. He felt like he had found his feet at Summer Bay High and he knew that despite his own role in life, Brax wanted something different for him.

Feeling brave, he cleared his throat and approached his mother who was half asleep watching TV in the lounge. She had been drinking. She had always been drinking.

"Mum?" he said.

Cheryl Braxton turned to look at him with glassy eyes.

"Where have you been?" she asked.

"At a friend's birthday party," he said.

"Aww… did you bring me some cake?" she mocked.

"I um… I have some news," he said.

She didn't look especially interested.

"I'm dyslexic," he said.

She sat up straighter.

"Gina Austin, the Principal had me tested and they said I was dyslexic," he said.

"That school are calling you fucking stupid?" she demanded, outraged.

"No!" he protested. "They're not saying that!"

"How dare they?" she yelled. "I'm going down there right now!"

"The school will be closed right now," he pointed out. "And they're not saying I'm dumb. They're saying I'm dyslexic. It explains a lot, Mum and they're offering to help me. They actually believe in me. They think I have potential. It's just that my reading and my writing is a struggle."

"I can't believe they're telling you you're stupid," she said bitterly, shaking her head and sitting back down.

Casey sighed and headed to his room, his optimism crushed.

"You were amazing tonight, Joey," Charlie said, snuggling up to her girlfriend in bed.

"I just did what anyone would do," Joey said bashfully.

Charlie wrapped her arms around her.

"But not anyone did it," she said. "You did it. You saw her struggle and her pain and you took care of her. You were so good at getting her to trust you. Honestly, Joey, you were wonderful."

She kissed her.

"I am so proud of you," she said.

Joey smiled in the dark. She kissed Charlie again, cuddling up close. It felt good to have been able to help April, to give something back again. She had felt so broken for so long and while she felt awful that April was going through so much, she felt glad to realise that she was finally feel strong again. She finally felt more like herself.

Next time… Ruby stands up to Heath, Charlie and Watson are called to yet another River Boys Party and Ruby and Casey are caught out…