Joey turns as she hears someone approaching, not at all surprised to see Charlie standing there. "Hey."
"Hey." They stand there staring at each other for a minute or so before Charlie finds her voice. "Where's your husband."
"At home. I'm just down here while I wait for my order at the diner. Don't you have a picnic to get to?"
"Ah yeah, I was just on my way to the diner to get some dessert when I saw you."
"Charlie."
"Please, just let me say this and I promise, I won't make any moves on you." Joey nods, waiting a little anxiously for Charlie to continue. Charlie takes a moment to compose herself before beginning. "Joey, I don't want things to be awkward between us, especially now that you're working at the club."
"I don't want the awkwardness either."
"Well, I've spent a lot of time thinking about things since last night." She smiles at Joey's raised brow. "After that rather lovely distraction I left with," she adds. "Joey, I'm not going to forget that night or act like nothing happened between us, because I can't. For me, it was the most amazing night of my life and I don't want to treat it as anything less, because I'd only be lying to myself." Joey holds her breath, wondering if Charlie would accuse her of the same. "And I can't deny the attraction I still feel because it's pretty obvious by my behaviour that I want something more, but I've finally accepted that it meant more to me than to you and that I have no chance with you. You're married Joey and I am sorry for treating your marriage vows with such disrespect by throwing myself at you when your vows mean so much to you."
Joey lets her breath out softly. "I am so sorry I hurt you Charlie, I never meant for that."
"It was my own fault. I went into that room, fully aware that it was only to be one night, but I let myself believe in the fantasy that it was so much more. Joey, you have my word that I won't be following you into the toilets, throwing myself at you or stalking you in any other way." She takes a breath. "It's impossible for us to avoid each other though, even more now that Leah and Martha have brought you into our circle of friends, so I'd like for us to be friends at least."
"I'd like to be friends Charlie, but I'm not sure that's going to be so easy, especially for you."
"Joey, the problem is mine and I'm dealing with it. I'm the one who brought into the whole romanticism of that night, I'm the one who's caused this awkwardness between us by not respecting your marriage vows and for that, I am truly sorry."
"We've both made mistakes here Charlie."
"Then let's work through them. Joey, that night was more than just about the sex, I enjoyed your company and the easy way we talked and I don't want to lose that just because I couldn't let go."
"I enjoyed our talk too Charlie." She knew Charlie was right, they couldn't avoid each other, especially if they were going to be around the same people and despite her better judgement, she didn't want to cut Charlie out of her life completely. "So, no more toilet rendezvous' or stalking?"
Charlie's lips quirk. "You have my word as a Senior Constable."
"Then I'm willing to try if you are."
"You will be safe in my hands." She winces, "Well, you know what I mean."
Joey laughs, the tension easing somewhat between them. "Friends it is."
Charlie takes the offered hand, both jumping at the static spark their touch created. "Must be the humidity," Charlie murmurs, reluctantly letting her hand go. "As my first act of friendship, how about I escort you back to the diner?"
"Is Summer Bay really that dangerous that I need an escort?"
"It can be," Charlie says with a completely straight face.
"In that case, I'll accept your offer." They start the walk to the diner at a slow pace. "This isn't an attempt to suck up to the boss' wife, is it?" Joey jokes.
Charlie chuckles, "Not the sort of sucking up I had in mind." She blushes the moment the words were out of her mouth. "Shit, sorry."
"It's ok, things are still going to be a bit weird between us for a while and we'll probably be watching what we say, even if it's perfectly innocent."
Charlie spares a glance to the woman at her side, her heart catching at how beautiful she looked. She only wished things were different and Joey felt the same way for her as she did but she didn't, so Charlie had to be content with being just friends, no matter how hard it was going to be. She just hoped her feelings eventually dimmed or she'd drive herself crazy.
"Charlie, are you sure about this?" Joey asks, as if reading Charlie's thoughts.
"I'm sure Joey. I'm already starting to move on."
"With that woman?"
"Daisy." Charlie steals another glance at Joey, finding her expression closed again. She quickly dismisses the notion that Joey had sounded jealous about Daisy, putting it down to her own wish that she was. "Daisy isn't a local so I doubt it's going to be more than a casual thing but for now, that's all I need."
"I suppose in a small town there's not a lot of opportunity to meet women."
"That's an understatement. Most of my girlfriends or flings have been from neighbouring towns or I met them when I was in the city or they were just passing through."
"You never considered moving away again?"
"I came back to look after Ruby because I didn't want to uproot her from the only home she knew, but now that I'm back, I can't really see myself leaving. I guess I never really knew how much I missed this place until I came home."
"I don't necessarily miss my old home, but I do miss my dad."
Hearing the sadness in Joey's voice, Charlie stops. "Is everything ok?"
All her emotions come to the top and she shakes her head, tears in her eyes. "My father is dying and I hate being away from him."
Charlie pulls her into her arms, holding her close. "I'm so sorry."
"He said he was happy for Angelo and me to move away but I feel so guilty."
"If it's what he wants Joey."
"I know, it doesn't make it easier though."
Kissing Joey's temple, Charlie murmurs encouragement as she rocks her gently. Feeling Joey relax in her arms, Charlie squeezes her eyes shut, wishing she never had to let her go but knowing as hard as it was, she had to, but just for the moment, she continued to hold her close.
"I'm wetting your top."
"It's ok, this is what friends are for."
Sighing softly, Joey steps back, breaking their contact. Wiping her eyes with her hands, she smiles crookedly. "I must look a fright."
Before she knew what she was doing, Charlie cupped Joey's chin, peering into her eyes. "Not too much of a fright," she says lightly, letting her hand drop. They start to walk again.
"I'm sorry for breaking down like that, I guess everything just caught up to me at that moment."
"I'm even more sorry now for adding to your stress."
"Charlie."
"I did add to it Joey."
Silence falls over them and it takes a moment for Joey to realise that they were walking so closely together that the backs of their hands were brushing against each other. Fighting the urge to take Charlie's hand and trying not to be too obvious, Joey puts her hands in her pockets.
"So, how are you and Angelo settling in?" Charlie asks.
"Fine. The house is great, the people are friendly, I think I could grow to like it here."
"I hope so."
Sitting in her car, with her head on the steering wheel, Joey wanted to deny it, but she couldn't; despite the situation, it had felt so natural to be there in Charlie's arms. "Why of all places did we have to come to Summer Bay," she says for what felt like the thousandth time since she first saw Charlie here. Starting the car, she reminds herself that as long as she was married, nothing could ever happen between her and Charlie. With a glance in the rear vision mirror at the retreating Charlie, Joey heads home to her husband.
Charlie wasn't sure why she felt so good right then when she now knew she had no chance with the woman she wanted, yet she was feeling oddly cheerful. Maybe it was her acceptance of the situation had finally lifted a weight from her shoulders, she didn't really know, but for the second time that day, she had a spring in her step.