Thanks for the kind reviews, greatly appreciated as ALWAYS!!:o):o) x x x
"So did Roman stay last night?" Ruby questioned while stirring the sugar into her coffee.
"No of course not Ruby" shit she knows "What makes you think that?"
"C'mon on Charls I'm not stupid, I got home last night and some of his clothes were flung in the sitting room, the least you could do is be honest with me if you expect it in return" Why doesn't she ever tell me these things, I'm not a baby anymore…
"Your right Rubes I'm sorry" Charlie advanced towards her and enveloped her in a warm hug. "I just don't want you getting the wrong impression you know, I only want to protect you"
"Yeah but Charlie he's your boyfriend, why don't you ever talk about him, you should be more open about these things. I've hardly met him properly apart from when I call over to Nic, what's the story there" C'mon Charls, tell me it's getting serious, please make one of your relationships actually turn into something serious.
"Look Rubes, I'm not sure where we're headed to be honest, it's just not there. The spark you know? He's a great guy and all that" she paused, taking in what she was admitting to her daughter "but I don't know if we're meant for each other, it's early days though and maybe things will develop further in a while"
"Charlie, you might not like to hear this but, you've got to let your guard down, how are things meant to work out if you won't let him in?" said Ruby apprehensively. "Maybe you should… Tell him what happened to you, it might make it easier for him to understand…"
"Ruby I don't want to talk about what happened" seeing Ruby's expression Charlie immediately knew Ruby had taken her up wrong "No Rube's" she walked over and cupped her face in her hands "I am so, so proud of you, and you're never to doubt that, ok?" she closed the gap between them and placed a kiss on her forehead, before composing herself and removing her lips. "Now you get your ass off to school ok?"
"Shit is that the time? I'm gone, see you later Charls!" she waved and was almost gone out the door, stopped by Charlie's tone. "What Charlie?"
"I love you"
"Yeah yeah I know, try telling Roman that instead though won't you, meet you for lunch at the Diner" Ruby stuck her tongue out and was gone.
Get your act together Charlie, settle town, Roman isn't the worst, and he'd give you the world… But somehow I don't think that's enough, just stop being so fussy…
"Hey Leah, how're things, can I've a toastie when you're ready please, and just a bottle of water thanks" Where the hell is Charlie, lunch will be over by the time
"What's got you smiling girlie?" Ruby was drawn out of her trance by the vaguely familiar voice behind her; she spun around in her chair to face her acquaintance.
"Joey! Hey how are you? What are you doing here?" I've never seen her here before, or maybe I just never noticed.
"Thanks for the warm welcome anyway Ruby!" she beamed at Ruby with a hint of pretence hurt in her tone. "I'm actually dropping off some parts for Lou's Trawlers, said I'd get a bite to eat while I'm here. I told you I kind of do odd jobs on boats, not that you were in any state to remember when I told you that" Joey added for effect pulling Ruby's hair gently.
"Drop it Joey, my Mum's coming" Ruby hurriedly got out as she seen Charlie coming.
"Wait ye cleared things up?" This girl has got a lot sorted out in the last few days; she must be pretty strong headed.
"Joey shush!" Jeez Joey I could get totally hung here.
From the door Charlie seen Ruby talking with someone, I thought I was meant to be meeting her for lunch, better go clear things up.
"Hi I'm Charlie, Rubys' err…" she said offering her hand. I have to introduce myself, can't just ignore the poor girl! You didn't have to put your foot in it though Charlie!
"Mum, she's my Mum" Ruby smiled proudly up at Charlie, and got a similar smile in return. "This is Joey, my ah, friend"
"Nice to meet you Joey" She took Charlie's hand. Nice handshake.
"Are we still on for lunch Ruby, you can join us if you want Joey?" Charlie asked kindly, not wanting Ruby's friend to be rushed off.
"Thanks for the offer but I better head, I've been gone a while, might see you again sometime Ruby, enjoy your lunch, great to meet you Charlie" she smiled sincerely at Charlie before releasing her gaze from the eye contact, slightly embarrassed. Joey. You TIT! What's to get embarrassed about, she's only Ruby's mother. I wonder what age she is. Joey, does it honestly matter, you've got Toni at home. Ruby's a great kid, I would really like to catch up with her properly sometime.
After Charlie had ordered her food she settled herself down opposite Ruby.
"Who's that Joey girl Rubes, I've never met her before" Charlie questioned her innocently; I thought I knew all of her friends.
"She's Joey Charlie, she told you that" Ruby giggled.
"Ha ha very funny smart arse" Charlie laughed sarcastically and kicked Ruby in the shin under the table.
"Ouch that hurt Mum" Ruby had it said before she realised it. She smiled lightly at Charlie.
"It's really sweet to hear you say that" Charlie reached across and closed her hand over Ruby's. "So you the burning question remains who is Joey?"
"You really don't give up do you" she couldn't resist laughing at her perseverance.
"She's just a girl I met out tonight, she's a few years older than me so she's finished school" she grinned at Charlie "she's very kind though, understanding."
"I see, that's great Rubes, you better get back to school now though, I might meet up with Roman late and see if I can act upon the advice you gave me, I'll be in touch with you anyway, and try and learn something at school she shouted after her but her words were left lingering in the space where Ruby had occupied. That girl, she's always rushing somewhere…
"Jo,
Got called in to do the evening shift, so sorry, give me a few hours
Toni xx"
Some things never change, another night with the TV and wine, great, sometimes it feels as if I'm going out with myself, might even be more pleasurable… "Joey get a grip, and stop talking to yourself" she laughed aloud thinking of her own insanity of this. Screw this, I'm going to bed. As she lay in bed that night she couldn't help but think about Charlie being Ruby's mother. I really wonder what went down after I spoke with Ruby. She seemed pretty upset about everything that night I brought her home, things must have came to a head. Charlie was bursting with pride when Ruby had the guts to call her Mum in front of me. She must have had her when she was so young. I could see her in complete cop mode, her guard was up; she doesn't seem the type to be so foolish as to get pregnant at such a young age. They've definitely come out the other side. She smiled to herself at how much love seemed to be between the pair.
"Jo are you up?" Toni called from the kitchen.
"I'm in here" she shouted from the bed room. Someone's in a good mood.
"Hey babe" Toni snuggled into the bed beside her, they hadn't been close in a long while, maybe they just needed to be near each other again.
"Toni you're so cold" Joey giggled. Gasping as the cold hand made contact with the warm skin on her waist.
"Mmmmm, not for long" Toni nuzzled into Joeys neck lying on top of her. They lay moulded together just like old times God, there hasn't been this passion between us in… I can't remember how long, must be a good sign. Joey's line of thought vaporised as she felt her body surrender to the grouping of her breasts. If things were looking so positive then how could Joey justify her last thought before her body went limp… Charlie…