The Morning After
Chapter 4
Angelo looked down at Charlie with a look of complete amazement. Joey sat hardly knowing if to laugh or cry. Charlie felt the sky had fallen in.
She slowly wound down the driver's window and looked sheepishly at Angelo.
"What's going on?" He asked loftily.
"I dunno; what do you mean?" Charlie answered; playing for time.
Angelo stooped slightly and looked in at Joey.
"She looks like a woman to me."
"Well of course I'm a woman! What were you expecting? A tom cat!" Joey hissed.
Charlie spluttered and smothered her mirth with a cough.
"Charlie?" Angelo nudged, looking horrified. "Are you telling me you're a...?"
"A what?" Charlie yelled, suddenly turning angrily to Angelo. "Has it really got anything to do with you, Mr. Married guy?"
Angelo looked startled at Charlie's attack.
"I-I didn't realize you were a ....you can't be! I won't let you!"
"Well, Surprise! Surprise!" Charlie jeered.
Joey glanced at the Senior Constable. She hadn't expected Charlie to react in this way. She swallowed and wondered if either party really needed her around. She tentatively reached out to release the door handle when Charlie shot her a look.
"And where do you think you're going?"
Joey jumped a foot into the air and landed with a thump.
"I thought you might want some.... to sort out this... "
"Just stay where you are!" Charlie barked.
Joey nodded vigorously; afraid to oppose the angry Police Officer.
"What I do on my break, Constable Rosetta, is my business and when I want your advice or opinion, I shall ask for it, but not before. Kindly go about your business and I will be back shortly!"
Angelo stood to attention and giving both women an uncertain glance, darted off in the direction of the Police Station.
There was a deathly silence in the Police vehicle. Joey dared not breathe and Charlie wondering how she was going to get through the next ten minutes.
"Oh dear god; what am I gonna do now?" Charlie prayed out loud; shaking slightly.
"Did you want me to say anything or... would you rather I remained silent?" Joey asked, hesitantly.
Charlie chuckled and looked at her companion.
"I'm sorry about that, Joey! I think I went 'cop mode' on you! Sorry, I was acted like an idiot."
"You're not an idiot Charlie! Far from it. I just wished it hadn't happened. I have a horrible feeling you're going to be saying farewell... maybe for good! Am I right?" Joey asked, looking at Charlie sadly.
"Farewell?" Charlie replied in confusion.
"Aren't you going to push me out of the door and drive back to the Police station and cry 'April Fool' to that Policeman?"
Charlie frowned and looked slightly hurt by Joey's suggestion.
"Joey! I'm not gonna do anything of the sort! Okay, I've just had a very embarrassing encounter, and though it's uncomfortable, it doesn't mean that I won't get over it! And ten to one, Mr. Rosetta has a much redder face then me! Besides, it's not even April!"
Joey smiled and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.
"Thank god!"
Charlie smiled, but her smile soon turned into a giggle; a giggle which was so infectious that it wasn't long before Joey joined in and both girls were wiping away tears from their eyes.
"Come here!" Charlie grinned, taking Joey into her arms and squeezing her tightly. "I said you were gonna get me into a puddle of trouble, except I didn't realize it was gonna be a tsunami!"
Joey found Charlie's lips and kissed her fondly.
"I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do to help? Should I accompany you to the Police Station, Officer?"
"No. I shall have to face this music by myself. But I'd better go, and you need to get some rest!" Charlie ordered.
"How do you think I'm gonna rest now?" Joey asked, pulling a face. "There's no way I'm getting any sleep while I'm worrying about you!"
"I'll text you later. So, clear off now and let me get back to my work and ..."
Joey smiled and placed her lips once more on Charlie's.
"Text me?"
"I promise." Charlie replied tweaking Joey's button nose.
Joey got out of the car and walked quickly back to the club. Charlie watched until she was out of sight. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. This shift was going to be a long one.
***
Charlie stepped into the quiet Police station and looked about for Angelo. Angelo appeared from behind the reception desk and grinned sheepishly at his senior officer.
"I'm sorry, I hadn't meant to intrude." He said, quietly.
"No, I'm sorry. I should have known better. I was out of order and certainly not acting responsibly. Please accept my apology."
"Charlie, I had no idea..."
"Neither did I until recently. It sorta happened very quickly. I guess it's been there but never properly awoken."
"I still can't believe it. When we were together you never..."
"Just because I never showed any signs, doesn't mean they didn't exist."
Angelo lowed his eyes; still struggling with the new information.
"Angelo, I'd rather this didn't get out just yet. I haven't even told my sister, so please, say nothing."
Angelo swallowed and nodded his head.
"Who is she?" He asked quietly.
"Her name is Joey Collins. Her father owns The Trawler Club."
"Is that where you met?"
"Where we met for the second time. I first met her in a shop."
Angelo raised his eyebrows; a grin appearing on his face.
"What sort of a shop?"
"Not 'that' sort of a shop! Honestly Angelo! Your mind! She works in Cue and helped me pick out an outfit."
Angelo smirked.
"Shut up!" Charlie laughed. "Then we met accidentally, again, the same evening in her father's club; she sort of took care of me over night... "
"I bet she did!" Angelo said with a big grin on his face; enjoying the image.
"She took care of me over night when I was drunk! Our relationship so far isn't based on sex... like ours was!"
"Charlie! Don't say that! Surely it was more to you than just that?" Angelo cried.
"No, not really. That's why I knew our relationship wasn't going anywhere Ang'. I wasn't willing to sacrifice your happiness just to be like everyone else. Yeah, sure I want the happy family bit like everyone else, but it has to be with the right person and I'm afraid you weren't that person!" Charlie said, trying to look sad.
"Lucky I found the right person, then!" Angelo grinned; polishing his new wedding ring.
"And I'm pleased for you!"
"Is she the right person for you?" Angelo asked, quietly.
Charlie pondered for a while, studying her boot laces.
"Maybe. But it's still early days and who knows what might happen in the next forever time?"
"I think you already know!" Angelo announced with a grin and walked off to make a coffee.
Charlie stood, pondering Angelo's words; only to be shaken out of her thoughts by receiving a text message. She took out her phone, already knowing the senders identification.
'Charlie, is everything alright?? I can't sleep for worrying! Joey. xx'
Charlie smiled; her heart warming with delight at receiving Joey's text.
'Don't worry, everything is fine. We've had a little heart to heart and I have thrashed out one or two issues. I can't wait until I can see you again. What time are you having your lunch break today? Charlie. xx'
Charlie smiled as she hit the reply button.
She looked back at Angelo who was reading a report and sighed.
"Oh well, one down and only another community to go!"