The Morning After

G'day! To answer one or two questions... a) Why is Leah being a bitch? Because I needed a character who was a close friend of Charlie's, to be one... b) Who is Angelo's missus? Some misguided girl who needs her brains washed! :) ~S&L~

Chapter 11

"So how's things between you and... Joey?" Leah asked, glancing at the Police Officer.

Charlie had just waved Joey goodbye, having spent two wonderful days together. She smiled, still feeling the moist warmth of Joey's kisses upon her lips and now experiencing butterflies in her tummy after the mere mention of Joey's name, which filled her heart with happiness.

"Wonderful!" She blushed, avoiding Leah's intense gaze.

Leah's eyes narrowed as she realised that Charlie's infatuation with this girl went much further than she had supposed.

Why was Charlie Buckton putting herself through this? It could not last! Joey was a fly-by-night butterfly girl. Once she had got all she wanted, she would disappear out of Charlie's life as quickly as she had appeared, leaving Charlie, once again, confused and depressed, more than she had ever been.

Leah smiled at Charlie but the smile did not reach her eyes. She did not like Joey Collins. She had not liked her from the moment they met at Joey's father's club. She considered Joey sly and manipulative; worming her way into the affections of a beautiful, but lonely woman. Charlie was vulnerable; she did not need a woman; she needed a man to love and protect her; a man like Angelo or Miles. How could Charlie ever consider a relationship with a woman?

"She makes me feel complete." Charlie said, breaking in on Leah's thoughts. "She makes me feel like a real woman; a human being; for the first time in my life, Leah, I feel free!"

Charlie glanced shyly at her friend and smiled.

"I'm so in love, as incredible as it may sound! I'm up to my neck in Joey, Joey, Joey and loving every moment of it!" She laughed.

Leah stared back at her housemate, incredulously.

"You've got to be kidding me, Charlie? How can you be in love with her? Okay, she's attractive and I can understand, to a degree, why it might be tempting to try out the 'facilities' in the other camp, but for God's sake Charlie! She's a woman!"

Charlie's happy countenance disappeared. Her eyes stared back at Leah's anxiously.

"Joey isn't a facility! I'm in love with her!" She protested.

"How the hell is this gonna look to everyone, Charlie... Your family... your friends, when they find out you've been doing a woman? And a woman who is a no good little slut!"

"Joey is not a slut! How dare you suggest such a thing! And I don't give a toss what other people think! Joey was right; you've had a problem with her right from the start! Why Leah? Why?

"Because I know her type! She'll love you and leave you in bits, Charlie! You are not cut out for this Lesbian lark!"

"It's not 'a lark', Leah!"

"She picked you up in a seedy little club, for God's sake! I tell you, she's bewitched you!"

Charlie stood opened mouthed listening to the insults and insinuations of her friend. She tried hard to understand and forgive, but Leah was going too far. She had not realised just how homophobic Leah was, or was it just Joey she disliked?

"What's your problem, Leah? I've never seen you like this before!" Charlie said shaking her head.

"You're my friend, Charlie and I don't want to see her taking advantage of your good nature."

"I know Joey would never do that, Leah, and I don't know where you get the idea that she would! She's kind, caring and loving and gives me something no man ever has or ever could!"

Leah scoffed.

"Believe me or believe me not, Leah. It's all the same to me! If my girlfriend and I bother your delicate sensibilities that much, I will find another place to live!"

"Charlie! I only have your well-being at heart!"

"Save it, Leah!" Charlie cried coldly and turning; walked into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

Constable Angelo Rosetta hovered at the threshold of the Senior Constable's office. He cleared his throat and strummed his finger tips against the wood of the door and entered.

"What is it, Constable?" Charlie asked, glancing up.

"Hey. I just wondered if you were busy."

"Yes." She replied, curtly.

"I-I was gonna ask if you might have lunch with me today?"

Charlie looked up quickly and frowned.

"You see, I need some advice." Angelo added nervously.

He noted and understood the withering look his Senior gave him.

"Advice about what?" Charlie asked; continuing with her paperwork.

Angelo racked his brains but failing to come up with a suitable reason.

"I'd rather not discuss it here, if you don't mind. It's private. I wondered if we might head down to The Diner for a bite?" He suggested, hopefully.

Charlie sighed and threw down her pen onto the desk.

"Is it really that important, Angelo? I am rather busy."

"It really is, Charlie. I don't know who else to turn to!"

Charlie's expression softened. It wasn't his fault that Leah had put her in a bad mood. Regardless of their past circumstances, she and Angelo had ended up as friends and she preferred to keep it this way.

"I'm sorry, Ang'. Of course we can talk. Is this something you can't discuss with your wife?" She frowned.

Angelo nodded his head sadly.

"Okay, well, we'd better grab a sandwich from The Diner and maybe eat it on the beach." Charlie suggested; not really wanting to lock horns with Leah again.

"Beaut!" Angelo grinned.

"See you outside in ten." Charlie smiled.

"Yeah... and thanks, Charlie." He said sincerely.

She smiled.

"No worries."

"Angelo, get me a tuna salad sandwich, will you? I need to make a quick call." Charlie said, taking out her mobile phone.

"Who to?" He asked inquisitively.

Charlie felt a stab of annoyance.

"I don't think it's any of your business, do you?" Charlie replied curtly.

"No... No you're right. I just thought... it doesn't matter. Tuna salad sandwich, coming up."

Charlie watched the young man disappear into the cafe then, turning her attention to her mobile, punched in a few numbers and waited.

"Hey you." Charlie grinned as Joey intercepted the call.

"Hey beautiful! How's your day been so far?" Joey asked as she swigged the last of her coffee.

"Crappy. I'll tell you about it later. I just wanted to say I can't join you for lunch today."

"Oh Jeez! Why not?" Joey asked in disappointment.

"I'm sorry, honey, but a member of staff needs a shoulder, so I have to play mother." Charlie said, noticing the approach of Angelo. "Look, I've gotta go. Meet me after work?"

"Of course. Oh, and good luck with your mothering!"

"Yeah, thanks. Have a good afternoon and don't work too hard! Don't let dragon breath breathe fire at you!" Charlie said as Angelo joined her.

Joey laughed.

"No, I'll try and keep out of her way. And you have a good one, my love." Joey grinned. "I love you."

"Yeah, and I lo..." Charlie began, but catching Angelo's eye stopped. "I'll see you later."

Joey stared at her phone, a little confused at Charlie's cool farewell. She shrugged, assuming Charlie had her reasons.