Perfect Match

Chapter 9

Joey Collins checked out her image in the bedroom mirror. She was not a dressy-dresser; preferring smart-casual, but she was pleased enough with her efforts. She wondered what Blueeyes would think.

Charlie Buckton drove her car along the coast road heading towards The Billywonga. She had visited the restaurant on several occasions with friends and family and had always found it comfortable and accommodating without being too intimate. 'Intimate' worked when you wanted to seduce or be seduced but on this occasion, Charlie only wanted to meet the girl from the dating site and not get her into bed! She had already experienced several attacks of nerves during the day; on one occasion, going as far as to dial up Browneye's mobile phone number to cancel their date. But as she keyed in the last digit, commonsense prevailed and she cancelled the call.

Joey jumped into her brother's car, which he had kindly loaned her for the evening, and took a deep breath.

'What if she is the 'She Devil' as Aden had suggested?'

Joey shuddered and started the engine, putting the car into first gear and pulling away.

Charlie settled herself at a table for two, which she had booked the evening before. She had arrived early, not wishing to be late for her Internet date. She looked about the restaurant at the some of its patrons; eagerly enjoying their meals. She looked at her watch; the time was seven fifty five; five minutes away from the time of her date. She shifted uncomfortably; nervously fiddling with the cruet set on the table. Suddenly, she realised a visit to the ladies room was needed, so quickly picked up her bag and walked in its direction.

Joey pulled up in The Billywonga car park and climbed out. Her heart was beginning to race. She swallowed, but her throat and tongue felt dry. She walked a few paces towards the restaurant door, but stopped, turned and started to walk back towards Brett's car again. She got to the door but the sound of laughter drifted out from The Billywonga and she thought of Blueeyes, sitting there all alone, possibly for the whole evening; waiting for her date. Joey sighed. At least she had made arrangements with Aden to ring her after an hour, so she could make this her excuse to 'jump ship' if necessary. If she turned out to be the 'She Devil', she could always walk away, calmly.

In the ladies room, Charlie took out her phone and texted Ruby.

'Don't forget to call me at eight forty five!"

Within a few moments, Ruby's name appeared on the screen.

'STOP panicking sis! You'll be fine, but I will ring!"

Charlie sighed and put her phone away. She calmly walked back into the dining area just as Joey Collins walked through the restaurant door.

"Oh my god! Joey! What's she doing here? I've gotta get out of here! Date or no date!" Charlie shrieked to herself.

She looked about her furtively and noticed a Fire Exit. Quickly, she collected her belongings from the table and made good her escape.

"Yes, madam. There's a lady waiting at table five who goes by the name of 'Blueeyes'. Please walk this way." The tall waiter smiled as he began to lead the way to Blueeyes table. "Oh dear madam... I'm so sorry; the lady who was here seems to have disappeared!"

Joey looked about the room; embarrassed and confused. Where could she have gone to? No one had passed her leaving the restaurant as she walked in.

"Well, maybe she's powdering her nose." Joey suggested. "I'll just wait here, if that's alright?"

"As madam wishes." The young, simpering waiter bowed his head and pulled out a chair for Joey to sit on.

Ten minutes later, Joey's date still had not appeared. She checked her watch; it was nearly eight fifteen. She sighed and stood up. She walked into the ladies room and looked about her. No one was in the cubicles or at the wash-hand basins. She sighed again and walked back into the dining area.

'I've been stood up.' She thought, sadly.

Charlie Buckton pulled up at a small road-side diner half way between The Billywonga and Summer Bay. She needed a coffee desperately and headed into the cafe.

Joey Collins said 'goodbye' to the waiter after making sure there was nothing to pay and walked out slowly, but with relief. Standing next to her brother's car, she leaned against its door for a few moments before getting in. She was dry and really needed a cup of tea. Opening the car door, she determined to stop off at a takeaway, somewhere on route back to the bay, to eat a burger and enjoy a decent cup of tea.

Charlie waited as her order of a burger and coffee was being prepared. 'The Eagles' singing 'Hotel California' played on the greasy looking radio perched on a shelf next to some dusty old tins of Coca-Cola, which were probably out of date. Suddenly, the cafe door opened and Joey Collins walked in.

"Charlie!" She said in surprise.

"Joey! What are you doing here? I thought you were... I-I mean, well, I'm surprised to see you here! Can I order you something or are you meeting someone?"

"I'd love a tea please! I'm gasping!"

"I'm having a burger, can you eat one?"

"I'd love one, thanks!"

"You grab us a table and I'll be over in a moment." Charlie said, wondering why Joey had not stopped at The Billywonga.

Charlie paid for their food and walked over to Joey with a huge smile on her face. She was more than relieved to see her. A momentary flash of guilt crossed her mind as she thought of Browneyes123; possibly sitting in the restaurant waiting for her to arrive, but what was she to do? Suddenly, she had an idea.

"Our food will be over shortly. I'm just going to use the watsit." She whispered; pointing to the ladies toilet.

As she entered the rather grim looking ladies-room, she quickly took out her mobile phone and sent a text to Browneyes123.

'Sorry, I had to leave before you arrived. Emergency call from home. Will be in touch.'

She pressed the 'send' button before she had time to dwell on it, then, walked calmly back to her congenial company and smiled broadly at Joey who beamed back. Suddenly, Joey's phone bleeped.

"Excuse me, I have a text!" Joey smiled, thinking of Aden.

She read the message and smiled sheepishly.

"Anything wrong?" Charlie asked, settling herself in the chair opposite Joey.

"Well, yes and no!"

Charlie raised her eyebrows with interest.

Joey shrugged her shoulders.

"I might as well tell you; I was meeting someone tonight for a date and they stood me up, or at least they were called away for an emergency and not running from me...I hope!" Joey said, putting her phone back into her handbag.

Charlie went pale.

"You-you mean, you were meeting someone here?"

"No; at a fancy joint up the road a bit. The Billywonga! Do you know it?"

Charlie started to choke. Joey stood up and quickly went to fetch a glass of water.

The girls ate their burgers and laughed over Joey's blind date.

"Poor you!" Charlie grinned. "Well, at least you haven't starved tonight!"

"No, thanks to you! And my journey all the way out here wasn't for nothing!"

Their eyes met in a long look.

"So, what were you doing out here, Charlie?" Joey asked with interest after a few moments.

Charlie started to choke again and Joey stood up, thumping her on the back.

"Gosh! Are you susceptible to bouts of choking?" She asked with concern as Charlie recovered.

"No, sorry! I've had a tickle in my throat all day!" Charlie lied.

"Well, you know what's good for a tickle?" Joey asked, leaning over the table close to Charlie's face.

Charlie swallowed and was hypnotised by Joey's close proximity.

"No." She said, meekly.

"A little slap!" Joey laughed, slapping her on the back again.

Charlie gave another creditable splutter and laughed along with her friend.

After several cups of tea and coffee and several hard stares from the sluttish looking waitress who wanted to close for the night, the girls decided to make a move for home. They were surprised at the time and how quickly it had passed.

"I didn't realise what fun there was to be had at a 'greasy spoon'!" Joey chuckled as they reached her car.

Charlie smiled.

"It was a great night! But I'm sorry about your date."

Joey just shrugged; secretly pleased at the turn of events; giving her the opportunity, once again, to be alone with Charlie Buckton.

"So, Charlie... you never did explain what you were doing out here."

Charlie watched Joey's pretty lips as they moved with each word she spoke. Charlie couldn't take her eyes from them.

"Charlie?"

"I came out here to...to..."

Suddenly, unable to stop herself, she moved in closer to Joey and kissed her. The powerful sensation was breath-taking! The touch of Joey's soft lips against her own was more wonderful than she had ever allowed herself to imagine. She felt Joey begin to pull away, but Charlie caught hold of her arms and pulled her in closer. Joey wrapped her arms around Charlie and kissed her back. The kiss seemed to last forever until they were forced to part for breath.

"God, Charlie... I never knew you were a..."

Charlie pulled Joey back in for another kiss before she could finish her sentence.

When they parted, they each had smiles on their faces.

Suddenly, Joey's face clouded.

"Oh God, Charlie! What do I tell my Internet date?"

"Tell her to go to hell!" Charlie grinned.

"I can't; she's actually very nice and I..."

Charlie kissed Joey again and again until she was too dizzy to even think of Blueeyes000.