Perfect Match

Hi everyone! I am so sorry for my recent absence. Life has been getting well and truly in the way! I am hoping to be getting some more chapters under my belt within the next week. Thank you for your patience. ~S&L~ xx

Chapter 14

Dear Blueeyes,

I was kinda surprised to hear from you again! I thought, after you abandoned our date, that maybe you had changed your mind.

I really don't know what you have to tell me which is so urgent or how you can trust me when we hardly know each other! But as I have something to tell you too, I agree to meet with you at the Summer Bay Surf Club, at 8:30pm on Tuesday evening.

Browneyes.

Ruby grinned as she read the reply from Browneyes. This was going to be interesting.

Charlie signed three documents, photocopied them, poked the originals in envelopes and placed them in the post-tray ready to be collected the following day. She filed the copies in buff coloured document wallets and placed them in a filing cabinet. She leaned against the draw to close it and locked up; placing the key in a safe place.

She glanced at her watch and yawned. Sitting down again, she dragged over her desk diary and flicked through the pages for the rest of the week. She crossed out one of two appointments and assignments; rearranging them for different days. When she had finished, she smiled smugly; picking up the telephone and dialling Joey Collin's mobile phone number.

"Hey you!"

"Charlie! I thought you were working!" Joey said, smiling with pleasure.

"I am, but don't tell anyone! How are you?"

"Missing you!" Joey wailed.

"Me too... that's why I'm calling. I've managed to re-schedule some of my work and freed myself up for Tuesday evening! I thought we might do something nice!" Charlie said eagerly.

"Tuesday?"

"Yeah! Oh, don't say you have something else on!" Charlie cried in disappointment.

"Well, I-I... I'm actually working a longer shift on Tuesday! Probably won't be back on shore until later in the evening. Oh! What a pity!"

Joey now cursed herself for agreeing to meet Blueeyes on that very evening. She would far rather be locked in the fond embrace of Charlie Buckton. She did not relish telling Charlie a lie, either.

"Oh... Oh well, can't be helped, I suppose. Just a thought. I might as well work that evening too. Maybe we'll be able to meet up at the weekend? I do miss you, you know!"

"I miss you too, Charlie."

"See you."

"See you." Joey said, smiling sadly as she ended the call.

Joey sat back in her chair. She was still perplexed about the message from Blueeyes and wondered why she always felt such a need to accommodate everyone. And how would she ever confess her meeting with Blueeyes to Charlie, especially as Charlie wanted to see her on the same night? She knew that meeting with Blueeeyes, a stranger around Summer Bay, might arouse suspicion within their small community, and word get back to her girlfriend. But then, no one, apart from Aden Jefferies knew about herself and Charlie anyway. She sighed, hoping that all would work out for the best.

Ruby was confused and surprised after reading Browneyes123's return message. She had no idea that Charlie had abandoned her date with this girl. She had seemed so keen at the start. What could have possibly happened to cancel the date?

She ran her tongue tentatively over her bottom lip as she prepared to edit Browneye's message to Charlie.

Charlie Buckton walked into the quiet kitchen and could smell the residue of an evening meal which she had missed. She spied a note on the dresser which was in Leah's hand.

Charlie,

Left overs in fridge if required.

Leah.

Charlie opened up the fridge door, picked up a dish and was about to place it in the microwave when she was joined unexpectedly by her younger sister.

"Hi sis!"

"Hi Rubes! Why are you still up?" Charlie asked with a frown.

"Just finished some revisions. Now need some juice. How was your shift?"

"Long and boring!" The Senior Constable yawned.

"Hey, had any more thoughts about that girl on the dating site?"

"Rubes, I thought I made it quite clear that it's none of your business!" Charlie said, frowning.

"I know, I know... I was just checking!"

Charlie shook her head and turned her attention back to the microwave.

Charlie awoke with a jump as a screeching, cops and robbers' car chase on the television filled the room with unwanted noise. She frowned from her position, stretched out on the sofa, and quickly reached for the remote control. She hit the off button and sighed with relief as the room fell into silence.

She checked her watch; she did not want to go to bed just yet, so continued to lie on the sofa watching a moth as it danced to and fro against a hot light bulb. Her mind drifted to Joey and wondered if she was sleeping. She picked up her mobile and was about to send a text when Ruby's words from earlier came to mind. She placed her mobile back on the coffee table and walked across the room and picked up her laptop computer; switching it on and logging in.

Had Joey, alias 'Browneyes' contacted Blueeyes like she said she would?