Perfect Match
Chapter 18
"But you can't be sure of that, Charlie!"
"Joey, I'm as sure as I can be! She's been worrying me for days to give her the latest news about 'the girl' on the dating site and Leah warned me that she'd caught Ruby snooping in my bedroom – no less than under my bed!"
"It still doesn't prove anything Charlie!" Joey said breathlessly as she struggled to keep up with Charlie's hurried pace.
"But don't you see; I keep all my private papers under the bed which includes a book that has all my computer passwords in!" Charlie explained. "What an idiot I was to keep it there!"
"Don't blame yourself, Charlie! She's young and naturally nosey like all kids. She loves you and wants what's best for you, that's all!"
"That's all very well Jo, but look at what her meddling has caused this evening! I could have lost you forever and I'd have never forgiven her for that!"
Joey smiled to herself and took the hand which Charlie offered to help her along.
"What are you going to say to her?" She asked.
Suddenly Charlie stopped, causing Joey to collide with her.
"Oh, I don't know. I guess I'll rant and rave, but I haven't got a speech ready, if that's what you mean."
"Well, perhaps you'd best calm down before launching into a full-blown shouting match, Charlie." Joey advised; gently taking Charlie by the forearm and stoking its softness.
Charlie exhaled and glanced at her anxious girlfriend. She suddenly laughed and leaned against Joey.
"Good job I have you around me to keep me in check. I'd have probably hung her up by her ears!"
"Weren't you ever young, Charlie?"
Charlie studied Joey's soft, brown eyes.
"I sometimes wonder, Joey."
Joey smiled and kissed her cheek.
"Would you like me to come inside with you?" Joey asked as they approached the house.
Charlie glanced up at Ruby's bedroom window.
"Would you?
Joey smiled her acquiescence and they walked together, hand in hand towards the door.
Aden finished kissing Anna as they lay on the sandy beach in the moonlight.
"Wow!" He whispered for the second time that evening.
Anna grinned and pushed back the young man's sun-streaked hair.
"Wow! Indeed."
"So, you really aren't a..."
"No! I'm not gay! I'm an actress. I was hired to play a part this evening. I'm not sure if it paid off or not though!"
Aden suddenly came to his senses and remembered his friend.
"Shit!"
"What's wrong?" Anna asked sitting upright as Aden hastily got to his feet.
"Joey, my friend. What happened to her?"
"Well, I don't know. She flew out of the door when Charlie left. I assume they're together; all happy and cuddly!"
"So, it was Charlie who hired you to play 'Blueeyes'?" Aden frowned.
"Yes, that's right." Anna said worriedly.
"But how did she know about 'Blueeyes'? I mean, how did she know what time Joey had arranged to meet her at The Surf Club?"
"Simply because Charlie is 'Blueeyes'!"
"You're kidding me?"
Anna shook her head and grinned at the young man.
"Well, I'll be... Hey, I'd better go and find Joey... to see if she's okay!"
"I have a feeling when they've talked it all through, they'll be okay, with or without your help, Aden!" Anna grinned, patting the soft sand beside her, invitingly.
"Ruby!" Charlie called as they entered the kitchen.
"Hey!" Ruby called from the lounge.
"Can you come here? I need to talk to you for a moment." Charlie said, glancing at Joey.
Joey smiled and squeezed Charlie's hand.
Ruby bounced into the kitchen but stopped abruptly as she noticed her sister standing hand in hand with Joey Collins.
"Hey Joey. I didn't expect to see you here." She said glancing at their entwined fingers.
"Hey Ruby."
"Ruby, sit down. I'd like to talk to you about something very serious." Charlie said, indicating to a chair at the kitchen table.
"I'll put the kettle on, shall I?" Joey suggested.
Charlie nodded and smiled appreciatively at her girlfriend who winked back and walked towards the kettle. Ruby watched the interaction between the two girls.
"I didn't realise you and Joey were such... 'good' friends." Ruby commented.
"Obviously not!" Charlie replied tartly.
Joey gave her a look, suggesting she didn't get over excited. Charlie nodded her understanding and turned back to her sister.
"Ruby. Someone has broken into my computer and used some very personal information against me. Would you know anything about this?" Charlie asked in her best Police Officer voice.
Ruby's cheeks flushed and she looked quickly from Charlie to the other girl in the room.
"Perhaps we should talk in private." Ruby suggested.
"Anything you have to say can be said in front of Joey."
"Are you serious?" Ruby said, glancing again at Joey.
"Deadly!"
Ruby swallowed.
"Well, maybe I do know something – just a little thing!" She replied quietly.
"Well, perhaps you just tell me what this 'little thing' is and I'll see if it fits my enquiry." Charlie said, watching Joey place steaming mugs of coffee in front of herself and Ruby.
Ruby gave Joey a half smile of thanks and took the mug into her hands. She looked at Charlie and took a deep breath.
"I just wanted to see you happy, Charlz. I meant no harm!"
"You meant no harm, Rubes, but you caused a big problem this evening, one which nearly broke my heart..." She said, glancing at Joey, who smiled and sat down in the chair next to her.
"I'm sorry, sis. I didn't think."
"That's your problem, Rubes; you don't think!"
Joey nudged Charlie with her knee.
"What happened exactly?" Ruby asked quietly, more than aware that her sister was agitated.
"What happened was... Joey here, or maybe I should call her by her other name, 'Browneyes', received a desperate message from 'Blueeyes'" Charlie advised, pointing to herself. "Begging for me to meet her at The Surf Club tonight. Little knowing that I, Charlie Buckton, who had just started a relationship with Joey Collins here, had also received a desperate message from 'Browneyes', telling me how I set her 'soul on fire'!"
"You-you mean you two are..."
"Yes, Rubes, we're together and this caused us to get very confused, hurt and jealous! We've shouted and argued this evening and were on the point of breaking up because of you! Why couldn't you, just for once, reframe from meddling in my affairs?"
Charlie got up from her seat and walked to the sink.
Ruby looked sheepishly towards Joey and lowered her eyelids.
"I'm so very sorry, Joey. I had no idea you were... 'her'."
"That maybe so, Ruby, but it nearly cost us dear!"
Ruby nodded and glanced at her sister who was still standing at the sink with her back turned towards them. Ruby got up and walked towards her sister; smiling guiltily at Joey as she passed.
"I'm so sorry, Charlie. I had no idea you felt this way about... I'm so sorry. Everything is alright between you two now, isn't it?"
Charlie turned slightly and glanced at Joey. Joey smiled and said,
"Yes Rubes, everything is alright now."
Ruby leant against her sister for a hug, which Charlie obliged her with, even though undeserved.