Hi everyone. Thanks for continuing to read. I just wrote the final chapter of this story and I can promise you that it ends up in a much happier place than it is right now. We get to see a bit of a softer side to Joey in this chapter so I hope you enjoy it. Love, IJKS xxx
Chapter Twelve
It had been five long days and Joey didn't know if she was finding it harder or easier now that Charlie was staying away from her. Every time she did see her, she still looked forlorn and longing but she had stopped seeking her out. Also, she seemed to be working more than was normal or healthy. Joey tried not to think and worry about her but Charlie had been ingrained in her soul months ago and no matter what, she couldn't seem to get rid of her.
That evening, Hugo sat, propping up the bar in the Surf Club where Alf was serving and various members of the community were still discussing the shark attack. John had continued to stir up trouble and suggest that Hugo was lying about what happened that night out on the water.
"It'll pass," Alf assured his friend. "Just give things time to settle."
Hugo nodded and looked up, sighing again when Joey and Aden entered with Crystal, who had a night off and ended up running into them at the Diner.
"Just to make my day better," Hugo complained when Joey glared at him and took up a table in the corner of the room.
"Well now, she does have the right to glare," Alf conceded.
"It's not like I cheated on her!" Hugo complained. "Charlie was fully aware of what she was doing when she slept with me. And I'm only human. If a hot woman throws herself at you, how are you meant to respond?"
He blanched when he realised that he had been speaking loudly and Joey had heard. Before he could escape, Joey had marched up to him.
"I have every right to be angry with both of you," she informed him. "But thanks for clarifying what happened and who started what."
She stormed out, running straight into Angelo who had dared to venture to the bar for an after work drink.
"Hey, are you okay?" he asked, although he was very aware that the first and last time they had spoken, the young woman had been very rude to both him and Charlie.
"What's it got to do with you?" Joey asked.
He held his hands up in defence and apologised for caring. Sighing, Joey said sorry.
"I don't know what's the matter with me these days," she told him. "Everything that comes out of my mouth is vile."
"You were pretty mean the other day," Angelo admitted. "Which, you know, fair enough. I'm the most hated guy in town and thoroughly deserve it but... I don't even know your name."
"Joey," she introduced, shaking his hand. "Clean slate?"
"Sounds good," Angelo smiled.
Aside from Charlie, this girl was the only person who had willingly given him the time of day since he got back, which was only making his case harder.
"So, are you okay?" he asked, returning to his original question.
"Just ran into a bastard," Joey said unhappily.
Angelo looked confused.
"Hugo Austin," Joey explained.
Angelo pulled a face.
"Not a fan?" Joey asked curiously.
"Let's just say that I agree with your description," he told her. "I think he's involved in a lot of bad stuff right about now and that that stupid shark attack story is a fake. But I can't seem to get anywhere near him legally."
"How come?"
"Well, I don't have any evidence against him... yet. And certain colleagues are protecting him."
Joey winced and folded her arms.
"Let me guess," she said. "Charlie Buckton?"
"You're really not a fan, are you?" Angelo said.
"Not a bit," Joey said.
"How come?"
"It's a long story. I won't bore you with the details."
Angelo nodded and decided not to push.
"Why do you think she's defending Hugo so much?" Joey wondered.
"Honestly?"
Joey nodded and waited.
"I think they might be... you know."
Joey nodded again before turning to leave.
The following day, having overslept and battled with dreams that upset her, Charlie stumbled into the Diner to grab a coffee before her shift started. Ever since that day on the boat, the one she still couldn't remember, she had thrown herself into work in a bid to stop thinking about Joey every second of the day. It wasn't quite working but she was doing her best. Thanking Colleen and taking her drink, Charlie turned and almost collided with Joey who also looked like she hadn't slept.
"Not taking a coffee to your boyfriend?" Joey asked, noting the single cup.
"My boyfriend?" Charlie asked, bewildered.
"Hugo," Joey explained.
"Joey, I'm not with Hugo," Charlie insisted desperately.
"Not what it looks like to me. Even Angelo thinks you're sleeping with him," Joey told her.
"Angelo?" Charlie asked. "What's he got to do with anything?"
"Nothing," Joey said. "What and who you do in your personal life has nothing to do with either of us."
Nudging past her, Joey headed up to the counter. Charlie watched her for a few moments.
"Joey, I'm not seeing Hugo," she said loudly to catch her attention again.
Unfortunately, she also took the attention of everyone else in the room. Joey studied her uncertainly.
"I'm not with anyone. And I'm never going to be until the day comes when can find it in your heart to forgive me and take me back. You're the only person I ever want to be with."
Joey swallowed, hesitating for a moment before shoving her hands in her pockets.
"You might want to take a hobby or something while you wait. Forever is a long time."
That evening, Charlie hid away at home feeling sorry for herself. She and Angelo had got into a screaming match in the middle of the police station when she'd attacked him for talking about her and Hugo to Joey, or to anyone for that matter. She had reiterated that she and Hugo were not together and the only reason she was standing up for him was because she believed his story and thought Angelo was behaving like an idiot. Angelo had been further irritated to learn that, having rejected his proposal to go on a shark hunt, Hugo had gone out to sea with Alf and Miles instead.
Sitting at home, having dinner together, conversation between Joey and Aden was muted to say the least.
"Jo, what are you going to do?" Aden asked.
"About what?"
"About Charlie."
Sighing, Joey sat back and pushed her plate away.
"There's nothing left to do about Charlie," Joey said. "We're over. I wish people would learn to accept that."
"Well, we can't because it's so obvious that you still love her."
"I don't still love her!" Joey lied.
"Joey..."
"Aden, please?" his housemate begged. "Stop pushing me on that. Whatever I feel for her, it doesn't matter. I can't be with her anymore."
"But you could..."
"I can't. Charlie and I don't have a future. And I hate that everyone seems to be blaming me for what's happened."
Aden reached out compassionately and held her hand.
"Nobody's blaming you, Joey."
"Well, it feels like it," Joey replied, letting out an accidental sob. "She's the one who hurt me, Aden. She..."
Having held it in for weeks, Joey finally broke down and wept.
Next time... Charlie and Tony make friends with Angelo and he even manages to score a date...!