Did anyone else watch Charlie's birthday party episode? I mean, apart from all the Charlie/Brax ickyness – although in fairness, he is marginally better than Angelo – I couldn't take my eyes off Watson! When did she get hot! I feel a 'make Watson a main character' campaign coming on... Anyway, on with the story! Love, IJKS xxx

Chapter Twenty Eight

Charlie and Angelo were on shift together and had opted to take a break and grab a coffee at the Diner. Charlie headed on in to get the drinks while Angelo got some fresh air, leaning on the bonnet.

Charlie queued up for her drinks. Leah served her with a big smile.

"So, today went well, hey?" she asked, hoping for more details.

Charlie blushed.

"She's going to be my date for the wedding tomorrow," she grinned. "I really think we're going to make it work this time. I'm so happy, Leah. I'm actually as happy right now as I was sad last week."

"Wow!" Leah laughed. "That is happy! Because you were utterly miserable before."

Handing over her cash and taking her drinks, Charlie turned to leave but stopped abruptly when she ran into Hugo.

"I need to talk to you," he said urgently.

"Yeah, I'm not really supposed to..."

"Charlie, if she's going to forgive you then she would have got over it by now," he snapped. "I don't need you to be a friend. I need you to be a cop."

Charlie sighed reluctantly.

"What's the problem?"

"Angelo."

Rolling her eyes, Charlie tried to move past him, not wanting the same old discussion to start again.

"Charlie!" Hugo said. "I need you to get him to back off and leave me alone. He's threatening to impound my boat. I don't need this, okay?"

Charlie turned back around and looked him in the eye.

"Last time I tried to help with this, it only made it worse," she pointed out. "For everyone. Why don't you leave me out of it?"

"Because you're the only person he listens to," Hugo said. "Please try?"

"Fine," Charlie said. "I'll do my best."

Joey ducked out of the way as Charlie turned and left the Diner. She knew it was stupid but she couldn't help but prickle at the sight of Charlie and Hugo talking, especially as she couldn't quite figure out what they were discussing, standing so close together. It made her wonder if she could cope with starting a relationship with her ex again. How would she deal with the simple fact that Charlie's position in the community meant that she might have to make nice with Hugo sometimes? She wasn't sure she could. Sighing, Joey left the Diner and spied Charlie sitting on the bonnet of the car with Angelo. Already knowing she shouldn't, Joey approached, keeping behind them and listening to the conversation.

"Look, you've done what he asked you," Angelo said. "You've told me to lay off him. Whether I choose to listen or not is our problem, not yours."

Charlie nodded and sipped her coffee, gazing out at the ocean. Behind them, Joey cringed as Angelo touched Charlie's shoulder.

"Look, don't let Hugo Austin, of all people, destroy the good mood you've been in today," he said. "Put that smile back on your face."

Charlie laughed and nodded.

"Besides," Angelo added, removing his hand. "I was banking on your good mood lasting..."

Charlie eyed him quizzically.

"What do you mean?"

"Charlie, I was an idiot the other night," he said. "Turning you down the way I did..."

"You were right to," Charlie interrupted. "I'm relieved. It would have been another huge mistake and it would only have made things worse. You were right. I'm in love with Joey and..."

"But it shouldn't have mattered," Angelo insisted. "I don't care if I'm second best. You can't be with Joey so maybe you and I could still work out?"

Charlie shook her head.

"Joey's the only person I want to be with," she said. "And it turns out that I actually have a shot at being happy. And if I'd have made the mistake of being with you that night then I wouldn't have it. I would have lost her for good."

"So, no chance of a date?" he asked, his voice full of disappointment.

"I'm potentially about to get everything I've ever wanted," Charlie said. "I am not about to stuff it up again now."

Behind her, Joey turned and fled undetected.

"Uh oh," Tony commented when Joey asked for boxing gloves. "You're not going to make a hat-trick of destruction, are you?"

"I'll do my best not to," Joey promised, heading on over to the punch bag, determined to beat her confusion out of herself.

She cursed herself for letting Charlie Buckton get back into her head.

Charlie finished work and headed to the Diner to grab some takeaway for dinner. It had been a long day, with both good and bad things going on and she had no inclination to cook. Thanking Leah, she took her food and headed back out of the building towards her car.

"Hey!" she greeted warmly when she saw Joey walking past with her hands shoved in her pockets.

She jogged up to her, hoping for a hug but receiving nothing.

"Would you like to come back for takeaway?" she asked, waving her bag.

"No thanks," Joey declined. "But um... I'm glad I ran into you."

"Oh?"

"I can't go to the wedding with you tomorrow," she said.

"What?" Charlie squeaked, heartbroken.

"I can't do any of this," Joey told her. "I'm sorry. I thought I could be with you again but I just... can't."

She apologised one more time and then hurried away.

Next time... Aden and Belle get married, Charlie comes out to Ross and Morag and then tries one more time to win Joey's heart...