"Ah Senior Constable, I see you decided to come in today! Did the family emergency resolve it's self?" Watson eyed her as she walked into her office. Charlie could feel her eyes burning holes into her back. She halted for a moment and then turned towards her. "Yes thanks." She rolled her eyes as she closed the door behind her. Ok yes, she had been taking one too many days off work, but it's not like they weren't needed. Her relationship with Hugo was high in the sky. She shook her head as she thought what goes up, must come down. That's the one thing men hate to hear, she amused herself. Then there was her dad, he'd taken a fall recently and scared everyone that he might have another bleed in the brain. She was the one that had to be strong for Ruby, who didn't take it as well. After the discovery of the hand on the beach, and what was a long a mess clean up of rumours, Charlie had collapsed.
She sat down at her desk and twiddled with her pen. She didn't enjoy work as much as she used to. Was she really going to do anything productive today? She thought. Watson barged in on her day dreams and handed her a file containing the reports on the wrecked car found by the school. "Did you find any links to the trashed cars by the beach, found 2 weeks ago?" "No" Watson replied. "My guess is it's just some kids mucking around. I've suggested to the Head that we give a talk on fires and safety procedures." Charlie nodded. Watson walked back out without closing the door. Charlie moaned. Fine I'll do it myself. She reached for the door handle. She took a minute studying who Watson was with at the front desk.
"You can keep coming here for counselling. We always have a trained professional at hand. We'll continue these sessions, until you feel ready to stop them, alright?" She nodded, expressing a weak smile. "Thank you." "You've very welcome, if you just sign here" she placed a page before her and watched her sign. "Right all done for now!" Watson immediately went to file her records.
Why do I keep coming here, when I'm constantly reminded of him? Joey pondered. She didn't have to come. In fact it was her choice. Buy why? The officer at the desk with her remained entirely neutral, not showing extreme amounts of emotion. Perhaps they were all like that. She finished up and turned to walk out. Someone was watching her. Eyes met each other. Oh fuck its Charlie, she cried inside. She grimaced. Her legs sprung into action.
Charlie was flabbergasted. Was that… She headed closer to Watson. "What is she in for?" "She's in for counselling. She was raped about 4 months ago. The guy was pinned, and the Court found him guilty. She's experienced pro-longed mental trauma over it." How on earth could she keep an expressionless face while saying that? Charlie looked back on the day at the beach. She seemed so happy, so full of life. Charlie disappeared in her thoughts.
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"Anyone home?" Her stomach rumbled. "ah hellew to you too!" Ruby put on a posh accent, and pointed at her tummy. "Yes I'm starving, you eaten yet?" She took a minute and viewed the room. Ruby was sitting on the sofa, watching TV. "Aren't you home a bit early for lunch?" "Meh, I had a double free period." She waved her hand, to shew Charlie away so she could get back to the programme. "Oh …..lover boy called, said he'll pick you up at 8!" Ruby bellowed. Charlie walked back in "Lover boy?" She frowned. "Why do you call him that? Anyway I really don't want to see him tonight. I'm not in the mood!" she walked off. "When are you ever?......Maybe………….. wonder woman could spark some life into ya?" Ruby kept her head turned and waited for the predictable Charlie to come storming back into the room. "Ruby I keep telling you…." And there she is, Ruby thought. "I'm with lover boy aren't I?.......damn it! Hugo! Do you know you're the only one that gives me high blood pressure?" "Saaaweee." Ruby played with a piece of hair. She turned once again to the screen glaring at them both. "Boooooobies!" Ruby screamed, and covered her eyes. "LET ME SEE!" VJ came bouncing in. Charlie grabbed hold of him and covered his eyes too. "ah lemee go!" he protested.
Leah dumped what look to be the remains of his footie gear caked in mud, in the corner of the room. "Thanks Charlie!" "When your older mate! Rubz can you turn it off?" Charlie sighed, another day in the nut house. DADAAAAAAARRR!
"Alright, who's finished the chocolate spread?" Leah was searching through all the cupboards. "Come on, own up!" She faced all three who were sitting at the table. Charlie and VJ both shook their head, trying to avoid trouble. Ruby, who sat in the middle had a magazine up at her face, too disconnected with the bodies around her. "Huh?" was the only noise that came from her. "You wouldn't know anything of the where abouts of the chocolate spread?" Charlie asked. "No officer I have no idea what you're talking about!" She replied ever so girly and politely, she dropped the magazine down to her lap. Charlie burst out laughing, VJ was rolling on the floor, and Leah was shaking her head. "What?!" Ruby was caught off guard. "Promise me you won't ever change!" Leah said trying to contain the tears and kissed her on her forehead. "You eh…..have a little" Charlie pointed around her mouth, still laughing. Ruby's eyes popped, as she crossed them to examine the evidence, which got everyone on their knees, and complaining about the pains in their stomach.
Xavier knocked at the door, and saw the state of the others, and then his girlfriend. He covered his mouth, trying not to laugh. Ruby only glared at him.