Chapter 6

The afternoon arrived quickly. Charlie and Joey had enjoyed their drive to the lake the previous evening. Their discussion about telling Leah had helped Charlie gather the courage she needed to talk to her. She planned to tell her later that day when she got home, as long as VJ wasn't there. Joey had suggested that she could offer to take him out for a walk if he was home; VJ was very fond of her. Charlie agreed to call her if she was needed.

They had spent the remainder of their evening talking and enjoying the view outside the car – and in. They had snuggled together in the front seat as best they could, trying not to let the gear stick and hand brake poke them in the backside too harshly. As much as they enjoyed being together in the privacy of Charlie's car in such a beautiful location, they looked forward to a time when they could spend their days together somewhere that was a little more comfortable.

Joey hadn't made plans to meet with Charlie tonight. She wanted to give her space to talk to Leah, but she had a feeling she would be getting a phone call before the end of the day - bringing good news, hopefully. She stood in the diner talking to Alf.

"I'll keep me eye out for something for you, love!" he chirped. "Between you and me ... I'm hoping to start a new business soon ... and I think you just might be the right person for the job."

Joey's eyes lit up. "Really? What is it?"

"Well ... nothing's finalised yet ... but I was thinking of starting to run day trips on the boat ... taking tourists up along the coast ... telling them about the history of the place ... and the sea life ... y'know ... that sort of thing."

Joey beamed. "That sounds perfect. I mean ... my knowledge of Summer Bay history isn't exactly up to scratch ... but I know all about what's in the waters around here. And I could soon get myself swatted up on the rest."

"That's great, love. Now ... it might not be for a few weeks yet, but I'll let you know closer to the time, okay?"

"Great! Thank's Alf!"

She left the diner on a high. A job based in Summer Bay would be a wonderful opportunity. It would mean she could earn a steady income and stay close to Charlie. It also meant she might soon be able to afford her own place – so that Charlie and her could finally have somewhere of their own to be together. Charlie could stay as often as she wanted. She loved that idea. She could not bear the thought of having to go off for several months of fishing to bring home a wage. She couldn't leave Charlie for that long. Life would be miserable without her.

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Charlie arrived home at 6:15 p.m. Leah was sitting in the living room – alone.

"Hey," Charlie greeted her.

"Aww hey Charlie," Leah replied.

"Where's VJ today?"

"He's gone to a friend's house to play Nintendo ... Guitar Hero ... or something like that. Hey maybe now you can tell me all about your trip. I still haven't had the chance to talk to you about that yet. How'd it go?"

Charlie took a deep breath and sat down opposite her. "It was ... great." She spoke calmly, smiling at her friend warmly. "In fact it was ... much better than that."

Leah looked at her – furrowing her brow slightly. She wasn't sure what Charlie meant by that, or why she was making a point of telling her with such a cool composure. She sensed she was about to hear something unexpected but had no idea what it was going to be.

"Leah ... I have something to tell you ... and I wanted you to be one of the first people to know ... not only because we live together ... but because I consider you to be a good friend."

Leah smiled. She could feel herself beginning to well up with emotion at Charlie's kind words.

"It's about ... me and Joey."

A frown quickly spread back across Leah's face.

"We're ... together."

She took a few moments to try to process the words. "TOGETHER together?" she exclaimed, her voice a little more high-pitched that she was expecting it to be.

Charlie felt her heart leap. She swallowed hard. "Yes," she said, biting her lip as soon as she had uttered the word. That was it – the news was out. She awaited Leah's response with baited breath.

Leah's shook her head in disbelief, and in amusement. She smiled. She hadn't seen that coming at all.

"Wow, Charlie ... I had no idea you were gay."

Charlie was still uncomfortable hearing that word used to describe her. She wasn't used to it and she was unsure if she ever would be at ease with the label – she hated labels. Time would tell.

"How long have you guys been together?" Leah added.

Charlie relaxed a little. "Not long ... a few days."

Leah's mind raced and she wondered why she hadn't noticed before? Then she remembered seeing them together in Charlie's room a few nights before, and the upside down magazine.

"Aah ... so that's why you were rea-." She cut herself off before finishing the sentence. She figured that Charlie didn't need to be made to feel any more uncomfortable that she probably already felt.

"Oh my god, Charlie ... I mean ... I'm a little taken aback but it all ... but ... I think it's great!"

She got up off the sofa and hugged her tight. "I'm really happy for you."

She sat back down again and looked at her friend. Charlie was smiling. She looked so happy.

"Do you love her?"

Charlie's eyes hazed over and drifted off for a few moments as she thought about Joey, then she glanced back at Leah, looking her in the eyes. "Yes ... I do." It was an easy question for her to answer. In her entire, messed up life, her love for Joey was the one thing she was certain of.

Leah giggled. "Wow ... amazing ... not the story I was expecting to hear about your trip but I'm made up for you nonetheless!"

"Thank's, Leah," said Charlie sincerely. "I was kinda worried how you would react ... what with me living here with you and Veej."

The words reminded Leah of the fourth inhabitant of the house. "Have you told Ruby?"

Charlie exhaled loudly. "Yes. I told her the day after we got back."

"How'd she take it?" Leah knew all too well just how theatrical Ruby could be sometimes.

"She was ... great about it ... in fact. Don't get me wrong ... she sees it as a perfect opportunity to tease the life out of me ... but she's been ... brilliant."

Leah grinned. "I think I need a drink after that! Want one?"

"Yeah ... sure."

Leah stood up, went into to the kitchen and opened the fridge. She shouted, "Wine okay?"

"Anything's fine."

She returned a few moments later with a chilled bottle of white wine and two glasses. She poured some for each of them.

Charlie took a sip. "Listen ... I promise that Jo and I won't make it obvious around the house when we're here ... I mean ... in front of VJ ... or anyone else. Will it be okay if she stays over sometimes? I hate the thought of her having to spend every night in that house with her idiot brother."

"Sure ... no problem, Charlie. And I'll do my best to give you guys some space ... when you need it."

"No you don't have to do that, Leah ... honestly. I wouldn't want you to."

"Believe me ... you two are gonna need it ... in this town!"

Charlie knew Leah was right.

To be continued ...