Chapter Eight

Charlie and Joey had walked around the large park, holding hands and enjoying being together in the sunshine.

"Do you want to sit?" Joey asked, gesturing to a healthy looking lawn.

"Sure," Charlie replied.

"I didn't think far enough ahead to bring a blanket or anything," Joey said, as they made themselves comfortable on the grass. "Sorry."

"I'm just happy to be here with you at all," Charlie replied sincerely.

Joey smiled, leaning forward and kissing her. Charlie closed her eyes in sheer delight as she felt herself being guided into lying down. Joey's slim frame leaned over her as their lips and tongues began to explore. They were breathless by the time they parted.

"Wow," they said in unison.

They giggled shyly and Joey rolled off Charlie and they both sat up.

"You do realise that you just made out with a girl in public?" Joey remarked.

"I know," Charlie said. "The days of me having an issue with my sexuality are long gone."

"When did they go?" Joey wondered.

"Pretty much as soon as you left town," Charlie admitted.

"You've really got to admire the irony," Joey smirked.

Charlie laughed softly.

"I really wish I could have done things differently with you, Joey," she admitted.

Joey leant over and kissed her softly on the lips.

"There's no point living in regret, Charlie," she said.

"Another thing you learned while you were away?" the police officer asked.

Joey smiled wistfully. Charlie shifted a little closer and held her hand. She lifted it to her lips and offered a gentle kiss.

"How did you learn all of this stuff?" she wondered.

Since they had reunited, Joey hadn't revealed all that much of where she had been and what she had been up to while she had been away. Charlie had tentatively told her the truth about Ruby, the trauma they had all been through with Grant and then the saga of her miserable relationship with Angelo. Joey had listened patiently and without judgement, although she had been surprised by some of the stories and saddened to realise that she and Charlie had both been through the same thing with violent men.

"I worked on trawlers for a little while after I left," Joey explained. "And then just before Christmas last year, I rocked up in the city and started working for an amazing woman."

Charlie raised her eyebrows suggestively, making Joey laugh.

"She was eighty seven," Joey informed her. "And straight."

Charlie giggled, blushing a little.

"And she made an impression on you?" she asked.

"You could say that," Joey replied.

She smiled wistfully, gazing out at the horizon for a few moments.

"Even though I'd run away from you, you were still with me," she admitted. "You were always in my heart and I missed you so much. I was distraught when I couldn't come back to be with you."

"Well, that was all my fault. I'm sorry for how badly I hurt you, Joey," Charlie said softly. "I wish I could go back and…"

Joey interrupted her with a kiss. She stroked her face and gazed into her eyes.

"I know," she said gently. "But we don't need to worry about things like that now, do we? We can just be together and be happy. We can get it right this time."

Charlie smiled gratefully and kissed her again.

"And for the record," she said. "You've been in my heart all this time as well. Just so you know."

Joey smiled again, pulling Charlie into her arms. She never wanted the moment to end.

Next time… Ruby learns of Joey's return…