Chapter Eighteen

Both Charlie and Joey were reluctant to surface from a particularly comfortable king size bed in the most luxurious hotel Charlie had ever seen. Her head had almost exploded when she'd seen how large their suite was. She was grateful for a late checkout, which meant that they could enjoy the hot tub in the bathroom before they left. If they could get out of bed.

"Huh?" Charlie grunted, sitting up in a state of confusion when there was a knock at the door.

"That would be breakfast," Joey realised.

Hauling herself out of bed, Joey wrapped herself in the complimentary dressing gowns on the back of the door. She opened up and gratefully accepted the breakfast tray.

"When did you order room service?" Charlie wondered, as Joey tipped the waitress and sent her on her way.

"When I booked the hotel yesterday," Joey said, bringing the tray to the table.

Charlie put the other dressing gown on and followed her.

"Did you go over budget?" she asked worriedly.

"Just under," Joey replied.

Charlie looked incredulously at her and shook her head in disbelief.

"You're insane," she decided.

Joey just poured out two glasses of orange juice, joking that Charlie wouldn't have her any other way.

"You're right about that," Charlie replied.

"I am so glad we flouted the sex rule," Charlie murmured.

She and Joey had finished making love for the second time in the hot tub. Joey smiled, relaxing in the bubbles. Charlie moved closer and kissed her.

"Hey," she said. "Were you expecting to bed me when you booked this place?"

"Expecting probably isn't the right word," Joey smirked. "Hoping?"

Charlie grinned and kissed her again. She wrapped her arms around her and straddled her hips beneath the water.

"Now that we're official," she said. "Can I take you out on a date?"

Joey beamed at her, cupping her face.

"I would love that," she said.

"I don't think I have a grand to spend though…" Charlie said unhappily.

"It's not about the money we spend," Joey told her. "It's about the fun we have, the happiness."

Feeling reassured, Charlie hugged her a little closer. She never wanted the day to end.

The romantic bubble of perfection burst the moment Charlie and Joey walked back through the front door. They heard someone crying a retching. Dropping their bags, both women hurried through the house and found Ruby throwing up in the toilet.

"I'm sorry," she managed, sinking onto the floor as Charlie reached out to hold her.

"What happened?" she asked worried.

"I saw Liam kissing Bianca and…"

Ruby sighed and closed her eyes. She knew it was stupid, even as she was saying it. If she expected condemnation, she didn't receive it. Charlie just held her and Joey sat in front of her, holding her hands.

"I'm sorry," Ruby said again.

"Tell us how we can make it better," Joey requested gently.

"I don't know," Ruby replied.

She cried harder and rested against Charlie, feeling safe for the first time in a long time.

An hour and a half later, when she had finished having a hot bubble bath, courtesy of Charlie, Ruby was sat in the lounge with her mother and her mother's girlfriend.

"Can I ask you a question?" Charlie said.

Ruby nodded weakly.

"Do you think you have a drink problem?"

Ruby looked stricken. She did not want to say yes. But somewhere along the way over the last few months, she had been relying on alcohol a lot. And she feared that it might soon spiral out of control.

"I think I might be developing one," she compromised. "I think I could pull it back without too much trauma but if it goes on any longer then it would be… bad."

Charlie nodded thoughtfully, exchanging worried glances with Joey.

"Ruby, there's a place a couple of hours away from here that deal with problems like yours," Joey ventured.

"I don't need rehab!" Ruby protested.

"It's not rehab," Joey assured her. "It's similar but it's designed for people in your position, where you've caught it early. Do you think that might be helpful to you?"

"Maybe…" Ruby ventured.

"I know a few people who have been there and they said the experience is really valuable," Joey said. "We could call them on Monday morning and get you booked in."
"Do you think they'd be able to help me?" Ruby asked.

"I'm certain," Joey replied.

Charlie looked awkward.

"Jo, I'm sure that's a great idea but I'd have to save up to send her to a place like that, unless they have payment plans or something," Charlie said.

She would give every last penny to Ruby if it would help. But every single dollar in her bank account wouldn't match the extortionate prices of a clinic like that.

"I can pay," Joey replied.

Charlie looked confused. She couldn't help but wonder where all this money had suddenly come from.

"We couldn't expect you to…"

"I thought we were a family again," Joey said, meeting her gaze.

"We are," Charlie confirmed.

Ruby also nodded.

"Then let me deal with the cost," Joey requested.

"But how…"

"Please just trust me," Joey begged.

Charlie nodded. Money aside, getting her daughter the correct help as soon as possible was her absolute priority.

Next time… Angelo attempts revenge…