There is only one chapter after this one so I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for your reading and your reviewing. I really appreciate it. Love, IJKS xxx

Chapter Twenty Six

"I think we need a holiday," Joey decided.

"Because life's so difficult right about now?" Charlie giggled.

She had taken some time off work to spend with Joey, painfully aware that she had a home and a life away from Summer Bay and might decide she wanted to return to it one day. The couple were stretched out on the beach sunbathing and enjoying the lovely weather.

"I'm serious," Joey said, shifting in her lounger. "You've got time off work and Ruby will have a break from school soon. We could go somewhere, the three of us."

Charlie smiled.

"That sounds nice," she agreed, reaching out and holding her hand. "Where would you like to go?"

"Well, I've never been abroad before," Joey ventured. "Unless you count living on a trawler! It'd be nice to see more of the world than just the ocean though."

"Then why don't we go into town later and get some brochures?" Charlie suggested.

"Sounds like a plan," Joey agreed. "Now, how do you feel about swimming?"

Accepting the challenge, Charlie leapt up and took off down the beach.

"Hey!" Joey protested, hurtling after her. "No fair!"

Charlie splashed into the sea, running until she was immersed in the water. Joey was quickly upon her, giggling and wrapping her arms around Charlie's waist. Charlie turned around a kissed her, admiring how beautiful she was with the sunlight shimmering on the water around them.

"I think I won that one," Charlie said. "So, does that mean I get a reward?"

Joey grinned, hugging her a little closer and kissing her. She let her lips wander along her jaw and down her neck and smiled as Charlie's legs straddled her.

"I'm sure we can think of something," she murmured, tracing her fingertips over her skin.

Charlie closed her eyes and relaxed into Joey's touch. She gasped a little when she felt Joey's fingers between her legs and inside her bikini bottoms. She moaned happily, as Joey quickly set to work. She clutched her a little tighter as Joey continued to play, gently but firmly. Charlie felt like her whole body was on fire. She saw fireworks sparkling beneath her eyelids and Joey quickly took her to the edge of ecstasy and beyond.

"You are very much the person I wanted to see," Paulie announced when he spotted Charlie and Joey walking hand in hand towards the Diner.

"What's up?" Joey wondered.

She didn't think that much of Angelo but his brother was rather charming.

"I need to borrow money," Paulie said, getting right to the point.

"How much?"

"Not a lot."

"What are we talking here?"

"A few grand."

"I need a number, Paulie," Joey said a little impatiently.

"Maybe thirty…"

Charlie was immediately outraged.

"You don't even know her!" she snapped. "Why the hell should she lend you anything?"

"She probably shouldn't," Paulie agreed. "But I'm about to get severely maimed by a loan shark so I'm pretty much out of options."
Joey hesitated. It wasn't like she didn't have the money. She had more than she needed. And she had always been brought up to help someone out if she could.

"Please?" Paulie begged.

"I guess…" Joey ventured.

"Thank you!" he replied, surprising her with a hug. "I told him I didn't need his help."

"Wait," Joey said, pushing him away firmly. "Who's 'he'?"

"Angelo," Paulie ventured quietly.

Charlie looked even more irritated while Joey looked puzzled.

"Is that what yesterday was about?" Joey asked.

"Um…"

"Angelo?" Joey said. "He was trying to trick me into lending you money?"

"Uh… I don't…"

"Forget it," Joey said irritably.

She took Charlie's hand and continued on her way.

Next time… Charlie, Joey and Ruby go on holiday and make a big decision about their future…