A Pathway of Adversity

Chapter 8

Georgie Watson glanced at her watch and sighed deeply. She moved around in the car seat, trying for a more comfortable position. She settled and put the plastic coffee cup to her lips; disappointed that only the lukewarm dregs remained.

Suddenly, her mobile phone lit up on the dashboard where it lay in silent mode. She hastily picked it up to view the message she had received.

'Is he still there?'

Watson sighed again and pressed the 'reply' button.

'Yes, still here.'

She pressed the 'send' button and resumed her watch.

"Joey love; it's Irene."

"Hey Irene! What's up?"

"Darl, I'm sorry to bother you at this time of night, but can you pop 'round to mine? I think I've found something which you might find interesting."

"Yes, of course. I'll see you shortly."

Irene replaced the hand-set of her landline and looked worried. She set a marker in the ledger and closed it, pending Joey's arrival.

"So, Mr. Austen... do you think that Sergeant... I mean Mr. Rosetta's restaurant has made a big impact on Summer Bay since it's been open?" Marilyn asked sweetly.

Hugo continued picking his teeth for a moment and then looked up at Marilyn with a bored expression.

"To be honest, love, I don't give a stuff one way or another!"

Marilyn looked confused and embarrassed by Hugo's rude answer.

"Hugo mate!" Alf cried. "Marilyn only asked you a question! There's no need to be bloody rude about it!"

"Its okay, Mr. Stuart. I'm sure Mr. Austen didn't mean to give offence. Perhaps my company is a little irksome at times." Marilyn said, trying to sound cheerful and keep smiling.

"I think it's about time we were leaving." Hugo said; getting to his feet and nudging Martha. "I've got things to do."

Martha's mouth fell open for a moment, in shock.

"Well, come on, if you're coming!" Hugo said irritably.

Martha jumped up from her seat and smiled uncomfortably at Marilyn.

"It- it was a lovely meal, Marilyn, wasn't it Hugo?"

"Yeah... whatever." Was all he answered.

Martha's colour deepened; feeling embarrassed by Hugo's rudeness.

"It was my pleasure and I hope you'll come again soon." Marilyn said, handing Martha her wrap.

She turned to Alf.

"It's a shame you have to leave so early!"

"Not me, love. I'm in no rush, even if these blokes are. And I wouldn't say 'no' to another helping of your lemon meringue pie!" Alf replied with a wink.

Marilyn's face lit up and she clapped her hands together enthusiastically. Hugo raised his eyes to the ceiling and muttered under his breath.

Constable Watson jolted up straight when she saw Hugo and Martha leaving Marilyn's house. She noted the time and wrote it down in her book.

Hugo started the engine of his Audi and sped away; his wheels screeching and smoking on the tarmac.

Constable Watson started her engine and quickly pulled away, but more discreetly than Austen.

"There you go, love."

"Thanks, Irene." Joey said, gratefully accepting the streaming mug of coffee. "So, what's up?"

"Joey love, call me crazy if you will, but I've been looking through these ledgers for the last quarter, and there's something I've noticed."

Joey put down the mug and accepted the accounts ledger which Irene offered.

"Look here... and here... now you're not telling me that this is just creative accountancy! Even I can see that it's been played with, and with the aid of correction fluid!"

Joey looked closely at the computer print-out.

"Well, I must admit that it seems a little archaic to be making amendments in this way. But I'm sure that Alison wouldn't allow her staff to make correcting entries like this if she realised – well, not by just applying correction fluid, that is! What will the auditors make of it?"

"Dunno, darl, and where's the back up? I'm no Albert Einstein, but something's wrong here and we need to flush it out before it's too late!" Irene said, picking up the telephone.

"Irene! You can't just go accusing people! We need to speak to Alison first and let her initiate an investigation. As Financial controller, it's her province; not mine or yours!"

"It may not be, love, but it's our flipping company shares!"

"Granted, but there are procedures! Look, let me have a word with Alison first; sound her out, so to speak!"

"Yeah and what if she's involved?"

"Alison is a very trustworthy member of staff and also a friend, Irene. I don't want her feeling she is being accused of cooking the books!" Joey warned.

"Yeah, I guess you're right love."

"Look, I'll pop by on the way home from here and have a little chat with her, okay?"

"What will you say?" Irene asked.

"I dunno, but I'll be discrete."

Charlie Buckton tied up a plastic bag of rubbish and took it out into the drive way. Placing it in the dustbin, she noticed a car's headlights coming along the quiet street, and as it neared, the vehicle indicated and slowed up; parking just outside. Charlie walked a few paces to the gate; wondering who was visiting at such a late hour.

"Hey!" Joey called as she wound down the passenger window.

"Hey!" Charlie called back. "What brings you to these parts at this time of night?" She asked; finding it hard to control the smile on her face.

"Popping in to see one of your neighbours, actually, but I noticed you loitering in the garden, so thought I'd stop to say 'hello'!" Joey grinned.

"Loitering? I don't loiter!"

Joey was lost for words. Charlie's eyes were twinkling with amusement in the moonlight and just being so near her made her heart beat a little quicker. After having fought off the impulse to kiss Charlie on the beach earlier, she was now finding it almost as hard not to fall under the same spell again.

"I-I'm just going to call on Alison, who lives next door to you... Work related."

Charlie glanced at her watch.

"But Joey, it's nearly ten thirty! She won't thank you for a work-related visit at this time of night! Besides, I think she has company." Charlie pointed out, indicating to a strange car parked in her neighbour's drive.

Joey tutted and bit her lip.

"Is it that important?" Charlie enquired.

Joey glanced towards Alison's house and then, back at the ledger sitting on the passenger seat.

"Well, yeah, it is... but if she's got company... Charlie, I... err..."

"Joey, why don't you come in for a coffee or something? At least that way you won't have had a wasted journey!" Charlie suggested warmly. "Is there anything I can help with?"

Joey looked into Charlie's inviting eyes. She bit her lip and looked again at Alison's house.

"I really shouldn't... Oh hell... okay. Just a quickie... I-I mean, for a quick coffee."

Charlie grinned.

"Good. My sister is going to bed shortly, so we won't be disturbed."

Joey felt her knees becoming weak as she walked around the car to join Charlie.

"Charlie... I have a bit of a problem." Joey said suddenly, stopping in the middle of the driveway.

Charlie looked back at Joey with concern.

"Well, let's see if I can help you with it then!" Charlie said, taking her hand and leading her indoors.