A Pathway of Adversity
Chapter 13
Angelo Rosetta slid, snake-like alone the house-wall belonging to Hugo Austen. He stopped abruptly as he reached an open window and listened intently for any communication coming from within.
"Why do we always have to have this same, stupid argument, Hugo?"
"Because you always start it off; every time I want to go out and enjoy a few hours to myself! Haven't you got any knitting to do?"
"Knitting!"
Hugo laughed and put his jacket on.
"Well, you might as well take up knitting! You're turning into a middle-aged woman, Martha, with your constant 'nag, nag, nag'!"
"That's a lie, Hugo Austen, and you know it!"
"See ya later, babe!"
"Can't you at least tell me where you're going?" Martha pleaded.
"That's for me to know..." Hugo sneered.
"You're a pig, Hugo Austen!"
"Oink! Oink!"
And with that, he swept out of the front door, leaving Martha seething and frustrated.
Angelo lay flat against the wall in hopes of avoiding Hugo's keen eye. As Hugo reached his car, Angelo slunk back around the corner and closed his eyes. Swallowing, he listened as the car engine started and stole a glance in its direction. Hugo had put on his sun-glasses and was checking his appearance in the mirror. Looking pleased, he engaged first and left a trail of dust behind him as he exited the crescent-shaped driveway.
"Bloody fool." Angelo muttered to himself and hastily made his way back to his own car in hopes of trailing Austen.
"Charlie." Joey whispered as she freed herself from Charlie's surprise embrace. "Charlie, I can't believe..."
"Neither can I, but I have to be near you, Joey. You just make me feel so alive!"
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps was heard heading towards the room and the girls sprung apart. They glanced at each other with a shy smile, but their eyes spoke volumes to each other.
"More coffee, girls?" Alison asked as she tapped discreetly on the lounge door.
"Hey!" Charlie said breathlessly. "You're steeling my role as Hostess!"
Alison laughed and filled up their cups with coffee from the cafetiere.
"I've had special orders from Ruby to make sure you've had your daily hit of caffeine, Charlie, otherwise, she says, you get 'bloody moody'!"
Charlie's mouth fell open in protest, and Joey giggled. Charlie glanced at her with a frown, but quickly saw the joke.
"Okay, I'll admit it, I am a bit of a caffeine addict! But there are far worse things in life to be addicted to!"
"Hmmm, like girls who sell fish perhaps?" Alison suggested, laughing. "Well, I'm outta here! Thanks for your hospitality and company. I'll leave you girls to sort out the finer details of... ''the audit'." She winked. "Joey, I'll take the ledger home; just to see if there's any more damage which may have been done!"
"Could be a long job, Ali." Joey pointed out.
"Well, I'll log-on to the work server, remotely, and make some notes. I'll contact you if I find anything interesting. Thanks again, Charlie!" Alison called and waved her hand as she left.
"I'd swear she knows what's just happened between us!" Charlie said, worriedly as she watched her good-natured neighbour hop over the fence, onto her own property.
"Alison will say nothing. She's a good mate. And now, I suppose I should be leaving, too." Joey announced, sadly.
"Do you have to go just yet?" Charlie asked, touching her hand.
"I think I should... for the sake of appearance. Besides, don't you have washing up to do?"
"I'm hoping it's been done!" Charlie laughed.
Suddenly, her mood became serious.
"Joey, when can I see you again?"
"Tomorrow?"
Charlie smiled and grasped Joey's hand.
"I'll look forward to it. I'll get the ball rolling with regard to the auditor and with any luck we can arrange a meeting with her soon."
"Charlie, I don't know how I can thank you for your help."
"I do." Charlie said with a smile and pulled Joey into her arms.
"Marilyn, its Alf Stuart."
"Good evening, Mr. Stuart! How lovely to hear from you!"
"Well, it's lovely talking to you, love. I... err... was wondering if you'd like to come out to dinner with me tomorrow evening? Somewhere out of town, perhaps?"
"That sounds delightful, thank you! I'll look forward to it! There's only one thing, Mr. Stuart... what about Mrs. Smart?"
"Well, I'm certainly not inviting Colleen along as well! Three's a crowd, you know!"
Marilyn laughed.
"No, silly... I mean, won't she get upset?"
"In honesty, Marilyn love, I don't give a toss if she does! Are you worried?"
"Well, no... but, I don't want our dinner outing to be the cause of anymore trouble between you!"
"You just leave Colleen to me, Marilyn. Anyway, I'll see you at work tomorrow and we can finalize details!"
Angelo pulled up at a discrete distance behind Hugo Austen and watched as he entered a house. With the car window down, he could hear the chatter of a crowd coming from inside the building. Slowly and without attracting attention, he climbed out of his car and walked quietly to the door in hopes of getting a look at Hugo's acquaintances.
Charlie's phone rang, making her jump. She looked at the display and was more than a little surprised to read Georgie Watson's name on the screen.
"Hey Georgie! Something wrong?"
Constable Watson was surprised to hear her boss sounding so cheerful and for a moment, was lost for words.
"Hey Boss. I...Err... I need to have a word with you about something..."