A Pathway of Adversity
Chapter 20
Irene Roberts craned her neck as she watched for the Summer Bay Fish and Crab Company delivery wagon to pass by. It was late; late by fifteen minutes. This was the third time in a week. Irene checked her watch and sighed. Picking up the telephone, she dialled the 'SBF and C' and asked to speak to Joey Collins.
"I'm sorry, Irene; Joey is out on business. Can anyone else help?" Marilyn asked politely.
"No worries, love. I'll ring her mobile."
"Do you need her number, Irene?" The ever-helpful receptionist asked.
"No thanks, darl. So, congratulations are in order. Alf's a lucky man!"
"Oh, Irene! I'm sure I'm the lucky one really!" Marilyn enthused. "He's a wonderful man; so kind and thoughtful... always the gentleman. I couldn't ask for a better suitor!"
Irene squeezed her lips together; trying not to laugh.
"Well, darl, I hope you both have a wonderful life together. You deserve it!"
"Oh Irene, what a lovely thing to say. You're always so kind! Thank you."
"Just watch that fruit cake of a sister of his!" Irene warned, seriously. "She could make trouble for you."
"She's already after my blood!" Marilyn wailed. "Alf has told me not to worry, but it's when he's not around I get a little bit jittery."
"Well, Colleen is all hot air, Marilyn. Just let her blow it off and have her say. She'll soon get tired of the sound of her own voice. Don't let her get to you, love." Irene said, attempting to sound cheerful.
"I certainly won't, Irene!"
"Good on ya, darl. Well, things to do. Catch you later; I'll buy you and Alf a celebratory glass of fizz when I see you next!"
"How wonderful! Thanks Irene. Woo-hoo!" Marilyn giggled.
Irene smiled as replaced the receiver. She genuinely wished the happy couple well, but she could see only trouble brewing; trouble from every direction and there was nothing she could do to stop it.
"Hello, Joey Collins speaking!" Joey chirped happily as she answered her phone.
A smile had been plastered over her face ever since she had made love to the most beautiful girl in the world; Charlie Buckton. Her mind recalled the taste of Charlie's soft, naked body and how she had made Charlie cry out in raptures at the moment of her climax. Joey also remembered how Charlie had wanted her too, and had tentatively explored every nook and crevice of her body, blowing her mind and making her realise that no one else but Charlie could ever again, be the mistress of her heart.
"Joey... It's Veronica Hastings here from 'Fishy Dishy'"
"Hey Mrs. Hastings. How are you?"
"I'd be a lot better if our consignments were arriving, but they're not, Joey! One missing delivery is bad enough, but this is the third time in two weeks! I didn't complain at first because your company have always been so reliable... but this is getting ridiculous! We're letting down our customers because we haven't got the stock! What the hell is going on down there?"
Joey's heart skipped a beat. The beautiful memory of making love to Charlie was temporarily swept away as the cold light of day and the tone of Mrs. Hastings' grievance, hit home.
"Mrs. Hastings! I'm so sorry! I had no idea this was happening! I wish you'd have contacted me straight away. Please accept my sincere apologies. I'm ten minutes away from the office. I shall investigate immediately and contact you within the hour. I feel so embarrassed!"
"I know it's not your fault, dear, but someone has to be answerable for this! I anxiously await your telephone call."
Mrs. Hastings hung up before Joey had the chance to say anymore. She closed her eyes and sighed deeply.
What the hell was happening now? This was the fifth complaint Joey had received in as many days.
She bit her lip and thought for a few moments. Pulling over, she called Charlie's mobile number.
"Charlie Buckton."
"Hey, it's me."
"Hi honey. How are you?"
"Devastated!" Joey announced miserably.
"Joey, what's wrong?"
"We're having so many orders going missing; I just don't know what to do!"
"Calm down, honey! Look, I'm gonna have a tail put on all your drivers. Get this week's rota faxed to me this afternoon. We'll have to take a chance on anyone finding out."
"Okay, I'll do it a.s.a.p. God! I'm so worried."
"Joey, keep calm! We'll get to the bottom of this; don't worry. Text me when you get back to work. Now drive carefully, my darling. We will sort it out... and soon."
"Okay. Sorry! I didn't mean to drop this on you!"
"I'm glad you did. Take care."
"I will."
Joey finished the call and shortly afterwards, pulled into the 'SBF and C' car park. Jumping out, she could hear the sound of laughter coming from the fish stores and noticed ten or so delivery drivers throwing fish at each other. Joey saw red and stormed into the dispatch office and yelled for the manager. Doug Smooter came running.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" He boomed. "I won't have anyone coming in here and acting like a spoilt brat!"
"I suggest, Mr. Smooter, you get your fat-arse in gear and get these deliveries out to our customers; quick-smart and in A-1 condition! I will not be embarrassed by the short comings of your department anymore!" Joey yelled back. "Get it fixed or I shall kick arse! Oh, and by the way, I suggest you order your staff to stop lobbing our fish supplies around and get on with some bloody work!"
Joey stormed out, leaving a livid, but very embarrassed dispatch manager.
"Well, well... And who's this lovely creature?" Hugo asked, oiling his way around the table to where Martha and Ingrid were lunching.
"Hi darling! This is Ingrid; she's temping in my office for a couple of weeks; seeing if she enjoys number crunching!" Martha said, taking hold of her boyfriend's hand, possessively.
"An honour to know you, Ingrid." Hugo said, drooling over the beautiful blonde.
"How do you do." The incognito Police Auditor replied.
Hugo was just as she had imagined; slimy and smug.
"When Alf told me we had a trainee starting in accounts, I imagined a young, spotty kid, not a beautiful goddess!"
Martha bristled. She knew she should be used to Hugo's unadulterated flirting by now, but it still hurt. She glanced quickly at her new friend, but was relieved to see that Ingrid had more interest in her tuna and lettuce sandwich than she did in Martha's boyfriend.
"I hope you will enjoy your stay with us... Ingrid..."
Ingrid cringed at the way Hugo spoke her name.
"And if you encounter any problems or have any concerns, you just come and visit with me in my office." He said, winking at her. "There's nothing here which I can't make better"
He looked long and lustfully into Ingrid's eyes, a look which did not escape Martha's notice.
"That's very kind of you, Mr. Austen, but I'm sure I'll be fine." Ingrid replied, coldly.
"What time will you be home tonight, darling?" Martha asked, nervously.
"When I'm good and ready!" Hugo announced, winking again at the oblivious Ingrid.
"Joey, love! I've been trying to get hold of you for hours!"
"Irene, I'm sorry! I've had one shit of a day and I don't think it's finished yet!" Joey sighed.
"You bet it hasn't! Something needs to be done! Where the hell are all these delivery vans disappearing to? That's what I'd like to know! I've warned you about this already, but you've done bugger-all about it!" Irene yelled in an agitated manner.
"Irene! I'm doing my best! Cut me some slack here, please!"
"Look darl. It's no good us dancing around here like a flock of old chooks in a hen-coop – we need to act!"
"Irene, please don't do anything rash! I have things in order... they just need a bit of time to work."
"Joey, we need to call in the Police!"
"And what will Alf say?"
"Love, I don't care! If he's dumb enough to allow Austen to be running this whole shebang, he deserves to have a rude awakening!"
"Irene... Just leave it with me. I'm doing all I can."
Irene sighed and gave in.
"Well, you know best, darl, but my patience is running thin!"
"I know. I'll do what I can."
Joey laid her phone on the desk and rested her aching head in her hands. She knew Irene Roberts meant well and had only the good of the company at heart. She was one of Joey's closest friends, but just now, she had little need of Irene nagging her as she was. But Joey forgave Irene quickly for many reasons; it was Irene who had been such a comfort when Joey's mother had died; trying to give the love and support which her death had so quickly deprived the young Joey and her brother Brett, of. And when their father had passed away, it was Irene who had stepped in, picked up the pieces and helped Joey, at least, to put her life back on track. Brett was beyond help and had already got mixed up with the wrong crowd. So now Irene had become surrogate mother and father to Joey and made no secret, that when she was gone, her estate, which had been boosted by the death of her late finance, Lou, would be Joey's, lock, stock and barrel. Joey, although touched by Irene's wishes, loved her for the constant kindness and warmth which she bestowed so unselfishly, but wished Irene would enjoy her fortune while she was alive, instead of worrying about Joey's future, after she was gone.
Joey faxed Charlie the rota for deliveries and hoped that an under-cover Police tail would be in place by the next morning. Maybe Irene was right about calling in the Police officially, instead of just involving them the way they had been so far; undercover. Time would tell. She just hoped that her way was right and all of Hugo Austen's dirty little activities would soon be discovered, and each one, mean a long prison sentence.