A Pathway of Adversity
Chapter 24
Charlie and Joey lay in the darkness of Joey's bedroom. As Charlie held Joey in her arms, they talked and wept over Irene, and Joey told stories of Irene's kindness to her over the years. Charlie listened mostly, but spoke when it was appropriate, and gave Joey as much comfort as she could.
"Charlie, can't you at least give me some idea of what happened to Irene?" Joey whispered in the darkness.
"Darling... you know I'm restricted by law from giving anyone much detail."
"Even to me?" Joey sighed sadly.
"Even you... my angel. I won't even know until tomorrow what the cause of death was." Charlie explained.
But the Police Sergeant already knew; the blow to the head which Irene had sustained was enough to kill any mere mortal. She had not seen any other injury to Irene's body, so assumed the fatal blow was dealt by someone who had either lured Irene to the fisherman's shed, or her body had been taken there and dumped after her death. Details like this were not necessary for Joey to know at present, especially in her frail state.
Charlie could detect Joey's disappointment and held her a little closer.
"You know... everything which can be done, is being done, Jo."
"Was she murdered?"
"Joey, you know I can't answer that."
"Charlie... was she murdered?" Joey asked more forcefully.
Charlie sighed, but remained silent.
"I guess your silence means she was." Joey croaked.
"Joey, I'll move heaven and earth to find who did it!" Charlie promised.
Joey nodded her understanding but more tears seeped from her eyes. She snuggled down close to Charlie, feeling vulnerable and needing to feel the close proximity of her girlfriend. Her face was pressed hard against Charlie's chest and Joey could smell the scent of her lover's silky skin. She found this strangely provocative and the hairs on the back of her neck stood up, making her shiver. Suddenly, she was overcome by a need of being physically loved by Charlie.
Charlie gently ran her fingers up and down Joey's bare arm in a bid to relax and lull her off to sleep, but strangely, this act had the opposite effect, and Joey became more aroused by Charlie's soft caresses. She started to kiss Charlie's chest urgently, and then travelled up to her throat and lips; kissing her wildly and passionately. Charlie was surprised and almost recoiled in shock, but soon realised that Joey needed her and therefore, allowed her to continue. She understood that Joey's burst of carnal passion was in fact, a need to be held, touched and loved; assuring her by such intimacy, that she was still alive.
As Joey's climax calmed, she sighed contentedly and immediately fell into a peaceful slumber in her lover's arms. Charlie watched her face and smiled, knowing her girlfriend would sleep more restfully now, and lovingly kissed the top of her head. She listened to Joey's regular breathing as she slept soundly and noticed with amusement, the little smile on her lips as she rested. Soon, Charlie fell asleep too, and neither woke until breakfast.
Having driven Alf Stewart home upon Joey Collins' instruction, Marilyn Fisher quickly called for an ambulance when Alf started to complain of pains across his shoulders and having breathing difficulties. He was admitted into an emergency ward, where he was given heart tests and was diagnosed as having suffered a mild heart-attack. The news of Irene's death had shaken him severely; Irene was an old and valued friend and though they had often disagreed in business, their friendship had never come into question.
The news of Irene Robert's death soon became the gossip of Summer Bay. Friends and acquaintances alike were shocked and bemused by her untimely death. Groups of people collected on street corners; speculating that Irene's death must have been at the hand of another person, as the Police had cordoned off and spent many hours at the site where her body had been discovered. Therefore, it must have been murder.
"Hey." Charlie said as she kissed her girlfriend awake. "Here's breakfast in bed!"
Joey opened her eyes. Her lashes were a little stuck together due to the tears of the night before and her eyelids were red and puffy. Charlie stoked her hair; smiling down into her sleepy face.
"How did you sleep?"
Joey yawned and rubbed her eyes.
"I did a lot of dreaming; weird dreams... they didn't make much sense, but they were filled with you, Irene and strangely enough, Colleen Smart!"
"Colleen?" Charlie giggled. "I'd call that was a nightmare!"
Joey grinned back, but the smile disappeared as soon as she remembered the events of the previous day.
"I still can't believe it, Charlie! I can't believe I'll never see her again."
"I know, sweetheart." Charlie replied, stroking Joey's hair. "Come on... eat!"
"I'm not very hungry." Joey replied apologetically, looking down at the toast which Charlie had so carefully prepared.
"But you ate nothing yesterday. You need to eat, sweetheart!"
Joey sighed but after seeing the worried look in her girlfriend's eyes, made an effort by picking up the heavily buttered slice of toast, and biting into it. The butter oozed down her chin and Charlie lovingly wiped it away with a paper serviette. Joey munched half-heartedly, but did not tell Charlie it made her want to vomit! She swallowed the mouthful quickly, almost whole, and washed it down with a mouthful of sweet tea.
"Charlie... Thank you for... last night. I'm sorry... I don't know what came over me. It was like being processed!"
"Darling, don't apologise! I understand what happened. Don't be ashamed!"
"God knows what you must have thought of me – demanding you make love to me like that... at such a time, too!" Joey said, toying with the remains of the toast.
Charlie pondered for a few moments.
"I read a pamphlet once called 'Psychosexual Impulses' which studied the psychological aspects of sexual impulses brought on by anxiety. According to its author, it's not uncommon for humans and indeed, primates, to mate after or during stressful moments!"
"Are you calling me a gorilla?" Joey asked with a little smile.
Charlie chucked and stroked her girlfriend's cheek.
"Well, if you were to shave more often...!"
"What!" Joey cried indignantly. "I shave at least once a week!"
Charlie laughed and Joey couldn't help but chuckle also; immediately feeling the benefit of Charlie's company.
"Seriously... I fell asleep on you afterwards... I'm sorry." Joey said, laying her head on Charlie's shoulder.
"Hey! No worries. I'm glad it was me, and that you trusted me enough." Charlie whispered.
Joey looked lovingly into Charlie's blue eyes.
"I do love you so much, Charlie. Don't ever leave me! Please don't leave me as well!"
Joey's tears were beginning to form again and Charlie removed the breakfast tray. Taking Joey into her arms, she rocked her gently, making little, reassuring noises and gestures of her fidelity, and promising never to leave.
Hugo Austen sat at his office desk, absently drumming a pencil against his coffee mug. His thoughts were far away from the office and work, but every time he tried to attend to it, his mind was dragged back to where he did not want to be. He closed his eyes briefly and wished he was a million miles away from Summer Bay.
Georgie Watson bit into her cheese and ham toasty and after chewing for a few moments, washed it down with a beer.
"Penny for them?" She said, grinning at the pale looking young man sitting to her right.
Angelo Rosetta hardly heard her words. His mind was preoccupied and had been since they met for lunch.
"Angelo! Did you hear what I said?"
"Huh?" He grunted back.
"I asked what was on your mind!" Watson said, with more clarity.
"I-err... nothing really. Well... I mean..." He paused for a few moments. "Just trying to get my head around this Irene Roberts thing. Are you sure she was murdered?"
"Well, if she wasn't, it's the strangest looking suicide I've ever encountered!"
Angelo looked genuinely shocked.
"I can't understand why he did it!" He muttered quietly.
"Why who did what?" Watson asked quickly.
Angelo looked at her uncomfortably.
"Err... ignore me... I'm talking rubbish. Look, I have to go. Lunch is on the house. You carry on... Have another beer on me. I'll see ya!" Rosetta said, jumping to his feet and heading towards the kitchen door.
Watson watched his hasty departure and picked up her phone. Dialling Charlie's number, she left the restaurant and made for her car. If Rosetta was making a speedy exit, she wanted to know where he was going, and why!