A Pathway of Adversity

Chapter 34

"Come in Alison!" Charlie called as the Finanical Controller of the Summer Bay Fish and Crab company stood outside her office door.

"Charlie, sorry to bother you, but things are getting way out of control! Colleen Smart is shouting her mouth off, telling everyone that Joey Collins murdered Irene Roberts and how Joey is about to murder her too! Now, the intelligent among us know that Joey couldn't do that, but there are plenty of bloody idiots out there who will believe the ramblings of a stupid old woman and will be gunning for Jo. I know you and Joey are, well, together, so I thought I'd better let you know."

Charlie ushered Alison into her office and closed the door behind her.

"Alison, thanks for coming in. I've already heard some of the rumours that Colleen is throwing around; I've also had her brother on the phone, threatening to bring the Superintendent in to take over the case. I'm at my wits end! I'm scared that its getting out of hand. If Alf Stuart can't see past that bloody old witch of a sister of his and the scanderlous things she's saying, there's not much hope for the rest of the Bay! Alison, I've got Joey out of town. You are the only one I've told and can trust with this. I had a feeling something like this would happen."

"God, Charlie! You've taken one big risk!" Alison said, incredulously.

"Yeah, but I'm not having that heathen rabble crucify Joey for something she hasn't done! And if I lose my job over it, well, so be it. Jo and I will run away together and we'll never come back to this shit-hole again!"

Alison could see how agitated Charlie had become and left her seat as Charlie's tears began to fall.

"Hey now!" Alison said as she put a comforting arm around her friend and neighbour. "It will work out, you'll see!"

"What? When all the heavy weights in town are against Joey?" Charlie sobbed.

"We won't let anything happen to Joey! Even if the likes of Alf Stuart and his chums gang up! We do have some standing in this town, especially you, Charlie! Everyone respects you!"

"Not when they find out that I'm now a lesbian!" Charlie choked.

Alison was speechless. She knew that Joey had started a relationship with Charlie and though it personally did not bother her, she knew that the narrow minded town's folks would take it as an opportunity to make mischief.

"Charlie," She said after a few moments. "If the shit hits the fan there will be many who will stand up for you, including me! And if you need to leave town quickly, you can take my car! Its a good, fast one!" She grinned.

Charlie could not help but laugh and dried her tears.

Angelo Rosetta sat in his cafe listening to the buzz of talk going about with regard to Joey Collins and how she had murdered Irene Roberts. His brow furrowed and he felt sick to his stomach. He did not know Joey Collins that well, but well enough to know that she was no killer. He felt sorry for the kid and somehow responsible.

When the last patron left the premises, he closed the doors and shutters and bit his lip. He could not just stand by and allow a mob to do their worst where Joey was concerned. It was time to take action even if it meant incriminating himself.

Charlie sat on the sofa with a glass of wine. Tears were never too far from her eyes. She missed Joey madly and feared for her ultimate safety. A sudden movement in the doorway made her look up.

"Hi Charlz." Ruby said sheepishly. "I haven't seen you in ages."

Charlie swallowed and looked down into her wine glass. Another fight with Ruby is not what she wanted at that moment.

"If you're about to lay into me again..."

"No Charlie! Honest!" Ruby cried, throwing herself at her sister's feet. "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have spoken to you as I did! It was childish and unforgivable. What you do with your life is your concern, not mine! I'm so sorry! Please forgive me!" She wailed into her sister's lap.

Charlie placed her wine glass down and ran her fingers through Ruby's unruly hair.

"Oh Rubes! I didn't mean for you to find out about Joey and me – however you did! I wanted to tell you, but a whole host of stuff has been going on and I just didn't get a chance! And now it looks like Summer Bay is about to lynch Joey for a murder she hasn't committed and I just want to die!"

Ruby jumped onto the sofa and took her sister into her arms and rocked her back and forth as she cried.

"Don't worry sis; everything will be alright! I know you won't let Joey down and she will know it too!"

"I know, but I just don't know what else to do at the moment!"

"Shouldn't you be with Joey; in case they arrest her?"

"They can't." Charlie said quietly.

"What do you mean?"

"Joey's not in town right now."

"Yes, but when she comes back..."

"She won't until I go to fetch her."

"You mean...?"

"Yes."

"Geez." Ruby said in astonishment. "Pretty risky!"

"Yeah." Charlie breathed.

"Is there anything I can do?" Ruby asked after a few moments.

"Just don't breathe a word!"

"No way!"

Suddenly a ring at the door bell made both girls sit up straight.

"Who the hell is that?" Charlie asked.

Ruby could tell from her sister's face that she was scared.

"Don't worry, I'll go and tell them you're out."

Charlie nodded and sat with her knees up under her chin.

Ruby walked to the front door and opened it.

"Angelo!" She said in surprise.

"Ruby! I must see Charlie. Is she home?"

"Errr... No. She's out. Can I take a message?"

"Ruby... This is vitally important! I need to speak to her about... well, it involves Irene Roberts..."

"Its okay, Rubes. Let him in." Charlie said as she stood behind her sister.

It was the first time in weeks that she had set eyes on Angelo Rosetta and she was curious to see what was on his mind.

"Charlie." He said, "Thanks for seeing me. Can we talk... privately?"

"I'll go into my room." Ruby said quickly. "I have some homework to do."

"Thanks Rubes." Charlie said, catching her sister with a kiss as she passed.

"Call if you want me!" Ruby replied, glancing at Angelo.

"I see she likes me as much as ever!" He grinned.

"What is it you want, Angelo?" Charlie asked without humour.

"Charlie, I know things have been bad between us and I know I have you to thank that things didn't get worse. I know you spoke up for me at the hearing and I wish I had been straight with you at the time, but... well, there was more than just 'us' at stake!"

Charlie frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Angelo swallowed and sat down in a chair.

"Charlie, do you remember when all that stuff with Hugo Austen started? How we used to spend a lot of time together and sometimes I didn't come home at all?"

"You needn't remind me!" Charlie snapped.

"Okay, I guess I deserved that, but I think its revalation time. And what I'm about to tell you might come as a bit of a shock!"