A Pathway of Adversity

Chapter 55

Ruby Buckton had at last returned to bed. Bearing in mind the excitement and astonishment of what she'd learnt from Charlie, her head hit the pillow and she slept soundly for the remainder of the night. Charlie, on the other hand, tossed and turned; slumber reluctant to begin. The events of the last few days had kept her sleepless and though her body felt heavy and her mind numb, she still couldn't sleep. She climbed out of bed and walked into the kitchen to drink a glass of water. As she drank, she noticed a lonely figure standing in Alison's garden taking the night air. She knew at once, it was Joey Collins. She knew from her height, her posture and even though Joey's hair was now much changed, she was in no doubt of it being her. She placed the half finished glass of water on the side and walked quickly and silently out into the garden.

"Joey." She whispered.

Joey Collins jumped. She was deep in thought and hadn't expected company.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to intrude, but... you've been pretty hard to track down in the last few days and I think we need to talk." Charlie said calmly, even though she was shaking inside.

"Not now, Charlie." Joey replied flatly.

Charlie felt her heart break. She had never expected Joey Collins to speak to her in such a cold manner.

"Yes, now Joey. I need to understand what's going on between us. I don't know what's happened, but you've… you seem to have changed."

Joey remained silent.

"Don't be obstinate, Joey! Talk to me!" Charlie hissed.

Joey turned around very slowly. There were tears running down her cheeks and in a moment, Charlie had Joey in her arms.

"I can't do this, Charlie!" Joey choked.

"What my darling? What can't you do?"

"I can't stay here anymore. I need to get away!"

"We'll book a holiday. That way you can relax and un-ruffle your feathers. Perhaps we can…"

"No Charlie! I don't mean a holiday. I need to leave here! I need to leave Summerbay for good!"

Charlie took a deep breath. She'd hoped Joey might have forgotten her plans and decided to forgive Summerbay for its frailty.

"Joey… Don't go. I don't want you to leave… to leave me!"

"I'm sorry Charlie." Joey replied.

"But, I thought you were going to give it another go?"

"It's all too late, Charlie. I can't be here anymore."

Charlie knew by Joey's tone that her mind was made up and nothing would budge her. She sighed and stepped back. She was fighting tears but managed to speak.

"Okay. I understand, but... what I don't understand is why you wouldn't talk to me before. You've been avoiding me, Joey."

"I was upset and disappointed in you, Charlie."

"Disappointed? What have I done?" Charlie asked, losing the battle with her tears.

"Where were you, Charlie? Where were you when I needed you most?"

Charlie was confused.

"What do you mean?"

"The day I left the safe house! I tried ringing you but you weren't there! You'd promised to be there!"

"Darling! I came as soon as I could!"

"It was too late, Charlie! I was frightened and I needed you!"

"I came as quick as I could!"

"But they were outside – they could have killed me!" Joey yelled turning to Charlie with angry tears.

"They were the Police, Joey! Looking after you, until you decided to leave and worry the hell out of me and put yourself in real danger! But that's just typical of you, isn't it? Always putting Joey Collins first – to hell with everyone else! Don't follow instructions, coz she always knows best!"

A dog at a neighbouring property, started to bark.

Charlie closed her eyes and lowered her voice.

"Joey! Martha could have killed you!"

"But she didn't!"

Charlie sighed.

"Your name's been totally cleared."

"I know. It makes no difference."

"Well, quite obviously you've made up your mind about everything. So perhaps it will be best if you leave Summerbay. Good luck, Joey. I hope you find whatever you're looking for... If you're not too stubborn to recognise it!" Charlie said walking away from the love of her life in tears of frustration.

Joey watched Charlie leave. She knew she'd broken her heart but somehow, her need to leave was even stronger than her love for Charlie. She'd never felt as alive as she did when Charlie was by her side, but recent events had changed her perspective on life. If she and Charlie were meant to be, destiny would reunite them one day.

In the following months, Summerbay was rocked by the death of Alf Stewart. He left behind a huge void which probably would never be filled by another. He had been a larger than life character who called a spade a spade, but had a kind and compassionate nature. His benevolent acts throughout his life had made him a popular and well respected man. Tributes came from far and wide and on the day of his funeral, some spoke of his generosity and some spoke of his supportive and understanding ways. But only one spoke of love for her 'big teddy bear' that had now left her for pastures new. Marilyn Fisher gently placed a kissed red rose on Alf's coffin before it was lowered into the ground. She was dressed, finely in black – her tears and words had been genuine. She'd loved the older man even though their age difference was great. This had not mattered to her. Alf had always treated Marilyn with affection and respect. He'd been proud to call her his intended and had looked forward to the following spring when they had set the date of their wedding nuptials. They'd planned a large wedding to include, not only their nearest and dearest, but also, the folks of Summerbay, by way of a large beach party and barbeque. Marilyn, supporting Alf's last wish, sanctioned the party to take place, but declaring it a tribute day for Alf.

Hugo Austin, had indeed, received a custodial sentence. He languished in prison until he found his niche – supplying contraband to his fellow inmates for extortionate prices. He continued with his empire, expanding it into his new habitat. He enjoyed his new nick-name, 'little Napoleon' – a name derived of his walking around with a hand inserted into his shirt, usually hiding some form of smuggled goods. He still had many contacts in the outside world to comply with his fellow inmates' requirements. Life was good. Austin had found his forte.

Morag Bellingham did what she could for her unfortunate sister. Colleen Smart, to the last, had continued to blame Joey Collins for everything ghastly that had ever happened in Summerbay, but when she learnt of Hugo's impending imprisonment, she became subdued; her former zest for life became a thing of the past; apathy set in and she aged instantly. She confessed to Morag that she'd had no idea of the extreme harm she would cause when agreeing to drive contaminated fish stocks to Boggaroo. She prayed and prayed that no one else was "taken" due to her evil doings and that the families, who had lost their loved ones, would forgive her in time. She was devastated to hear of the death of her brother Alf; blaming herself entirely. She had been raised to respect God and now she was living the life of a nun, in a self-imposed solitary confinement, surrounded by jeering women inmates in the prison where she now resided.

Martha Mackenzie-Holden, perhaps the pawn in Hugo Austin's game, took the main brunt of shame and punishment. She had been, in her own eyes, forced to perform such horrific acts just to keep her man. The useless slaughter of Irene Roberts didn't stop Irene's intention of leaving all her company shares to Joey Collins and Joey, had managed had escape imprisonment for this barbaric act. And Doug Smooter's murder; the rage and madness which overcame her on the cliffs when she cut his throat and left him to bleed to death, happened just too late. Doug had already confided in Charlie Buckton. 'A day late and a dollar short', as the saying goes, on both accounts. All that Martha had ever wanted was for Hugo to love her unconditionally and have her Granddad spoil her always. She was now locked away in a secure place which was full of horrid women whom she feared – not even having her Great Aunt Colleen's company, which many may have considered a punishment in itself. But right now, she would have given much for just such a companion. She was in for a long stretch; a long, lonely stretch.

But Martha wasn't the only lonely person on the planet; Charlie Buckton had watched all three Summerbay residents fall from glory and now had to find a way back to the sweet life she had briefly tasted. Joey Collins had left Summerbay, taking a long sabbatical to find herself and unruffle her feathers. Before leaving, she had seen Charlie occasionally at a distance, and though sure that Charlie had also seen her, never approached; the pain would be too great for both of them. So Joey left and Charlie's life, once again, hit rock bottom. She became quiet and distant; just as she'd been before. Ruby watched her fall deeper and deeper into misery without being able to help her. But she was surprised when an unexpected visitor put a flicker of a smile on her sister's face.

"How are you, Charlie?" Angelo Rosetta asked as he entered the house.

"Yeah, good." Charlie lied. "I've just made a coffee; want one?"

"Yeah… Why not?"

Charlie's former lover sat down at the table and watched her pour coffee into a mug.

"Help yourself to a biscuit, Ang." Charlie said, indicating to a tin on the table.

"Cheers. I haven't seen you around lately? Where have you been hanging?"

"I've been here and there. Nowhere in particular." Charlie replied, placing the mug in front of Angelo. "When did you arrive in from the city?"

"Last night. I'm staying at my old flat for a couple of days. It's a bit bleak though!"

"And how's the new job?"

Angelo's involvement in the downfall of Hugo Austin had earned him a good reputation and had now provided him with a chance to get back into the Police force in earnest. This he relished and Charlie noticed some of the old Angelo-swagger he'd possessed in former days, before he was carried away with special duties and Austin's rat pack.

"Love it! I love being in the city, Charlie! There's so many more opportunities to be had. It's alive, energetic and vibrant! You would love it, Charlie!"

"I'm not so sure." Charlie mumbled into her coffee cup.

"I've got plans, Charlie! I'm not letting anything ruin this… Not like the last time! I was a bloody fool to have got involved with Austin. I should have kept my distance and followed the rules, but I was weak and immature. I'm not proud of how I fell into the shit, Charlie. Austin had blinded me with the prospect of making big money and the temptation was too great. I wanted to give you everything… things which my Police salary couldn't have accommodated. But I went too far, being the twat that I am… but I've learnt from it. I know just how far to go now, without letting it get personal."

Charlie listened. This was beginning to sound like an apology.

"I've become more mature. I listen more now. What people have to say is important. It's no good being a big head. It's good to have confidence, but it's better to have compassion. I've learnt that from you, Charlie. I'm sorry for the way I acted over you and Joey Collins. I was a complete idiot. Why I didn't listen, I just don't know. I suppose it was my ego that was bruised – the thought of you preferring a woman to a man…"

"It was Joey I loved… Not the gender. I told you this at the time!" Charlie was anxious to make clear.

"How is the lovely Joey?" Angelo asked, helping himself to a cookie.

"I dunno." Charlie said, rising and walking to the coffee pot. "She's no longer in the Bay."

"You're kidding me!" Angelo said, half rising.

"No… She needed to get away for a while, after all that has happened. She left three months ago."

Angelo's mouth hung open.

"Well, Charlie… I'm so sorry. I thought from what you'd said that…"

"Yeah, I know… but it didn't work out. Let's just drop it, can we?" Charlie replied darkly.

"Yeah… Of course. I'm sorry."

Angelo was between ecstasies of happiness and relief. He'd always hoped that one day, Charlie would see sense and be with him again, but when he'd realised how passionately she felt for Joey, he reasoned that there was no hope for him and backed off.

They chattered on, mostly concerning Angelo's new life. There were times when Angelo considered that the conversation was principally one-way. This made him nervous and jabber more… Until he stopped in mid-sentence.

"...Charlie! This is ridiculous! We're sitting here – I'm clucking away like an old chook and I'm heartbroken that you look so unwell. If there's anything I can help with, please say! What happened to Summerbay has shocked and left its mark on everyone. But it started for you, many months before that – it was my fault and I'm so desperately sorry to have inflicted it on you. Charlie, you're one of the most compassionate and loving people I know. You deserve always to be happy. I wish you'd forgive me – so we can be friends again!"

Charlie was touched by Angelo's sincerity and smiled. She reached out and took hold of his hand.

"Thanks, Ang. Yeah, it's been a shit year, but I'll get over it. With good friends around, I hope to get over it all the quicker. I'd love to be friends with you, Ang. Wanna stay and have some lunch with Ruby and me?"

"Even better… Let me take you and Rubes out for lunch!"

Charlie thought for a moment and then smiled.

"Yeah, why not."