A Pathway of Adversity
Chapter 57
A year, from the very day that Martha Holden was arrested for the murder of Irene Roberts and Doug Smooter, she took her own life. She left behind a letter addressed to her aunt, Morag, explaining that her life was worthless and she no longer wished to live. She apologised for the disgrace she had brought upon her family but requested that her body be returned home for committal. Nothing much was said after her body was transported to the cemetery just outside Yabbie Creek. Few people attended the funeral; her aunt, Morag being one of them. Her husband, Ross Buckton, was present, as support for his wife, but kept at a distance. Colleen Smart was given a special dispensation to attend, but was hurried back to prison straight afterwards.
Sergeant, Charlie Buckton met her father and his wife shortly after the ceremony. She offered her condolences to Morag, whom accepted, gratefully. They had tea together and discussed the weather. Ruby joined them shortly after School was dismissed, but cried when they left. She noticed a marked deterioration in her father's condition; his forgetfulness seeming much more apparent than ever. Later, Charlie left Ruby in a mass of homework and 'Facebook' paraphernalia, deciding to take a walk before dinner.
"Is Angelo over at the weekend?" Ruby asked before she left.
"No. He has a date!" Charlie smiled happily.
"Really? Good for him! Anyone we know?"
"No. She works with Social Services; they met while reviewing a case together."
Ruby smiled. She liked Angelo – he had changed since the old days. He had become a compassionate and thoughtful man. She had long forgiven him for gently persuading Charlie between the sheets some months earlier. His explanation had been understandable and human. Charlie subsequently apologised to Ruby for her unexpected encounter, taking complete blame for her seduction of Angelo and hoping that she didn't think her cheap! Ruby grilled Charlie about her relationship with Angelo, but Charlie insisted that they were 'just good friends'. Ruby had her doubts, but when Angelo and Charlie's friendship remained 'just that', she thought it best to forget their little indiscretion!
The sun was still warm, so Charlie peeled off her shirt, revealing a brightly coloured vest beneath. She tied the shirt around her waist and jumped down onto the sandy beach. It was the exact spot where a young woman had once, charmed her with her enchanting ways and started a love affair which Charlie thought would never end. She closed her eyes trying to push away the lovely memory, but like so often before, the face of Joey Collins remained etched on her heart; determined never to leave. She sighed and looked out into the crashing ocean. Her life was not unlike that deep, mass of shimmering water; sometimes high and crashing against the rocks and sometimes, calm and submissive, but often being drawn in and out by the gravity of the God's in their heaven. Maybe Joey had been right when she suggested leaving Summerbay and all its adversities, but this had been proposed in the early days after Irene Robert's murder; how could they have run away together just like that? Joey needed to clear her name and what of Ruby? Charlie took the sensible option and reasoned Joey out of it, but this had been before their pathways had been torn apart by Joey leaving anyway.
Charlie picked up a couple of stones and tossed one into the white foam. It plopped and nestled itself onto the wet sand which, was being dragged back by a retreating wave. Suddenly and unexpectedly, silent tears flowed down her cheeks as she wished with all her might that Joey was with her.
"I had a good feeling I'd find you here."
Charlie turned around, recognising a more than familiar voice. She stared in disbelief at the vision of Joey Collins before her. It had been a whole year since she had last seen or heard from her and time hadn't eased her pain. She opened her mouth to speak, but only tears of joy, relief and scepticism emerged.
"I'd imagined lots of greetings, some good, some bad... but I didn't expect this!" Joey smiled.
"Where have you been?!" Charlie yelled, wiping the tears from her face. "I hate you for being away so long!"
"I'm sorry, Charlie. I know I hurt you... I hurt myself and I can't count the amount of times I nearly came home!"
Charlie observed the word 'home' which Joey had used.
"So, why now?" Charlie asked bitterly.
"Because I considered that I'd been a mean, selfish pig for long enough. I hated every minute I was away from you and just wished that we'd spoken properly, instead of fighting, before I left. I'm sorry, Charlie. I hope in time you'll forgive me."
Charlie's mind was in turmoil – as if her prayer had been answered, Joey Collins had miraculously appeared before her, but now Joey was there, she had no idea how to deal with this miracle.
"You were crying before you knew I was here. Is everything alright? Are your family well?" Joey asked tentatively.
Charlie nodded.
"Charlie... I..."
Joey stepped forward, needing to be near, but Charlie stepped back.
"You can't just walk back into my life, Joey and expect to pick up and carry on as if nothing has happened! You have no right to expect that!"
"I know." Joey whispered. "I just... I just need to... I need your forgiveness, Charlie. I know I don't deserve it, but if you'll just give me a second chance... one day, maybe? ... I promise that I'll never be the stupid, idiotic, unfeeling wretch that I've been. I don't deserve your love Charlie, but I'm asking you... begging you, one day, to forgive me and love me again."
Charlie looked down at the remaining stone in her hand. It was smooth and had several colours running through it. Her thumb caressed it gently.
"Joey, I can't pretend that I haven't missed you – I've longed for your return every moment of every day. I've been lonely and so, so unhappy. But my heart is bruised and sore and if it's damaged again, I don't believe it will ever mend!"
"So...You don't want to be with me anymore?"
"Joey, let's just take it one step at a time.
Joey nodded her acceptance.
"A lot has happened here since you left. Alf died last year, Hugo, Martha and Colleen were imprisoned... Martha committed suicide."
"Martha?" Joey choked. "When?"
"The funeral was today."
Joey shook her head in disbelief.
"God!"
"Love does funny things to people, Joey."
"Do you think things will ever get back to normal in Summerbay?"
"I dunno. One day... maybe."
Joey looked down at the familiar sand between her toes. The seagulls screeched overhead and standing along-side Charlie, it was as if nothing had happened. But much had. Joey had left Summerbay before formal charges had been made against Martha Holden, Hugo Austin and Colleen Smart. Initially, she'd wanted to forget Summerbay and start a new life far away, but bad news travels fast, especially sensational news and before long, the media were talking of nothing else. Joey began to follow their stories in news bulletins on the radio and then in newspaper reports, and before long, she found herself craving to hear more and more. It was with regret, rather than pleasure, that she learnt of Martha's incarceration. Joey was sorry for her even though she had willingly taken the life of one of the most important people in her life. She'd known Martha since they were kids and had thought her a very pretty girl, but as she grew, she learnt that Martha was a spoilt teenager whom got everything she wanted from her Grandfather, Alf Stewart – the new dress, the latest computer game, a new car with driving lessons. Among Martha's friends at High School, she became known as 'the rich bitch', and lived up to her name. Joey avoided her company whenever possible but at times Martha was unavoidable. Being a little older than Joey, Martha felt it gave her the privilege to dominate Joey and her brother, Brett, at company functions. Joey being the youngest of the three kids was often featured in Martha's games and schemes and usually took the blame when they back-fired in the middle of luncheons or speeches. Regardless of this, Martha was an old associate, however obnoxious, and in the memory of her Grandfather, Alf, would have wished her a better ending.
"I guess you'll be taking up your role again at the SBF & C?" Charlie enquired, hopefully.
"Yes. There's a lot to sort out, according to the reports – the other shareholders have tried to keep it going, but since Alf's death, nobody has had the spirit to move forward. Since I got back, I've read one or two reports… Alf would turn in his grave if he knew!" Joey advised sadly. "I have a lot to do... to put right and big shoes to fill."
"When did you get back, Joey?" Charlie asked looking out at the ocean.
"The early hours of today. I'd travelled for hours, and crashed when I got home. You were my first port of call."
Charlie looked compassionately into Joey's eyes.
"You must be tired, honey."
"Charlie… I do love you, so much. Please can we try again?"
Charlie's heart was bursting with the joy of being with her soul-mate again and was only in danger of allowing her feelings to run wild. She took Joey's hand in her own and sighed.
"We've both done stupid things in our lives, Joey, but a life without forgiveness would be intolerable. I love you – more than I can explain, but this time, let's take it nice and slowly. Let's enjoy our lives together… Let's follow the same pathway, to a happy ending.
~ THE END ~