Chapter One Hundred and Seven

The next morning, Charlie dropped Joey down at the docks for work and then headed over to see Ruby. Her daughter let her in and they sat down a little awkwardly at the table.

"No school today?" Charlie said, noting the lack of uniform.

"I wasn't really feeling up to it," Ruby said. "You know, after yesterday."

Charlie nodded.

"How are you feeling today?" she asked.

Ruby shrugged and sighed heavily.

"I feel a mix of things," she admitted. "I'm relieved to know the truth. But I'm devastated to have it confirmed that I was the product of a rape, to know what you went through. I... I saw Joey struggle through everything. I saw how broken she was. I love her so much but you... you've always been my world, Charlie. We've always been so close and the idea that you suffered like Joey did... it's heartbreaking."

She sipped her drink.

"And I feel so guilty for doubting you, for wanting to believe that you lied or were mistaken somehow."

Charlie reached out and held her hand.

"I'm just glad you believe me now," she said. "I couldn't bear to lose you... especially to him."


"Joey, can I ask you something?" Aden asked.

Joey stopped to give him her full attention.

"It's going to sound dumb," he said. "And I know I'm wrong. But I just... I have to ask."

"What is it, Ade?"

He took a deep breath and looked out to sea for a moment before he turned back to her.

"Charlie's not hurting you, is she?" he asked.


"I was thinking," Ruby said.

She held Charlie's hand across the table.

"I want to make things right with you. I don't know... I don't know if I want you to be my mother or my sister or what... I have no idea. But I do know that I miss you and I want us to fix things. So, I was thinking I'd move back in again. What do you think?"

Charlie couldn't stop smiling.

"I think that's the best news I could have heard!" she replied.

"Really?" Ruby asked.

She'd been worried that after everything they'd been through and the way Ruby had behaved, that Charlie might not want her back at all.

"Of course!" Charlie said. "Home is where you belong, Ruby. With me and Joey."

"You mean it?" Ruby asked.

"I mean it," Charlie said. "Can we go pack your stuff now?"


"I promise you she's not hurting me," Joey said.

Aden nodded and looked a little embarrassed.

"Sorry," he said. "I was just worried. You know, with all those injuries you've had lately and the argument last night... and you wouldn't tell me what it was about..."

Joey led him to the edge of the boat and they sat down on the floor together.

"Last night was an argument about Grant and Ruby and all that mess," Joey explained. "She did something and I didn't agree with it and... it just got messy. But I overreacted. And we're fine now."

"What about the injuries?" he asked.

Joey sighed. She hadn't wanted to tell but it seemed necessary now.

"Charlie's been having serious nightmares," Joey explained. "Like I used to have. You know, after Robbo... She keeps panicking in her sleep and I've got caught in the crossfire a few times. But I promise it's not on purpose. She'd never hurt me, Ade."

He nodded. That all made sense in its way.

"Thanks for being honest about your concerns though," Joey said. "It means a lot that you care so much."

He smiled and put his arm around her.

"I'd do anything for you, Joey," he said. "Now that Belle's gone, you and Nic... and Geoff... kind of... you're the most important people in my world."

"And you're one of the most important people in mine," Joey replied sincerely. "I will never, ever forget what you did for me. If it wasn't for you... I wouldn't have anything now. I'd still be hiding away. I would never have gone through with prosecuting Robbo. And I never would have been introduced to the love of my life. You brought me and Charlie together, Aden. I've got a lot to thank you for."


Charlie left Ruby's somewhat reluctantly. The teenager had said it would be rude to just leave without talking to Irene first but she promised she'd call that evening and they could get her moved back in. The police officer considered going into work. It was her day off but she was dreading what Angelo might have said and done already. Part of her was expecting to be hunted down and arrested at any minute. She could hardly believe how vindictive Angelo was being, although when she'd explained things fully to Joey, her girlfriend hadn't been surprised at all. She'd ranted a little about how much of a certain expletive Angelo was and how she wished he would realise that nobody forgave him for killing Jack and leave town forever. Charlie was starting to agree.