You know when you start your week and then it ends up resembling nothing like you planned? Well, that's what happened to me. It was just crisis after crisis so here is what should have been Tuesday's update. I will be back with more... Love, IJKS xxx

Chapter One Hundred and Eleven

The following day, Joey used her lunch break to meet up with Miles at the caravan park. He was surprised to see her. They liked each other but didn't really know each other so well.

"I'm thinking you're not just here because you love my company," he said, noting her serious expression.

Joey smiled guiltily and sipped her tea.

"It's about Nicole," she said.

Miles pulled a face and tiredly asked what the teenager had done now.

"She's having a bit of a thing with Sid."

"Sid?" Miles asked, reeling through school students and not recalling anyone by that name.

"The Doctor," Joey added.

Miles's eyes widened.

"What?" he asked, alarmed.

"I don't know exactly what's going on but I'm worried about her. Aden is too. And so is Charlie."

Miles sighed and leant back in his chair, wondering what on earth to do.


Charlie and Ruby had arranged to have lunch together at the Diner. The pair felt like they had been doing fairly well recently and moving back in together had been a big step. Things were slowly becoming less awkward although Charlie was still refusing to talk about what had happened with Grant, which was frustrating for her daughter. She'd turned to Geoff in the end and shared the whole story. He'd been shocked but understanding and had promised to keep it and the fact that he knew about it, a secret, for which she was grateful.

"So, what are your weekend plans?" Ruby asked.

Charlie smiled broadly.

"Well, it's mine and Joey's six month anniversary today," she said proudly. "So we're catching a taxi and I'm taking her for dinner and to the theatre."

Ruby smiled. She was happy to see Charlie so in love.

"Does that make you the man?" she teased.

Charlie snorted with laughter. Once upon a time that kind of joke would have been abhorrent to her but now she just found it funny.

"I think the point of a lesbian relationship is that there are no men!" she pointed out before popping a chip in her mouth.

Ruby laughed and sipped her juice. Suddenly she looked thoughtful.

"What?" Charlie asked, catching on.

"Have you ever celebrated a six month before?" she asked.

Charlie coloured and focussed on her food before quietly admitting that she'd barely ever celebrated one month before. Relationships really hadn't been her forte so far. Fortunately, all of that had changed since meeting Joey. Now, for the first time in her life, Charlie was looking towards a future with someone by her side. She was planning on marriage and kids, living together in their own house, having pets and holidays together. And rather than filling her with any kind of fear, Charlie was desperately looking forward to it.

"I'm really happy that you've found someone you love so much, Charlie," Ruby said. "And that Joey loves you just as much. It's different. It's nice. I'm proud of you."

Charlie smiled, feeling genuinely touched. Tender moments between the pair were fairly rare now and she was grateful for everything she got.

"Joey's the most special person I've ever known," she said happily. "I've finally found my soul mate."


Joey returned to the trawler after seeing Miles. He had made them some sandwiches in gratitude for warning him about what was going on with Nicole. Joey had asked that he keep quiet about her interference if possible as she didn't want to fall out with her. She didn't want Nicole to think that she couldn't be trusted.

"How did it go with Miles?" Aden asked immediately.

He too had been worried about Nicole and Sid. He didn't trust the guy not to take advantage of his friend and he felt bad for not having protected her in the past. He'd talked to her himself but she'd been cagey about the whole thing and then confessed to having had a one night stand with Liam once before, a few months back. Aden had been horrified. He hated the guy anyway, largely because of his history with Belle, the love of Aden's life. To think that he had now used Nicole was heartbreaking. And it looked, unfortunately, like Liam Murphy was here to stay. Aden had heard on the grapevine that he had bought a house and was doing it up. The idea made Aden sick. He didn't want him around – especially if he was going to go after Nicole again. She had enough problems.

"Yeah, it went okay," Joey said. "Miles hasn't quite decided what he's going to do about it yet but at least he knows. Maybe he can help her."

"I hope so," Aden said.

"Help her with what?" Geoff asked, having caught only a bit of the conversation.

"None of your business," Aden snapped.

"Aden!" Joey scolded.

He apologised quietly.

"What's wrong with Nicole?" Geoff asked, genuinely worried.

Neither Aden nor Joey looked sure of telling him.

"Come on," he pleaded. "Nicole's my friend, not to mention my ex-girlfriend. If she's in trouble, I want to help."

"She just looks like she's mixing with the wrong kind of guys at the moment," Joey explained. "But I've told Miles – something she must never know if I want to live another day – and hopefully he'll sort it out."

Geoff nodded, still worried. The three of them got on with their work.


Charlie glided back into the office in a good mood. Things finally felt like they were going right for her. Grant had got the message and retreated back to the city, Ruby had moved back home and they had even got to the stage where they could have nice lunches together and she was just about to celebrate her first six month anniversary ever – and with the beautiful Joey Collins of all people. That made her so very happy. Watson noticed.

"What's making you so cheerful?" the Constable asked.

Charlie leant against the counter, still smiling.

"What can I say?" she grinned. "Life is pretty damn good right now."

"I wish you'd tell him," Watson commented, nodding towards Angelo just as he punched his fist on the desk in frustration.

Charlie wandered over and asked him if he was okay. He rubbed his temples and looked at her. Charlie was surprised to find how tired he looked and how many bags he had under his eyes.

"What's up?" she asked.

"Just... work," he said.

"Can I help?"

He shook his head. Deciding not to insist, Charlie turned to head into her office. He called her back.

"Could we go for a drink or something tonight?" he asked.

"I can't," Charlie said.

"Just as friends," he added hopefully. "Things are so stressful right now. It would help if I had someone to talk to."

"Like I said before, book an appointment," Charlie told him, backing into her office. "I'm busy tonight. Six month anniversary. And after... well, you know... I really don't want to socialise with you anymore."

She left him more frustrated than ever and deeply regretting trying to push too far when he went to visit her at home.


Sitting at the dinner table in a particularly nice restaurant, Charlie and Joey were thoroughly enjoying themselves. Having tucked into their starters and mains, the couple were now pondering dessert before they had to be at the theatre. They were going to see their old drama class putting on their version of The Wizard of Oz. Charlie and Joey had been invited to join them but what with everything going on with Grant and Ruby, it had been too much, although they were hoping to be part of the next production. And they were looking forward to seeing their friends again. Ordering ice cream to share, Charlie and Joey sent the waitress off. Charlie turned to look at Joey more seriously.

"I bought you a present," she said a little shyly. "You don't have to wear it or anything and the more I think about it, the more dumb I think it is but I guess I may as well give it you anyway so... but don't feel obliged to..."

"Charlie," Joey said, cutting into her rambling. "Whatever you've got me, I'm sure it's lovely."

They smiled at each over before Charlie dug into the handbag and presented Joey with a jewellery box. Joey opened it up and couldn't help but smile. On the cushion was a silver necklace. And on the chain were two letters, joined together – CJ. She looked at it and then at Charlie who looked terribly nervous.

"It's beautiful," she said.

"It's lame," Charlie said unhappily. "It seemed like such a good idea at the time but..."

"It's beautiful," Joey said firmly. "I love it."

Charlie smiled happily and watched Joey lift it out.

"Will you help me?" Joey asked.

Charlie nodded and came to stand in front of her. Joey handed the necklace over and Joey lifted her hair so that Charlie could connect the clasp. She centred the letters and smiled.

"It looks good on you," she beamed.

"Thank you," Joey replied, leaning in for a kiss.

Charlie blushed and returned to her seat a little shyly, mumbling something about not really knowing anniversary etiquette and that she hoped she'd got it right.

"You got it perfect," Joey said.

She dug into her own bag and offered out a few wrapped presents. Shyly, she offered them out to her. She'd bought her a CD by Blanche Dubois containing the soundtrack to the first moment they'd realised they were falling for each other. She'd bought a DVD of Ghosts of Girlfriend's Past, the first movie they had ever seen together. And she'd put together a photo frame of the first picture they'd had together. Now she was feeling self-conscious but Charlie was smiling.

"Are they okay?" Joey asked. "I mean, they're not as special as what you got me but..."

"They're perfect," Charlie said.

She lifted her wine glass.

"Here's the next six months," she said. "And beyond."

Joey tapped her glass against Charlie's.

"Six months and beyond," she said.