Just a short, happy chapter after everything I just put our girls through! But thank you soooooo much to everyone who reviewed. I was extremely nervous that the truth about Grant's death would be an anti-climax but I wanted to make it as different to the show as possible. I was never happy with Ross being the culprit and while yes, it would have been a good way to get rid of Angelo, I wrote him as the killer in another story and also, I have plans for him in this one! But you can rest assured, he will never, ever get his heart's desire! Love, IJKS xxx
Chapter One Hundred and Forty Eight
With Grant's death officially confirmed as suicide and his family informed, Charlie and her clan were relieved to finally be left alone. Morag and an emotional Ross headed back to the city quickly while Ruby sought permission to go and hang out with Geoff. She said she just wanted to have a nice evening and try to forget everything that had happened. Charlie had reluctantly agreed and then let Joey coax her out to Martha and John's debate. Both of them wanted some semblance of normality to settle on their lives again and Joey thought that supporting their friend was a good start. Arriving at the Surf Club, they spotted Aden at the back, nursing a beer and looking utterly miserable.
"Cheer up," Joey said brightly. "It might never happen!"
"Joey!" he exclaimed, leaping to his feet.
Joey grinned and hugged him.
"But I thought..."
Joey sat down, pulling Charlie with her and explaining how Ross had confessed the night before and then Watson had realised that it hadn't been murder after all.
"You're kidding," Aden said.
"If I am, it's a very bad joke," Joey said.
She held Charlie's hand. Both of them were exhausted.
"So, anyway, what's up with you?" Joey probed. "Why are you looking so glum?"
Aden shrugged and said he was just being stupid compared to what his friend had been through.
"Let me guess," said Joey. "Nicole?"
"More Liam really but..."
He shrugged again. Joey shook her head and reminded him that he was meant to be being supportive of his friend.
"I guess," Aden said, no less sour than before.
"I'm going to get some drinks in," Charlie said, giving Joey a quick kiss on the cheek and leaving her to talk to Aden.
Leah was rushed off her feet in the Diner when Robert Robertson waltzed in, suited, booted and charming as ever. He approached her, looking surprisingly anxious. She could understand. Things hadn't exactly been easy for them since he had come to the Bay. While they had had some lovely dates, every time he had gone for Charlie or Joey on the case, she had blamed him. She was touched that he always seemed to come back for more, in hope that she would give him a chance.
"Hello," he said with a smile.
"Hi," she replied.
Now that Joey and Charlie had officially been let off for murder, she had to admit that she still liked him and would like to spend more time with him.
"No yelling?" he asked.
She blushed and apologised.
"It's okay," he said. "I admire a strong woman who's so happy and willing to stand up for the people she loves."
"Well, the whole thing certainly hasn't been easy," Leah admitted. "But I'm glad there was a resolution to the case. And that it's a resolution where Charlie and Joey and everyone else don't have to suffer."
He smiled and admitted that he was glad of the way things had worked out. He hadn't wanted Charlie or Joey or anyone they loved to be found guilty of murder but reiterated that he had only been doing his job.
"And for the record," he added. "If one of them had been guilty, I would have happily put in a good word. Grant could have been a murder victim but he was also a remorseless rapist. I just wish justice had been served before it got to this."
Leah smiled and agreed with him.
"I um... I have to go back to the city tomorrow," he said. "For good."
"Oh," Leah replied, full of disappointment.
"So, I was wondering if I might be able to take you out one last time."
Leah smiled, happy to accept. Then she hurried off to ask Irene to cover her shift and phoned Stella to arrange babysitting for the evening.
Martha stepped down from the podium, feeling pretty pleased with herself. After some initial wobbles, the debate had gone well and she felt like she had a lot of support. Hugo and a still moody Xavier had come to cheer her on, as had Tony and Rachel, and she had been pleased to spot Charlie and Joey sitting at the back with Aden. Hugging her family, she wound her way over to the back of the room and hugged Joey, thanking her and Charlie both for coming, even after the horrible time they had recently had.
"You did really well," Joey enthused.
"Yeah, well done," Charlie added.
Martha beamed at them, thanking them again.
Later that night, with Joey having firmly warned Aden not to reject Liam, lest he lose Nicole, she and Charlie picked Ruby up from Geoff's and brought her home. Now, with Ruby in bed, the girls headed to their bedroom and shut the door on the world. They immediately fell into each other's arms, having paused only the flick a light on and close the blinds. Falling onto the bed, relief pouring out of both of them, they comforted each other for all the pain they had been through. Making short work of their clothes, they hurriedly and passionately made love on top of the blankets. It was quick but it felt like the start of the rest of their lives. Finally, they could leave all the trauma behind them.
