Hi everyone. Sorry for disappearing. The 3D world got exciting! But here is what would have been Sunday's update and I will be back later with the next chapter of Arrested Development and then Hearts on Fire. I hope you enjoy the chapter. This is kind of the calm before the next storm! But after the whole Grant debacle, I'm sure you'll agree that our girls deserve some joy for a little while. Love, IJKS xxx

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty Four

It had been a busy few days in Summer Bay. When the news had got round that Kirsty had had a stomach upset that had led to her miscarriage and that she had eaten something from the Diner on the same day, Leah had panicked and taken responsibility for what had happened. She'd confessed all to Miles who had laid into her, only to apologise later when Rachel had confirmed that it was just a bug that had made Kirsty ill, not bad food. Leah had apologised profusely to those who had been poorly after bad food – including Ruby and Geoff – but nobody had blamed her. Custom at the Diner, however, had definitely gone down.

Now that the weekend had arrived and with it, had come the meal out that Charlie and Joey had promised Watson, the three of them had vowed to pledge allegiance to Leah by eating, as they normally would have, at the Diner.

"Thanks so much for this," Watson said, when Colleen had taken their order.

"You really don't need to thank us," Charlie said. "If it wasn't for you, goodness knows what would have happened to us."

"It was just my job," Watson said modestly.

"You went above and beyond," Joey said firmly. "And we will never stop thanking you for it."

Watson blushed and smiled. Joey lifted her wine glass to propose a toast.

"To Watson!" she said.

"I'll drink to that," said Charlie.

The three of them clinked glasses. Watson continued to blush.


In the Surf Club, Annie, Jai, Romeo, Xavier, Ruby and Geoff were spending a somewhat awkward evening together. Annie and Jai had both won study trips to Japan and were due to be leaving in the morning with Irene as an escort. Everyone had wanted to say goodbye to them and see them off but tensions were running high. Xavier had become good friends with Romeo in recent weeks and he had always been fond of Jai and Annie. But being around Ruby and Geoff was almost impossible. And Jai was still hurt over Annie and Romeo's fledgling relationship, even though that was at least temporarily over and Jai was the one who would get to spend each and every day with his ex-girlfriend from now on. It was all very complicated but the teenagers were doing their best to put their feelings aside and say goodbye properly.


Charlie, Joey and Watson were having a lovely time together.

"Seriously, why haven't we hung out properly before?" Charlie wondered.

Watson shrugged.

"It just hasn't happened, I guess," she said. "I'm not the most social of people. I mean, I like being sociable but I don't always have the confidence to get myself invited places or arrange things myself..."

She looked down, feeling a little embarrassed.

"There's no shame in that," Joey told her. "It's not always easy to put yourself forward. Honestly, half my confidence is Charlie. I can't even imagine the state I'd be in now if it wasn't for her."

The lovers smiled happily at each other, making Watson laugh.

"You really are too cute," she commented.

"Joey brings out the best in me," Charlie said. "Well, you know what I was like when I first arrived here. I wasn't exactly Ms Friendly."

"You were... feisty," Watson said tactfully.

Charlie snorted.

"The more I hear about the woman who aggravated everyone in town, the more curious I am," Joey admitted. "I just can't imagine you being that way."

"She was!" Watson smirked.

Charlie poked her tongue out but then confirmed that Watson was right.

"What made you mellow?" Joey asked.

"Well, I started to settle in," Charlie said. "Caring for my Dad taught me a good few lessons. And... well, you know as well as I do that in this place, you can't help but start to care about people."

Joey nodded and smiled.

"And then, well, then I met you. And I firmly believe that you make me a better person."

They held hands for a brief moment before returning their attention to Watson who was smiling wistfully. She almost longed for the days when she had been part of a couple, although she could barely remember being in love like Charlie and Joey were.

"Sorry," the couple said. "We get carried away."

"I think it's sweet," Watson said. "I hope I'll meet someone nice again soon. Or maybe for the first time."


On Monday morning, Ruby walked to school alone, feeling suddenly friendless. Xavier wasn't talking to her and Annie and Jai had left for Japan the day before. Geoff didn't go to school anymore and when she'd called Nicole, she'd only received a shriek about being late for an exam. Trudging into the building, she headed over to her locker and opened it up. Even she hadn't realised how much she would be affected by Annie and Jai's departure and the loss of Xavier. She was just glad that the school year was nearly over and she could enjoy her time off with Geoff.


At lunch time, Aden was ranting to Joey about Nicole and Liam.

"Aden!" she finally snapped.

He paused, a little startled.

"If you whinge one more time, you're getting this entire milkshake over your head."

Geoff laughed, almost willing her to do it.

"But he made her late for her exam," Aden protested. "He should have left her to revise, not taken her out..."

He stopped talking when Joey lifted her drink and offered him a threatening glare.

"Okay," he said meekly. "I'll stop talking about it now."


That evening, between finishing school and going to meet up with Geoff, Ruby hovered over Charlie and Joey as they reclined on the couch. Charlie had unwittingly ended up agreeing to massage Joey's feet so they were sprawled on the sofa very comfortably together.

"Charlie...?" Ruby ventured. "Joey...?"

Both women eyed her curiously. The tone could only mean that she wanted something.

"What would you say if I suggested moving in with Geoff until Irene comes back?"

"No!" Charlie and Joey replied in unison.

"But, he's living there all alone and..."

"Ruby Buckton, there is no way you're moving in with your boyfriend unsupervised," Charlie stated firmly. "Or at all. No way! Not going to happen!"

"But..."

"But nothing. No. You're staying here and that's final."

"He's all lonely," Ruby said sadly. "Annie and Irene have gone and he's still grieving for Belle and..."

"Aden invited him to move in with him temporarily," Joey pointed out. "If he was that lonely, he'd do that."

She decided not to mention that she had practically forced her friend to make the gesture.

"I just thought..."

"You're too young for that kind of thing, Rubes," Charlie said. "I don't want you living with a boyfriend. Not yet. Not until you're an adult."

"I'm practically an adult," Ruby pointed out.

"Every sixteen year old thinks they're already grown up," Charlie told her. "But it's not true. And you shouldn't be in such a hurry anyway. You can go round and see him as much as you like. That's fine. But I want you coming back here every night, okay?"

Glumly, Ruby nodded and headed out to tell him that Charlie and Joey had said no.

"Did Geoff mention anything like this to you today?" Charlie asked.

"He wouldn't dare," Joey grinned. "Especially after the milkshake threat."

"Milkshake threat?"

Joey grinned again and began to tell her about Aden's latest Liam complaint.