Waking up to that many reviews for this and Two Years On was a wonderful experience. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I hope you enjoy the chapter. Love, IJKS xxx

Chapter Two Hundred and Five

Gina and Xavier headed back, rather solemnly into the Surf Club. Hugo had called them and met them outside in order to say goodbye and explain that he was heading out of the country to start again. Neither son nor mother could understand his reasoning and both had object to him departing but Hugo had remained adamant.

"I just don't understand why he's leaving," Xavier admitted. "And why he doesn't want to be with Martha anymore."

"Are you talking about Hugo?" Martha asked, abandoning Liam and hurrying up to them.

Both Gina and Xavier looked awkward before Gina explained that Hugo was returning to Indonesia.

"What?" Martha asked, her heart full of disappointment, although she wasn't particularly surprised.

"Sorry," Gina said genuinely.

Martha sighed and decided that she wanted to go home. She didn't feel like celebrating the New Year after all. From the bar, Liam watched her go, also disappointed that he had lost his companion.


Charlie and Joey were dancing with Ruby and Geoff when Charlie felt her phone vibrate in her pocket.

"I'll be back in a sec," she promised, escaping the dance floor and stepping towards the door where it was quieter.

Joey watched her go but kept on dancing, hoping that she would soon be back. She had a horrible feeling though that Charlie was about to be called into work.

"What do you think is going on over there?" Ruby asked, leaning into her and pointing to John who seemed to be arguing with Hazem.

"I dread to think," Joey said.

She had definitely not warmed to the man who was taking over Tony's gym and wasn't sure she'd ever quite stop holding her unemployment against him. All three of them frowned when they heard John raise his voice over the music and distinctly heard the phrase 'your sort round here'. Joey pulled a face. Ruby looked incensed.

"That had better not be a racist comment!" she remarked.

"I'm sure it wasn't," Geoff said dismissively.

He knew exactly what Ruby was like when she got a bee in her bonnet and tonight, he just wanted to have fun. Taking his girlfriend's hand, he spun her in a circle. She promptly forgot her concerns and carried on dancing until an unhappy Charlie approached.

"If you're about to tell me you've got to go into work, I'm not listening!" Joey declared.

"I'm sorry," Charlie said. "I've got to..."

Joey put her hands over her ears.

"La, la, la... I can't hear you!" she sang.

Laughing softly, Charlie took hold of Joey's hands and explained that Derrick, on a transfer back to the station for an extra interview, had escaped so it was a case of all hands on deck to find him and put him back behind bars. Joey merely pouted. Stepping closer, Charlie cupped her face and kissed her lips.

"I am so sorry," she said. "But if I leave now and work my arse off then I can hopefully be back before midnight."

Joey nodded glumly but tried to force a smile. Charlie apologised again.

"I know this is our first New Year together," she said. "And I really wanted to spend it with you."

"I'll have a glass of champagne waiting for you," Joey promised.

Leaning in, she kissed her tenderly, letting it linger.

"I love you," Charlie said.

"I love you too," Joey replied. "I'll be waiting, okay?"

Nodding, Charlie stole one more kiss and dashed out.


Angelo had followed Hugo from the house, to the Surf Club and then to the farm. Watching him climb back into his car, he was about to prepare to follow when he spotted Martha walk towards the house. He was torn between wanting to follow Hugo and find out where he was going and what he was doing, and a strong inclination to keep watch over Martha and ensure she was safe. The more he thought about it, the more he was beginning to suspect that Hugo's erratic behaviour and decision to break his girlfriend's heart was all in a bid to protect her. Regardless of the evil Angelo believed him capable of, it was as clear as day that he loved Martha and would do anything for her. Watching Hugo leave, Angelo hung back and watched the house.


Charlie arrived at the police station, glad that champagne went to her head and so had stayed sober in preparation for midnight. All she hoped now was that she would be back in the Surf Club in time, ready to bring in the New Year with her beloved girlfriend.

"Okay, what's the situation?" she asked Watson, who had called her.

"Derrick went missing here," her colleague replied, pointing to a map of the local area.

"When?" Charlie asked.

"About twenty five minutes ago," Watson said. "I've already sent one team out but I don't think it's going to be enough."


Joey was still dancing but her movements were somewhat less enthusiastic now that Charlie was gone. Leah approached and slung her arm around her.

"She'll be back," she assured her.

Joey grinned.

"As if you could know that!" she remarked.

"Charlie would have to be in a serious situation to miss her first New Year with her soul mate," Leah insisted. "She loves you so much."

"I love her too," Joey giggled.

"Really?" Leah teased. "You hide it so well!"

Joey laughed.

"Stop teasing me and spin me around the dance floor, you!" she demanded.

Leah was happy to oblige.


Dancing with Geoff, Ruby spotted Xavier across the room looking stressed. Breaking away from her boyfriend she went over to check that he was okay. It felt both strange and natural to interact with him. They hadn't spoken much since their breakup but seeing her ex so stressed tugged at Ruby's heartstrings.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

He nodded unconvincingly.

"Xave?"

"It's just that I keep hearing dogs barking," he ventured.

Her face told him that he sounded as weird out loud as he did in his head.

"And I keep getting strange flashbacks."

"Flashbacks?"

"About that day when I nearly drowned."

Ruby continued to look confused.

"I think... I think Hugo might be in trouble."


Driving out of Summer Bay, Hugo halted when he saw a car up ahead. It was stationary but had its headlights on. Pulling up behind it, he watched Suzy step out and walk purposefully towards him.


Next time... Martha is kidnapped, Charlie makes a horrific discovery and Aden and Nicole share a midnight kiss...