Chapter Two Hundred and Thirty Four

Having resisted getting too carried away in the back of the car, Charlie and Joey were glad to be home. Saying goodnight to their friends, they skipped giddily up to the door and stumbled inside, kissing their way across the kitchen and through the lounge.

"Do you two ever stop?"

Charlie and Joey paused in fright when they realised that Ruby was curled up on the sofa watching music videos on MTV.

"What are you still doing up?" Charlie asked, a little embarrassed. "It's three a.m."

"I couldn't sleep," Ruby said.

"Are you okay? You're not sick or anything?" Charlie worried.

Ruby grinned and assured her that she was fine.

"A little cranky but fine," she added.

"Why cranky?" Joey wondered.

"Mink," Ruby said. "She kissed Xavier."

Charlie and Joey glanced at each other and then came to sit down as Ruby began to rant about her day. She had been happily hanging out with Xavier and Romeo and then Mink had come along, wound them all up and then kissed Xavier.

"And why does Mink kissing Xavier bother you?" Charlie wondered.

"I don't know!" Ruby snapped. "We've been spending time together again this week and... I don't know."

"Did Xavier kiss Mink back?" Joey asked.

"Not really," Ruby said. "I think he was surprised more than anything else."

"I think you should try and get some sleep," Charlie decided. "Things always look better when you've had a rest and time to think them through. And then perhaps in the morning, when you've figured out how you feel, you can talk to Xavier."

Ruby nodded. A yawn surprised her as she turned off the TV. She stood up and headed for the stairs. Turning back to them, she couldn't help but smirk.

"Seriously, guys," she said. "It's been almost a year. Are you really still so hot for each other?"

Without waiting for an answer, she headed up to her room. Charlie and Joey immediately fell back into each other's arms.

"I'm definitely still hot for you," Joey murmured between kisses.

"Definitely," Charlie said, taking her hand and all but dragging her to the bedroom.


The following morning, Charlie and Joey both felt a little hungover but decided that it was definitely worth it. It had been nice to have a fun night with no worries, cares or responsibilities. They had two more days to spend together, having both booked Monday off work to go with Ross to an appointment in the city. Ruby had wanted the day off school but everyone had agreed that it wasn't a good idea. Charlie and Joey were due to drive up in the morning and spend the day with him and Morag and despite the difficulty of the situation, they were looking forward to it.


Later in the afternoon, the couple headed out to the Surf Club, intending to play a couple of games of pool with Nicole and Aden. They'd somehow got into a debate about who would make the better team last night and had decided to put their theories to the test. Approaching the bar to get four soft drinks, Charlie was surprised to see Irene serving.

"I needed something to keep me busy while the Diner's getting refurbished," she explained.

Charlie chuckled.

"Most people would be thrilled with the time off," she pointed out.

"Well, what with Geoff and Annie disappearing on me, and losing Belle and Lou and everything that happened last year, I don't much like my own company these days," Irene said sadly.

Charlie nodded compassionately and patted her hand.

"You can come and referee if you like," she said with a grin. "This could get pretty ugly!"


Leah was jolted from her thoughts when there was a knock at the door. She considered pretending she wasn't home but when the knocking persisted, she gave in. Opening up, she was surprised to find a stranger standing there.

"Can I help you?" she asked a little nervously.

"I'm Hazem's Mum," the woman told her. "I need to talk to you."


With Aden taking his shot in a game he was rapidly losing, Charlie spotted Mink and told Joey that she was going to have a word. Joey wasn't entirely sure it was a good idea but let her go without comment.

"Mink?" Charlie said.

"Hi," the blonde replied.

She couldn't help but have a small soft spot for the police officer who had validated her when everyone else seemed to be so judgemental.

"Wow, new stuff?" Charlie asked, noting obviously new clothes and a new surf board.

"Yeah," Mink said. "I ran into some money."

"I'm not even going to ask," Charlie said, noting the mischievous look in her eye.

"Best not," Mink agreed.

"Listen, I heard what happened with Xavier yesterday."

"What happened?"

"You kissed him."

"So?"

"So... please don't try and mess with Ruby's head," Charlie said, feeling a little awkward. "She's really vulnerable at the moment and she doesn't need to be played with."

Mink pondered her answer for a moment. Without warning, she leant in and pressed her lips against Charlie's.

"Hey!" Joey protested, hurrying over just as Charlie jerked away. "What the hell was that?"

"I didn't kiss her back," Charlie said quickly.

"I know," Joey said, glaring at Mink. "I was watching. What the hell do you think you're playing at?"

Mink smirked, looking particularly proud of herself.

"Do you feel left out?" she asked.

"No, I don't," Joey said. "But maybe you'd be wise to keep your lips to yourself."

"Why is everyone against me kissing people?" Mink wondered, still amused. "I have been in jail. Don't I deserve some fun?"

"Not at other people's expense," Joey said.

Charlie was surprised by the level of warning in her voice.

"Now stay away from Charlie and stop messing with Ruby," Joey said.

Tugging on her girlfriend's hand, she led the way back to the pool table.


Arriving home from several games of pool, which they'd jubilantly won most of, Charlie and Joey found Leah sitting on the patio in a world of her own.

"Hey," they greeted warmly. "You okay?"

"Hazem's mother came to see me," Leah said. "She wants me to go to the city to visit him. And I... the thought of leaving the house, of driving all that way and..."

She shook her head.

"I can't do it."

Joey and Charlie sat on either side of her.

"Do you want to go?" Joey asked.

"I would like to see him," Leah admitted. "I feel like I owe him that at the very least. But I... I can't face the journey. I feel too vulnerable. I..."

Charlie glanced at Joey, reading her thoughts.

"We're going to the city to see Dad and Morag," she said. "If you wanted to visit Hazem, we could take you. We'd take you right into his room if you want us too. And bring you home again."

Leah looked startled and quickly shook her head.

"I don't want to put you out," she said.

"It's no trouble," Joey insisted. "It's no trouble at all. But only if you want to."

"I feel like I should," Leah said. "And I think it could probably be good for me but... are you sure?"

"Perfectly sure," Charlie said. "We're leaving at ten in the morning so just be ready for then and we'll take you, okay?"

Leah nodded gratefully.

"Thank you both," she said. "For everything. I think I'd be coping even less if it wasn't for you."

"What are friends for?" Joey asked with a smile.

"Thanks," Leah said again. "So, how was your day anyway?"

Joey pouted and promptly told her all about Mink's bad behaviour.


Next time... Charlie and Joey take Leah to the city and Ross struggles with his memory...