Chapter Two Hundred and Sixty One

Charlie and Joey sang along to the stereo as they drove towards the cinema. They were both looking forward to spending the evening together, particularly as they finally had a moving date for their new apartment. They would be given the keys in a couple of weeks and they were both very excited.

"Where do you think we'll be in five years, Charlie?" Joey mused, gazing out of the window.

"Together, I hope," Charlie replied.

Joey turned her head and smiled, reaching for her girlfriend's hand.

"Well, that's a given," she said. "What else will we be doing?"

"I don't know," Charlie said. "I mean, you'll be running a restaurant, I reckon. And hopefully I would have got my arse into gear and have become a Detective by then."

Joey's smile widened, happy that Charlie seemed to believe so much in her.

"You'll definitely be a Detective by then," she said. "In a year or two, I think."

Charlie giggled, hoping that her partner was right.


The evening was somewhat slow but Leah's mood improved when she saw Elijah walk through the Diner doors.

"Hello there," she said brightly, hoping there wouldn't be any more awkwardness.

"Hi," he replied, approaching the counter. "How are you?"

"I'm good thanks. And you?"

"Good," he said.

The awkwardness immediately set in.


Charlie pulled into a parking space and both she and Joey bounded out of the car. Holding hands, they headed into the cinema, joining the queue for tickets.

"I hope this film is good," Charlie mused.

"You're the one who picked it," Joey reminded her. "So if it sucks, I hold you entirely responsible."

Charlie pouted. Grinning, Joey slipped her arm around her waist.

"Don't worry," she half whispered. "If it's boring, I'm sure we'll find a way to entertain ourselves."


Miles arrived home with his head full of concern about Leah and Elijah. He couldn't believe that Leah had known all this time that Vinnie was actually alive. And it broke his heart that now, he was really gone. Personally, he thought Leah and Elijah made a lovely couple but with Elijah's secret in the way, he wasn't sure how it was ever going to work. Sighing heavily, he opened the fridge in order to make himself something tasty and unhealthy. He was horrified to find that the fridge and all the cupboards had suddenly become vegan, organic and free of anything remotely interesting. Immediately fuming, he stormed upstairs to give his latest house guest, Marilyn, a piece of his mind.


"I'm bored," Joey whispered, leaning into Charlie from where they sat in the back row.

"It hasn't started yet," Charlie whispered back, offering her girlfriend some popcorn.

Frowning, Joey popped a couple of kernels in her mouth. A few moments later, she leant in again.

"I'm still bored," she said.

"It still hasn't started yet," Charlie replied with an amused smile.

"Why are there so many adverts?" Joey complained.

She stole some more popcorn and settled more comfortably in her seat. Charlie looked at her from the corner of her eye. This evening was likely to turn out very interesting indeed.


Aden sat at the Surf Club, having a beer with Justin. Nicole was off at some work party with her new fashion designer boss, Britt. She was delighted to have had her designs taken seriously at last and although privately, Aden felt rather left out, he was determined to be supportive.

"So, this is your life?" Justin asked, sipping his drink.

"Yep," Aden said, immediately feeling under attack.

"Don't you want more?"

"More than the beach on my doorstep, a community that I know inside out and love, an amazing girlfriend, the best friend a guy could ever have... No, Justin. I don't want more than this."

"Yeah," Justin said. "Working in a Diner seems like a riot."

"I'm not saying that being a waiter is my life's ambition but I'm happy for now," Aden said. "I'm happy to bide my time until I figure out what I want."

"I just would have thought you'd figure that out by now," Justin said.

Aden turned and glared at his brother.

"Justin, I had a plan," he said. "I had a career and a wife that I loved. And I lost both of them, through no fault of my own. My whole life turned upside down. So, excuse me if I'm taking a bit of time to let everything settle again."


The trailers for the movie seemed to be taking forever. Joey leant against Charlie and kissed her neck. Charlie smiled as she felt her whole body begin to tingle. Her eyes widened when Joey slid her hand up her thigh. She knew she should have reconsidered wearing a dress. Joey continued to brush her lips against Charlie's skin as he her hand slipped a little higher.

"Joey..." Charlie murmured, shifting a little. "We can't do this here."

Joey moved so that their lips met, now stroking softly between her girlfriend's legs.

"Why not?" she asked, kissing her again and again.

"Because we're in public," Charlie said, although her body was longing to give over to all the sensations Joey was offering.

"And your point is...?"

She slipped her fingers beneath the fabric of Charlie's underwear. Charlie gave up her protestations immediately.


Leah arrived home, feeling more than a little disheartened. She'd taken the plunge and asked Elijah out on a date. He hadn't said no, but he hadn't said yes either. In fact, he'd mostly just stuttered and stumbled over how to respond and then made a quick exit. Suddenly Leah was more understanding over how Hazem had felt when she had struggled to decide whether to go out with him or not. And she suspected he probably regretted asking in the first place, considering all that had happened to him. She heard about him from time to time but she knew that their short lived relationship would stay in the past now. He was doing well in rehabilitation and she was proud of him for starting his life again after so much suffering.

"Charlie?" she called, walking through the house. "Joey?"

There was no answer.

"Ruby?"

She sighed, realising that nobody was home. She was also disappointed to know that she'd have to get used to being without the friends that had so quickly become her family. Charlie and Joey had moved in with her a year and a half ago. She'd needed the rent money and they'd needed a home. It had worked out so well. And Joey, of course, had arrived on the back of a terrible ordeal and rejection from her brother. It was funny to think of how well they had cemented themselves as a somewhat unconventional family unit. She knew she would miss them terribly.


Having not even bothered to give the film a chance, Joey had sunk onto her knees. Charlie tried to be quiet as she felt Joey's lips and tongue work expertly on the most sensitive part of her body. She felt her girlfriend's fingers trail up and down her thighs as she worked hard to pleasure her. Joey paused when she heard Charlie cry out. Resurfacing, she smirked and reminded Charlie that they were in public.

"Sorry," Charlie whispered.

She didn't have time to fret about whether people had heard or looked round before Joey resumed her efforts.


Nicole arrived home in a very bad mood. Britt had screwed her over and claimed her swimwear designs as her own. On top of that, rather than getting the chance to rub shoulders with people in the industry, Nicole had been treated as nothing more than a dogsbody. She froze in the lounge when she heard Alf and Miles arguing about Marilyn.

"What's going on?" she wondered, bemused.

"Miles is about to apologise to Marilyn and beg her to stay!" Alf said, his face like thunder.

"I don't want her to stay!" Miles insisted.

"Do I look like I care about what you want?" Alf snapped. "Go and apologise. Now!"

Miles glared and then thundered up the stairs. Deciding to stay out of it, Nicole hurried up to her bedroom, happy to slam the door on the world.


Charlie cried out far too loudly as she reached climax. Joey didn't have the heart to try and get her to keep quiet. She waited until her partner had calmed before she sat back on the seat again, looking particularly cheeky.

"What did I miss?" Joey asked, nodding towards the big screen.

"I have no idea," Charlie said breathlessly.

They froze when a flash light trained itself on them. A very unimpressed looking manager stood at the end of their row.

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave," he said curtly.


Ruby arrived home from rehearsing and making out with Xavier at the farm to find Leah on the couch crying over a sappy film.

"Nice night?" she remarked.

Leah laughed self consciously and waved a dismissive hand.

"It's nice to indulge now and again," she said.

"Too right," Ruby grinned, sitting down beside her.

They were interrupted a few moments later by Charlie and Joey charging through the door, arguing.

"How was it my fault?" Joey demanded.

"Do you really need me to explain that?" Charlie asked incredulously.

"You were the one making all the noise!" Joey protested.

They paused when they arrived in the living room and realised they had Ruby and Leah's full attention.

"What on earth are you two arguing about?" Ruby asked.

Charlie and Joey glanced at each other, their mood breaking. They burst out laughing.

"We kind of got thrown out of the cinema," Charlie admitted.

"Was Joey doing that thing where she shouts at the main character for being stupid?" Ruby asked.

"Joey was doing a thing... but not that," Charlie said, poking her tongue out at her girlfriend, who folded her arms and sulked.

Ruby's eyes widened as she realised what had gone on.

"Charlie!" she gasped. "Joey!"

Leah caught on and snorted with laughter.

"You didn't..." she said.

"The film was boring," Joey pouted, sinking into a chair.

"It hadn't even started yet," Charlie pointed out, still standing.

"I didn't hear you complaining," Joey reminded her. "In fact, if you hadn't been enjoying it so much, we wouldn't have got caught!"

"I can't help being loud!" Charlie insisted.

"You're both pretty loud," Leah remarked.

"As grossed out as I am right now," Ruby said. "At least it means you're getting the most out of it. I mean, it was only last year that you had your first..."

She trailed off as Charlie's eyes widened in horror.

"Your first what?" Joey asked curiously.

"Nothing!" Charlie said hurriedly. "I'm going to bed."

"Sorry," Ruby mumbled, also making her escape towards the stairs.

Joey glanced between mother and daughter and then at Leah, utterly bewildered.

"Night," Charlie said, turning and heading for her bedroom.

Joey bounded after her.

"Your first what?" she persisted.


In the lounge, Leah called Ruby back.

"Her first what?" she asked, desperate for the gossip.

"Orgasm," Ruby said quickly. "Night!"

She dashed up the stairs. Shaking her head in bewilderment, Leah returned to her film.


"I'm really confused," Joey said, standing by the closed door and watching Charlie get changed.

"What do you want me to do about it?" Charlie asked more sharply than she meant.

Joey looked both confused and hurt as she sank down on the bed, taking her shoes off. Charlie stripped off and reached for her pyjamas, watching how rejected her girlfriend looked. Perching on the bed beside her, Charlie held her hand.

"Do you promise not to laugh at me?" she asked.

"Why would I laugh at you?" Joey wondered.

"Last year was the first time I had a proper... you know."

Joey continued to look lost.

"The first time I had an orgasm," Charlie said anxiously.

Joey looked startled.

"What? When... when last year?"

She had a sudden panic about incompetence.

"The first time you and I made love," Charlie said, studying a specific spot on the floor and deciding that she really ought to vacuum tomorrow.

"Wait... what?" Joey said.

"I'd never actually climaxed before I met you," Charlie said.

She sighed dramatically and flopped backwards onto the bed. Joey shifted and leant over her.

"Are you serious?" she asked.

"Unfortunately, yes."

"Well, that's quite an honour," Joey said, a smile twitching at the corners of her mouth.

Charlie blushed. It wasn't something she had ever expected to share. And she certainly hadn't expected Ruby to rat her out.

"It's stupid, hey?" Charlie said. "I just... I never really enjoyed sex until I met you. I kept having it in the hope that it'd make me happy somehow but... but it never did. I guess I was waiting for you."

She closed her eyes. Joey kissed her gently.

"Every time I think I can't fall more deeply for you, I do," she said.


Next time... Angelo spills the beans to Joey while Charlie gives Romeo a pep talk...