Chapter Three Hundred and Fifty Four

Joey and Charlie woke up very happy on Saturday morning. Joey had been thrilled to realise that they were booked into a spa for the weekend, courtesy of Marilyn. As soon as they had arrived, they had gone for dinner and then retired to their room where they had gone to sleep very, very late.

"That was the best night's sleep I've had in a long time," Charlie murmured.

Joey squeaked her agreement and snuggled back up to her. They had planned a day of relaxation and booked massages and fish pedicures for the afternoon.

"Although, we really should think about getting up," Charlie added.

"No!" Joey squeaked. "I'm happy here."

Charlie chuckled and kissed the top of her head.

"So, this trip was a good idea?" she asked.

"A wonderful idea," Joey confirmed. "We should take Marilyn out to dinner or something when we get home."


Back in Summer Bay, Marilyn was distracted.

"Is everything okay, love?" Alf asked over breakfast.

Marilyn sighed.

"I'm just trying to figure out what to do."

"What to do?" Miles asked.

"To fill my time," Marilyn explained. "I feel like I need to do more than just hang out at the Surf Club all the time. I want to occupy myself with something."


Charlie and Joey had enjoyed a fruit breakfast down at the restaurant of the hotel spa they were staying at. The plan was to go swimming for the morning, break for lunch and then hit the spa in the afternoon.

"This is so exciting!" Joey said, keeping hold of Charlie's hand as they walked down to the changing rooms.

Charlie chuckled. She was relieved that after building the trip up so much, that her girlfriend hadn't been underwhelmed. They were both enjoying themselves immensely.


"Well, it's just something to think about," Alf said.

Aware that Joey would soon be stepping down from her role, he had offered Marilyn the job of running the bait shop.

"Can I go down there and see it?" the pretty blonde asked uncertainly.

She was a vegetarian and not sure she could get her head around the concept of killing fish for pleasure. But at the same time, she was touched by Alf's faith in her. And she really did want to fill the time she had left with something useful.

"Of course," Alf said. "We can go down after breakfast if you like."


Charlie and Joey were in a brilliant mood, having thoroughly enjoyed their leisurely swim. Arriving back at their room, Joey flopped down on the bed. She opened her arms, inviting her girlfriend for a cuddle. Charlie immediately curled up into her arms and kissed her. They didn't have long until they had to be at the spa for the afternoon but everything still felt so calm and relaxed.

"I'm looking forward to the fish pedicure," Joey grinned.

Charlie chuckled.

"I thought you might!" she said. "I'm a little bit nervous. What if they bite my toe off or something?"

Joey giggled.

"They won't!" she assured her. "They have teeny, tiny mouths."

"They could bite my little toe…"

"They won't," Joey giggled.

"I'm looking forward to the massage," Charlie told her.

"I'm looking forward to our form of massage later!" Joey smirked.

Charlie grinned and kissed her.

"Me too," she said. "I can't wait to get you into that uniform."


Leah arrived home from the morning shift at the Diner, only to find Lijuan and Song packed up and ready to leave.

"What's going on?" she wondered.

Elijah shifted uncomfortably.

"We've been informed that we've outstayed our welcome," Lijuan barked. "So, we're leaving."

With that, she marched out of the kitchen, yelling for her husband to follow her. Leah turned angrily back to her fiancé.

"What on earth have you done?" she demanded.


Charlie and Joey had enjoyed the spa treatment. They'd indulged in saunas and steam rooms, relaxed on water beds, had tropical showers and enjoyed the Jacuzzi. Now, they were sitting side by side in a separate room having fish pedicures. Joey couldn't stop giggling at the sensation of the little fish nibbling her feet. It was like putting her feet in a fizzy drink. Beside her, Charlie was trying not to giggle as well, partly at the sensation and partly at her girlfriend.

"This is fun!" Joey decided. "We need to find somewhere that does this back in Summer Bay!"


"I told you that I was panicking about planning the wedding, not that I wanted your parents out of my house!" Leah yelled angrily. "How could you do that? Do you know how difficult it is to get along with your in laws anyway, without deliberately making it worse?"

Elijah opened his mouth to answer but she hadn't finished shouting yet.

"No, you have no idea!" she snapped. "Because you've never been married! I've done this twice! And the last thing I need is for you to tell your parents that I don't like them!"

Elijah sighed and sank into a chair. This was going to be a very long day.


With their feet now in perfect condition, Charlie and Joey lay side by side on different massage beds while two very pretty women attended them. Joey closed her eyes and enjoyed the way the masseuse worked out all the knots in her back and shoulders. She heard Charlie moan in happy contentment as the other woman did the same to her.


"Mr Stewart…" Marilyn said. "I mean, Alf…"

She was still trying his first name out. It was hard to break such a long habit.

"I really appreciate what you're trying to do for me but I don't think I can work here," she explained apologetically. "I just… I'd spend the whole time feeling bad for the fish and everything. I don't think I'm the kind of person you need. And after having Joey work here, you're going to need someone as good as her to keep the business thriving."

Alf nodded in understanding.

"Well, the job is yours if you do want it but I do understand," he said.

They moved to walk back out of the bait shop when Marilyn paused.

"What's in there?" she asked, pointing to a small room out the back.

"Oh, nothing, really," Alf said. "I keep meaning to tidy it up and make it useful but I haven't quite managed it yet."

Marilyn's eyes lit up. Suddenly, she had a very good idea.


It was early evening when Charlie and Joey woke up. They'd spent so much time relaxing that once their massages were over, they had gone back to their room to sleep.

"What a good day," Charlie murmured, rolling over and snuggling up to her girlfriend.

"Definitely good," Joey agreed, yawning as she tried to open her eyes.

"What shall we do now?" Charlie wondered.

"I think we should eat," Joey decided. "Because if we're role playing tonight, we need every ounce of energy we can get!"

She grinned wickedly. Charlie grinned back and kissed her.


Xavier felt like he had had a nice day. Despite his breakup with Ruby and his fight with Romeo, he was enjoying his fledgling relationship with April. She was a nice girl and he enjoyed her company. He was also thrilled that she had agreed to sign up for Tony's boxing classes.


Charlie sat eagerly on the bed, wearing some lingerie she had bought during her lunch break earlier in the week. Wearing a red corset top that enhanced her cleavage, a matching thong and suspenders, she was eager for Joey to emerge from the bathroom. She grinned when he heard the door open. Joey stood in front of her, decked out in her police uniform, dangling a pair of handcuffs.


Next time… Charlie and Joey thoroughly enjoy themselves…