Chapter Three Hundred and Seventy Two

"Are you guys up to anything exciting today?" Ruby asked over breakfast.

"Only working with the delightful Angelo," Joey replied, pulling a face.

"You said he wasn't that bad," Charlie reminded her.

Joey sighed dramatically.

"It wasn't awful," she agreed. "And I do like making fun of him. But I am glad that it's only temporary. Honestly Charlie, how on earth did you ever get involved with someone like him?"

She shuddered, making the other two laugh.

"He was a different person before… before," Charlie said, looking to Ruby for backup.

"He was," the teenager agreed. "He was funny and sweet. It was only post-prison that he turned into a Charlie obsessed psycho!"


Xavier arrived home to Gina and John, both of whom looked relieved to see him.

"Where on earth have you been?" Gina asked worriedly.

"I was on the beach," Xavier explained.

"All night?" Gina snapped. "And you didn't think to call me? Especially with what happened with… with what happened before."

She shuddered at the memory of the night that they, along with Martha had been abducted by a man hunting her eldest son, Hugo.

"I'm sorry," Xavier said sincerely. "I really am. And I won't do it again. I swear. I'm going to make a change. I'm going to make things better."


"Have a good day, sweetheart," Charlie said when she dropped Joey off at work.

Joey kissed her goodbye and then looked towards the bait shop where Angelo was looking moody, waiting outside. She ducked her head back into the car.

"Police question," she said. "Is murder always a crime?"


Indi and Dex both stared incredulously at their father. The Doctor had awkwardly broached the subject of Nicole. Penn had told him that she still had feelings for him and it was a big concern. Nicole's previous crush had caused them all a lot of problems and he did not want to have to go there again.


"So what delightful chores have you got me working on today?" Angelo asked rather tiredly.

"Alf has a boat coming in to be fixed up," Joey said. "So we've got a lot to do."

Angelo looked confused.

"You're a bait shop," he pointed out. "Since when does that include fixing boats?"

"Since he discovered that I have a talent for it and it earns us both extra cash," she replied. "And if you want to become indispensable to him, you'll roll your sleeves up and get good at repairs too."

"I'm already good at repairs!" Angelo insisted. "Better than you would be."

"Care to put a wager on that?" Joey challenged.


Elijah arrived at the Diner to find Leah absolutely rushed off her feet.

"Where's the rest of your staff?" he wondered curiously.

"It's Irene's day off and Colleen phoned in sick," Leah said, hurrying past him to put two plates on a table.

He followed her as she charged back into the kitchen.

"Is Colleen okay?" he asked.

"No, she's a pain in the backside," Leah told him. "And on top of all the work I have to do, I'm trying to prepare for a careers talk at VJ's school next week. I have no idea when I'm going to have the time to do any of it if Colleen doesn't come back quickly."

"Well, I could always do it if you wanted me to," Elijah ventured, hoping he wasn't overstepping the mark.

Leah whirled around and smiled.

"Would you?" she asked hopefully.


At lunch time, Indi and Dex went down to the bait shop. They had quizzed Romeo about Nicole and he had been sure that she liked Penn and wasn't interested in Sid romantically. He had then advised them that Joey was Nicole's confidant so if anyone was going to know how she felt, it was her.

"Joey?" Indi called out a little hesitantly.

She jumped when Joey appeared from behind her, having apparently been working on a boat.

"Do I get a break too?" Angelo asked from the deck.

"Nope," Joey replied. "Be grateful - you're getting time ahead of me to work on the repairs."

Smiling, she turned back to Indi and Dex.

"How can I help you?" she asked.


"Oh, Watson, I am so sorry," Charlie said earnestly as her colleague dissolved into tears in her arms.

Charlie held her and stroked her back, wishing there was something she could do to make things better. Monica had decided to take the job in the UK and leave Watson behind. She was heading out in three days.

"I just can't believe it's over," Watson sobbed. "And for such a dumb reason! I mean, we were happy together. Why would she leave when we were happy? Is work really that much more important than love?"


VJ had taken a little persuading about the careers talk, not because he hadn't wanted Elijah to participate but because he wasn't sure 'being a Christian' was a proper job. But, having been assured that being a Minister was a credible career, he had eagerly agreed.

"It's good practice," Elijah said happily. "I want to be a good stepdad to you, VJ."

The child's face fell. He nodded mutely and then decided he wanted some fresh air. Elijah turned to his fiancée in panic.

"I just overstepped the mark then, didn't I?" he said.


Having assured Indi and Dex that there was no way Nicole still had a crush on Sid, Joey had sent the teenagers back to school. She had only been back on the boat for a nanosecond before VJ appeared looking very distressed.

"Do you actually ever get any work done here?" Angelo asked. "How on earth is Alf always so damn pleased with you?"

"Because I'm awesome," Joey replied. "And don't say bad words in front of VJ."

Angelo was about to launch into an argument about whether 'damn' was acceptable language or not when she dismissed him and told him to go for lunch. Irritated at being bossed around, Angelo stomped away from the bait shop looking cranky. Joey encouraged VJ to come and sit on the steps beside her.

"What's up?" she asked.


"How about we do lunch together?" Charlie suggested.

Her tummy was grumbling and she had been aiming to meet up with Joey. She doubted her partner would have any objections to their heartbroken friend coming too.

"I don't want to impose on your time with Joey," Watson said, still a little teary.

"As if," Charlie giggled. "We spend loads of time together."

"Well, if you're sure," Watson said. "That would be lovely."


Angelo entered the Diner to grab a sandwich and a coffee. He passed Miles and Sid at a table, discussing something intently. Having eavesdropped on Joey's earlier conversation with Sid's children, he was fairly sure he knew what they were talking about. He wondered how on earth Joey had come to find her place in Summer Bay as being the listening ear to all around her. He wasn't sure if he was irritated or impressed.


"I think you just have to be honest and tell him how you feel," Joey encouraged.

She looked up and smiled as she saw Charlie and Watson approaching them but kept her arm around the little boy.

"You think?" VJ asked worriedly.

"I really do," Joey said. "And Charlie and Watson are here now. We're going to have lunch in the Diner with Angelo gets back so we can take you back over there to see him."


"He'll come round," Leah said with less patience than she wanted.

She was still rushed off her feet at work, even though Irene had agreed to come in on her day off. She didn't quite have the time to deal with the relationship between her fiancé and her son.

"But I made out like I'm trying to replace Vinnie or something…" Elijah fretted.

"It'll be fine," Leah insisted. "You're a good man and VJ loves you. These are just teething problems. Trust me."


Once Angelo had been stationed back at the bait shop, Joey headed to the Diner with Charlie, Watson and VJ. He couldn't help but feel jealous of the life Joey had carved out for herself. And he was unnerved to realise that he quite liked her company. She was quick witted and amusing and he was starting to see why people liked her so much. But the jealousy was still very much there.


Charlie, Joey and Watson had sent VJ into the Diner kitchen to speak to Leah and Elijah.

"Thanks for the invite," Watson said, trying not to sound too glum.

"Monica's leaving in three days," Charlie explained a diplomatically as possible.

"Oh, Watson, I'm so sorry," Joey said, squeezing her hand.

The police officer shrugged and tried not to get weepy again.


In the kitchen, VJ looked up earnestly at Leah and Elijah.

"I'm sorry I hurried off before," he said. "I got upset about you saying you're my stepdad."

"I know," Elijah said. "And I am so sorry. I shouldn't have presumed. I…"

VJ shook his head and interrupted him.

"I don't want you as a stepdad, Elijah," he said. "I want you to just be my Dad."

The Reverend looked and felt startled. He glanced at Leah who smiled.

"Really?" he managed.

VJ nodded.

"I think you're awesome," he said. "I like spending time with you. You're funny and you're kind and you help me with my homework. Plus, Mum loves you. So yeah, I want you to be my Dad."

Elijah hugged him.


Charlie, Joey and Watson were still discussing Monica's departure when VJ came bounding over to their table.

"I did it!" he declared. "I told him like you said I should."

His already broad grin became even bigger when Joey hugged him. Charlie wondered how old he would have to get before she stopped finding his crush on her girlfriend charming.

"Good," Joey said. "I'm proud of you."

He nodded and dashed back into the kitchen.

"What was that all about?" Charlie wondered.


Next time… Romeo is suspicious of Penn, Charlie and Watson try to prove Colleen's innocence and Marilyn bonds with Sid…