Hi everyone. I'm so sorry that I haven't updated in so long. But thank you to everyone who hasn't forgotten the stories and has messaged me to asked when I'll be back. Things have just been a bit… well, crap. But normal service resumes today, with each story being updated once a week. So I hope you enjoy the chapter and that you're all having a good day. Love, IJKS xxx

Chapter Four Hundred and Forty Two

Miles went to work with Alf before he headed over to the school the next day, concerned about everything that had been shared the day before. He was pleased that Joey was already there, taking chairs down from tables and getting set up for the day.

"Hey, guys," she greeted warmly.

She and Charlie had had a nice evening with Watson and Kerri. And then they'd enjoyed some rather nice alone time back at their own apartment. It had most definitely relaxed her, although she worried that keeping Alf's secret might, at some point, put a bit of a wall between them. Charlie said she understood and didn't mind but Joey couldn't help but fret.

"How are you doing, Alf?" she asked kindly.

"Yeah, I'm…"

"You look tired," she said kindly but bluntly. "Should you be at work today?"

"I'd rather be here than festering at home," he told her. "I just didn't sleep too well. Nightmares."

It felt strange to go from not telling anyone anything to opening up about bad dreams.

"Well, take things gently, okay?" Joey instructed.

She and Miles exchanged glances. Both of them were worried.

"And maybe… maybe talking more would help," she ventured.

"Maybe," Alf said, although he still felt awkward.

"Have you thought about opening up to someone else, now you've talked to us?" Miles suggested. "Maybe someone like Irene? You're close to her."

"Maybe," Alf sighed. "Maybe."


Charlie had persuaded Watson to help her all day with a backlog of paperwork, although her friend had only technically agreed after her second glass of wine the previous evening.

"Are you okay, Charlie?" Watson asked. "You seem a bit subdued."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," Charlie said, sifting through papers.

"Charlie…?" Watson nudged.

"Alf told Joey what's been up with him these last few weeks but he's sworn her to secrecy so she can't tell me and now, even though I do understand, I feel…"

"Left out," Watson finished.

"Yeah," Charlie sighed. "That's really petty and pathetic, isn't it?"

"No," Watson said. "You and Joey share everything. It's not a normal state of affairs to have a secret standing between you. But hopefully it'll fix itself."

Charlie nodded.

"Hopefully," she said.


It was late morning and the restaurant was still relatively quiet when Alf called Joey over to a table, where he was sat having brunch with Irene. He had decided that talking to his long time friend was a good idea and invited her to eat with him.

"Do you guys need anything else?" Joey asked, ready to get them more food or drink.

"No, love," Alf said. "I just wanted to include you in the conversation. And to thank you for encouraging me to talk to Irene. I think this is a case of a problem shared and all that."

Joey smiled and pulled up a chair.

"I was about to suggest that Alf talk to the police about what Penn is doing to him," Irene said. "What do you think of that, Joey?"

"I think that's the right thing to do," Joey said immediately.

"No," Alf said, shaking his head. "I can't. Anyway, I don't think the cops can help."

"Hey, don't be forgetting my girlfriend is the best police officer in town," Joey reminded him. "And she will do whatever it takes to help you. Even if you don't press charges against Penn, which I think you should, you could at least talk to her and alert her as to what's going on."

Alf looked pensive.

"I'll consider it," he said. "I'll consider it."


Things remained tense between Xavier and April as they met up at lunch time.

"Hey," April greeted. "I've been doing a load of work towards the bus project."

"You mean the bus project we're lying to John about?" her boyfriend snapped.

"Xave, you know it's not like that," April tried.

"Why don't you tell me what it is like?" a formidable voice behind them boomed.

They froze and then turned around slowly, coming face to face with an angry looking Gina.


Watson had brought lunch back from the Diner for her and Charlie to each at their desks while they worked.

"How do I make sure I don't let it come between us, Watson?" Charlie asked. "Like, how do I not let it bother me if it is in actual fact, bothering me?"

"That she's keeping something from you?" Watson checked.

Charlie nodded, poking at her salad.

"Is it coming between you now?"

"Not yet but then, it's only been a day," Charlie said. "And Ruby aside, because that's different, Joey is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I don't want to be stupid about this and mess anything up."

"You're not going to," Watson stated firmly. "You and Joey belong together. Even if it does cause some disharmony, it'll be fine. It'll always be fine, Charlie. You're soul mates."

Charlie smiled.

"We are, aren't we?"

"You are," Watson confirmed. "And anytime you feel pushed out, you just need to remember that in a normal situation, she would never keep anything from you. She's only doing it on this occasion because she has to. She loves Alf. He's one of her best friends and he's specifically asked her to keep his confidence, just like there are times when you have to keep stuff from her because of work. You can deal with that, can't you?"

Charlie nodded and took a deep breath.

"You're right," she decided. "I can."


Xavier and April were sat on the beach, both in terrible moods. Gina had torn them apart as the truth about the bus project had come tumbling out, all about the lies April had told John about its successes in other places. She had also demanded that they tell him the truth after school, which had at least come as a relief to Xavier, if not April. She'd yelled at them for being dishonest and now, the couple were sniping at each other, sitting on the sand.


Back at work behind the bar, Alf was glad to have spoken to Irene. Between her, Joey and Miles, somewhat of a weight had been lifted from him.

"Can I ask you one question though?" he asked. "Both of you?"

Irene had had the day off and ended up hanging around the restaurant for the rest of the day. Just then, Miles arrived, having finished work and been anxious to see his friend.

"All three of you," Alf corrected.

"Of course," Miles said. "What about all three of us?"

"I wanted to ask a question," Alf said.

"What's that?" Irene asked.

"Do you think Penn is right to blame me for Tulip's death?" Alf asked. "And it's okay if you do."

"No!" all three of them replied.

"Not even a little bit," Joey told him, shaking her head adamantly. "Tulip's death was a tragedy and I feel for Penn, losing her. I lost both my parents and I still cry for them, especially my mother. In fact all four of us know how it feels and that it's something you don't ever completely get over. But what he's doing is wrong. It's criminal and you should contact the police, to protect yourself and your family. He might have been a scared kid once but that scared kid grew up into a bad man, Alf and that bad man needs to stay the hell away from you."

"What she said," Miles said, nodding and pointing at Joey.

Irene also nodded her firm agreement. Alf sighed heavily, both comforted and conflicted.


"You can go," Gina dismissed.

Xavier and April escaped the house quick smart, having explained everything to John and made their most grovelling apologies

"Are you okay?" Gina asked her partner. "I mean, is it too late to go back on the project? Are you…?"

"I knew," John admitted.

"You knew?" Gina exclaimed.

"You didn't think I'd invest all of this time and effort on the say so of a couple of kids, did you?" John chuckled. "I didn't my research, don't worry. But don't think I don't want to make them work for my forgiveness for lying to me. Me knowing the truth all along doesn't actually change anything."

"No, it most definitely does not," Gina agreed.


"I literally ache all over," Charlie complained, taking her heavily work belt off and dumping it on the table.

"Massage?" Joey offered.

Charlie eagerly accepted and followed her girlfriend to the bedroom. She undid her buttons and shrugged herself out of her unflattering trousers and jumped onto their big, comfortable bed, ready for the pleasure to begin.

Grinning, Joey found some massage oil and then straddled Charlie's hips. She unhooked her bra so that she could access her whole back and then gently but firmly began the massage.

"So, what's got you so knotty?" she asked. "Catching criminals? Chasing down the River Boys? Patrolling the mean streets?"

"Paperwork," Charlie admitted.

Joey paused.

"Paperwork?" she frowned. "Really?"

"I got all stiff and sore!" Charlie complained.

"Too right you did!" Joey said, applying gentle pressure to her shoulders. "How long has it been since I did this for you? You're like cement."

"Too long," Charlie said, smiling as Joey worked out all the kinks.

"Sorry," Joey said, kissing the middle of her back.

"It's not your fault," Charlie said. "We both get caught up in stuff."

"I know but we shouldn't," Joey said. "Especially not to the point that rocks could break on your spine!"

Charlie giggled.

"Joey?" she said more seriously.

"Yes, Charlie?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"But I mean, more than anything, I love you and Ruby," Charlie told her. "I couldn't live without you. You mean the world to me and nothing will ever, ever come between us."

Joey smiled quietly to herself, understanding what she was saying. She paused the massage to lie down and give her a cuddle from behind.

"I feel the same, Charlie," she said. "And nothing will ever come between us, as far as I'm concerned. Not everything in our lives will be easy but I know that one thing will always be true – we will always love each other first and foremost. We will always be a team. And you and Ruby will always be the centre of my universe. And I will never put anything ahead of you. Nothing will ever be more important to me than you."

They kissed tenderly. Charlie rolled over, wrapping her arms around her girlfriend. Their kissed deepened, as Joey ran her somewhat greasy hands through Charlie's now loose hair. She felt Charlie's hands begin to wander.

"I thought you were getting a massage," Joey murmured.

"I can think of a better way to relax my body," Charlie grinned.

Joey needed no further encouragement.


Next time… Ruby is given a return date, Vittorio arrives in town and Liam realises that Bianca has lied to him…