Apologies for my absence – one of my best friends passed away. This chapter is dedicated to Thane and Luckdog for their constant friendship and patience. Love, IJKS xxx

Chapter Four Hundred and Forty Five

At the farm, Sid, Marilyn and Dex were trying and failing to cheer Indi up.

"Look, I don't we don't normally do sibling bonding but maybe we could hang out or something?"

Dex glanced anxiously at his father.

"Why would I want to hang out with you?" Indi snapped. "You're the one who started this whole thing. If you hadn't mentioned the stupid L word to Romeo in the first place, none of this would have happened!"

She stomped off to her bedroom and slammed the door.


Romeo sat on the beach, despondent. Liam had sent him a text to say that he had left town, at least for a while and may or may not be coming back. And he still had all of Joey's words of wisdom buzzing around in his brain. The truth was, he missed Indi terribly and he didn't know what to do about it. Suddenly, he did. He leapt into action.


It was lunch time and Gina was relieved to get to the hospital. John was out of danger now but he would be stuck there for at least a little while. She had work commitments but she was determined to be there for him every second that she could and she knew Xavier felt the same. They had both spent nearly the whole night at the hospital with him, both wanting to be there the second he regained consciousness. It had been a great relief to her son to be able to take back everything he had said during their argument and to make amends.

"John, I'm going to be here for you every step of way, I hope you know that," Gina told him. "I love you so much."

They held hands.

"I love you too," he replied. "It's things like this that make you realise what's important. Things like family and you… you're my family. And so is Xavier."

He chuckled.

"Maybe that's why he and I fight so much. Because he's like a son to me."

She smiled. She very much liked that idea.


It was the afternoon and Paulie had been hanging around the restaurant like a bad smell. He was getting more and more desperate for money as the days passed and it was starting to get very stressful.

"Look, are you sure you can't find it from somewhere?" he pestered Angelo.

"Don't you think I would have found it rather than trying to rip off my best friend or bet it on horses?" his brother snapped.

"What about Alf?" Paulie suggested.

"What about me?" Alf asked, hearing his name.

"You don't happen to be in a position to lend money, do you?"

"Afraid not, mate."

"Joey, you can't…?"

"Nope."

Paulie looked frantically around.

"Harass my customers and you're out," Joey warned.

She looked up and saw Penn walk in.

"And you, you're out anyway," she said.

"Hey," Penn protested. "Didn't you hear? I'm a hero."

Everyone had indeed heard about him saving John's life but that didn't make her like him.

"Congratulations and yes, I'm really glad that John's alive but I still think you're a criminal and a bully and I do not want you on my premises," Joey said. "So get the hell out."

Penn's eyes narrowed, first at her and then at Alf.

"You'll regret this," he warned.

"Out," she warned.

He left.

"You really are not one to mess with," Paulie mused.

"And whatever you do," Joey said. "Do not approach him for money. You're better of facing the people you owe money to."

"Listen to her," Angelo agreed.

"Now, we have an evening to organise," Joey said. "Let's do it."


After work, Charlie headed home and got changed before driving over to the farm to pick Indi up. As expected, the teenager was more than a little confused to find the police officer knocking on her door.

"Don't be alarmed," Charlie said cheerfully. "I've come to collect you for a surprise at the restaurant."

"A surprise?" Indi said. "What surprise?"

"If I told you, it would kind of ruin the surprise," Charlie pointed out.

Indi looked sceptical.

"Come on," Charlie coaxed. "What have you got to lose?"

Indi heisted but gave in. She halted at the door.

"Do I look okay?" she asked.

Charlie grinned.

"You look great," she promised.


At the restaurant, Romeo looked nervous. Joey had organised the best table, which was set up with candles. Romeo had even gone as far as wearing a suit. Joey had given them April as their own personal waitress for the night and their every wish was their command. Now, everyone just hoped that the plan would work.

"What if it's too little, too late?" Romeo fretted.

Joey patted him on the shoulder.

"Relax," she said. "Everything's going to be fine."

They turned when Charlie and Indi entered the restaurant.

"What is all of this?" Indi wondered, immediately spotting Romeo all dressed up.

Joey nudged him and he hurried over, taking Indi by the hand and leading her over to the table. He pulled out her chair for her. She sat down and so did he. April was on hand to pour out and expensive bottle of wine for them.

"Seriously, what is this?" Indi asked.

"I'll leave you with the menu for you to choose your starters," April said, moving discreetly away.

Charlie found Joey over by the bar.

"Was she happy to come?" Joey asked.

"She was confused as hell," Charlie said. "She still is. But I don't think she'll be difficult to persuade."

Joey smiled. They both looked over at the table where Romeo had reached over to hold both of Indi's hands.

"Indi, I'm so sorry that I let you down," he said. "I was a complete idiot and I panicked for no reason. The truth is that I love you. I've loved you all along but I was too stupid to realise it. So I wanted to bring you here and treat you exactly like you deserve to be treated, make up for how I have been treating you, to see if you might give me another chance."

Indi smiled despite herself.

"You love me?" she asked.

"With all my heart."

"Then I might give you another chance," she said. "If you work for it."

His beaming smile of relief could be seen from the bar and beyond.

"Young love," Charlie remarked.

"Slightly older love is good too," Joey replied, deliberately stealing a kiss.


Next time… Charlie, Joey and Ruby prepare for Ruby's return, Charlie and Joey try to help Angelo with his Paulie problem and Penn continues to threaten Alf…