Chapter Four Hundred and Sixty

The following evening, Marilyn was in a quandary. She had been feeling awkward around Mitzy ever since she had overheard her conversation with Nicole and Claire. It had raised all sorts of concerns and confusion about her own end date, particularly considering that had cost her her relationship with Sid. Everything suddenly felt so painful.


April had decided that no matter what she thought and how she felt, Bianca was her sister and she would support her. She was convinced that Bianca was marrying the wrong man but at the end of the day, it was her decision and April loved her regardless.

So, the pair of them had come to Bucktons' to start planning the wedding together, as Bianca had asked her to be her maid of honour. They hoped that it would bond them.


"I could just sit and window shop all day," Shandi said, sat at the bar.

She looked at Joey up and down with a smirk. Joey blushed, not quite sure what to do.

"Everyone in this town is just so hot," Shandi continued.

Along the bar, Angelo was furious. He'd seen Shandi flirt with nearly everybody since she had arrived, male and female. And she'd hardly even acknowledged his existence.

"Especially you and your girlfriend," she said.

"Well, we're both very flattered," Joey chuckled. "What can I get you?"

"Well…" Shandi smirked.

Joey laughed. Beside Shandi, Miles didn't quite know what to do.

"Okay, I'll have a vodka and coke," Shandi relented.

"Coming up," Joey said. "Miles?"


Charlie was just walking towards the restaurant complex when she spotted Marilyn heading in the same direction, looking like she had a lot on her mind.

"Hi, Marilyn," she said. "Are you okay?"

"Hmm?"

She seemed startled; distant even.

"Is everything okay?"

"Um… yes," she said. "I was actually coming over to speak to you and Joey, if you had time."

"Of course," Charlie said, leading the way through the Surf Club and up the stairs.


At their table, Bianca and April had been eating dinner and talking through plans for the wedding.

"Bianca, can I be blunt?" April asked.

Bianca raised an eyebrow.

"Are you ever anything else?"

"You really don't seem to be very enthusiastic about this wedding," April said. "Are you absolutely sure this is what you want?"

"I'm marrying Vittorio," Bianca said resolutely, sitting up straight in her seat. "And we're going to be happy together."


Behind the bar, Angelo seemed to be glaring at everybody and Joey was sick of it.

"Snap out of it," she said, deciding upon a tough love approach.

He looked startled.

"What?"

"Snap out of it," she repeated. "I know you're upset over Shandi and I know you wish she was with you and not Miles but I'm afraid that's the way the cookie crumbles. It's not like you dated for weeks and she cheated on you. You had a weekend of fun and then it was over. If you want a relationship, go and find one. Don't stand behind my bar, sulking and glaring and putting off my customers, okay?"

He looked extremely put out and a little hurt.

"I'm sorry for the tough love," Joey said a little more kindly. "But you really have to pull yourself together, okay? If you want love, you need to get out there and find it."

"It's not that easy," Angelo frowned.

"Try," Joey persisted. "I mean, why don't you give online dating a go or something?"

"I'm not that pathetic!"

"Do you have any idea how many people meet their husbands and wives online these days?" Joey said. "It's the in thing by all accounts."

Angelo sighed.

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


"So, is there anybody you won't flirt with?" Miles asked curiously, once he and Shandi were sat at their table in the corner of the restaurant.

His date chuckled and sipped her drink.

"What can I say?" she said. "I appreciate beauty."

She glanced at him.

"Why? Are you jealous?"

He cleared his throat.

"No, not jealous exactly…"

"Come on," she said. "Don't turn into that brat behind the bar. Honestly, if I'd have known what he was like, I never would have gone near him."

"You did dump him without even looking back," Miles remarked.

"I didn't even date him!" Shandi said. "We just slept together!"

She shook her head.

"Honestly! People get so attached these days…"

She smiled affectionately at Miles, leaning over and kissing him.

"Not that I mind with some people.


Charlie arrived at the restaurant with Marilyn and immediately approached Joey.

"This looks serious," the proprietor remarked, leaning across the bar and kissing her girlfriend.

"Marilyn wanted to talk to us about Ruby and Mitzy," Charlie said.

"Okay," Joey said.

She asked Angelo to staff the bar while she took a break. Leading Charlie and Marilyn to a window table, the three of them sat down.

"I um… I overheard Mitzy telling Nicole and Claire that the prediction she made for your Ruby was a lie," the blonde said, sounding deeply troubled. "She said that she had just wanted to give her some hope, something to cheer her up and aim for. I don't think she meant any harm but…"

She sighed heavily.

"Nicole and Claire were very concerned considering everything Ruby has been through recently and I can only imagine that you are too," Marilyn continued. "I just… I haven't known what to do. I think the girls are trying to deal with the situation on their own. But I thought the best thing to do was talk to you, as her parents. Transparency is always best, I feel."

"Thank you," Charlie said sincerely. "We really appreciate that."

"We've been really worried about how much Ruby has put into the prediction," Joey admitted. "We don't want her to be disappointed."

Marilyn nodded, completely understanding.

"I'm really sorry," she said.

With Mitzy being her friend, she felt partially responsible.

"Hey, it's not your fault," Joey said, reaching out to touch her arm.

Marilyn just looked sad.

"This isn't just about Ruby, is it?" Charlie realised, studying her friend's face.

"I just…" Marilyn began. "It doesn't matter."

"Hey… it does," Charlie coaxed. "If it matters to you, it matters to us."

Suddenly, she burst into tears. Everything burst out of her in a jumble of words about how if Mitzy's prediction about Ruby was a lie then what if her own prediction was too? What if Sid was right and she had therefore dumped him for no reason, when he had just been trying to look out for her?

"Oh, Marilyn," Joey said gently, gathering her into her arms.

Charlie held her hand across the table.


That night, once her tears had finally dried, Marilyn went round to see Mitzy. Charlie had driven her back to the caravan park, not wanting her to have to get home on her own when she was feeling so emotional.

"I have to talk to you and I'm upset so you need to just let me say what I need to say, okay?" Marilyn said, arriving at her friend's home.

"Okay…" Mitzy said uncertainly.

"I know that you lied to Ruby about her prediction," Marilyn said. "And I understand why. I understand that you were trying to do a good thing but you shouldn't have. She's a vulnerable girl with a history of depression and addiction, not long out of a clinic. You've messed with her head and put her at risk of terrible disappointment. It's not fair, Mitzy. You shouldn't do that to people."

Mitzy stood up.

"I was trying to help her!"

"Then you should have done a proper reading and found something good to tell her that was real!" Marilyn said desperately. "Or can't you do that?"

Mitzy looked stung.

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean," Marilyn said quietly.

"That is the only lie I've told," Mitzy said. "And I thought it was a good, white lie. I didn't know her history or that it would cause damage. And if you're accusing me of lying to you about…"

Suddenly she collapsed.


Charlie and Joey were the last to leave the restaurant; Charlie helping to pack up for the night.

"I hope things go okay between Marilyn and Mitzy," Charlie sighed. "It must be such a difficult situation for them. Marilyn believing that she's dying, mostly because Mitzy told her. Not sure if she's being lied to. Mitzy actually dying. I mean…"

She shook her head.

Joey stepped up and wrapped her arms around Charlie's waist. She kissed her.

"You were really great to her," she said.

"Well, she was really good to us too," Charlie pointed out. "Concerned about Ruby."

Joey nodded. They kissed again.

"You know… nobody's here…" Joey said. "And it's been a while since… here…"

She raised her eyebrows. Charlie grinned wickedly at her, suddenly very awake and excited.

"Office, kitchen, bar or table?" she asked eagerly.


Next time… Charlie and Joey enjoy a night at the restaurant, Indi opens up to Romeo, Mitzy makes things right with Marilyn…