Hi everyone! Sorry for the delay in updating. Real life has been getting in the way, I'm afraid. But thank you for bearing with me and I do hope you enjoy the chapter. Love, IJKS xxx

Chapter Four Hundred and Seventy

Ruby screeched to a halt, all the breath in her lungs, bursting out of her body. She slammed back in her seat, hitting her head on the head restraint behind her. Beside her, Angelo looked just as shocked. After a second, he unstrapped himself and jumped out of the car, rushing towards the body on the floor. He jolted back when the body jumped back. It was Penn and he looked furious. Ruby hurried out of the car.

"Penn!" she said. "I'm so sorry! I'm having a driving lesson. Are you okay? I'm so sorry!"

Penn looked between them and shrugged his shoulder awkwardly, clearly in pain. He staggered away. Angelo and Ruby exchanged distressed looks.


"Was he okay?" Joey asked as soon as she met back up with Charlie.

"I don't know," Charlie replied honestly.

It had been hard going through everything with Alf as he took out the AVO against Penn but she was glad that he had finally taken steps against him. That man was sinister to say the least and something had to be done.

"Hopefully he'll come to the party tomorrow," Joey said. "Take his mind off it all."

They were interrupted by a phone call.


Ten minutes later, Charlie arrived in a blaze of fury and panic to where Angelo and Ruby were still with Angelo's car. Joey was hurrying after her.

"What the hell happened?" Charlie demanded of Angelo.

"Charlie…" Angelo tried.

"Well?" Charlie snapped.

"Charlie, it wasn't his fault," Ruby insisted.

"Of course it was," Charlie said. "He was the adult. He was the one in charge. You're learning to drive. He is the one responsible for you. The one who is supposed to stop this kind of thing from happening."

"It was an accident…" Angelo said.

"Bumping into a kerb is an accident," Charlie snapped. "Running someone over is a bit more serious, Angelo! She could have killed him!"

Ruby looked on the verge of tears.

"Charlie…" Joey nudged gently.

But Charlie was on fire.

"He was fine," Angelo protested. "He just got up and walked away…"

"Do you know how many people get up and walk away from an accident thinking they're fine and…"

Ruby looked stricken.

"Charlie!" Joey interrupted loudly.

The police officer eventually stopped. She looked at her daughter.

"I'm sorry," she said. "It wasn't your fault. I'm not having a go at you."

She gathered her daughter into her arms and hugged her tight.

"You didn't do anything wrong," she said. "It's my fault. I should have been there. I should have made time to look after you and give you the lesson you wanted."

She glared at Angelo.

"I shouldn't have left you with someone incompetent."

Angelo looked crestfallen.

"Charlie, accidents happen," Joey said softly.

"Not if you're paying attention," Charlie said, adamantly assigning blame.

"He came from nowhere, Charlie," Angelo said.

"He did," Ruby sobbed into her mother's shoulder.

"There was no time," Angelo said. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Charlie felt herself soften. She continued to hug Ruby and looked at Joey. As her panic lessened so did her anger and she began to feel guilty for being so harsh.

"Sorry," she managed. "I was just scared."

"So was I," Angelo muttered, getting back into his car and driving off.


The next evening, Charlie was genuinely surprised to find that everything was actually all unpacked and they were ready to receive their party guests. And although it had been a bit of a nightmare to get it all done, she was pleased to have everything finished and also to be able to say a proper goodbye to Leah and VJ before they headed off to Africa the next morning. The one thing she felt bad about though was that Angelo had turned down their invitation after their argument the previous day and he was ignoring her phone calls and texts in her attempt to make things right with him.

"Hey, if it's concerning you that much then why don't you just go and see him?" Joey suggested. "And if he still won't talk to you then it's his loss. You made the effort."

"But don't you need me here?" Charlie asked.

"Everything's done," Joey said.

She kissed her.

"Go."

Charlie kissed her again, grabbed her keys and headed out of the house.


Angelo was sat at home on his own feeling utterly miserable. He had been drinking since the early afternoon. He knew he was cutting his nose off to spite his face when it came to the party. He had been looking forward to it since it was announced. The whole town was going and he was going to end up more and more bitter as the evening went on. All because he was angry with Charlie. Staying at home wasn't serving any purpose. It wasn't particularly proving a point. But he was just too upset.

He was startled when there was a knock on the door. He considered ignoring it. The knocking came again. Groaning, he hauled himself off the chair and walked across the room. He pulled open the door and came face to face with the one person he did not want to see.

"Hi," Charlie said.


"Oh! It's so good to see you!" Joey greeted.

She pulled a rather delighted VJ into a hug. Then she hugged Leah.

"We're not too early, are we?" their first guest checked.

"No, no," Joey said. "You're right on time. And we're glad you're the first. This is your party as well, to send you off on your holidays."

She looked down at VJ, who was still gazing adoringly at her, much to Ruby's amusement.

"Are you excited?" Joey asked.

"Yeah!" VJ enthused. "We'll bring you back a present, won' we Mum?"

"Of course we will."


"I really don't want to talk to you," Angelo said.

He attempted to shut the door but Charlie was ready for him and stuck her foot in the way.

"Move," Angelo demanded.

"No," Charlie said, barging her way inside.

He complained loudly and turned around to face her.

"What do you want?"

"I want to fix things," Charlie said. "Look, you know how stubborn I am and but here I am, throwing myself on your mercy and apologising, trying to make things right with you. No catch. No excuses. Just apologising. I was stressed, I was panicked and I was scared but those things don't matter. I was wrong and I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said the things I said. I'm sorry. Please can you forgive me and please can we make friends again? After everything we've been through over the years, can't we forgive and forget a few cross words?"

He sighed.

"You've forgiven worse," he accepted.

"And will you please come to the party?" she asked. "It won't be the same without you."

"Sure," he replied. "Thank you."

"Come on then," Charlie said. "I'll give you a lift."


By the time Charlie and Angelo arrived at the party, it was almost in full swing. Pretty much everyone had turned up to celebrate Charlie, Joey and Ruby moving into their new home and also to say goodbye to Leah and VJ before they went off on their adventures.

"Wow," Charlie commented. "Who knew so many people could fit in this place?"

"Aw, look at you so excited," Angelo commented. "All proud of being a home owner."

She elbowed him and they entered the house together. Charlie immediately sought Joey ought and Angelo followed. She was in the kitchen, as Charlie expected, serving drinks to Bianca and Vittorio, who were gathered around in a group with Leah, Watson and Kerri.

"Yay!" Joey greeted. "You made friends again!"

"We did," Charlie said, kissing Joey on the lips.

Joey poured drinks for her partner and their newest guest.

"We heard about the accident," Leah said. "Is everyone okay?"

"I think so," Angelo said, shrugging a little anxiously. "Ruby and I are. I mean, if it hadn't been Ruby behind the wheel and something had happened to that prick…"

Nobody corrected him.


"Sometimes I really wish we weren't all at parties with our parents," Xavier commented, surveying the room containing Gina, John, Sid, Marilyn, Charlie and Joey as well as Bianca, Vittorio, Alf, Miles, Kerri and Watson, all of whom were as good as.

"Why?" April asked.

"Because it's lame and we're all drinking Diet Coke like losers," Xavier complained. "Most kids our age are being reckless and having fun."

"I'm fine will Diet Coke," Ruby said quietly.

Xavier apologised, realising how insensitive he was being.

"We can have fun on Diet Coke," Dex said. "We don't need alcohol to have a laugh."

"Really?"

Xavier looked sceptical.

"We've got our winning personalities," Dex said dramatically, making the others laugh.

April laughed the hardest.

"Come on," Dex said enthusiastically. "Let's play a game."

"What kind of game?" Romeo asked.

"A drinking game," Dex said. "Without the drinking."

"You're insane," Indi told her brother.

"Maybe," he conceded.


"I'm so glad you came out tonight, Alf," Marilyn said, joining him and Irene in the living room.

It had taken quite a lot of persuasion but he had eventually agreed, knowing that Joey and Charlie had really wanted him to attend the party.

"Yeah, me too," he admitted. "It's nice to be around friends and family."

"Here are your drinks orders," Sid said, approaching the three of them and handing them out. "They've done a lovely job with this place, haven't they?"

"Yeah," Alf said. "You wouldn't think they've only been here for a week, would you?"

"No," Irene said, looking around. "I'm impressed."

Her face fell when she spotted Will in the corner, heavily engaged in a make out session with Shandi. She just knew that girl was going to lead her boy astray.

"I feel for you, mate," Angelo said.

Miles was startled, having not realised that Angelo had approached him. He had been too busy watching Will and Shandi in the corner to notice.

"I guess it's better to know what she's like now before you got too invested."

I'm already too invested, Miles thought to himself.

And that's what you get for stealing her from me, Angelo thought to himself.


"Okay, Nicole, your turn first," Dex said.

The teenagers had settled on a game of Truth and were settled out in the garden to play, away from the prying eyes of the adults.

"Um… okay… uh…"

"Brilliant game, Dex," Xavier commented.

"Anyone can think of a question if they want," Dex shot back.

"Okay, who was the best guy you've ever slept with," Xavier asked immediately.

Nicole paused and sipped her drink.

"Liam," she decided.

She felt awkward about it, sat in a circle with Ruby but it was game of Truths and she felt she had to be honest. She spun the bottle quickly. It landed on Claire.

"Um…"

"If you had to get with any of the girls in the circle, who would it be?" Xavier asked immediately.

Nicole hated him. She wished she had been quick enough to ask shy Claire an easy question. This was exactly the type of question she wanted to avoid. The look on her face told her that she was panicking.

"I don't know," Claire said. "Nobody…"

"You can't say nobody," Dex said. "It's if you had to pick someone."

"Uh… I don't know…"

"Come on…" Romeo teased.

"Ruby, I guess," Claire managed, feeling more awkward than she had probably ever felt in her life, which was quite something. "Not because I feel that way but because she's my closest friend so it's the least weird."

Ruby grinned, feeling quite pleased with herself.

"Well, personally, I am affronted," Nicole said, hoping to break the tension.

Claire flashed her a grateful smile and Nicole saw her visibly relax.

"I'm hotter than you," Ruby joked in a sing-song voice.

Nicole poked her tongue out. Claire spun the bottle. It landed on Indi.

"How would you rate Romeo in bed?" Xavier asked.

Tension immediately fell between the couple.


"Hey, are you boys having fun?" Joey asked Danny and VJ, as she moved between Gina, Irene, Colleen and Alf towards Charlie, Bianca, Vittorio, Leah, Watson and Kerri.

"Yeah, we're good," VJ replied with a smile.

"Awesome," Joey said. "There's dessert in the kitchen, by the way. But check with your parents how much you're allowed to have, okay?"

"We will."

She headed on back to her partner and friends. VJ watched her go.

"You are so obvious," Danny said, rolling his eyes.

"What do you mean?" VJ asked innocently.

"You have such a crush on Joey," Danny said. "Even she must know it."

"Do you think?" VJ asked worriedly.

He would be so embarrassed if she knew.

"So obvious," Danny repeated, laughing.


John was not having a nice time. He had attended the party in a bid to get to spend some time with Gina but she had successfully ignored him all evening. He had enjoyed chatting to other people through the evening but he had wanted to be here with Gina. And now his long lost daughter had her tongue down Will Smith's throat and didn't look like she was going to surface any time soon. He decided it was time to leave.


Indi was sat on the ground in Charlie's back garden, frozen and panicked over what to say and do next. The question hung in the air and her mind was racing. The truth was that she and Romeo had not yet slept together. But what would Romeo want her to say? The truth? Or to just lie and give him a ten? What was the right answer? She had no idea.

She was aware that she was procrastinating for too long. The other boys were starting to make comments. She could see Romeo's face burning. She opened her mouth to just say 'ten'. But it was too late. Romeo had upped and left. He stormed out of the party.

"Thanks, Dex," she snapped. "Thanks for the shittiest game in the world."

She jumped up and hurried after her boyfriend.

"Not my fault he's crap in bed," Dex joked.

Ruby elbowed him in the stomach.

"Ow!" he protested.


Joey was concerned when she saw Romeo and then Indi rushing out of the party. She hoped they weren't about to break up again.

However, she had no time to fret because the doorbell rang and she hoped her big surprise for Charlie and Ruby had arrived. She hurried to the door and opened it a crack.

"Yes!" she said, not letting anyone see who had arrived. "You're here! Can you just wait while I find Ruby?"

"Of course."

She closed the door and asked Leah to get Ruby from the back garden while she grabbed Charlie.

"What's going on?" Charlie asked.

"I have a surprise for you," Joey said.

Charlie looked confused and a little suspicious. Ruby looked bewildered as she and her friends came in from the garden. Once they were inside, Joey pulled open the door.

"Oh!" Charlie said.

Morag and Ross were stood at the door beaming at them.

"Dad!" Ruby said, elated. "Morag!"

"We didn't know you were coming!" Charlie said, gathering them both into a hug.

"Well yeah," Ross said slowly. "That's the point of it being a surprise, silly."

Charlie laughed. Everyone enjoyed how happy the family were.

"I can't believe you did this, Jo," Charlie said.

Joey shrugged.

"I just thought they should be here on such a special day," she said modestly.

"Thank you," Charlie said, hugging her Dad again.

She turned to both him and Morag.

"Thank you," she said. "Thank you so much for coming."

"We're happy to be here," Morag said. "And somewhat offended that we weren't invited in the first place."

"Oh, we just thought it would be a bit too difficult…" Ruby said anxiously.

"I'm teasing," Morag said gently, giving her a hug.

Ruby nodded.

"I'm happy you're both here," she said.

"We're happy too," Morag told her.


The party had been a success. At least most people had had a nice time. If Miles watching Shandi and Will and Romeo storming out partway through were to be discounted. Charlie and Ruby were absolutely delighted that Morag and Ross had come to celebrate their housewarming with them and to stay for the night. Charlie was definitely planning on thanking her girlfriend for that later. For now, they were saying goodbye to Leah and VJ and wishing them well for their trip.

"Be safe," Charlie said. "And keep in touch, okay?"

"We will," Leah said, hugging her friends.

VJ, although sleepy at being up so late, didn't miss the opportunity to hug them too – especially Joey.

"Miss you already," Joey said.

"Miss you," Leah grinned.

The small group waved, knowing how important this trip was to their friend. It wasn't just a holiday. It was more than that. It was the difference between a life with someone she loved or accepting there was nothing between them anymore. It was a big deal.

"Right, time for us to head off too," Alf said, gathering his troops – Miles and Nicole.

Romeo was long gone now. Joey and Nicole had both tried to call him several times but he hadn't responded to either of them.

More hugs were exchanged. Alf held Joey particularly tight.

"You're a good girl, Joey," he whispered. "The daughter I always dreamed of having."

Joey hugged him tightly. She knew how much he meant it, considering he actually did have a daughter of his own, living out in America now.

"And you're the Dad I dreamed of," she replied.

She watched them head out of the door.

"We'll go too," Watson said. "Best not keep you up any longer. Or him."

She nodded towards Danny who was half asleep on Kerri's lap.

The next round of goodbyes took place.

"See you later," Ruby said, hugging Claire, who was trying not to feel embarrassed by her Truth answer. "Love you."

She winked. Claire blushed and managed just about to say it back.


Next time… Annie's letter causes friction, Ruby needs her family and more than one Summer Bay resident wants rid of Penn Graham for good…