Chapter Five Hundred and Two
Ruby wasn't feeling very positive the next morning. She had barely slept, mostly due to nerves about her driving test but also due to the guilt eating away at her about letting Dex down the day before. She hated that her parents had been so disappointed in her and that she hadn't been able to make things right with her friend. She had been so desperate to make friends with him again but he just wouldn't budge. It had devastated her.
She exited her bedroom and found that Charlie and Joey had laid out a full on breakfast for her, with coffee and orange juice and there was even a flower in a vase and a card with her name on it, propped up against it. She couldn't help but smile.
"What's all this?" she asked.
"We can't send you off to your driving test without a full belly and lots of good luck, can we?" Joey said, smiling at her.
"But what about Dex?" she asked uncertainly.
Charlie came over and put her arm around her.
"You did the wrong thing," she said. "But you've apologised and you'll find a way to make it right. Today, let's get you through your driving test, okay? Today, it's all about you."
Ruby let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding. She hugged Charlie to her and came to sit down at the table. She opened the good luck card and thanked her parents for it before the three of them tucked into breakfast together.
Dex had barely slept. He felt miserable and angry and bitter. He had made a fool of himself yesterday and then Ruby of all people had made a mockery of him for it. He had thought she was his friend. But she had used a weak moment and humiliated him in front of the whole school. People already made fun of him and now she had made it worse. Why would she do that to him? All of a sudden, she just wasn't the person he had thought she was. Even Claire was disappointed in her, he knew.
Alf was worried. Ever since Roo had told him about the money she owed, he had felt fretful about the debt she was in. He knocked on her bedroom door and she allowed him to enter.
"Roo, I've got savings," he said, getting right to the point. "I can loan you the money you need to pay this debt off."
Roo tried not to look delighted. It was definitely a useful piece of information to have.
"Thanks, Dad," she said. "But honestly, I'm fine. I've got the situation under control."
"How?" he asked. "What are you actually doing about it?"
"I'm paying it off myself," Roo said. "I've got it sorted, Dad. I promise."
Alf didn't look satisfied.
"But I can pay it all off for you," he said. "Get it all out of the way, no problem. Then you don't have to worry about it anymore."
"And then I'll owe you money, Dad," Roo said.
"No," Alf assured her. "You don't need to worry about that. The money's there. It may as well be spent. Please just think about it."
"Okay," Roo conceded. "I'll think about it."
Alf nodded and headed back towards the door.
"Dad?"
He turned back.
"I do appreciate the offer," she said. "Thank you."
He smiled and left the room.
Charlie and Joey both hugged Ruby and sent her off to her driving test with wishes of good luck, assuring her that they knew she could do it and that she would be brilliant. They hoped they were right. As soon as she left, they started getting the house ready for a well done party. Claire arrived shortly afterwards to help.
Will was starting to feel better about life. Things had not been good. He had lost Gypsy and he had made some horrific mistakes. But Shandi had left town and he was ready to concentrate on the things that were actually important, namely his daughter.
He was pleased to have his job at the bait shop and at the restaurant and he and Angelo had struck up a nice friendship. Irene was nice enough to look after Lily once or twice a week so that the boys could go for a beer or two. It wasn't exactly a crazy night out but it made him feel like he had some kind of friendship.
Lily, Irene, Angelo, his work, it all made him feel like he was finally starting to set down roots again, despite the mistakes he had made and his tendency to make stupid decisions. And who would ever have known he would find himself right back in Summer Bay again after leaving so many years ago? He'd even managed to have a civil conversation with Gypsy last night for the first time since they'd split up so he felt that was progress too.
Charlie, Joey and Claire were eagerly awaiting Ruby's return from her driving test. They all just desperately hoped that she had passed and that all this effort and grief would have been worth it.
"She's coming!" Claire called, having been peering out of the window for the past ten minutes.
She rushed to stand beside Charlie and Joey. Each of them was holding a sign that between them read: Well Done Ruby!
They stood with baited breath as she turned the key in the lock at the front door and opened it. She walked through and looked startled as she took in a room full of balloons and banners – and her parents and best friend stood there with a congratulations sign, eager to hear her news. She had been secretly planning to fake that she had failed but she couldn't help it. She burst out that she had passed and rushed to hug them all, overwhelmed by the effort they had gone to in order to celebrate with her. They'd even got her a cake.
"Leah made it," Joey said.
"We're so proud of you, Ruby," Charlie told her. "So proud."
"Well done," Claire said, beaming with pride for her friend.
"Thank you all of you," Ruby said. "This is so nice of you."
"We wanted you to know how amazing we think you are," Joey said.
"Amazing enough that you'll buy me a car?" Ruby asked hopefully.
"Ha!" Charlie said. "Nice try."
"But what's the point of me learning to drive if…"
"Nice. Try." Charlie warned.
Ruby pouted and helped Joey cut the cake, which looked absolutely delicious.
"What would have you done if I had failed?" she asked.
Charlie and Joey exchanged awkward glances. They hadn't come up with a Plan B.
Will was closing up the bait shop when Alf approached him, looking heavy hearted. He immediately expressed his concern.
"I've got some bad news," Alf said, gesturing for his friend to sit down.
"Okay…"
They sat.
"I'm really sorry, mate but I'm shutting down the bait shop," Alf explained.
Will's mood immediately plummeted. He had been feeling so good all day and now everything felt like it was being drained away from him.
"Why?" he asked.
"Well, you must have noticed that business is slow and takings are down," Alf said.
Will nodded.
"Well, I just can't afford to keep it open anymore," Alf said. "It's costing more than it's making. With all this Penn stuff going on, especially with all these knife rumours going round now… I just can't keep the place open for now. Hopefully when things blow over and whoever actually killed the guy is caught, I can re-open and start again but for now… I'm sorry."
Will sighed. He was upset. He was disappointed. He was angry. But he didn't want to argue with Alf or express his feelings. It wasn't his fault after all. He was the victim in all of this.
"No worries," he said. "Maybe I could get some more hours off of Joey or something."
"Maybe," Alf said, although he was silently doubtful. "I don't think she's working today but you could ask tomorrow. I know she'll help you out if she can. If not, I'm sure you'll find something. There are plenty of people around here who would give you a chance if they can. You're a good bloke. Everyone knows that."
Will nodded and sighed heavily.
"Thanks," he said.
"Hey, I have an idea," Claire broached.
She and Ruby were watching TV in the lounge while Charlie and Joey were sat in the kitchen.
"What's that?" Ruby asked.
"Maybe we could buy a car together," Claire said. "Save up and go halves?"
Ruby's eyes lit up. Now that might be a possibility.
"Nothing flashy or expensive," Claire said. "Just a run around. My wages don't get me all that far. But it might be something we could do. Then we could car share."
"That sounds like a good plan to me," Ruby said. "Charlie! Joey!"
Claire laughed at the way she summoned her parents. And at the way they grudgingly obeyed her. Today was her day after all.
"Whatever can we do for you, darling?" Joey asked sarcastically.
"Claire and I are going to save up and buy a car together," Ruby announced.
"Really?" Charlie said. "That's a good idea. Although, what are you going to save up with exactly?"
Ruby scrunched up her nose.
"Hey um… do you need any more staff at the restaurant?"
"Afraid not," Joey said. "Will literally fills every available hour."
"But I'm your daughter," Ruby complained.
"And that's not the way the world works," Joey told her.
Ruby sighed.
"I'm sure we can work something out," Charlie said cheerfully. "I'm sure you could up your chores if you want a bigger allowance."
Claire smiled to herself. She longed for the kind of home setup where she had parents who loved her. Where she could have been a teenager who did chores and received an allowance. Where she could have had her achievements celebrated. But it was nice to live vicariously through Ruby. And she felt lucky to at least know these people who celebrated her as well. They were funny and they were kind and she cared for them very much. And she knew they cared for her and that meant the world.
They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Charlie walked over and opened up. It was Will. She immediately felt Cop Mode taking over. She just didn't trust him.
"Hey," he said. "Is Joey home?"
He always seemed like he was in a hurry and yet somehow slowed down, all at the same time.
"I'm here," Joey said, stepping up beside her girlfriend. "You okay? Come in."
"I won't stop," Will said. "I uh… I just wondered if you had any more hours at the restaurant."
"She doesn't!" Ruby called unhelpfully from the sofa.
Claire elbowed her. Ruby complained loudly.
"Sorry, Will," Joey said more kindly. "I really don't. Everyone's wages are completely covered now. I've given you all the hours I've got."
He sighed heavily and rubbed his head.
"Okay," he said.
"Will, are you okay?" Charlie asked.
"Yeah, just… Alf has closed the bait shop."
Charlie expected Joey to react but she just nodded. Alf had obviously already told her his plan.
"I've lost a third of my wages from that," Will said. "I've got Lily to support and I just… I don't have the cash."
"I'm sorry," Joey said. "I've given you all the hours I can. You can always see if there's anything going at the Diner. Obviously Irene will give you anything she has."
"Yeah, yeah, thanks," he said.
He turned and left abruptly.
"See what I mean?" Charlie asked.
Joey shrugged but she did see what Charlie meant. He was odd. But neither of them could quite put their finger on what exactly was odd about him.
Will was despondent when he arrived home. His day had started off so well but now it had all turned to shit. Alf had seriously cut into his wages and it felt like he had pulled the rug from under him. He felt like he had been starting to get his life sorted out and now he'd taken a massive step back. And nobody was willing to help. This stupid town where everyone claimed to support and love each other and have each other's backs… it was all a lie. Nobody really cared. Not about him anyway. Nobody cared about him.
He walked through the door and chucked his keys on the table. Nobody else seemed to be at home. He noticed a letter addressed to him on the table where he had just thrown his keys. It was unusual. He didn't usually get mail. Uncertainly, he opened the envelope. His heart sank. It was a letter from Gypsy's solicitor. It really was over. She was requesting a divorce.
Charlie, Joey, Ruby and Claire were enjoying more cake and watching TV. Joey was snuggled up against Charlie. She was still thinking about Will. The restaurant was doing well but not well enough to be able to hand out money just because someone asked for it. They had already found hours for him when really they didn't need him, just to be nice. Not really to Will. She had no feelings about him. It had been a favour for Irene. And Alf. Lovely Alf.
Charlie kept her arm around her partner. She too was thinking about Will but not about his employment. She remained concerned about him. There was just something not quite right about that guy. She knew he was deeply loved by people in Summer Bay, people that she loved and trusted. But there was just something she couldn't quite settle in her mind.
She looked over at Ruby and Claire, cuddled up as if they were a couple. Sometimes she wished they were a couple. She was pretty sure that Ruby didn't swing that way. But then, until a couple of years ago, she hadn't thought she had swung that way either! And Claire would be absolutely perfect for her. She would certainly never hurt her the way other people had in the past. But both of them had to make their own decisions. All she and Joey could do was support them both, whoever they happened to fall in love with.
"What on earth has happened here?" Irene managed, walking through the door to her home.
She stopped short with Lily by her side, stunned to find the entire lounge trashed. Even the television was smashed. Will was in the middle of it, furious and in tears. Irene didn't know whether to feel pity or anger.
"She's divorcing me!" he shouted. "She's fucking divorcing me!"
"Lily, go to your room please, love," Irene said hurriedly.
The little girl obeyed, looking close to tears.
"The wife that you cheated on reasonably asked you for a divorce and you smashed up my lounge?" Irene demanded.
Will looked lost for a moment, almost as if he didn't realise what he had done.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Irene demanded. "You can replace my TV for starters!"
"I can't! Alf sacked me!" he said desperately.
"No, he didn't," Irene said. "He's had to close to bait shop because he's being accused of a murder he didn't commit. That's a real problem, Will!"
"I have real problems!"
"You created problems!" Irene said.
"I can't cope, Irene!" Will said.
He sank down onto the floor, his head in his hands. She hesitated and then came to sit beside him on the floor. She sighed heavily.
"I just… I thought I was starting to sort things out and then this happened."
"I know," Irene said. "I understand. But I can't have you keep behaving like this, Will."
"I know," he said, tears rolling down his cheeks. "I know and I'm sorry. I just don't know how I ended up like this. I don't know how I got things so wrong. I'm such a mess."
Next time… Ruby enjoys her new found freedom, Dex arranges a night out for Claire and Gina becomes suspicious of Roo…
