Chapter Five Hundred and Seventy Five

Joey was busy working a double shift at the restaurant all day that Saturday, leaving Charlie with a full day clear to put everything in order, ready for their two year anniversary the following day. For the previous month, she had been busy, every spare moment she had, sorting and planning and today was her last push, to get everything sorted and now she had to pull in reinforcements to make sure everything went to plan. But first she had to explain why everything was so important.

"So," she said to Ruby and Claire, who were sat in front of her. "Well, you know it's mine and Joey's anniversary tomorrow."

"Two years," Ruby said. "Your longest relationship ever!"

She grinned, teasing her.

"Well, I um… I've decided to ask Joey to marry me," Charlie told them.

She paused nervously, hoping for a positive reaction.

"Charlie, that's awesome!" Ruby said immediately, launching into a hug.

"Congratulations," Claire also enthused.

"When did you decide this?" Ruby wondered.

"Actually, it was Dad," Charlie explained. "He um… he gave me Mum's engagement ring. He told me I should make that commitment to Joey and I decided he was right."

Ruby smiled, a mix of sadness and happiness.

"He really loved her," she said thoughtfully.

"He did," Charlie agreed. "And so do I. I love her; I love us as a family. It just feels like the perfect time."

Ruby smiled and nodded.

"So, what do you need us to do?"


Angelo was feeling very positive. Today, he and Roo were moving in together. By chance, they were moving into a house just across the street from Charlie, Joey and Ruby. But he swore it wasn't on purpose. He had moved on from them now. He was focussed on his new life, working at The Pizza Oven with Brax. And he was eager to get to know Roo better. She was smart and sorted and a good laugh. The fact that she was extremely attractive was also not lost on him. Things were definitely looking up.


Joey was rushed off her feet. Scott was working but Claire had the day off. Joey had asked her to come in and do over time but she had awkwardly explained that she had plans she couldn't get out of. It wasn't like her. Normally, she was very flexible. Now the pressure was very much on and Joey was still trying to find time to wrap Charlie's gifts for tomorrow. She still felt a little uncertain about not having planned anything for their anniversary. But Charlie had been adamant that she was planning it all and Joey just had to relax and enjoy the day. It was unsettling. Joey liked to organise. But she also felt very special at the thought of Charlie going to so much trouble for her. It made her feel very loved and cared for.

"Good morning," she greeted when Leah approached.

She frowned.

"Not a good morning," she concluded.

"Do you have time?"

She didn't have time.

"Always," she lied.

She had to be a good friend. She couldn't not be.

"I'm just so confused about Elijah," Leah said, aware that this was what she had been saying for far too long now. "He told me that I was the one he wanted to be with but now Thabo has died and he obviously needs to look after her. And I've just found out that he and Grace have consummated their marriage. I mean, that doesn't sound like a fake marriage, does it?"

Joey pulled an awkward face.

"Not really…" she admitted.

"What am I supposed to do?"

"Who does he want to be with?"

"He says me."

"But he's slept with Grace?"

Leah nodded.

"And what does she want?"

"Him… I think."

"Okay, that's difficult."

She looked at Leah.

"What do you want? Now you have all the facts? I mean, that's the important thing here, more than anything. Now you have all the information, do you want to be with him or not?"


Watson had also come to join Charlie, Ruby and Claire to help with the proposal plan.

"Hey, is Angelo moving into your road?" she asked when she arrived.

Ruby rushed to the window, confirming that there was indeed a moving van across the road and Angelo was stood there, holding a box and chatting with Roo Stewart.

"It looks like he and Roo might both be moving in," she said.

"Excellent," Charlie grimaced. "I mean, I don't mind her but Angelo and I are not friends anymore."

"It's a shame how it all turned out," Claire said. "He's just so stubborn. He gets into these rages and even if you try and guide him out of them, he won't let go."

She shook her head sadly. Then she blushed when she realised that everyone was looking at her.

"She doesn't say much but when she does speak, it's golden, right?" Ruby grinned.

Claire blushed even more. Charlie chuckled.

"So, take me through this plan step by step," Watson requested. "I don't want to mess anything up."


Joey was clearing some tables when Nicole burst into the restaurant looking like she was about the burst into tears. Joey dumped her tray on the counter and told her bar staff she needed to take ten minutes, guiding Nicole to the nearest table.

"What's happened?"

Nicole burst into tears. Joey gathered her into her arms and let her cry. Eventually, she asked her what happened again.

"I went on a date with Angus," she managed.

Joey looked directly into her eyes for a moment, quickly checking that he hadn't harmed her. Nicole assured her that it hadn't been anything like that.

"He just upset me," she said.

"Well, that's not okay either," Joey said. "What did he say?"

"I explained that I was giving the baby up for adoption and he just laid into me," Nicole told her. "He was awful. He was so judgemental and so cruel. I panicked. I just left. And I didn't know what to do or where to go so I just came here."

Joey gathered her into her arms again, stroking her hair and doing her best to reassure her.


It was the evening and Angelo and Roo were both exhausted, having moved all their things into their new house. Roo had also managed to snag a potential promotional job with John Palmer along the way so all in all, it had been a successful day.

"Wine?" Angelo suggested, producing a bottle of red he had bought especially for today.

"You read my mind!" Roo accepted happily.

They settled down on the couch and Angelo poured their drinks.

"Well, here's to a successful future to us both," Angelo suggested.

Roo clinked her glass against Angelo's and sipped.

"To us both," she agreed.

He smiled.

"I really am thrilled we're living together," he said. "I think this is going to be amazing."

"Me too," Roo said. "I think it's going to be fun."

Without warning, Angelo leant in and kissed her. Roo jolted back in surprise.

"Oh, hey! Um…"

"I'm sorry," he apologised quickly.

"Look, if this is the kind of setup you wanted…" Roo said.

"No… I…"

"Angelo, I think you're great but I am way too old for you," Roo said. "And I'm not in a relationship kind of place. Plus I wouldn't start a casual relationship or any kind of relationship with my housemate."

He nodded and apologised.

"So, can we just be good mates?" she asked.

"Yeah, mates," he agreed. "Of course."

Inside he complained bitterly that he was always doomed to be in the 'friend zone'. He was never going to find love.


"So, what are we doing tomorrow?" Joey asked for the twentieth time.

Charlie chuckled and kept her arm around her as they watched TV on the sofa. Joey snuggled into her and held her hand.

"It's a surprise," Charlie said. "It's nothing big and nothing flash so please don't get excited. But hopefully you'll like it."

"Whatever it is, it'll be from you so I'll love it," Joey said.

She tilted her head up and kissed her.

"I love you," she said.

"I love you too," Charlie replied.


Next time… Charlie and Joey celebrate their anniversary…