Apologies for the delay in update. Things have been a little hectic! I hope you enjoy the chapter! Love, IJKS xxx
Chapter Five Hundred and Ninety Seven
"I just don't see why you're making such a fuss of Romeo after everything that happened between us," Ruby said grouchily.
Joey sighed, feeling like she had already explained too many times.
"Romeo made a mistake, as did you," she said. "What's the point of punishing him over and over again? You've managed to resolve things. He's lost his girlfriend, his education, he's got no money. He's not going to get himself out of the hole he's in if he doesn't get an opportunity. He can't continue to be punished forever for a mistake."
Ruby nodded but didn't look entirely convinced. She was still very hurt by everything that had happened between them. She felt used at a time when someone she had considered to be a friend had known she was grieving. And he might have lost his relationship and he might have thrown away his education but he hadn't taken any flack for it. Quite the opposite. He had been hailed a hero amongst his friends. The sexism that still existed among her peers was revolting.
Romeo was up and out early, anxious to make sure that his morning charter was a success. He had been given the go ahead to trial his new business for Alf on the Blaxland and Charlie and Joey had agreed to be his first guests. So, this morning, he was taking them out on the water, knowing full well that Joey could run rings around him on any boat. He suspected that that was why Alf had asked them. And worse still, he was taking Morag and Roo out in the afternoon! The pressure was on!
"Are you coming up?" Angelo asked, when Charlie dropped him at the hospital.
As agreed the previous day, she had very kindly driven him all the way back over to the north side of the beach to collect his car. Then she had dropped him off at the hospital to visit Nicole, who, all being well would be discharged that morning.
"Well, I'm supposed to be going out on a charter with Joey and Romeo in an hour…" she said.
He raised his eyebrows.
"That's an interesting little threesome," he remarked.
"Oh, it's this new business he's starting up," she explained, rolling her eyes.
"Another one?" he asked. "He only started his surf school the other day."
"Don't even get me started," she said. "We paid for his insurance."
He looked surprised, aware of what had happened between Romeo and Ruby recently.
"You know what Joey's like," Charlie said. "Never ending compassion."
"Yeah," he said, although he couldn't help but wonder where her compassion had been on the day he had made that mistake at work.
If only she had been a little bit patient with him, he would still be part of their fold and wouldn't be stuck working for Darryl Braxton.
"So, you coming up?" he asked again.
"Yes," she decided. "Just for five minutes."
Romeo was collecting the hamper for the Blaxland just as Indi arrived to pick up a welcome home cake for Marilyn for when she and Sid brought the baby back from the hospital. She had left Dex back at the farm, battling with putting up the cot. She stopped nervously when she saw Romeo paying for his hamper.
"Busy day?" she asked, nodding towards the basket.
"It's my first charter on the Blaxland," he explained. "My new business venture."
"Oh, wow," she said. "I'm impressed. Well done."
He thanked her.
"No, thank you," she said sincerely. "I was really grateful for the lift to the hospital yesterday."
"Anytime," he said as casually as possible. "I hope everything was okay with the baby."
"George," she said. "His name is George and he's fine. And cute."
They smiled at each other.
"I'm glad he's fine," Romeo said. "And that he's cute."
"Well, uh… good luck today," Indi said brightly.
He thanked her again and moved on.
Nicole looked better than she had the previous day. She reached out for a hug as soon as Charlie entered the room. Charlie obliged, holding her tightly. Nicole thanked her profusely for everything she had done the previous day.
"It was a team effort," Charlie said. "And you were definitely the leader of the team. You were amazing, Nic."
"You really were," Angelo agreed, stepping up to the other side of the bed. "We were all so proud of you."
Nicole thanked them both, doubting that she had been anywhere near amazing.
"You gave birth on the middle of the beach, Nicole," Charlie said.
"You didn't even panic!" Angelo commented.
"Oh, I was panicking, believe me!"
"So was I!" Charlie admitted.
"I still can't believe that. You seemed so calm," Nicole said.
"Good," Charlie grinned. "That's what I wanted you to think."
Nicole squeezed her hand.
"I will always be so grateful to you – and you Angelo – and Joey – for everything you all did," she said. "I keep thinking about what would have happened if I'd have been alone and…"
She shook her head.
"Don't think about it," Charlie said. "There's no need. You were with us. We got you through it. And you were an absolute star. You were incredible. That's what matters."
"Have you seen the baby?" Angelo asked.
"No," Nicole said quietly. "Marilyn has popped in from time to time but I haven't… I don't know if I can. I just feel so confused about everything."
Charlie nodded, squeezing her hand.
"What's he doing here?" Ruby demanded when she arrived at the Diner to find her boyfriend sat with Xavier.
Xavier immediately stood up, glaring at her.
"I could ask you the same thing," he snapped. "I don't want to spend time with you either, after what you did!"
Casey stood up quickly.
"I took inspiration from yesterday," he explained. "I want you guys to get along."
Ruby tried not to laugh.
"Case, you were there yesterday, right? When your brother hit on my mother and she and Joey stormed off and we probably made their chances of getting along a million times less likely?" she asked.
He grinned back.
"Well, I was hoping we'd be more successful today," he said, taking her hand and sitting down.
She reluctantly sat beside him. Xavier was still not smiling.
"I still don't want to spend time with you," he said stiffly.
"Like I care!" she replied, picking up a menu.
He glared at her even more but didn't move.
"Guys, please!" Casey begged. "You're my girlfriend and you're one of my best mates. I hate you not getting along. I'm not exactly overwhelmed with people to hang out with. Please?"
"She screwed up my relationship with Miranda," Xavier complained, giving in and sitting down.
"Technically, you did that," Casey said. "I mean, you said she was going to give you another chance and then she watched you lie to about twenty five different people on your 'date'…"
Ruby snorted with laughter.
"Ruby, you're not helping," Casey nagged.
"I'm sorry, I'm just not surprised that things didn't work out with a Uni student, Xave," Ruby said flatly.
Xavier furrowed his brow.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he demanded.
"You're too immature," she replied, as if it was obvious. "You mess around, you make up lies, you constantly tie yourself up in knots, trying to impress people, manipulate people… It's ridiculous. Of course an older girl isn't going to want to date you. She's past all that high school drama and that's what you're all about. You always have been."
"What? And you're so grown up?" Xavier challenged. "Weren't you just grounded for two weeks like a kid because you misbehaved?"
"Because of breaking and entering," she said a little proudly. "And yeah, I'm not saying I'm not above drama. But at least I'm willing to own it. And I'm not trying to date outside of high school, someone who doesn't have their own high school dramas."
"Well, apart from Romeo…"
She wanted to kick him.
"Well, he never even graduated, so…" Casey put in.
"And I so don't want to date him," Ruby added. "I've got the best boyfriend in the world."
Casey couldn't have looked prouder.
Charlie had collected Joey, albeit a tiny bit late and then they'd driven down to the harbour to go on their charter with Romeo. They had been very impressed with how well he had cleaned and tidied the Blaxland and set everything up to make their journey comfortable and enjoyable. They had food and music and cushioned benches at the back to enjoy the view.
"Well, you just enjoy yourselves," Romeo said, clearly nervous.
He set them up with their breakfast, making sure they had everything they need.
"I'll um… I'll be driving us out but um… if you need anything, well, you'll know where I am so please… please come get me."
"We will," Joey said, trying to smile her encouragement.
She was desperate to give him a good review. He dashed off to set them off. Joey watched him struggling to do everything on his own. She felt Charlie holding her in place, stopping her from jumping in and helping.
"I know," Joey said. "He has to do it himself or he won't learn. I just… I miss this. We haven't been out here in so long and now Romeo's running the charter, we probably won't get the chance again."
"There are other boats," Charlie reminded him.
"This one is special," Joey said.
Charlie smiled. She leant over and kissed her.
"It's very special," she agreed.
Indi arrived home with the cake to find Keiron in her lounge, taking the lead with building the cot and Dex merely reading the instructions. She put the cake down and urgently pulled her brother aside.
"Um… how did this happen?" she asked.
"He knocked for you," Dex explained. "You weren't in so he decided to wait, saw me struggling and offered to help. He seems like a nice guy!"
Indi didn't recall telling him where she lived.
Out on the water, Charlie and Joey were having a lovely time. They were particularly enjoying reminiscing over the moments they had shared before on this very boat. It had been the place of their very first kiss and several more since then. It was their happy place. And Romeo had provided a smooth, calm experience for them. It felt like a proper date on a happy, Saturday morning. They were definitely going to provide Alf with a favourable review when they got home.
"Done!" Keiron said, pleased with his work.
"I am very impressed," Dex said.
Indi agreed with less enthusiasm. But she did thank him.
"So, this was your family emergency yesterday?" Keiron asked, putting the screwdriver down.
"Yeah," Indi said awkwardly. "Our little brother should be arriving home from the hospital any time now."
"Well, maybe I could stick around and meet him," Keiron suggested.
"Um… well, I just think, my Dad and Marilyn – that's my stepmum – they'll probably just want it to be us…" Indi said, feeling even more awkward. "It's been a very tricky time with the surrogacy or adoption or whatever the situation actually is. I don't know what we'd call it. It's very complicated."
Keiron nodded, very obviously disappointed.
"I can call you though?" he said. "I really want to see you again."
"Yeah," she said with a fake smile. "I'd love to see you again."
Charlie and Joey strolled along the beach together, very much enjoying their day off. They had a video call booked with Alf later and they were looking forward to reporting positively on their charter with Romeo.
"The only thing missing was…"
Charlie raised her eyebrows suggestively. Joey blushed and kissed her.
"I think we can only do that on our very, very private trips out," she said.
"I think so," Charlie said. "I don't think that's the kind of business he wants to run!"
Joey grinned.
"I am a little sad that we've kind of missed our chance," she admitted. "We haven't taken the boat out for ages…"
"I'm sure Alf – and Romeo – will let us sneak it out ourselves from time to time," Charlie tried to reassure her. "I mean, we are paying the insurance. Plus, there's always the likelihood he'll fail."
"Charlie!" Joey scolded.
"What? He doesn't exactly have much staying power. School, Indi, the Surf School…"
"He's still doing the Surf School. He's just trying this as well," Joey corrected."
"Yeah, okay," Charlie chuckled.
She slipped her arm around her fiancée's waist. Joey rested her head on her shoulder, happy with the morning they'd had together.
Romeo felt like he had been a jangle of nerves all day, even though his morning trip out with Charlie and Joey had gone exceptionally well and they had openly told him that they would be reporting favourably to Alf when they spoke to him later that day. However, he wasn't sure fishing charter with Morag and Roo had gone quite as well. Morag was very difficult to read and she had made a lot of notes, although Roo had been a lot more friendly. He was also regretting his last minute decision to hire the guy he'd met down at the trawlers to come out with him. His name was Will and he'd been looking for work. Not confident in his own fishing ability, Romeo had offered him a few bucks to come out with them but once they'd been trapped out on the water with him, he'd been behaving very strangely, to the point that all three of them were uncomfortable.
"So, Will, is it?" Morag asked.
"Uh, yeah," the stranger replied.
"Are you okay there?"
She noted the bruises on both his hands.
"You look like you're in pain."
Romeo frowned, watching his temporary employee work.
"Oh, just the hazards of the job," Will replied dismissively.
He felt nervous, hoping that nobody would recognise him. He kept his head down and focussed on his work. Morag and Roo exchanged glances. Romeo felt more nervous than ever as he watched Morag take out her mobile phone.
Arriving home, Charlie set up the laptop, reading to call Alf, who was currently in London and apparently having a whale of a time. They spoke to him on Skype or by phone most weeks. Joey missed him terribly.
"G'day girls!" he greeted warmly, once he had set up his camera and got himself settled.
"Glad you're still Australian!" Joey said.
She said it every time. It made him laugh every time and reassured her that no matter how far away he was, Summer Bay was imprinted on him and always would be.
"So, when are you coming home?" Joey asked impatiently.
It was the same beginning to every conversation they had.
"I don't know," Alf chuckled. "But probably not too long now, I shouldn't think. The fishing isn't as good anywhere else in the world as it is at home."
"Plus, you miss me, obviously," Joey said.
"Obviously!" Alf replied. "So, how did young Romeo go today? I was surprised you've been so willing to help. I've heard about his recent… behaviour."
"Well, you know what a forgiving heart Joey is," Charlie commented. "And where Joey goes so do I."
Joey smiled gratefully at her.
"You're both good girls," Alf said, also grateful.
"And he did really well, didn't he, Charlie?" Joey said. "Perfect charter. He went to so much effort."
"Well, I'm really pleased to hear that," Alf enthused.
Romeo brought the boat into land. He was feeling exceptionally tense, wondering what would happen when Will, who they all suspected was actually Billy, spotted Watson and Blake on the dock, waiting for them. His question was answered quickly. Billy stood up quickly, looking around with panicked urgency. He stepped up to the side, clearly considering taking his chances in the water.
"No!" Romeo said.
Instinctively, Roo grabbed hold of Billy before he could jump. Romeo pulled the Blaxland in swiftly. Watson and Blake jumped on board, taking over from where Billy was struggling with Roo. She gladly stepped aside, sitting back down heavily next to Morag.
"I don't advise Romeo to make this a regular part of his trips!" she remarked.
Romeo cringed. He really hoped his choice of fisherman was going to cost him everything, especially when the rest of the trip and this morning's trip had all gone so well.
"Billy Daniels," Watson said. "I'm arresting you on suspicion of assault."
"He deserved it!"
"What do you mean, he deserved it? Why would Elijah deserve something like that?"
"Don't you know what those people are like? All of them. They don't become Reverends for the love of God. They do it to get close to vulnerable people and then they screw them up. I hate them. I hate them all."
Next time… Charlie and Joey struggle constant interruptions, Liam gets bad news and Heath and his gang cause hassle for John…
