Sorry I am a little late! Enjoy! Love, IJKS xxx
Chapter Five Hundred and Ninety Nine
Charlie did not want to get up and deal with all the things she had ignored the day before during her indulgent day off with Joey. Unfortunately, her shift was due to start shortly and the longer she laid in bed with Joey curled up beside her, also reluctant to get up, the less time she had to get ready. She closed her eyes and snuggled up closer to Joey, her body so warm and inviting.
"How about another day off like yesterday?" Joey murmured.
"I wish!" Charlie replied.
"Get to the car now or walk!" Charlie called as she was leave the house an hour later.
Joey was just grabbing her keys, aware that the warning was not directed at her. Moments later, Ruby scampered out the front door, wearing only one shoe and carrying the other.
"You're so annoying, Charlie!" she complained. "Why can't you just wait for a change?"
"Because I have to be at work on time?" Charlie shot back.
"Is that Nicole?" Joey wondered, pointing across the street to where Angelo had just pulled up on the drive.
They watched him and Roo help Nicole out of the car.
"I thought Nic was going to stay with Marilyn and the Walkers when she got out of hospital," Ruby recalled. "And the baby."
"Must have been a change of plan," Joey said.
They continued to watch. Angelo kept his arms around Nicole the entire time he helped her into the house. Charlie and Joey both noticed how gentle he was with her and how well he looked after her. He looked very much in love.
"Right," Charlie said, snapping back to attention. "We can check on Nicole later. We all have places to be!"
They all got in the car. Ruby put her shoe on, still complaining.
"Guess who!"
Ruby grinned and twirled around in Casey's arms, kissing him in the busy hallway.
"Come on, everyone! Let's all get to class and have the best day ever!" Liam called out as he marched somewhat unsteadily down the hall. "You need to do well at school! You need to be on time and work hard. Because you know what? Even if you do all that, your life will still turn to complete and utter shit!"
Everyone stared at him.
"Mr Murphy!" Gina called out sharply.
He whirled around, leaning against the lockers for support.
"Sorry, did I give the bit secret away?" he asked. "Did I tell them that all of this is pointless? That they can work and work and their lives will still be full of complete and utter disappointing crap?"
"Mr Murphy, please go to my office," Gina instructed, warning ringing out through her voice.
He shuffled into her office. She turned to the students.
"I think Mr Murphy is having a difficult day," she said.
"High on drugs again?" someone suggested to a ripple of laughter.
"No," Gina said quickly, although it had been her first thought. "Please ignore what he said and get on with your day. I'm very sorry about what's happened. It won't happen again."
She turned and furiously entered her office to deal with Liam.
Joey was surprised to see a customer wander in early. Normally, the Diner got the early, coffee seekers and then they shared the brunch clubbers. But still, she smiled broadly and welcomed the blonde haired stranger in.
"Hi," the woman, who was around Joey's age replied. "Do you do just coffee or do I have to have a whole meal?"
"Coffee's fine," Joey said. "Sit anywhere you like."
"Yeah, it's pretty empty," the woman noticed.
"It's 9am," Joey pointed out.
The woman shrugged and flopped into a chair. She picked up a menu and looked through it. Joey wasn't sure whether to stay or go.
"Yeah," the woman decided. "Just coffee is cool."
She looked Joey up and down.
"I'm new," she said. "Sandy."
"Joey," Joey replied extending her hand. "Welcome to Summer Bay."
Watson was waiting for Charlie when she arrived at the police station.
"I don't like it when you have random days off," the Senior Constable complained.
"Hi," Charlie replied sarcastically.
"Hi," Watson said. "I don't like it when you have random days off. Do you even know how much shit hit the fan yesterday? I had Elijah's thug to deal with and John and the River Boys. And Colleen Smart wouldn't leave me alone all damn day!"
Charlie stopped and looked her directly in the eyes.
"And you dealt with it because you're the best cop I know," she said.
Watson blushed, a little taken aback.
"Well… it was hard," she said quietly.
"I'm sure it was. But you managed, just like I knew you would. So, talk me through everything and we'll get as much sorted as possible, okay?"
"Okay," Watson said. "Shall I grab coffee and meet you in your office?"
Gina stared hard at Liam, who was slouched in the chair in front of her.
"What on earth is going on with you?" she asked. "I mean, what are you playing at, turning up to school dishevelled and shooting your mouth off like that? What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing's wrong with me," he lied.
"The kids are accusing you of being on drugs," she told him.
He didn't respond.
"Are you on drugs, Liam?" she had to ask. "Is that what's going on? I hate asking you but I've been concerned about you for a while."
He looked up sharply.
"I'm not on drugs," he told her.
"Then what else is going on?" she wanted to know.
"I got dropped by my record label," he said. "So, I guess I'm feeling a bit bitter this morning. I'm sorry I took it out on the kids. It wasn't fair and it wasn't professional."
She frowned. She wasn't convinced that that was all it was. But she also couldn't prove it.
"Go home," she decided.
He sat up, his head swimming.
"Are you firing me?" he asked.
"I'm telling you to go home and clear your head," she said. "Then you can come back tomorrow and start afresh. None of this nonsense you've been spouting. And for goodness' sake, have a shower, a shave and brush your hair. You look terrible."
He nodded and sloped out of the room. Gina sank back in her chair, less angry and more worried now.
Charlie was feeling proactive, despite her initial reluctance to go to work. The caffeine was helping.
"So, the first thing we'll do is go and speak to Brax about Heath and the boys," she decided. "I'm far from his biggest fan but sometimes, having a word with him helps. He's very much in control of what they do. It probably won't stop them dealing but if we can at least get them away from John and the Surf Club…"
Watson nodded gratefully. They were interrupted by Charlie's phone ringing.
"Hi, Leah," Charlie greeted. "Everything okay?"
"Um… well, I don't know," her friend said awkwardly. "I was talking to Elijah and he said he's dropping the charges against the guy who attacked him. Is that right? Is that the right thing to do? I don't understand."
"Well, I can't exactly comment directly on a case but… well, I would have to say in this particular situation, yes, I would personally support Elijah's decision," Charlie said, not wanting to give away personal information or say the wrong thing.
She heard Leah sigh on the other end of the phone.
"Okay," she eventually said. "Well, you know I trust your opinion. I just… I've been looking after Elijah all this time and he's been so broken. To think he won't get justice for what's happened…"
"I know," Charlie said softly. "And you know I would never advocate not pressing charges usually. But I do understand Elijah's decision in these circumstances."
Joey brought Sandy's coffee over to her.
"So, Buckton is your surname or what?" Sandy asked, stopping her from walking away.
Joey hesitated. Sandy kicked a chair out by way of inviting her to sit down. Joey sat awkwardly. She couldn't decide if she liked her or not.
"Buckton is my fiancée's name," she said. "So, I'll be a Buckton soon. I'm a Collins now."
"Collins… Collins… Joey Collins?" Sandy realised, sitting up. "You went to Mangrove High."
Joey tensed.
"Why? I thought you were new to the area."
"I'm more of a returnee," she said. "Sandy Braxton."
Joey leant in, searching her face for something she recognised.
"Sandy?" she said. "Sandy Braxton?"
Sandy smiled broadly at her. Joey blushed a little.
"Hi," she said. "It's nice to see you again."
"It's nice to see you," Joey said, genuinely.
Sandy had been the only member of the Braxton family she had liked at school, however briefly they had attended together.
"Wow," Sandy said. "I had such a crush on you at school."
Joey started coughing in shock.
"Sorry, you're not like, homophobic or anything, are you?" Sandy checked. "I can go."
Joey laughed.
"No, I'm definitely not homophobic," she assured her. "I'm gay."
"I knew that kiss when we were thirteen wasn't a fluke!" Sandy smirked triumphantly.
Joey turned the colour of crimson. She had never quite forgotten about it, being that it had been her first kiss – and the only one for several years. But the last person she had ever expected to run into again was Sandy, especially when she hadn't surfaced alongside her brothers recently.
"Gays in Summer Bay," Sandy mused. "Are you kidding me? This is like the straightest place in the world."
"Not really anymore. Half my staff are gay!"
Sandy looked even happier.
"So… you're engaged? How? I mean, the government don't let people like us get married," she said.
"We're having a ceremony," Joey explained. "Pledging our commitment to each other."
"What's her name?" Sandy wanted to know.
"Charlie," Joey told her. "She's a cop. We have a daughter called Ruby. Well, she's my step-daughter but I never think of her that way."
"Well…" Sandy mused. "Charlie is a lucky woman. Because Joey, you were hot at school and you're even hotter now."
Joey blushed. She had no idea what to say.
Bianca was eager to get to lunch time. All she had heard about all day – from Gina officially and then constantly from every student she encountered – was about Liam's outburst. Gina had explained that Liam had lost his record deal, which had made Bianca feel terribly guilty. That was why he had called her and asked to see her. He had needed her and she had abandoned him for April. She hadn't been there for him. And now she felt terribly guilty. Thankfully, she had a free period after lunch so she would be able to spend some extra time with him. And Irene had said she would spend the evening with April tonight so she would be free to be with Liam instead. Between this and his recent drinking, she was desperately worried that he was on a slippery slope back down into his addiction.
Charlie and Watson had stopped by the Surf Club to check in with John. He still wasn't terribly happy and they knew he wouldn't be until Heath and his mates stopped hanging around. And that would only be proved with time. Moving onto The Pizza Oven, the two police officers braced themselves to talk to Brax.
"Hello Sergeant," Brax greeted, leaning on the bar in front of him. "Watson. What can I do for you on this fine day?"
"We need you to ask your boys to stand down," Charlie said, getting right to the point.
"I don't know what you mean," he said. "I mean, they're not upright at the best of times."
He gestured to the smattering of River Boys draped around the bar. Neither officer laughed.
"Heath and Brody and your other thugs are lounging around the Surf Club," Charlie told him. "They're dealing. They're being intimidating."
"Can you prove they're dealing?" Brax asked.
"It's not about proof and you know it," Charlie snapped back.
"Okay, how are they intimidating people?" Brax asked.
"You know how," Charlie said.
"A bad attitude," Watson said. "Refusing to leave when asked. Taking over the whole space. Making derogatory comments. Being generally uncivilised. That sort of thing."
He nodded.
"We need you to pull them in line," Charlie said. "If you want to get along in this town, you need to sort this situation out. They're upsetting a lot of people. They're making people feel unsafe. They're pissing off, upsetting and frightening local business people. So, we're asking you to sort it out, okay? Starting with the Surf Club."
"Noted," he replied. "Is that all? Do you want to stay for a drink?"
Charlie shook her head in disdain, nudging Watson to leave.
Roo let Bianca in. She was surprised to find such a busy house, with Nicole having moved in for at least the next few weeks. Angelo was making lunch and offered an invitation to Bianca, who gratefully accepted. He asked her to tell Liam that there would be enough for him as well. Bianca found Liam slumped on his bed. She immediately came to hold him but found him unresponsive.
"I'm so sorry," she said. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you. I should have been there for you."
"I guess everyone's talking about me," he eventually said.
"A little," Bianca admitted. "Liam…"
She reached for his hand but he pulled away, chewing his knuckle.
"Liam, have you taken something?" she asked.
He snapped his head around to look at her.
"Is that all you came round here to ask?" he snapped.
"I came round here because I love you," she told him.
"You didn't love me enough to come round last night," he said. "When I needed you."
"I'm sorry," she repeated. "I'm sorry. I should have been here. I didn't know…"
"You didn't ask," he said. "You didn't listen."
"I'm sorry."
He sighed heavily, sitting forward and rubbing his palms on his thighs.
"It's fine," he said. "Let's just forget about it. It's just a bad day. And no, I haven't taken anything. I'm just in a bad place. I thought I was getting everything back on track. I thought I was going to make real music again and it just… it all got snatched away from me."
Bianca nodded, although she wasn't entire sure she believed him about the drugs. She decided not to push him. She didn't want to end up pushing him away.
"So, who's your friend?" Scott wanted to know.
Joey looked confused. He nodded towards Sandy, who had taken up root at the table in the corner of the now busy restaurant, nursing one long coffee after another.
"Oh, I don't really know her," Joey said dismissively, having been caught on her way to serve Gina and John their lunch.
"She spends enough time talking to you when she orders each coffee," Scott remarked.
"She's new to the area," Joey said, feeling a little harassed. "Well, sort of. She lived in Mangrove River as a kid. I went to school with her very briefly. I didn't even recognise her."
She hurried onto John and Gina's table to deliver their food before heading over to take an order from Indi and her Uni friends' orders. She looked up and smiled when she saw Charlie and Watson arriving. As soon as she had passed the order to the kitchen, she joined Charlie and Watson at their table, greeting Charlie with a kiss. In the back of her mind, she wondered how or indeed if she ought to tell her that Sandy Braxton had arrived in Summer Bay and that she had been her first kiss. It didn't matter to her but would it matter to Charlie?
"Busy day?" Charlie asked, noting how rushed and distracted her fiancée seemed to be.
"Busy day," Joey confirmed. "How are you both?"
"Well, we just had to ask Brax to rein his boys in," Watson said unhappily. "Any day with a Braxton…"
Joey glanced over at Sandy, who didn't seem to have heard them.
"Who's that?" Charlie asked.
"Sandy Braxton," Joey said quietly.
"There's another one?" Watson blurted out, making Charlie laugh.
"There's another one," Joey confirmed.
"Did you know there was a sister?" Watson asked her colleague.
Charlie shook her head.
"Did you?" she asked Joey, aware of her history with the family.
"Honestly, I forgot," Joey admitted. "I mean, I remember now, obviously. She was pretty quiet at school. Same as me. We actually got on pretty well. She was nice. But she just vanished one day, a few years back. Nobody knew why or where she went. Nobody ever mentioned her. To the point that people quite literally forgot about her."
"I wonder what's brought her back," Charlie mused. "And why she left."
"They're like a plague," Watson sighed. "A pandemic, if you will."
Joey chewed her lip, aware that she had missed her opportunity.
Bianca arrived back in the communal area of the house, awkwardly explaining that Liam was too tired for lunch but that if it was okay, she would still like to join them.
"Of course it's okay!" Angelo said warmly, inviting her to the table where Roo and Nicole were starting to gather.
She pulled out a chair and sat with the three of them, commenting on how nice the food looked.
"It's nothing special," Angelo said bashfully.
"Seriously, if you keep treating me like this, I'm never going to want to leave!" Nicole commented.
"And I might move in!" Bianca added.
"You can stay as long as you like, Nic," Roo said. "And you are always welcome here, Bianca. The door is always open."
"I'm not entirely sure if my boyfriend would agree with you," Bianca said unhappily.
"He didn't seem to be in a good way," Angelo commented.
Bianca gave them the bullet points of the incident at school and that he had been dropped by his record label.
"Poor Liam," Nicole said. "That's going to have really knocked his confidence."
Bianca nodded unhappily.
"Do you think he's using again?" the teenager asked.
"He says not."
"We'll keep an eye on him as best we can," Angelo promised. "When you're not around."
Bianca thanked him.
"Hey, um… Roo, what do you think about asking him to play at the Surf Carnival?" she suggested.
"That's a good idea," Nicole enthused. "Make sure he knows that he's appreciated. That everyone loves his music, even if his record label are dumb enough to reject him."
"Yeah," Roo said. "I'm sure we can easily find a spot for him."
"I don't need your pity, thanks."
They all turned around to find Liam in the doorway, dark circled eyes boring in each of them. Then he stormed back into his room.
"Well, that didn't go quite the way we intended it," Roo commented.
Once Joey had left them to it, Charlie turned to Watson, anxious to talk to her about something important. Watson looked a little nervous, worried she had bad news.
"No, it's nothing bad, I swear," Charlie said, attempting to relax her. "It's just that, well, you know James is leaving?"
James was Charlie's equivalent Sergeant at the station. He and his family were moving out of the area and so he was transferring to another station, meaning his position was becoming vacant. Charlie had been discussing matters with Nick Parrish and had suggested that Watson should be eligible to take a step up in her role. She explained the situation to Watson who stared at her for several moments.
"Are you serious?" she asked.
"Yes," Charlie replied.
"But then we'd be… equals?" Watson ventured.
"We would," Charlie said. "I mean, unfortunately, that would mean less patrols together, which would genuinely make me sad. But I don't think that can hold you back in your career. Just because I want to hang out with you."
She and Watson both chuckled.
"So, you really think I'm good enough to be a Sergeant?" Watson asked.
Charlie looked at her for a moment. For such a jovial, charismatic woman, she forgot sometimes that she wasn't always as confident as she appeared to be.
"You would make the most wonderful Sergeant," she said sincerely. "So, shall we speak to Nick?"
Watson nodded nervously.
Next time… Charlie is suspicious of Sandy, Joey and Elijah are caught up in an emergency situation and Miles has a confession…
