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Frozen in Time

Guest Claire_Blake

By Guest Claire_Blake
in The Vault

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Claire_Blake

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Thank you to all who are reading and reviewing. Glad you're enjoying it. :)

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Ruby walked along the beach hand in hand with Casey. The sun beamed down upon them forcing her to take off her jacket and sling it over her shoulder. It was roasting and at times like these she wondered why Summer Bay High didn’t invest in a uniform that was a little thinner. Tying her hair back with a band from her wrist she glanced over at Casey who was using his available hand to send a text on his phone.

“You ok? You seem a little quiet Case.”

Smiling across at her Casey placed his phone back in his pocket before squeezing her hand gently in an effort to placate her. “I’m fine.” Signalling to his phone he pulled a face before scowling at her; “Mum. She wanted to know where Heath was.” Wrapping his arm round Ruby’s shoulder and pulling her towards him, he tickled her playfully before finishing his sentence “How the hell should I know? Told the old bat to try Wilson’s.” Ruby laughed pushing him away from her as he continued to play rough. Grinning at her mockingly he gave up on the game and grabbed her hand again continuing to walk with her up the beach. It was their lunch break and they’d come to the bay in an attempt to get some peace and quiet. With impending HSC stress on top of Heath and Brax’s two man mission to get themselves arrested as many times as humanely possible and Charlie’s intent upon being the one to grant them their wish, they’d decided against returning to either of their houses.

The Braxton name had become a complete no go area for Ruby. In recent days fights had broken out sporadically over Summer Bay and Mangrove River between the rival gangs and her mother was officially on the warpath. Ruby’s attempt at questioning her in relation to an overheard conversation between Charlie and Leah regarding the girl’s night out and Brax’s apparent presence had resulted in the two of them severely falling out. The Braxton family was immature and intent upon breaking the law at every available opportunity was all Charlie was willing to give up on the matter As a result she no longer wanted her daughter socialising, speaking or being seen with either of them. Ruby had tried to reason with her on the basis that she was being completely unreasonable tarring Casey with the same brush but, unsurprisingly, her pleas had fallen on deaf ears. Even Brax’s absence from a fracas outside the diner days earlier had not managed to quash Charlie’s daily frustration and anger at him. He has no moral responsibility whatsoever, Charlie had shouted at her daughter amidst smashing pots and pans around the kitchen under the guise of tidying up, he has the power to stop all this and instead he’s going along with it and swanning around like he’s the bloody Godfather. Ruby had given up trying. Charlie was intent upon standing her ground and the Riverboys didn’t appear to be willing to let recent events slide. The police, it seemed, were in for a rough ride.

Sensing her thoughtfulness and the sudden silence that had developed between them Casey pulled Ruby towards him and kissed the top of her head affectionately. Smiling up at him she forced a smile. “We’ll be ok won’t we Case?” Watching as she stared across at him expectantly Casey smiled in reassurance to her. “Course we will.” He pushed a stray strand of her away from her face distractedly. “Just gotta stand back and let them get on with it Rubes.” Squeezing her hand gently they continued to walk along the beach as the sun continued to smother every available surface and fixture, “Heath has the attention span of a small child. He’ll get bored pretty quickly.” Ruby watched as Casey hesitated in finishing his sentence. Sensing what he was going to say and observing his sudden unease she stopped slowly forcing him to stop with her. “And Brax?” Casey hesitated at the mention of his older brother’s name. Forcing a smile he grasped for her hand and once again pulled her towards him enveloping her underneath his arm as he forced her to carry on walking. Sighing he tightened his grip around her.

“Hopefully he’ll grow up and realise what he stands to lose.”

Nudging her in the side he signalled to the position of two people further up the beach. Recognising the unmistakeable blue of the Summer Bay police uniform and the familiar frame of her mother located approximately two hundred yards up the beach Ruby signalled to Casey to alter their direction and, instead, they set off towards the diner.

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“Charlie.”

She turned suddenly at the sound of her name and watched as Bianca smiled lugging a school bag overflowing with marking in her direction. Retaining her position until her friend had reached her she greeted her warmly before the two set off up the beach. Regaining her breath, Bianca grimaced before turning to face her friend.

“My god did I feel rough the other day.” Charlie laughed in recognition of the morning after effects of their recent night out. Bianca pushed her hair back from her face shuddering at the recollection. Speaking slowly in an effort to intensify her point she shot Charlie a look of amusement. “I have not felt that bad in a long time. At one point I was on the verge of ringing an ambulance for myself.” Charlie laughed in agreement with her friend’s pain. Nodding her head she smiled at her in acknowledgment before reiterating Bianca’s experience, “I’ve felt better.”

Looking at Charlie’s uniform Bianca laughed at the irony of their job positions in relation to their behaviour the previous week. They’d definitely given some of Summer Bay High’s kids a run for their money in the alcohol stakes. Attempting to readjust the position of her bag on her shoulder Bianca looked around before addressing Charlie smiling. “Looks like quiet round these ways. You may be in for a peaceful day Sergeant.” Sensing Bianca’s bemused tone coupled with the grin developing across her lips Charlie raised her eyebrow in a wishful manner. Elbowing her friend gently in the side Charlie scanned the area before sighing heavily and addressing her in anticipation; “Which begs the question as to where Mangrove River’s finest are causing trouble at this precise moment in time.” Smiling, Bianca shot her a sympathetic look before tapping at her watch and grimacing. Brushing Charlie’s hand with her own, she pushed her hair back from her face before going to make off up the beach. “I better dash. Gina’s got us in for a meeting regarding departmental targets. Who said my job wasn’t thrilling.” Grimacing she readjusted the position of her bag on her shoulder watching as Charlie shooed her away playfully. Smiling back at her she promised to ring her later prior to taking off up the beach before momentarily turning around and grinning back at her in an amused manner; ‘Take no prisoners Sergeant.”

Laughing and watching her disappear off in the distance Charlie continued her patrol. Looking out across the surf she watched as the sun pounded hard across the water causing the surf to glisten in its wake. The beach was pretty busy. Surfers took advantage of the glorious weather to take to the waves whilst many kids from the school had had the same idea as Bianca and had taken refuge in the sun up and down the coast whilst they still could. Smiling to herself Charlie’s thoughts were interrupted by the familiar sound of her radio alerting her to its position. Removing it from its location at her hip she continued to walk as she pressed down the receiver and addressed the person on the other dial; “Sergeant Buckton.” Continuing her walk in the direction of the diner she listened intently as division alerted her to an ongoing incident. “Reports of an altercation in Mangrove River”

Holding out for the address Charlie increased her strides as she made for the direction in which she’d left the car. Listening to the officer confirm her destination she grimaced as she asked him to repeat it again. Quickly upping her pace and replacing the radio back in its holder she slowly began to run in recollection of the confirmation.

Cheryl Braxton’s house.

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Claire_Blake Member

Claire_Blake

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Sorry it took so long, I got distracted by watching dispatches. Enjoy. :)

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Pulling up outside the house Charlie questioned why a call had been made to the police. The road was relatively empty and the house itself showed no signs of any disturbance. It was only upon getting out of the car and slamming the door behind her that she heard the unmistakeable sound of Cheryl Braxton’s raised voice from inside the property. Walking up the front path she was at least comforted by the fact that it was only Heath’s car parked haphazardly outside and not that of Brax’s. That was one blessing if nothing else. Approaching the front door she took a deep breath before knocking loudly on the framework and declaring her presence. The door was ajar. Hearing the audible voices of Cheryl and Heath screaming at each other inside she came to the conclusion that they were clearly too preoccupied to be observant. Pushing the door ajar further she knocked again louder before walking into the property. Upon following the voices she reached the living room where mother and son were embroiled in a heated war of words.

“I want you to find him and teach him a lesson! I’m not having him coming round and threatening me in my own bloody home. You should have smashed his face in whilst ya had the chance. Call your brother and get hid round here now!”

In the wake of Cheryl’s words, Heath signalled to his mother that they were no longer alone and were now in the presence of company. Turning in the direction of her son’s gaze, Cheryl exhaled loudly before shooting daggers at Charlie. “Jeez. Who the bloody hell called the pigs?” Ignoring the less than welcoming tone Charlie stepped into the room as Heath replaced his phone on top of the couch in which he was standing next to. Replacing her radio in its holder Charlie addressed the woman standing in front of her.

“Mrs Braxton. We had reports of a disturbance coming from the property?”

Cheryl put her hand on her hip and refused to relinquish her position within the room. Glaring across at Charlie she looked her up and down before turning her nose up in disgust. “Well does there look like there’s a disturbance?” Signalling to the presence of only Heath and her in the vicinity she gestured to Charlie where the door was. Ignoring the implication Charlie stood her ground and turned her attention to Heath who continued to stand brazenly by the door. His lip was split and blood trickled down from the open wound. Gesturing in his direction, Charlie signalled to the injury. “What happened to you?” Glaring across at her son Cheryl shot him a warning look as he grimaced wiping the remnants of blood away from his mouth and bloodied teeth. Smiling at her he shrugged his shoulders before motioning in Cheryl’s direction. “I took the car without asking so the old bat gave me a backhander.” Grinning sarcastically at his mother who was in the process of spitting a look of disbelief in his direction he watched as she addressed Charlie sharply, “There ya go. So you can sod off now.” Shaking her head she raised her voice in opposition to Charlie’s presence. “Bloody neighbours calling the cops! They need to keep their bleedin’…” Sensing his mother was on the verge of going off on one of her usual rants Heath told her to shut up before shifting slightly on the spot and turning to Charlie.

“There’s nothing to see here Buckton.”

Charlie retained her position refusing to surrender her gaze from a scowling Heath before turning her attention to Cheryl who was visibly beginning to lose her will and patience. “You ‘eard him, clear off!” Ignoring Cheryl’s order, Charlie remained fixed upon the spot before turning to Heath. “If I have reason to believe Hammer Pirovic has been down here and threatened you and your family I have just means to call that in.” Staring across at Heath she watched as he snorted a laugh before leaning back on his heels defiantly. “Well lucky for you Buckton he hasn’t and even if he had we wouldn’t report it to you lot.” Readjusting her position on the spot Charlie glared across at Cheryl who shot her a look of disgust before addressing Heath again. “Let the relevant authorities deal with this. You go out seeking revenge with your brother and you’ll leave us no choice but to arrest the two of you.” In need of making her continued presence known Cheryl readjusted her position in an attempt to make eye contact with her. “Ah was wonderin’ how long it’d take you to bring my Darryl into this. You’ve had it in for him since day one. You and your bloody pig mates!” Charlie watched as Heath let out a snort of laughter at his mother’s seeming ignorance. Glancing across at him in anger before choosing to put his contribution down to idiocy Cheryl continued her attack on the woman standing in front of her “The bloody lot of you are as bad as each other. You want something doin’ round here you do it yourself! Not in a million years would either of my boys be seen dead talkin’ to the bleedin’ cops.”

Charlie stood her ground as she caught sight of a rather bemused looking Heath out of the corner of her eye. Taking a deep breath and swallowing quickly Charlie averted her gaze from him before addressing Cheryl directly. “Mrs Braxton I am telling you now. You take this matter into your own hands and I will arrest you and your sons. Is that what you want for them?” Turning her nose up, Cheryl shot her a look of indifference before making her way into the kitchen. “Don’t try and tell me how to bring up my kids! You and your flash car and fancy clothes. That cheating rat of a father…” Heath raised his eyebrows at the direction the conversation was now taking before addressing his mother. “Jeez wait whilst I get out the violin.” Shooting him a look of contempt Cheryl told him to shut up before addressing Charlie. “And Miss higher than mighty, if I need something sorting my boys will do it for me. Not the bleedin’ cops.”

Fishing round in the cupboard Cheryl finally dragged a bottle of gin down before placing it on the counter in front of her. In the meantime Charlie became aware of the sound of a car door slamming outside before the front door swung open loudly.

“Mum?!”

Charlie shifted on the spot at the sound of Brax’s voice and turned round in the direction of the door as he entered the room abruptly. Noticing her presence he made eye contact with her before Heath shot him a look of forewarning and he glanced across at where Cheryl was now attempting to force the lid off her bottle in the kitchen. Turning to Charlie he questioned her rudely. “What are you doing here?” Ignoring his tone of voice Charlie remained in her position before regaining eye contact with him and signalling to Heath and Cheryl. “As I was saying to your mother and Heath we received a call citing a disturbance.” She watched as he shrugged his shoulders before glaring at her in a confusion manner. “Well it looks like the call was wrong so thanks Sergeant but you can go now.” Charlie exhaled deeply refusing to relinquish her position despite his sudden appearance. As she opened her mouth to speak she was interrupted by the sound of Cheryl’s voice squawking from the kitchen; ‘She’s not listening Darryl. You’re gonna have to throw her out.” Firing a warning glance in his mother’s direction he held his hands up to Charlie questioning her continued presence in the house. “Is there something else?”

Signalling in the direction of where Heath was now discretely attempting to tend to his cut lip she addressed him calmly. “I know something’s going on and I’ll tell you like I’ve told your Mother. Back off and leave it to us to deal with. This is not going to end well if you decide to take the law into your own hands Darryl.” Grunting a laugh at the reference to Charlie’s use of his brother’s first name Brax shouted at him to shut up before turning to face her yet again. “We can deal with this.” She sighed, rubbing her temple with her hand as she watched Heath dabbing at his face with the corner of his t-shirt. He no longer attempted to hide it. Exasperated she turned to face Darryl yet again. “And what about Casey? And the restaurant?” Confused as to her question Brax shook his head before motioning to her as to her point. Glaring up at him she fished for her phone in her pocket before checking the time and replacing it on the sideboard next to her. “What happens to them when you go to prison? Who looks out for them?” Charlie watched as Cheryl slammed her glass down forcefully in the kitchen before addressing her harshly. “You cheeky…” “Shut up Mum!” Charlie watched as Brax fired a look of impatience in his mother’s direction before addressing Charlie once again. Running his fingers through his hair he glared at her impatiently. “I think this conversation’s over Sergeant.” His sentence was interrupted by Cheryl’s shout of agreement from where she was now pouring herself another drink. “You heard him, get outta here before I get you done for trespassing!” Losing his temper Brax shouted at his Mother to shut the hell up before imploring Heath to get her the hell out of there. Ignoring her son’s attempts to drag her out of the room, Cheryl grabbed her glass before strolling into the living room where Charlie and Brax remained standing, positioned herself on the couch and turned on the television.

Irritated and losing his patience Brax grabbed the remote from her hand, turned off the TV set before throwing the remote on the adjacent couch opposite her violently. Turning to face Charlie he began to speak before she interrupted him abruptly. “I have reason to believe your brother has been assaulted therefore regardless of whether he’s willing to give a statement or not I have justification enough to report this.” Reaching for where her radio was positioned in its holding Charlie was taken aback as Brax attempted to grab her wrist in an attempt to convince her to refrain.

“Charlie.”

Aware of Cheryl’s presence and the disgusted look she was shooting her from where she was sitting on the couch Charlie stepped back from him grip almost instantaneously. “Sergeant Buckton.” Glaring across at his forwardness she watched as, finally having lost his patience, he shifted on the spot impatiently - visibly irritated at her attempt at maintaining a professional demeanour. Addressing her harshly he decided to play her at her own game. “Sergeant, I believe my mother has answered your questions and now she’d like you to leave.” Glaring across at where Cheryl now sat smugly on the couch Charlie remained focused upon Brax in front of her. He wasn’t budging. Exasperated she shot Heath a warning look before making her way towards the exit. Setting foot outside she slammed the door behind her before reaching for her radio as she pressed the receiver in a bid to contact division.

Meanwhile inside Brax glared at his mother before telling her to wipe the smug grin off her face. Looking across at where Heath was leaning brazenly against the wall he caught sight of where Charlie had placed her phone on the sideboard. Sighing impatiently he reached across for it before launching it in Heath’s direction.

“Go after her!”

Catching it, Heath shot him a look of disbelief before exhaling loudly, “Why do I have to go after her?” Shooting him a look of irritation, Brax glared at him before throwing his jacket down upon the couch narrowly missing his mother; “I’m not asking you. Do it!” Cheryl watched as begrudgingly Heath rose shooting Brax a look of amazement before making his way towards the front door in the direction Charlie had just left in.

Walking towards her patrol car Charlie replaced her radio back within its holdall before fishing in her pocket for her keys and phone. Impatient and pissed off she glanced down the road where she looked curiously at a car on the opposite side of the road. Why did it have its headlights on in broad daylight? Disregarding it she grabbed her keys from her pocket before patting her trousers down in an attempt to retrieve her phone. Losing her patience she opened the door of the car before searching the dashboard. Interrupted by the sound of the door opening behind her she turned round impatiently at the sound of Heath addressing her.

“Buckton.”

Stepping out of the front door he beckoned to her before chucking the phone casually in her direction. Charlie caught it and went to thank him before turning curiously in the direction of where Heath’s gaze was now worryingly directed. Barely registering that the same car she’d just seen was now positioned a few inches away from them she suddenly became aware of how deathly quiet the road around them had become. Suddenly realising what was going on all she heard was Heath’s shouts for her to get down as shots rang out in the direction of the house.

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