Frozen in Time

[Dingo x]

Great Chapters,

Sorry I read this before but didn't have enough time to comment.

You're doing a great job with this fic.

Hope Heath is lying and Charlie doesn't believe him!!

Please update soon.

Really looking forward to more.

xx

[Claire_Blake]

Thanks to all who are reading and commenting. I'm glad you're enjoying it as much as I am writing it.

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Charlie sat at the dresser putting the last finishing touches to her eye makeup. She had attempted to get out of tonight. Having taken a trip to the gym after leaving Ruby at the diner she’d contemplated ringing Bianca straight away and calling it off. Both Leah and Ruby had sensed her unease and had talked her out of making any rash decisions. Leah had understood her reservations about Angelo’s being the destination of choice but couldn’t comprehend why Darryl Braxton should be able to dictate where and when she left the house. Angelo’s had been there a long time before he’d arrived and would remain there a long time after he’d left. She was missing the point. She didn’t want to see him. Having managed to avoid him for nearly a month she’d finally begun to feel as if she was regaining some sort of control over her life. No complications, no drama and no deceit. The Pirovic’s had been pretty silent over the past few days and, aside from Heath’s attempts at goading a reaction out of her every time they set eyes upon each other, her job had been almost stress free. The River boys appeared to be laying low or had at least grown bored for the time being so she’d had little in the way of drama to occupy her week. The problem was that more than anything she feared that seeing him after all this time would tip her over an already precarious edge. Darryl Braxton had some sort of power over her. She felt on edge when she was around him as if she lacked control over her own senses and actions. It was intense. She didn’t trust herself in his presence. She shook her head slightly forcing her thoughts to the back of her mind. This wasn’t the right mentality to start her night with. Ruby had assured her that he wasn’t likely to be there this evening and, regardless, Leah’s words rang in her ears; why should she let him dictate where she went? The worst that would happen was that they would ignore each other? She could deal with that. What with recent events she was aware that he probably wasn’t quite ready to let his arrest and subsequent embarrassment slide and nor was she willing to palm off his recent behaviour as anything short of appalling. There was no going back for them. She didn’t know him anymore. Perhaps more importantly; she didn’t trust him.

Finishing the last touches to her eye shadow she replaced the brush down on the dresser and looked at herself in the mirror. She’d do. Standing up she pushed the chair backwards and attempted to fish around on the floor for her shoes. She’d chosen to wear a blue strapless dress that fell just short of her knees and teamed them with a pair of black stilettos. Grabbing the side of the bed as she put her shoes on she felt a little uneasy. Standing upright and looking at herself in the mirror she questioned what she was wearing. Was it too much? She’d spent a considerable proportion of her evening attempting to pick something else but Ruby had chosen the dress on the basis that she’d only seen her wear it once before and that, it seemed, became the end of the matter. She glanced across at the clock hanging above her bed. It was 7.45. They would have to leave soon. Grabbing her bag and fishing out a pair of earrings she attempted to put them in with one hand as she left her room and stepped into the living area.

“Charlie, you look incredible.”

Ruby addressed her from the couch where she was sitting with her boyfriend. Casey turned in her direction and nodded his approval, ‘You look great Charlie’. She smiled hoping that this would act as a sufficient form of gratitude. She’d never been very good with compliments. Dropping her bag down on the side she signalled for Ruby to help her with the bracelet she was currently struggling to attach to her wrist. Ruby got up and made her way towards her as Leah entered the living area. She was wearing a white blouse and black skirt and she looked lovely. Complimenting her friend Charlie readjusted her bracelet, thanked Ruby and directed Leah’s gaze to the clock on the wall. “I guess we should get going hey.” Grabbing her bag from the table and quickly applying some lipstick she tapped Ruby on the shoulder. “Usual rules apply. I won’t bore you with them again. We shouldn’t be too late.” Ruby snorted in disagreement whilst Charlie playfully hit her on the back of the head with the paper. She kissed her daughter on the cheek, smiled at Casey before making her way out of the room ignoring Ruby’s attempts at humour behind her.

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do Mother.”

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“Miles in a silk dressing gown?”

The girls howled with laughter. The drinks had already been flowing for a good hour and they were enjoying one another’s company. Charlie had relaxed having found Ruby to be correct and that Brax it appeared was not working this evening. The place was buzzing with hype and activity. Credit where credit was due, he’d done a good job remarketing Angelo’s as the social hive it had become. The recent trouble had clearly not put people off coming here. There was a throng of activity. Young couples were busily engaged in riveting conversation over their pizza whilst many women had clearly had the same thinking as Bianca and chosen to gather their friends for a spot of socialising amidst a few bottles of wine.

Bianca laughed at Leah sympathetically. Taking a sip of her orange juice she laughed heartily in acknowledgement of the image she’d just projected into her friend’s minds.

“You really had to see it to believe it!”

Charlie reached for her glass of wine and took a large mouthful before addressing Bianca.

“So, talking of the men - or lack of them,” she raised her glass in jesting acknowledgement of her own lack of romance to a round of applause from Bianca, “what’s the deal with you and Liam? Still trouble in paradise?”

Bianca laughed before raising her glass to her lips and taking a large mouthful, ‘I don’t know. At the moment I think we just need some space. Too much has happened between us of late for me to pretend it hasn’t and I’m not ready to jump back in their head first.” She brought the glass to her lips once again as Charlie and Leah listened intently nodding in agreement. “I’ve changed and he’s changed and we need some time to work out where we go from there.” She laughed in apology at the sudden deepness in direction of their conversation. “My god, this is supposed to be a man free zone. No more male talk.” The women laughed warmly as Charlie finished the remainder of their bottle of wine and signalled to Bianca as to another one. “Always.” She went to grab her purse and push her stool back as Charlie beat her to it and grabbed the empty bottle. “Nice try Miss Scott. I’ll go you got the last one. Same again?” Leah nodded in acknowledgement before Charlie left them to engage in conversation whilst she made her way to the bar. She grimaced at the sight of the man propping up the bar next to her as she placed the bottle down and attempted, unsuccessfully, to catch the eye of the barmaid. He turned round and looked her up and down grinning in acknowledgment of her presence despite her attempts at pretending she hadn’t seen him.

“Looking good Buckton.”

She turned to face him as he swilled the contents of a short glass round in his hand. She smiled in fake earnest before turning away again scanning the restaurant for an available waitress. In the distance she saw Bianca’s attempts at humour as she made an imaginative noose around her neck at Charlie’s company. She laughed before facing the bar again scowling as Heath continued to look her up and down.

“Haven’t you got any Riverboys to play with this evening?”

Heath laughed, clicked his fingers and signalled a waitress in Charlie’s direction. He watched as she smiled in forced gratitude before ordering and waiting for the barmaid to return. She turned to face him.

“Unfortunately not. Last thing I heard they were attempting to set fire to Hammer Pirovic’s car.” He laughed as Charlie shot him a warning look before thanking the barmaid and passing over some money. “Very witty”. She placed the change in her purse before positioning it under her arm and grabbing the bottle of wine and orange juice and leaving Heath to order another drink behind her.

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Leah laughed loudly as Charlie signalled to the direction of Bianca dancing provocatively with two men in the middle of the restaurant. Charlie wiped tears away from her eyes as she reached for the remainder of their third bottle of wine and poured the contents into her glass. Leah grinned taking a sip from her juice before placing it down on the table in front of her.

“I cannot wait to give birth to this baby. The thought of not being able to drink for another six months is making me want to kill myself.”

Charlie shot her a bemused look placing the empty bottle down upon the table and replacing a glass she’d just knocked over in her slightly inebriated state. “I don’t envy you I can tell you that. Morning sickness, mood swings, stretch marks. No thank you.” Leah laughed heartily as Charlie grinned in jest. Looking over to Bianca who was now draped around a fellow female party-goer she smiled across at her friend. “At least she’s enjoying herself.” They laughed again as Charlie signalled to the empty bottle of wine, grimaced before picking it up and making her way over to the bar once again.

Upon reaching her destination she placed the bottle down rather too forcefully and steadied it as it threatened to fall over the edge. Heath placed his beer back on the bar gazing across at her in a bemused manner.

“Steady on Buckton. You’re on course for a public order offence if you knock another one over.”

Charlie steadied the bottle shooting him a less than impressed look before ordering another bottle of wine from the barman in front of her. “You’re still here I see?” Heath signalled to the barman and shook his head in recognition of Charlie’s attempts at fishing money out of her bag. The barman placed the bottle on the bar before signalling to Heath and walked away. Charlie turned to face him. “What was that for?” Heath smiled taking a swig from the bottle that had just been placed in front of him. “What? Can’t a man buy some lovely ladies a drink these days?” Charlie scowled offering the money to him as he signalled for her to put it away. At this moment a man dancing rather energetically accidently knocked into her forcing her to drop her purse on the floor and scattering the contents.

“I’m so sorry.” The guy laughed, bending down to help Charlie pick up her belongings amidst Heath’s profanities and warnings for him to watch where he was bloody going.

Charlie smiled in gratitude as he helped her up before placing her bag down on the bar beside her. He pulled a face at Heath who had his back to him and she couldn’t help but laugh. The man held his hand out introducing himself to her in an attempt to backtrack on his less than positive first impression. Charlie took his hand in appreciation and smiled as he swiftly placed his hands on her shoulders steadying her as the true effects of the night began to take their toll on her balance. She laughed in approval as he signalled to the barman who was finishing preparing somebody else’s drinks next to him.

“Can I buy you a drink as an apology?”

Charlie smiled before signalling to the unopened bottle of wine in front of her. “Thank you but there’s really no need.” She laughed as the guy signalled over to Bianca’s position on the dance floor. “I take it she’s part of your party.” Charlie shot him a bemused look as she nodded in agreement. In fear of sounding offensive the guy quickly intercepted correcting himself, ‘two beautiful ladies must surely be out together.” Charlie watched as Heath snorted in amusement before casting an amused look in her direction. “I wouldn’t go there if I were you mate. She’s a cop. Probably be lying in wait to arrest you for drink driving as soon as you set foot outside the place.” Charlie smiled apologetically as she shot Heath a warning look. He ignored her and carried on downing the contents of the unopened bottle in front of him. Suddenly noticing Bianca’s return to their table and realising she’d left Leah unattended for far longer than she had intended Charlie picked up the bottle from the bar and smiled apologetically at the man in front of her. “I better get back”. He nodded in recognition as he passed her her bag and she turned to Heath who was signalling impatiently for the barman to serve him another drink. “Thank you for this.” Heath nodded before turning back to his position at the bar and attempting to engage in conversation with Charlie’s suitor as she returned to the table.

“Ooh somebody seems to have themselves an admirer.” Charlie waved her hand in opposition at Bianca as she placed the wine down on the table and laughed at her attempts to reposition herself without falling off the stool. “He’s not a bad looker.” Leah grinned at Charlie as she signalled in the direction of the guy at the bar before taking the bottle of wine off Bianca who was succeeding in pouring more over the table than in their glasses. Charlie stuck her tongue out in mock defiance as Leah laughed and set about re-watering them.

“This ladies, is courtesy of Heath Braxton.” She shook her head as Bianca shot her a confused look before holding her hands up in resignation. “Don’t ask. I consider it as tax for the amount of trouble he’s caused me of late.” Bianca took a sip of wine from her glass as she glanced over at Charlie’s unsuccessful attempts to replace the corkscrew back in the bottle. “Hmm, so how’ve they been of late? Seems to have died down a bit over the last couple of days.” She took another large mouthful from her glass of wine before continuing her conversation. ‘Although saying that I saw Brax a couple of days ago and he looked like he’d been in a round with Mike Tyson and lost.” Charlie laughed trying to ignore the tinge of concern that was beginning to surface in her chest and pushed the thought to the back of her mind. He was old enough to look after himself. Leah shot her an apologetic look sensing her unease as she thankfully changed the subject. “Ooh incoming. Here comes the charmer Sergeant.”

Charlie looked in the direction of Leah and Bianca’s amused glances as the guy she’d just been talking to made his way towards their table. She kicked Bianca as she attempted to embarrass her. The guy smiled at Leah and Bianca in apology as he turned to face Charlie. She could tell he was slightly intoxicated. Perhaps a little more so than she was but she didn’t care. “I’m sorry to interrupt ladies but I was just wondering whether I could perhaps steal your friend for ten minutes.” He signalled over to the dance floor as Bianca replied before Charlie had a chance to object. “Of course you can.” She elbowed Charlie who shot her a less than impressed look before admitting defeat and standing up from the table. Grabbing her drink she took a large mouthful and threw it back, scowling at her friend’s amused faces as she took the man’s outstretched hand and followed him to the floor.

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Bianca returned to the table as Leah shot her a disapproving look. “Do not abandon me again. I’ve just been hit on by a forty year old guy with a receding hairline.” Bianca cackled loudly in amusement as she placed her purchases down upon the table. “Seriously. Does being pregnant mean I am suddenly only attractive to those who aren’t?” Bianca shot her a look of ridicule before they both erupted in laughter at the implication. Bianca repositioned herself on the stool before directing Leah’s attention to Charlie who was engaged in seeming incredible amusement with her suitor in the middle of the restaurant. He attempted to twirl her around before they erupted in fits of laughter as he struggled to steady her from falling over. She seemed to be enjoying herself.

Bianca handed Leah her glass before placing a drink in Charlie’s vacant space and holding her own up in anticipation of a toast.

“To being single, pregnant and unloved.”

Leah laughed enthusiastically as she held her glass up in acknowledgement. She followed the direction of Bianca’s gaze as she elbowed her rather forcefully in the side and giggled amused as she watched Charlie’s male companion take advantage of the loud music and Charlie’s inebriated state as he tactically placed his hands round her waist as she, completely oblivious, leaned in struggling to hear him. She grinned contently gazing around the room as she caught sight of Heath at the bar signalling to someone at the opposite end of the restaurant. She followed his gaze and grimaced as she saw Darryl Braxton enter the bar and fix his eyes upon what she was hoping he wouldn’t see.

[SRJ]

Great update once again loving your fanfiction, this is my favourite chapter so far cant wait for the next chapter and brax reaction .....

[Samantha28]

Ooo great chapter! Looking forward to more!!!

[totally]

This story keeps getting better and better. I wonder how Brax will react. Good that Charlie is having a great time, but shame it is with the wrong guy! I love Heath's comments as well! Thank you for this! I hope you will update soon!

[HighwayUnicorn]

Er ... wow ... this story is brilliant.

I'm loving everyone's characterisation and the interaction with each other too!

It's brilliant. Well done.

I look forward to more.

Carina xxx

[Claire_Blake]

Thanks for all the lovely comments. I've had too much free time on my hands today so thought I'd post another update. Enjoy.

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Leah watched as Brax snapped out of his seeming trance, averted his gaze from his ex girlfriend and continued towards the bar. Charlie was too engrossed in her company and too drunk to have witnessed his arrival and Leah watched nervously as she continued to flirt with the man in front of her. Bianca took another swig of her gin and tonic signalling to her previously preoccupied friend that her drink was on the table need she want it. Making her excuses and placing her hand on the guy’s waist Charlie returned to their position in the restaurant swaying slightly as she attempted to place herself sturdily on the stool next to them. She laughed picking up her drink, thanking Bianca before readjusting her lipstick in her handheld mirror.

“I’m really enjoying myself. I thank you for persuading me to come out this evening Miss Scott.”

She held up her glass, somewhat precariously, in an effort to make a toast. Bianca and Leah obliged as the former laughed loudly at Charlie’s seeming difficulty at stringing a coherent sentence together. Leah attempted to catch her friend’s eye without drawing Bianca’s attention to the fact but Charlie had consumed too much alcohol to be observant. She watched as Bianca took a large mouthful of alcohol before making her excuses and nipping off to the ladies room. Leaving her and Charlie alone, Leah watched as her friend took a large sip from her glass before scanning the room. She stopped, gazing in the direction of the bar. From the sudden change of expression in her face Leah knew she no longer needed to inform her of a certain someone’s arrival.

“I tried to warn you then. He came in about five minutes ago.”

Charlie stared across at the bar where Brax was now seemingly engulfed in conversation with an inebriated Heath. Her heart stopped. Having arrived and found him not here she silently cursed herself for allowing herself to lull into a false sense of security. It had never occurred to her that he may make a later appearance. She kicked herself. This was his restaurant after all. Snapping out of her own thoughts she became aware of Leah nudging her side and she averted her gaze away from the bar in order to face her.

“You alright? We can go somewhere else if you want?”

Charlie forced a smile taking a large sip of the glass in front of her before placing it back down on the table again. “Where else is there to go? Besides, I don’t think Bianca would take too kindly to an unexplained exit.” Leah smiled in sympathy, gently rubbing her friend’s hand. “You’re here with us. Just ignore him. You said yourself you were having fun. Don’t let him spoil that.” Charlie smiled in acknowledgement recognising that however true Leah’s statement was, it was easier said than done. Regardless of her ability to refrain from glancing in his direction and her mental reminder to now avoid the bar at all costs, she had surpassed the drinking line a long time ago and she felt very, very drunk. With drunk came self conscious and she suddenly became all too aware of just how much she’d had to drink. Watching as Bianca returned smiling to their table she suggested that she step outside for a bit of air. She felt hot and clammy and, no she was not going to try and escape, she would be back in five minutes and as a guarantee she allowed Bianca to order her another drink in her absence.

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Heath addressed his brother as he placed another bottle of beer in front of him.

“Didn’t think you were showing your face in here tonight. Where’ve you been?”

Brax glanced over to the table where Bianca, Charlie and Leah had been sitting. Charlie was no longer there nor was the guy she had been entertaining anywhere to be seen. He could feel his muscles tightening and he took a swig of Heath’s beer from the bar. Brax averted his gaze aware of his brother’s unanswered question. “I told you I had some business to sort out then I went to check in on Mum’. Heath grunted at the mention of his mother’s name. “How is the old bat?” Brax removed some empty glasses from the bar before placing them in the glass washer in front of him. “She was off the pub when I left.” Heath laughed sarcastically at the irony checking his phone as he reached for the bottle in front of him yet again. He’d had a lot to drink and he had no intention of stopping anytime soon.

“Tegan’s mum rang me earlier. Said she’d tried to get in contact with you.”

Heath looked up from the bar, rubbing his temple as he did so. “Yeah I know I spoke to the old cow earlier. She wants me to mind Darcy tomorrow.” Brax scowled at his brother as he signalled to the empty bottles of beer surrounding him. “You gonna be any fit state?” Heath shot him a look before placing his phone down again on the bar. “Back off mate. I’ll be fine.” Despite his reservations Brax decided not to pursue the issue and instead glanced to his left where Bianca was now making her way towards the bar. Forcing a smile he took off his jacket, slung it over the worktop before greeting her warmly. “What can I get you?” She took a space on the stool next to Heath, ordering two gin and tonics and an orange juice before rubbing the sole of her foot with the palm of her hand. Heath glanced across in her direction.

“You not going to say hello? Thought me and you were the best of friends now.”

Brax scowled at him whilst Bianca threw her head back laughing sarcastically. “I’m sorry, Mr Braxton. How are you? Thank you for the wine. Charlie informed us of your peace offering.” Brax looked up from where he was pouring the drinks to shoot his brother a look of disapproval. Heath didn’t do good will. It was clearly another one of his attempts at mucking around. Heath took a swig from his bottle before gesturing over to the table where they’d been seated.

“Where’s Buckton got off too? She made a swift exit with that idiot she was talking to earlier?”

Brax grimaced at the implication, shot Heath a warning look before momentarily relaxing as he saw her return to her previous position from the direction of outside. She looked good. Really good. He pushed the thought to the back of his mind as he slapped Heath on the back of the head for attempting to manhandle Bianca next to him. She laughed as he placed the drinks down in front of her at the bar. “It’s on the house. Have a good night.” Bianca replaced the money back in her purse before thanking him and returning to her table.

“What the bloody hell was that for?” Heath frowned at him from across the bar. Brax shook his head incredulous to the fact that he even had to ask.

“Why do you have to constantly act like a first class idiot?”

Heath ignored the comment, reaching for his drink as Brax watched the doorway to Angelo’s. Charlie was currently engrossed in conversation with the guy she had been dancing with earlier. His hands were all over her as she struggled to hear him over the loud music system that was currently filling the restaurant. Looking in the direction of his brother’s gaze Heath grunted in acknowledgement. “She’s got a nerve showing her face in here after the other week. Thought she’d been doing quite well avoiding you mate.” He smiled in recollection of his own humour as he reached for the bottle in front of him. Brax, meanwhile, put down his drink before making his way from the bar in the direction of the exit.

Charlie watched out of the corner of her eye as Brax made his way towards where she was currently standing. Suddenly aware of how close in proximity she was to the guy in front of her she backed off slightly under the guise of fixing her dress as the man’s hand fell down from her waist to his side. Smiling in an effort to convince him that she was actually, and capable in her state, of concentrating on what he was saying she watched as Brax walked past her, not once making eye contact and continuing his way towards the stairs. Smiling the guy nudged her slightly on the arm. “Charlie, you seem in a world of your own.” Making her apologies upon the basis of her inebriated state she placed her hand on his wrist earnestly as she feigned a signal from the girls to rejoin them. Despondent and somewhat disappointed the guy handed her a glass of wine, made her promise to come and find him shortly before letting her slope off back to her friends. Regaining her position at the table she placed the wine down in front of her before fishing in her bag for her phone amidst Bianca’s attempts to drunkenly convince Leah of Gina’s incompetency as a Head Teacher. It was 10.45. Jesus, it wasn’t even late and they’d already managed to consume three bottles of wine between the two of them. She grimaced smiling across in sympathy at Leah across the table. Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted by the presence of Heath at the table. She sighed at the impending attempts at humour she could forsee in front of her.

“Alright ladies. Having fun are we?”

Leah and Bianca halted their conversation and turned their attention to where Heath was standing. Charlie remained silent allowing Bianca to deal with the situation.

“Don’t we always? If I didn’t know better I’d think you were stalking us. First buying us drinks and now checking up on us. Somebody may mistake you for caring Heath.”

Heath smiled as he took another swig from his beer before letting it hang loosely by his side. “Well if you ever need checking up on you know where I am”. He directed the comment in Bianca’s direction as she took a mouthful of her drink choosing to ignore the implication. Suddenly Charlie became aware of another person’s presence next to her. Looking up she watched as Brax smiled over at Bianca and Leah in turn in apology.

“Sorry ladies. I try to keep him on a tight leash but sometimes he manages to set himself free.” Bianca and Leah laughed in turn as Brax shot his brother a warning to return to the bar before turning to face them again. Charlie grabbed her drink in front of her taking a large mouthful as Brax addressed them.

“I’m really sorry about him. He’s an idiot. In future just tell him to sod off. He does tend to respond to that.”

Bianca grinned as Leah gazed over at Charlie’s attempts to avoid making eye contact with him. Whereas Bianca laughed in response to his comment and the two began to make small talk about the bar, Charlie remained straight faced. She could feel herself beginning to feel on edge and she didn’t like it. Taking another large mouthful of her glass in front of her she signalled for Brax to move out of her way before making her excuses in need of popping to the toilet.

Walking away from the table she cursed herself and took deep breaths in an attempt to regain her normal breathing level. She felt stupid. Stupid and drunk. Ignoring him was beginning to seem more difficult than just arguing with him. The latter she could deal with, ignorance required patience and concentration. The latter of which she was seriously lacking in at this precise moment. Walking in to the toilet she was grateful for it being empty and replaced the lid on the toilet before sitting on top of it and closing the door behind her. Shaking her hands in defiance at her stupidity she took some deep breaths and was soon content to feel her breathing regaining its usual composure. She ran her hands through her hair pushing her hair back from her face before checking her makeup in the mirror on the back of the door. She wanted to punch him. Brax being nice and considerate made her forget about the fact that he could also be a first class prick when he wanted to be. He was like Jekyll and Hyde. She’d never met anyone that could be so differing at times.

Reapplying her lipstick she was snapped out of her thoughts by the sound of somebody else entering the toilets. Checking her appearance once again in the mirror she placed her lipstick back in her bag before flushing the toilet and making her way out of the cubicle. Walking in the direction of the sink she was oblivious to the presence of another standing by the door until they had addressed her.

“We seem to have done quite well so far at avoiding each other.”

She glanced across in the direction of the voice as her heart began to accelerate yet again. For the first time that evening, Brax looked her directly in the eye.

[SRJ]

Amazing update each chapter just keeps getting better, really hope you get some more free time as I cant wait to find out what happens next. Thanks for the quick updates your really talented :-)

[EmyKate68]

Thanks so much for the 2fantastic updates in 1 day! Really entertaining story, hope you can update soon!

[Inactive User]

Wow this story is brilliant and good to read! Well done Update soon xx

And pssstt...feel free to check out my fanfiction (The Beginning) about Charlie and Ruby, their mother-daughter relationship I had posted Chapter 41 last week, hehe.