# Charley Heathfield — The Black Opal character guide

> Charley Heathfield in The Black Opal by Katharine Susannah Prichard.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Charley, Charlie, XV Charley, Good old Charley

**First appearance:** 0000-part-i-i

## Who they are

A charming, shiftless miner whose easy affections mask a betrayer's instinct, his return to the Ridge revives an old shame his son has tried to bury.

## Relationships

### [Michael Brady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/michael_brady)

_friendship_

Charley Heathfield is a dependable friend and ally to Michael Brady, frequently aiding him in his endeavors.

### [Potch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/potch)

_friendship_

Charley Heathfield and Potch are acquaintances, with Charley often mediating tensions involving Potch.

### [Potch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/potch)

_friendship_

Charley Heathfield and Potch are acquaintances, with Charley often mediating tensions involving Potch.

### [Michael Brady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/michael_brady)

_friendship_

Charley Heathfield is a dependable friend and ally to Michael Brady, frequently aiding him in his endeavors.

### [Michael Brady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/michael_brady)

_friendship_

Charley Heathfield is a dependable friend and ally to Michael Brady, frequently aiding him in his endeavors.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-i-ii)

Michael's mining mate; a down-on-his-luck widower with a young son nicknamed Potch, he works with Michael on their claim.

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-i-iv)

Michael's mining mate; leaves for Warria and is unknowingly involved in the opal switch.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-i-v)

Fled the Ridge on the coach with Jun Johnson and the girls, having stolen Paul's opals; his betrayal shatters the mateship code.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-xiii)

Charley returns to the Ridge, appearing ill but displaying a malicious and manipulative demeanor. He taunts Potch and insists on speaking with Michael alone.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-xv)

Confronts Michael, accusing him of stealing the opals he took from Paul; reveals he kept a stone that led to Michael's identification.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/charley_heathfield
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters