A/N - Yes, I know I should really stop starting new stories without finishing ones I've already got going but oops? Just an idea I couldn't get unstuck from my head. Let me know what you think!
Joey rolled his eyes and raised his voice slightly to carry on his conversation. His ex girlfriend and cousin was the other side of the pub, drunk and giggling with two randoms. He could see Whitney and Alice keep looking over at her, clearly worried about her behaviour. He was just trying to ignore her, if he was honest.
"Fats can't you stop serving her?" Whit asked, concern clear across her face as Fatboy came to take away their empties. He looked at them apologetic, and somewhat disappointed towards Joey. "No point babes, she'd just go elsewhere"
Tyler agreed with him. "We'll keep an eye on her, walk her home at closing". Lucy scoffed, she had the same attitude as Joey did. Lauren was doing this to herself, she had no reason to and could stop if she cared enough to, she didn't.
A little while later her behaviour was getting harder to ignore. Dancing on top of one of the tables, laughing at herself, drink in hand. Abi came in and stared at her for a few seconds, before moving over to their group and Jay's embrace. "She'll stop in a minute" she said confidently, confusing the group around her.
More drunken laughter was hear as she climbed over her table onto the bar itself, Fats trying to steady here. "Careful babygirl. Get down yeah?" he tried to persuade her, arms ready to catch her. She scoffed. "You're no fun. Leave me be" before spinning in circles."
"Oh Lauren Branning, what are you doing to yourself?" came a voice from the door. Jack stood there. He was back. Lauren almost stumbled off the bar in surprise. "Uncle Jack's here everybody" she declared. "Here to save the day" she laughed bitterly. "Too late I'm afraid" she started spinning again.
"Climb down, and we'll go talk" he said, offering her a hand. "She wants you to climb up there with her" Abi said with a laughter, getting her sister's attention. Lauren's eyes scanned the group, narrowing when she saw Joey sat next to Lucy. "Now, that" she said, pointing to Abi. "That is a great idea." Jack groaned, and walked over to the bar.
"You can't be serious" Kirsty called from behind the bar. "No-one asked you blonde-y" Lauren said with a laugh. "You're actually going to do it?" she questioned Jack, looking very unsure of herself.
"If that's the way to get you to talk to me?" Jack said, leaning against the bar. "Yeah." She seemed surprised.
"I mean I'd rather not" he said with a chuckle. "Drama queen she is" he told everyone, pointing at Lauren. "But if this is the way it needs to be to fix it, then..." he went to push himself up onto the bar.
"Stop!" she said, pushing him down. "Don't, there's no point." She shook her head at him, scanning the pub again. Frowning at Kirsty, looking sorry towards Abi and looking at Joey with so many emotions on her face. She sat down on the bar. "I'm not even drunk."
"What?" was heard coming out of multiple mouths. Joey rolled his eyes, pretending she wasn't drunk again? Typical. Roxie's voice was heard from the back. "She's not. I've been serving her all night." Shock and confusion was what everyone was feeling.
"Oh Lauren babe, what's going on in that head of yours?" Jack said softly, wrapping an arm around her. Now the drunken pretence was gone, she suddenly looked broken and small.
"Where d'you want me to start?" she said bitterly. "She's pregnant." She shot Kirsty a dirty look. "Mum and Dad won't stop fighting" she rolled her eyes at this. "They'll be having an affair soon" Jack let out a laugh at this, surprising people. "Just more messed up Branning family drama". Family drama she'd clearly had enough of.
"My ex boyfriend who also my cousin" she laughed bitterly. The boy she would have given anything up for. "He is clearly about to hook up with my ex best friend" Jack looked over at them in confusion. Lauren and Joey were still happily together when he'd left. "And to top it all off?" She said, leaving it open. Jack nodded, wanting her answer.
She slid down the bar and started walking downwards the door. Turning back she spoke in a small voice.
"I'm pregnant."