Joey was drinking coffee in the cafe. Thankfully it was Lucy's day off so he didn't have to cope with her glares, and he was tucked away in the corner so hopefully that meant he wouldn't get questioned by any family members about Lauren. He just wasn't in the mood for people to judge them and give their opinions, but then he was surprised at Alice's reaction.

Clang. A key fell on to the table in front of him when he realised someone was stood next to him. He must have spaced out. Abi was stood there. Wait, Abi? He picked up the key and held it towards her, looking at her questionly.

"Lauren. Room at the top of the stairs on the left. Kim's Palace. At 2. She says be there or be lame, but she was joking I think" Abi looked puzzled. "I can never really tell with her to be honest". Joey laughed, sounded like his girlfriend was back to be her usual snarky self, inside of hiding away. He might go see her now, spend the day with her, seeing as he's not working until tonight.

"But don't go find her before then." Joey looked up in surprise, that she knew what he was thinking. "She said, and I quote, go spend time with Alice or do whatever guys do when they have free time and their girlfriends are busy" Abi shrugged. "I think she's planning on sleeping off her hangover and then going to buy her college stuff this morning" "She's going back to college. Wait, hangover? She was drinking again?"

"Erm..." "Don't lie for her Abi." "Yeah but she's fine, I swear. She wasn't even that drunk, compared to what she has been". "Not the point. Thanks for the key and info Abs". "Kay, don't be too mad at her, kay? She loves you". Joey looked up in surprise. "She is my sister; we do tell each other things Joey. I'm happy if she's happy." "Thanks Abi, funny enough Alice said something similar." "I think this is the point I'm supposed to threaten you not to hurt her or whatever but I'm not very good at that sort of thing" Abi shrugged whilst Joey laughed, "but I'm sure if you break her heart again, she'd like punch you in the throat or something" "Haha thanks, wait you know? About before?" Joey hadn't realised Lauren had told anyone about them splitting up due to his Dad. "Again, sisters. We talk. Got to go, exam in an hour. See you." "Yeah, see you. Luck!"

Joey pulled out his phone.

*Text message to Lauren* Morning babe. So many things I want to say to you, you never fail to surprise me, we do need to talk though baby. Good job a key magically appeared in front of me this morning. x

*Text message to Joey* Morning lover. Surprise in a good way I hope? We can talk later though, there are things I'd rather be doing in a hotel room, but if you wanna talk, we can talk. Thanks for reminding me I need to text Abs, to see thank you. X.

*Text message to Lauren*. Are you trying to make this hard? We do have to talk about everything at some point beautiful. How's the head this morning? X

*Text message to Joey* I'm not trying to make anything hard babe, well maybe if something was hard, we could have fun buuuuuut you want to talk. And talk we shall then. Urgh. Guessing my sister's a tattle-tail. I'll be having words with her x

*Text message to Lauren* Jesus Christ woman, warn me before you send a text like that. We could do both? Don't blame Abi. And you didn't answer my question x

*Text message to Joey* Oops? No, it's fine babe. I thought we could have some fun & chill a bit, but this is me trying to make it up to you for being a cow and avoiding the World, and you want to talk. So we'll talk. It's fine. And Abi's supposed to be on my side, not telling tales about me. And you want me to answer honestly? X

*Text message to Lauren* I just want to be with you Lauren, and for you not to push me away. This is why we need to talk. You're making me feel bad for wanting to talk to you, instead of having sex with you. Most girls want it that way; Lucy was always nagging at me to talk to her more. Abi is on your side, and so am I. We all are. We just don't want you drinking Lauren, and you know that. And yes, obviously. I always want you to be honest with me. I love you, you muppet. X

*Text message to Joey* did you seriously just compare me to other girls, tell me you love me & call my names all in one text? You're an arse.

*Text message to Joey* Well to be honest, Team Lauren currently suck.

*Text message to Joey* and I'm fine. Headache, that's it. Kirsty looked after me. X"

*Text message to Lauren* Finished ranting at me baby?

*Text message to Joey* Screw you.

*Text message to Lauren* Can I come and find you please? Having this conversation via text message is stupid. X

*Text message to Joey* Do what you want. Don't care.

Joey sighed. She may deny it but she can be such a drama queen, she takes everything like a personal insult. "Trouble in paradise already?" Jack said, sliding in across the booth from Joey.

"Look Uncle Jack, I don't want an argument with you over Lauren."

"You won't get one"

"What?"

"Spoke to Max. And Abs. She's happy. You seem to be. Whilst I need to get use to the fact, I ain't going to kick off over it." Joey was relieved, he'd realised them 'coming out' and everyone knowing would be difficult, just not this difficult.

"Now, what's up with your face? You managed to piss of Lady Branning already?"

"Yeah I think so. I don't know. I'm not really sure what I've done to be honest" Joey said, totally baffled by their texts "and Lady Branning?"

"Inside joke. You'll have to ask Lauren about it, then come and ask me and I'll tell you what really happened" Both Branning men laughed. "Seriously, what's up? And if you seriously have no idea, just apologise anyway. Never fails." Joey cracked a grin before deciding to use Jack's knowledge of Lauren to his advantage. "You know Lauren well right?"

"I'd say so. Always been closer to Lauren than Abi to be honest, although I love them and Oscar the same, you get me?" Jack said with a laugh, "And she's always clashed with Max, so Uncle Jack fixes it. Why? Want my help?"

"Maybe. Just we were texting. And she just 180'd on me. I don't know what I said." Joey passed his phone to Jack "Wait are these safe to read? I don't want to see any half-naked pictures of my niece, or you for that matter."

Joey grinned "No they are pretty safe, this time." he laughed seeing the expression on Jack's face.

Jack read through the texts "Oh you total prat."

"Wait, what?" Joey wanted advice, not someone to just agree with her. Would anyone like to actually tell him where he messed up this time.

"Hold on" Jack pulled up Joey's contacts and scrolled down to Lauren's name, pushed call and put her on loud speaker.

Lauren's voice came though "What?"

"Now Lady Branning, is that anyway to talk to your favourite Uncle?" Jack said with laughter evident in his voice.

"Uncle Jack! Wait," they could hear Lauren shuffling around "yeah this is def Joey's phone. Why have you got his phone? You better not have hit him!"

"Me? Why on Earth would I hit my handsome nephew? Violence is never the answer Lauren, you know that." Joey smiled; he'd never really seen or heard Jack and Lauren interact. He'd spend a lot of time with them both, just never together. He had a feeling that was going to change.

"Yeah, yeah. If you are pissed with someone, you don't punch them. You call Uncle Jack, and he'll do it instead. Pretty sure you told me that. And you still didn't answer my question."

"I borrowed his phone. Mine ran out of battery. Back to the topic, or you run them over. I heard that works too" Jack said laughing at his stroppy niece, and smirking once he realised Joey knew the story too but held his finger to his lip so Lauren didn't know Joey was with Jack.

"Whatever. He's still alive. What more do you want." Lauren bit back.

"Well someone's grumpy today bub. You hung-over or pissed at Joey or both?"

"Hmm. Today Jack Branning, I pick option D, The World sucks." Lauren did sound down, and Joey felt uncomfortable hearing her speak to Jack with no idea he was there too.

"Oooh I love this game. Scale of one to ten how hung-over are you? How pissed are you at Joey? Other things bothering you?" Jack said with a more serious tone in his voice.

"This is stupid. 3. 5. 7. How are you today Uncle Jack?" Lauren may have sounded grumpy, but Joey knew full well if she didn't want to answer Jack's questions, she'd have just hung up the phone.

"Well. Shall I help you out Lady Branning?" Jack was back to teasing now he had the answers he wanted. Lauren didn't reply.

"Okay. Firstly go down a bottle of water and have a shower stinky girl" they heard Lauren laugh. "Second, you are going to come find me at the gym, and I'm going to give you some money for you to go shopping" Lauren interrupted and told him Max had replaced the money she spent on booze so she had money to go buy college stuff. "College stuff? Booooooring. On a serious note. Go buy it, you're a clever girl Lauren, don't waste your talent" Jack was more serious now, and Joey heard Lauren hmmm'd down the phone. "On a less serious note, I know you Lady Branning, shoes always make you feel better." Lauren laughed "Go meet up with Abi after her exam, shop and discuss your boyfriend issues with her, I ain't dealing with that" Jack said with a laugh.

"Thanks Uncle Jack." Lauren seemed happier. "Lauren?"

"Yeah?"

"I think you do need to talk to your boyfriend though. And want me to talk to your mum."

Joey raised an eyebrow; he didn't know Tanya was an issue.

"I know. And wait, how'd you about my mum?" Lauren questioned.

"I know you. It was bound to be either your Mum or Dad wasn't it" he replied, worried about the effect their arguments would be having on his niece.

Laughter came down the phone line "Yeah it's always them. Kirsty looked after me last night"

"She did?" Jack and Joey exchanged looks, neither of them knew that and neither thought it was a good thing.

"Yeah. She helped me sober up, and talked a bit. She seemed to get it", they heard movement through the phone line, and "I hate being stared at. Always makes me feel like the Devil or something. Haven't been stared at this much, since Bradley died"

"Yeah?" Jack didn't really know what to say, so he and Joey just watched each other's reactions and listened.

"She seemed to get it. I don't know. Maybe she does, maybe she doesn't. At least she doesn't just ignore it, have a go at me or stare"

"Lauren..." Both guys said at once.

"Should have guessed you'd both be there really shouldn't I?"

"Well, yeah it was obvious to be honest."

"Uncle Jack!" Both Lauren and Joey said at the same time.

"Okay. You know I told you I'd need some time to used to this?" Joey nodded "Yeah, good. Cause that *changes his voice* 'Uncle Jack' *speaks normally* yeah, that's weird."

"Wait, you're okay with us? Like Joey and me" Lauren interrupted.

"Lauren are you happy? I don't mean right now, Joseph has been a very stupid boy, haven't you?"

Jack stared at Joey "Umm yes."

"But other than him being stupid, he makes you happy?"

Lauren sighed "Yeah, he does."

"Then I'll be fine with it. Now you get ready and come meet me in the cafe so I can give you some money, and I'll spend the day with young Joey here and teach him about the mood swings of Lady Branning." Joey and Jack laughed.

"Lauren?" Jack asked, seeing as she hadn't replied.

"Sorry, I was drawing. um okay. Yeah. Thanks Uncle Jack"

"You're welcome. Now Joey, is there anything you'd like to say to Lauren before we hang up and let her get ready?" Jack made a begging gesture with his hand and mouthed sorry.

"Yeah. Baby, I'm sorry. I don't fully get what I've done" Jack shook his head at him, and mouthed sorry again, "But if it's upset you, then I hate that. I'm so sorry babe. And hopefully I'll still see you at 2. I love you."

They heard nothing then a quiet "Okay. I love you too, even though you're an idiot." She then hung-up.