We do not own EastEnders, Ashes to Ashes, Waterloo Road, Doctors or Emmerdale
This story picks up where "Walford is My Home for the Holidays" left off. We hope you enjoy :)
Chapter 1
Rowan leapt at Ray, winding her arms tight around his neck and fastening her lips to his, she let herself go, let him feel how much he meant to her, how much she loved him. She pulled away when she couldn't breathe anymore and put a hand to his face. She felt drained, but good. She caught sight of her watch; hardly any time seemed to have passed.
She held herself close to him and smiled. "We can still make the match," she told him and pulled her team scarf from her pocket and looped it around her neck.
They'd come here to check out her feelings, rescued Molly from Keats and Gene had beaten Keats nearly to death. For a moment, she thought there might be more, but no, there wasn't. Simple and straightforward.
And after the match, she would tell him her news, that she was pregnant. She bit her lip hoping he would be happy about it and kissed him again. She felt unbelievably happy for some reason.
Ray held his arms tight around her waist as he kissed her back with equal force and gasped for breath when she broke it. He smiled down at her and helped her adjust her scarf. "I hope you enjoy the match, Ro, but you have to promise not to floor any of the opposing fans," he grinned as he slipped his hand into hers and tugged gently to encourage her to move back to the car. "Because, if you do, I, being an upstanding police officer, may have to restrain you in order to prevent any casualties," he explained as he strapped himself into the car and started it.
Rowan snorted and let him lead her to the car.
"I promise not to start anything," she told him with an over-exaggerated expression of innocence and looked at him, leaving it unspoken that though she might not start something, she would full well finish it…
"But you can restrain me anyway, if you like."
Rowan stayed close to Ray and held his arm tight as they navigated through the press of the crowd. She smiled up at him. She was really looking forward to this. Her smaller stature made it easier for her to find their seats and she carefully led him to them and sat down. She zipped her jacket up a little higher and huddled up closer to Ray for warmth.
"Maybe you could show me some places you used to go when you lived here after the match," she suggested. She would do the same for him, but she hadn't really hung out anywhere. She could show him the restaurant she had worked at, and the B&B where she'd lived, but that was about it.
She thoroughly intended to enjoy this day trip of theirs. It had been awhile since they'd gone off anywhere alone. Paris at Christmas, that had been months ago.
Ray slid an arm around her as he waited for the match to start, he moved her back a bit as another man tried to squeeze past them and then nodded down at her.
"Sure, there's a lot of places to show you though, the station, my old home, Railway Arms, I think the Warren shut down though, that club was brill back in the day," he mused. "Could even take you to see me Mam, haven't been round in a while," he sighed, then spotted a guy with a tray of hotdogs browsing up and down the main aisle. "You want a hot dog? I'm starving," he said to her as he waved the guy over.
Rowan pulled her legs up into the seat as people moved to get past them. She had to fight to keep her jaw from dropping. He wanted her to meet his mother? She gulped and nodded.
"Sounds fantastic," she told him. "I can show you where I worked and the B&B I lived at when I was here, but that's about it," she added with a shrug. "I should take you home, Gem has been pestering me to visit now that my sister is gone," she told him thoughtfully.
"I'd love one, we had quite a morning," she told him aware of her stomach complaining.
Ray grinned at her and got them a couple of hotdogs, he handed her one with a packet of mustard and ketchup and slathered sauce over his own, he looked down at her and nodded. "Right, you ready for this game? And I know you said you wouldn't, but you have to promise me that you wont knock anyone out!" he teased. He nudged her as the players started to file onto the pitch and took a bite of his hotdog as he started singing the United Song with the rest of the fans.
Rowan looked at him and shook her head. "Yes, I promise," she chuckled, "but if someone punches at me, I will punch back," she added and winked before she took a bite of her hot dog.
Rowan chanted the lyrics along with Ray; she preferred not to sing in public, not without being drunk. She listened to Ray sing and smiled. She should see if she could get him to sing something else. He had a nice voice.
As the game progressed, Rowan made sure not to stop their practice of kissing every time their team scored a goal. She tried to make sure they weren't too mushy, but still the big, rough-looking blokes behind them kept complaining. She looked at Ray and then casually stood and made a production of taking off her jacket, inhaling deeply as she did so. She had unthinkingly worn the same dark violet top she'd worn when she'd first met Ray and decided to take full advantage. She casually sat back down, letting her hair curtain her face on the one side so she could give Ray a mischievous grin.
"Sorry, I couldn't resist and you made me promise not to hit anyone," she whispered. The next time they kissed over a successful goal, the men behind them were strangely silent. Rowan made sure not to laugh.
Ray watched her take her jacket off and eyed her appraisingly; he remembered that top all too well. He was also getting increasingly annoyed with the blokes behind him, if he wanted to kiss his girlfriend to celebrate a goal he damn well would! The last time they had jeered and complained he had stuck two fingers up at them in retaliation. He grinned back at her and settled back down in his seat to continue watching the game, United hadn't scored enough for his liking, not that he needed an excuse to kiss her, but he was sure that the blokes behind wouldn't be so accepting if he took it upon himself to suddenly pull Rowan to him. He was sure that if he did he wouldn't be able to keep control either.
Rowan was thoroughly enjoying herself. So much more fun than watching on the TV she thought. So they had to tone the kissing down a bit, she didn't mind. Being here was so exciting.
A thought occurred to her as she noticed they were nearing the end and she looked at Ray and bit her lip. She knew how they normally celebrated a win.
She tugged Ray to her a bit and leaned to his ear.
"What do we do if they win?" she asked him curiously and gestured at the scoreboard. She flashed him a wicked smile as she waited for his answer.
Ray looked over too and chewed his lip; they could get arrested for doing their normal celebration here. But...
Ray grinned down at her and moved his lips close to her ear, keeping his gaze on the match. "How do you feel about celebrating in a toilet cubicle?" he asked in a low tone and growled as City scored another goal.
He moved his face away from hers and shrugged at her before waiting patiently for her answer.
Rowan covered her mouth and snorted before she began to giggle at his suggestion.
"I'm game if you are," she said flirtatiously and bit her lip. It would be interesting to say the least. She slid her hand to him and laced her fingers with his and squeezed his hand. She gave him a look and then turned back to the game.
"Come on, United!" she bellowed as loud as she could and then glanced at Ray from the corner of her eye, a smile tugging the corners of her mouth. He wanted to have her in the toilets and then maybe take her to meet his mother. She somehow didn't imagine his mother would approve and she bit her lip inside her mouth to keep from laughing.
Ray grinned down at her. She wanted to? Good, all they needed was for United to win then. He couldn't help but laugh as she yelled out, the woman had a pair of lungs on her that was certain. He squeezed her hand as he chuckled to himself and watched the City fans disappointment as United scored once again.
The people in front had started to stand up as the game started to reach its peak and he growled before standing too. He looked down at Rowan and frowned, she was too small, she wouldn't be able to see over these dunderheads in front! He yanked on her hand and encouraged her to stand on the seat and ignored the grumbles of protest from behind them by giving them a dark look. He turned back to Rowan and made sure she was steady before standing next to her in case she felt unsteady.
Rowan let Ray pull her up and hurriedly climbed onto the seat. She'd spent her years growing up climbing on things, with her height it was often necessary. She didn't really need Ray to steady her, but she liked him touching her so she stood carefully and enjoyed him being near.
She burst into helpless gales of laughter when the game ended up a draw. She jumped off the seat and pulled on her jacket before winding her arms around Ray's neck and kissing him. She got back up on the chair and turned Ray's back to her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and then her legs around his waist.
"Let's go," she said and waited for him to carry her out.
Ray hooked his arms under her legs and bounced her up so she was comfortably on his back and not strangling him and followed the flow of people heading out of the stadium, he smiled at the weight of her on his back and carried her easily out ignoring the bumps from the more rowdy groups and reached outside and the car park. He let go of her legs and eased her onto the floor then turned and looked down at her with a frown. "We've never done anything about a draw before," he commented. "What d'you reckon?" he smiled down at her as he took her hand and lead her to the car. He looked back at the crowd pouring out of the stadium and the small tussles between the opposing supporters.
"I know, and with a game like this too," she commented. "What do you want to do?" she asked him playfully as she leaned against him and squeezed his hand.
"You know, if you want to take me to meet your mother, we might want to wait until after to play around. I think it would just be too weird for me, to go and...you know, and then meet your mother," she told him and chuckled. She slipped her hand from his and wrapped her arms around his waist and held him tight.
"Mmmm, we should go before the traffic gets bad," she murmured and looked up at him.
Ray nodded with a shrug and slipped the keys out of his pocket and unlocked the car for her to get in. He went around the other side and climbed into the front. He sat for a moment as they strapped themselves in and looked over at her. "So, do you want to meet my mum?" he asked her curiously.
She took his hand and kissed it and gazed at him as she reached out to stroke his cheek.
"I love you, acuisle," she told him and smiled as she slid her thumb across his moustache and lips, "and I'd be honored to meet your mother."
She took her hand from his face and picked up his hand again and kissed it again before putting it on the steering wheel.
"Now, I'm ready for the grand tour."
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Chris smiled and sighed as the cab pulled up in front of their flat. The two weeks in Cardiff for their honeymoon had been great but Chris was glad to be home. He looked over at Shaz and gently shook her awake.
"Shaz, love, we're home," he told her. He laughed as he saw Ginger and Rhys come running up with some crazy welcome back banner.
"Look at them," he sighed as he handed the money over to the driver.
Ginger reached out and opened the door for Shaz.
"How was Cardiff? Did you take lots of pictures?" he pestered. "Did you buy me something?"
"Oh!" Rhys said and gave Ginger a smack in the arm. "Why would they buy you anything?"
Ginger made a face at Rhys. "Because Shaz and I are great mates," he told Rhys smugly.
Rhys rolled his eyes and grabbed one of the suitcases from the boot.
"You are mental in the face," Rhys told him and walked away towards the door.
Shaz looked out of the car window and smiled in amusement as she spotted Ginger and Rhys, she stretched and unbuckled herself as she climbed out of the car and shut the door. She chuckled at the pair of them and reached out to give Ginger a hug as Rhys took the case inside. "We may have got you a present," she murmured in his ear before pulling away and grabbing up her suitcase to follow Rhys and Chris inside. She dumped the cases in the bedroom and smiled as her wedding ring caught the light, they had finally got married, took them long enough! She came back out to see the three of them and grinned at her friends and husband before going to the fridge and inspecting it for food, she frowned and rounded on them. "Okay, which of you two decided it would be a good idea to eat us out of house and home?" she demanded.
Ginger gave a quiet squeal and grabbed a suitcase to carry in. He looked at her at her question and pointed at Rhys.
"What?" Rhys spluttered. "He told us to," he argued, pointing at Chris. "He said the food would go bad otherwise. We were going to go shopping and replace it when you got back, but you're two hours early," he complained.
Shaz chuckled at him, "You could have left us some milk at least! I'm dying for a decent cup of tea!" she exclaimed.
"I'm going, I'm going!" Rhys exclaimed and ran out the door. Shaz certainly had a temper on her, though he was sure she still hadn't forgiven him for what he'd done to Chris, unless….no, she couldn't know what he'd got up to with her sister. He snorted as he rushed into the Minute Mart and grabbed the biggest container of milk he could find and several packages of Shaz' favorite biscuits and ran at top speed back to the flat.
Chris and Ginger looked at him and laughed as he stumbled back into the flat out of breath and held the bag out to Shaz.
"Guess you told him, love," Chris said admiringly to Shaz and chuckled.
"Look, we have to get back to the station. We're a bit short right now and if the Guv stops by we will be in big trouble," Ginger told them. "C'mon, let's go," he said and grabbed Rhys by the arm and dragged him out. Rhys, who still hadn't caught his breath, merely waved.
Shaz chuckled and waved goodbye to the pair of them as she opened the milk and grabbed two mugs and a couple of teabags, and started on making the tea.
Chris hauled the cases into the bedroom and started unpacking. He tossed all the dirty clothes into a pile next to the basket and grimaced. Too much to do! At least the flat was clean. He didn't mind Shaz' tendencies to tidy when it meant they came home to a flat that was clean. He sighed and began shoving the dirty laundry into bags to take to the launderette.
He carried them into the front room and then went to Shaz in the kitchen and slipped his arms around her. "So, Mrs. Skelton," he said in her ear. "Shall we go to the launderette now or celebrate being home," he asked flirtatiously as he nuzzled her ear. He was glad they'd decided not to move to Essex. Everything he had was all here. He promised they would go visit whenever she wanted though, and he'd bought a car with some of the wedding present money to prove it.
Shaz smiled as she leant back against him then turned in his embrace to face him properly. "Well," she said as she draped her arms over his shoulders. "Seeing as the only clean clothes we have are the ones we are wearing, I think we need to take a trip to the Laundrette," she smiled. "But, I'm sure it can be delayed for a while," she added and kissed him lightly.
"Nice one," Chris remarked and swung her up into his arms and carried her to the bedroom.
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Peter slipped out of school and walked quickly until her reached the allotments. He hid behind one of the sheds and texted Molly.
She wasn't in school and he hadn't heard from her at all. He'd already texted her twice, no luck. He'd called Whitney, but she had no idea.
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Jack saw Peter slip from the school but chose to ignore it. Molly hadn't turned up and Alex hadn't called her in sick so…..
Jack shrugged and picked up his phone. He'd been considering something for awhile now and had finally made up his mind.
"Do u want to go to Brum over break?"
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Ronnie looked up at Jack and smiled. He had been such a rock of support for her since they'd got back together. She remembered that awful time when Danny's sister and his sister's boyfriend had kidnapped Roxy. He'd been there for her, using his less than savory contacts to help the police find Roxy and lock up the ones who'd done it. He'd brought her sister back to her and the minute he'd found out she was pregnant he'd proposed, much to her delight. Now they had a beautiful son and everything was more perfect than she'd ever imagined.
She did wonder though, if their mother would ever turn back up. Bradley had helped the police track down Roxy's money and got it returned to her but Glenda's whereabouts were still unknown. Not that they were looking very hard anymore. But she would likely be arrested if she ever set foot in England again for her part in the scam and running off with the money.
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Molly looked up from her textbook as her phone flashed at her, she wondered why she hadn't heard the texts come through then realised that her phone was on silent, she mentally slapped herself and read Peter's texts, she smiled at his concern and sent one back
"Am fine, got in a situation but all sorted now, maybe in later. Mum gone all protective :D xx"
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Alyssa was juggling answering the phone with checking in and out clients when her mobile bleeped insistently at her. She furrowed her brow as she finished negotiating with the supplier and put the phone down. She hated calling them, they did everything to try to get them to pay more for the order rather than standing with the agreement that if they bought the stock in bulk then the price was reduced by 5%. Alyssa had done all the calculations and they still insisted that she had to pay full price, that wasn't going to happen, she didn't care that they were in a recession and had threatened legal action for false advertisement unless they gave her the discount! That had shut them up. She smiled amiably at the elderly woman that left with a stunning new manicure and grabbed her mobile before another distraction came along. Her eyebrows raised at the text.
"If you like, don't mind, will have to get some1 to cover the Salon 4 a few days tho :D xx"
He wanted to go to Birmingham? She shrugged, there wasn't much there that wasn't in London, in fact, there was a 'Birmingham Eye' sometimes, a travelling copy of the London Eye that went around the country. But, she could take him to the different places, The Jewellery Quarter, the Bullring, Victoria Square. She smiled, it would be nice to go back.
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Gene held Alex closer.
"How do you feel about a takeaway? And don't you think you should call the school about Molly?" he asked her. "I'll stop at the station while I'm out and make sure they're okay. It's Ray's day off and he and Rowan are going to Manchester to watch the match," he said, his tone laced with mild disgust and envy.
Alex smiled up at him and nodded with half a shrug, she whipped out her phone and sent a text off to Jack telling him about Molly and their situation then reluctantly leant off Gene and hugged Sam to her, it was nearly time for his nap. She cradled him gently, his sleeping pattern had started to become more routine and he had settled, meaning that she and Gene got regular sleep rather than being interrupted at random points in the night. Alex had started reading to him when she put him to bed as well, she was fast running low on story books but found no problem in reading them over and over again and had started reading some of the tamer fiction she owned to him too, though Sam seemed to prefer the books with big pictures and vibrant colours as he gurgled happily when she started reading one of those. She knew that Molly had grown fond of singing her little brother to sleep when Alex needed a break.
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Jack smiled at her reply. He thought they should stop by her parents' house, though he hadn't told her that yet. It was getting closer to the wedding and he didn't think Alyssa had spoken to her father since he'd left. He texted her a kiss and dropped his phone into his pocket as he headed to a meeting.
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"Glad u ok. Missed u" Peter sent back. "Can we meet? Left school :)"
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Whitney finished her assignment and headed for the project room. She hoped Brett hadn't forgotten the final fitting and presentation was today after lunch. She carefully removed the shirt from the bag and held it up. She'd designed it with him in mind, the collar and cut flattering his build and face. The color set off his eyes perfectly. She smiled and pulled out her phone.
"Where u? Final fit then lunch then present."
Brett hastily sent a text back to Whitney
"Am on way from lecture hall, Prof B ran over x"
He navigated his way through the University expertly, dodging fellow students and teachers alike as he hurried, he knew how important his was for Whitney and he loved that she had included him in her project like he had included her in his. He had one final report to do on her stall and the developments her small business had made and then he was finished with that project, he had already promised her that he was still willing to help her though; he wasn't just going to abandon her. He finally spotted the art block and hurried past the art students in their vibrant and colourful range of attire and opened the project room door. "I'm here, don't panic," he grinned at Whitney as he dumped his bag. "Where d'you want me?"
Whitney looked up and smiled at Brett when he arrived. She stood up and pointed at where she wanted him to stand.
"Now, take your shirt off," she said with a chuckle and then picked up the shirt she'd made and held it out to him with a laugh.
Brett raised his eyebrows at her and sighed over-dramatically as he pulled his shirt off over his head so he wouldn't have to waste time undoing buttons. "Anything to get me out of my clothes," he mumbled as he stood and waited for her to fit the new top to him
"Awwww, you make it sound like a bad thing," she teased him and fussed at the shirt once he'd got it on. She finally nodded, satisfied.
"Okay, you can change back now," she told him and quickly made the finishing touches. She folded it carefully and put it in her cubby and grinned at him before giving him a kiss. "Thank you," she told him. "Now, lunch."
Brett pulled his own shirt back over his head and grabbed up his bag, he took her hand as he led her down the corridors and towards the university canteen, "So, presentation after lunch then?" he questioned as he grabbed a tray and joined the back of the queue
"Yes, I'm sooo nervous," Whitney replied as she picked up a sandwich and some pasta salad. "I think I did a good job, but the instructor is tough. Very picky. I mean I can understand why, but it's still nerve-racking," she added.
"Think you did a good job," Brett echoed. "Whit, your designs are fantastic and when you have a model as charming and good-looking as me you can't possibly go wrong!" he grinned at her as he led her to their usual table and sat down.
Whitney laughed at Brett's comments and shook her head.
"Yeah, well, then I wish you were the instructor if you think that," she told him. "I'll just keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best."
She sat at their usual table and dug into her food. She was terrified, but she was also hungry.
Brett sat passively and calmly watched her eat. He could almost feel her nerves and he took her hand in his own supportively. "Chill out Whit, it'll be fine, just calm down and focus on something else," he suggested then grabbed a spoon. "Can you do this?" he challenged and attempted to balance the spoon on his nose, it fell off instantly and hit the table as he cursed and picked it up to try again.
Whitney watched him and collapsed into a fit of giggles.
"Thanks, Brett," Whitney said and put a fond hand on his arm. "That helped a lot, you have no idea."
She leaned over and gave him a swift kiss before turning back to her lunch.
"If the instructor wasn't so picky it wouldn't be so nerve-racking," she told him and took a bite of her sandwich.
Brett grinned at her ad twirled the spoon in his hand as he watched and listened to her. He held in a groan when he mentioned her instructor again. He passed her the spoon. "You try," he demanded.
Whitney chuckled and put her sandwich down and took the spoon.
"Fine," she said. She took the spoon and held it to her mouth and gently breathed on it and stuck it on her nose. She looked at him and raised her eyebrows at him, her expression slightly smug.
Brett gaped at her for a moment then sat with his arms folded against his chest as he waited for the spoon to fall. When it didn't he scowled and swiped at it so it fell on the floor. He sniffed and looked down at his plate of pasta and began to eat grumpily.
Whitney gaped at him and barked out a laugh.
"You wanted me to do it," she defended and bent down to pick up the spoon from the floor. She put it on the table and looked at Brett and reached over to touch his hand.
"Are you really mad at me?" she asked him, slightly worried.
Brett grouched at her "How is it that you can do that and I can't?" he grumbled gesturing to her nose where he had knocked the spoon off.
Whitney chuckled. "It's hardly difficult," she told him. She picked up the spoon and put a gentle breath on it and stuck it on Brett's nose. She moved her hand away carefully, watching to make sure the spoon didn't fall off right away.
She smiled as the spoon stayed on.
"There, see, it worked," she told him cheerfully and picked up her drink and took a sip.
Brett looked down his nose to see the tip of the silver metal, making himself go cross-eyed. He twitched his nose slowly and grinned when the spoon stayed put. He beamed at her and looked up, the sharp motion causing the spoon to fall off he frowned but picked up the spoon defiantly and copied what she had done and successfully got it to stay on his nose. He grinned broadly at her.
"See, you just have to make sure you steam up the spoon when you breathe on it," she told him and gave his shoulder a playful shove.
"Now, are you ready to be my super fashion model or what? Because lunch is finished and it's time for my presentation."
Brett took the spoon off his nose and grinned at her as he held it in his hand. "Hang on, Hang on!" he said and started messing with his hair, using the back of the spoon as a mirror.
Brett put the spoon back on his tray and grabbed up his bag, "I'm ready, Come on."
Whitney led him back to her class and handed him the shirt to change into as everyone else filed in with their models. When Brett was ready, Whitney sat down with him next to her and waited for her turn.
Whitney breathed a sigh of relief when it was all over. She gave Brett a quick peck on the cheek for his help and waved at him as he left.
Brett smiled winningly at Whitney, she was nervous again. He reached out and held one of her hands. She would be fine. Her designs were amazing and from what he could see on the other models her grade would be better than most of these.
Whitney handed Brett back his own shirt to change back into so he could leave. She waited nervously as she handed the shirt to her instructor and waited while he looked it over meticulously.
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"Sure, lemme talk to Mum, wil txt bac in a bit x"
Molly sent off the text and snapped her phone shut. She wandered into the front room and took her seat next to Alex who held out her arm. Molly snuggled into her Mum's side and sighed. She smiled as Alex absentmindedly played with her hair, Sam cradled in her other arm. "Are you alright Molls?"
Molly looked up and nodded. "I'm fine Mum, really, stop worrying". Alex smiled down at Molly and kissed her forehead. "I can't help it Molls, you're my little girl."
Molly chewed her lip for a moment then looked back up at Alex. "Muuuuummmmm?" Alex raised a sceptical eyebrow and stared down at her. "Molly?" she knew that tone of voice. Molly smiled. "Can I go and meet up with Peter? Please?" she gazed pleadingly up at Alex. Alex sighed and gave her a squeeze then let go. "I suppose so, hang on!" she said as Molly scrambled off the sofa. "Isn't he at school?" Molly grinned. "He got worried about me and skived off," she explained.
Alex waved Molly off, she was a bad influence on that boy sometimes, but at the moment Alex was just happy that Molly was safe, she watched her leave the house, eyes fixed on her phone and settled back against the sofa with Sam still held against her. "Looks like it's just you and me Sammy-boy," she sighed.
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Molly sent a text to Peter asking him where he was.
Peter read Molly's text and smiled.
"Allotments – Charlie's" he sent back and went to the park and got two teas and some chips and went back to wait for Molly.
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Ronnie finished pulling on her shoes and grinned excitedly at her sister.
"So glad I'm finally having people around today!" she cheered. She picked up JJ, as she'd taken to calling the baby, there seemed to be too many Jacks around, and went into the kitchen.
"Will you and Amy come visit for a bit?" Ronnie asked and faced Roxy. She picked up her phone and sent off a current picture of the baby to Alex with an invitation to come over.
She and Alex remained fast friends despite the fact that Jack and Gene didn't seem to get along. Ronnie was glad. It was nice to have mates apart from her sister. She would have to plan them another girly day in the salon. Maybe this time they could get Rowan and Shaz to come along. She liked the little American a great deal, but in deference to her sister and Rowan not getting along, she tried not to hang out with the woman too much.
Alex reached in her pocket for her phone and smiled at the picture message from Ronnie. She smiled, she would take Sam with her and go and visit Ronnie and her new baby. She kissed Sam's forehead and went to get him ready then she would pop round. She fired a text back."Give me an hour :D x"
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Chris rolled off Shaz with a sigh and pulled her close.
"Oh, not sure if I have the energy to go to the launderette now," he said and kissed the top of her head.
Shaz settled in his arms and chuckled softly. "Why doesn't that surprise me..." she smiled as she slid her arms around him and sighed softly.
"Well, and I've also got this amazingly beautiful woman in my arms. Am I just supposed to let go and wander out into the cold, I don't think so," he said in her ear and kissed her shoulder. "I can't seem to keep my hands off my wife," he added and chuckled before giving her a squeeze.
Shaz smiled and hugged him closer. "I suppose that's good seeing as your wife can't seem to keep her hands off you."
"Ooooo, glad of that," he remarked. "So, I'm thinking Chinese delivery for dinner," he said as he began to slide his hands over her, "what do you reckon?"
Shaz nodded. "If we get it delivered then we don't have to move," she remarked as she reached over him and picked up his jeans, she dug in his pocket for his phone and pulled it out. She settled back against him and scrolled down his contacts list until she found the number for the Chinese restaurant and smiled.
"We'll have to at least move as far as the door," he disagreed, "but that's not too bad."
Shaz smiled, "True, but if you do it then I don't have to get out of bed," she remarked with a grin.
"How did I know?" he sighed and rolled his eyes. "How long till the food gets here then?" he asked as he pulled her close.
"Well, we've got to order it first, Chris," she smiled and waved the phone. She pressed call and ordered his favourite dish and hers too. She put the phone back on the side and looked back at him. "They reckon about half an hour," she shrugged.
"Oh good, we've got plenty of time then," he said and pressed his lips to hers as his hands slid over her flesh.
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Gene stomped into the station and went straight to his office after checking with Adam that things were going smoothly. He pulled the bottle out of his drawer and poured himself a stiff drink. He really couldn't believe that Keats had gone so far as to kidnap Molly! He was unbelievably grateful to Rowan and Ray for happening upon the situation and calling Alex so they were able to help rescue the girl. He hadn't even thought to ask what they were doing there. He shook his head and thought he probably didn't want to know. He downed his drink and poured another and drank it down too before deciding the place was quiet.
He went and looked in on Rhys and Ginger and told them to call him at the flat if they needed him. There was a game on today and he intended himself and little Sammy to watch it.
He pulled up to the flat and after a quick smoke, went inside.
"All's quiet at that station today," he announced and pulled a beer out of the fridge. He looked at Alex.
"Where are you going? Me and Sammy have football to watch. It's City and United today, he can't miss that!" Gene complained.
/\\\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\\\/\/\/\\/\/\\/\\\/\/\
Molly read the text and hurried along to the allotments, she spotted Peter and smiled at him as she made her way towards him and gave him a hug. "You really shouldn't have skipped College, Pete," she chided with a grin, "But I'm kinda glad you did," she smiled and kissed him and then eyed the chips and the tea greedily.
Peter gestured her into Charlie's "house" after handing her the tea and chips he'd got her.
"I am, too," he said as he kicked back on the floor. "No one knew where you were or anything, I even asked Mr. Rimmer."
He ate several chips and then looked at her. "Can you tell me what happened? Were you sick or something? Doctor's appointment?"
Molly picked at her chips as she pondered her answer. "I...umm," she shrugged. "I guess you could say I got kidnapped," she told him. "I'm okay though, Mum and Gene found me and Gene beat up the guy that did it, it was to get at Gene anyway, some sort of vendetta I reckon," she sighed.
"Kidnapped! Jeez Molly! I don't think I'm jealous that your parents are coppers anymore if that sort of thing happens. Don't care if it was just to get at Mr. Hunt," he breathed and ate some more chips. "I'm glad you're safe now, though," he told her and put his arm around her shoulders and held her close next to him.
Molly rested her head on his shoulder and nodded. "It was terrifying which is why Mum insisted I had the day off school. I think she thinks I'm traumatised or something," she shrugged. "But I'm not, I'm fine," she ate some more of her chips and moved her head off his shoulder. "You should've seen Gene's face when they found me, I honestly believed he was going to kill the guy!"
"Yeah, I believe it. That Mr. Hunt is proper scary. But you're sure you're okay?" he asked her, his tone laced with concern.
Molly nodded. "I'm fine, Peter," she promised him again.
"So, we've the whole rest of the day, what do you want to do? We could go to mine, watch tele while it's quiet, up to you," he said and finished his chips while he waited for her answer.
Molly shrugged at him and swallowed down the last of her chips. "I don't mind. I just don't want to go home, Gene's probably got the day off and Mum'll be looking after Sam, I don't want them doing that thing where they pretend they believe me, but then I catch them looking at me every so often. Mum's done that before," she told him then nodded. "Let's go back to yours," she agreed.
Peter grinned at her and stood up. He gathered their garbage and tossed it in the bin outside before slinging an arm around her waist and walking her to his house. He led her inside and went to the fridge.
"Coke?" he asked her and held out a can.
"Pick out something to watch and I'll get some crisps," he told her.
Molly nodded and went straight to his DVD collection, she rifled through until she found one that she loved and went to set it up in the DVD player while he was busy in the kitchen.
Peter brought in a bag of crisps and the cokes and dropped onto the couch with a sigh as he put his arm around her shoulders.
/\\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\
Ronnie grinned as she read Alex's reply and then sent off the same text to Alyssa, though she thought Alyssa might be at work. She turned to Jack.
"Can you go over to the café and see if Jane could maybe throw together some sandwiches and stuff for me?"
"Your wish is my command," Jack replied and pulled his jacket back on and headed to the café.
"You going to hang around or go on back to the pub? I'd like you to stay if you want," she said to Roxy.
/\\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\
Alex looked up at him and then back down at Sam with a smile. "I was going to go and see Ronnie," she grinned at him and handed him his son. "But you can take him off my hands if you like," she said as she folded the pram back up and put it back in the cupboard. She dropped a small kiss on Sam's head then kissed Gene. "I've got my phone if you need me, enjoy the match!" she beamed before she left the flat and got into her car.
Gene waited until Alex had gone before lifting Sam up over his head and grinning at his son.
"You hear that Sammy-boy, the girls are gone, it's just us men now," he announced. He put Sam in the carrier and put it on the couch and got a bottle of juice out of the fridge. He sat down and switched on the game and tapped Sam's bottle to his beer can.
"Cheers," he said and settled back to watch the game.
/\\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\
Alyssa looked down at the text from Ronnie and could hardly contain her squeal of excitement. Her smile faded as she looked at the clock. She still had ages before she finished. She sighed sadly. "Am working :( will txt u wen I'm finished! X"
/\\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\
Roxy shook her head sadly and checked the clock on her phone "I've got to go Ron, I left Trace in charge and I'd best get back before the rush" she hugged her sister and kissed her new nephew's forehead before giving a quick wave and dashing for the pub.
Ronnie nodded and hugged her sister back, disappointed Roxy wouldn't stay. She sighed when her sister left and settled down to feed the baby. She heard her phone beep and smiled when she saw Alyssa's reply.
She gave a small smile, unsurprised by her answer.
"Looking forward to hearing from you :)" she sent back and huddled up with the baby on the couch as she fed him, waiting for Jack to get home and Alex to arrive.
/\\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\
Alex parked up outside Ronnie's and hurried to the front door and knocked on it. She had taken a detour to the shops and picked up a soft toy for the baby and box of chocolates for Ronnie and Jack. She had debated getting Ronnie some wine, but wasn't sure whether Ronnie was going to drink anytime soon so hadn't risked it. She held her gifts in the bag and waited patiently.
/\\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\
Ronnie jumped off the couch and grabbed up the handset.
"Come up, Alex," she said and then opened the flat door.
"I'm going to go to the club, get busy, leave you two to have your girl chat," Jack said and pulled Ronnie close and kissed her.
"I'll see you later, then," she said and smiled. Jack headed downstairs, giving Alex a nod and a smile as he passed her on the stairs.
Ronnie hurried to the door as she saw Alex approach and grabbed her friend into a hug.
"Thank you for coming over, I've been going quietly insane these past couple weeks. I love Jack and he's helping a lot, but I hate being too tired to go anywhere," she said. "And today, we are drinking wine," she stated decisively.
Alex smiled and pulled out the box of chocolates she had brought with her and placed them on the counter. "I hope you're going to help me eat these as well," she grinned as she put the toy for JJ on top of the box.
"So, apart from feeling drained all the time, and believe me Ron, it does get better, how are you?" she smiled. "How's Jack coping with it?"
"I'm getting there, just takes getting used to. Jack's been brilliant. He's used to being up late at night so when gets home from the club he takes care of the baby so I can get some sleep at night. I appreciate it so much that he does that," she said as she poured them both some wine. She handed Alex a glass and took a sip from her own.
"I was thinking, maybe about setting us all up another girly day at the salon. Me, you, Alyssa and maybe we could get Rowan and Shaz to come, too. It's been so long since I've had a relaxing day like that. I could use it."
Alex nodded her agreement. "I'd like that, it's been ages since I've done anything that hasn't revolved around Sam, Molly or Gene," she smiled. Alex took a sip of the wine and sighed happily. "Gene and Sam are watching the football," she chuckled. "He insists that Sam never misses a match."
"Alyssa should be round here soon, I hope, she had to work, but I invited her, too," Ronnie said and walked to the front room, bottle in one hand and her glass of wine in the other. She dropped onto the couch with a grateful sigh and put the bottle on the coffee table next to the sandwiches.
"Well, at least you've got Molly to back you up with girly programs so you won't be stuck with football all the time. Besides, you can always come round here if it's on and you don't want to hear it, you and Molly both if she's not busy and occasionally see if you can't sneak Sam away and bring him, too. We can go shopping or just sit and drink wine and talk rubbish about our men," she giggled and took another drink of her wine.
Alex grinned as she settled back in her chair and twirled her wine glass absently. "I wonder what Gene and Jack would say if they found out we were comparing them," she chuckled. "I doubt they would be impressed," she smiled and took a sip of her wine. "You know, I think I'll take you up on that offer, though it's hilarious watching Gene and Sam in front of a match. Gene tells Sam what's happening and sets him up so he can see and everything," she smiled. "It's adorable!"
"Men know we talk about them, they talk about us when we're not around so fair's fair," Ronnie chuckled and refilled their glasses before picking up a sandwich to eat.
"Ooh," Ronnie said after she'd swallowed her mouthful of sandwich. "Now that would be something to see. I mean, he's really intimidating and to see him acting like that would be priceless. I imagine Jack would do something similar if he got the chance. Who knows, maybe all us girls can get our men to be friends, and I'm thinking of your Gene and my Jack in particular."
She took a small bite of her sandwich and chewed thoughtfully before continuing. "It would be nice if we could all get together for a meal or something," Ronnie finally said.
Alex smiled "Mmmmmmmmmmm, it would be interesting. I mean, there's something about each other that they can't stand. But there has to be something, a shared like or interest that they both have," she sighed. "I'm liking the idea of a meal together, though," she agreed.
"Well, as much as I love Jack, I have to admit he doesn't have the cleanest past, from what he's been willing to admit to me anyway. I don't imagine Mr. Hunt appreciates Jack's less than savory past," Ronnie suggested.
"But I think if we work at it, we'll find something," she added with a giggle. "If nothing else, we'll just plan something and they'll have to deal with it."
She grinned smugly and picked up another sandwich.
Alex smiled in agreement as she took another sip of wine and settled back. She had to admit it felt nice to just relax and not have to worry about Sam waking up or Molly needing something.
Alex sighed. "It must be hard for her though, first she has a kid with him, then he marries and has another child with you, it stands to reason that she thinks he'll want to spend more time with the child he had with his wife," she said. "Especially because JJ is a boy, that's what every man wants isn't it, a son," she added.
Alyssa finished her wine and put the glass back on the table and grabbed up a sandwich from the diminishing pile as she curled her legs underneath her.
Ray smiled at her and started up the car. He pulled out of the car park and planned the route first in his head as he drove through the traffic pouring out of the football stadium carpark.
Ray drove her to the station first but refused to go inside, as far as he knew DCI Litton still resided there and he was in too good a mood for a run in with their old rival. He also didn't want Litton's lecherous team leering at Rowan. He showed her the outside and told her a few of the more interesting things that had happened there before deferring to the Railway Arms and taking her inside for a pint. He was delighted to see Nelson still running the bar.
Rowan followed Ray around and listened to his stories. She didn't mind that they didn't go inside, she'd had enough of police stations. She held his arm tight and enjoyed learning about his past.
He always seemed interested when she got her packets from Gem, looking at the pictures and listening to her read some of the gossip from Gem's letters. She knew after tonight she was looking forward to the possibility of taking him to where she'd grown up in Virginia, having him meet her Kin, Gem especially.
Rowan smiled as Ray introduced her to the man, Nelson, that ran the pub Ray used to go to. She liked him immediately.
She toyed with her drink, plain lemonade, beginning to get nervous about meeting Ray's mother. What was she like, Rowan wondered. He might have been rude and rough in the beginning, but he was warm and caring underneath. She didn't mind he still had rough edges, it made her love him more. He wasn't perfect and that made him wonderful. She hoped his mother would approve of her.
She didn't care if he ever married her, she didn't need it. As long as he loved her and they were together, that was all she cared about. She was nervous about telling him about the baby, though. She would wait until after the visit with his mother.
She began to wonder about dinner, the hot dog had been a long while ago. She also wondered if they were going to stay or go back to Walford tonight. If he wanted to stay over, she would suggest the B&B where she'd lived.
"What do you think about dinner soon? I'm getting really hungry," she told him.
Ray took a huge gulp of his pint and then looked at her. "We can grab something when we go and see Ma, there's always food going at hers," he grinned. "She's like you, she likes to see people eating," he explained.
Ray was glad that Rowan wanted to meet his Mum. He reckoned they would get on as he had never really brought anyone back to meet her before, well, Chris had, so had the Guv, but never a girl. He could imagine her face when he introduced her to Rowan. He hoped they would get along.
Rowan nodded and finished her lemonade.
"So, should we go now?" she asked him, making sure to hide her nerves. She didn't want him to know how nervous she was about meeting his mother.
"Oh, did you want to stay here in Manchester tonight or go back home?" she wanted to know. She smiled. "I think I'd like to stay personally."
Ray looked at her empty glass, then his half empty pint glass, he nodded at her in agreement and drained it smoothly. He grinned and waved at Nelson as he led Rowan out of the bar and back to the car. "We could stay at your B&B?" he suggested as he started up the car.
Rowan waved goodbye at Nelson, too, and followed Ray out.
"Yes, we could," she agreed.
Ray pulled up outside his Mum's home and smiled at the familiar sight. The tiny, neatly tended garden out front was almost exactly as he remembered with the Garden Gnome still next to the front door. He grinned at Rowan as he climbed out the door and locked it behind him. There had been a feeling in the car he had picked up and knew that she was more nervous than she would admit. He took her hand and pulled her against him in a hug. "Don't worry, Ro, you're the first woman I've ever brought home," he confessed. "She'll love you," he smiled and kissed her softly. He tugged her hand and led her up the little pathway to the front door and knocked on it sharply.
Rowan sighed as Ray pulled her close. She looked up at him and gave him a braver smile than she felt. She blanched at his confession, the first one he'd ever brought. No pressure then. She held his hand tightly as he led her to the door.
A small silver haired woman appeared wiping her hands on a tea-towel that was tucked in the front pouch of the floral patterned apron she wore. "Heya, Mam," Ray grinned at her and her face broke into a smile as she held out her arms. "Ray Carling, you come here and give your poor old Mam a love!" she demanded and Ray wrapped his arms around the woman in a bear hug.
He pulled back and let his mother go and she looked over him critically. "Look at you!" she exclaimed. "You, young man, are wasting away!" she shook her head as she patted his belly and then frowned at his hair. "And you need a hair cut!"
Ray shook his head at her. "Nah, Mam, it's fine. Besides I brought someone to meet you," he grinned and slid his arm around Rowan's waist as he encouraged her to step forward. "Mam, this is Rowan, Ro, this is my Mam, Margaret."
Margaret waved her hand in the air dismissively. "Call me Maggie dear, Margaret is far too posh and formal!" she smiled and reached for Rowan's hand and shook it. "Pleasure to meet you dear," she beamed and the frowned again. "What are we all doing still outside! Get yourselves inside, I'll put a pot on and you can tell me all about yourself, Rowan," she smiled as she retreated back inside and hurried to the kitchen.
Ray chuckled as he shut the front door behind Rowan. "I can smell sausage rolls," he murmured to her as he took her hand and squeezed gently.
Rowan's eyes widened and she rolled her lips under her teeth to keep from laughing at the woman's comments to Ray.
She smiled and shook the woman's hand back. "Nice to meet you, too, um, Maggie," she said.
She turned to Ray and chuckled. "I bet you could smell them down the street," she teased him, she knew how much he loved sausages. She squeezed his hand back and held to it tightly as she went with him to the kitchen. She looked around at the kitchen and smiled.
Ray took his seat at the kitchen table and watched his mother fuss around with the teabags. He looked at Rowan and gestured that she pull up a chair and grinned at his mother as she set a pot of tea down on the table and 3 mugs with the jug of milk. Maggie surveyed her son and then got a plate of sausage rolls and a few smaller plates too. She sat down opposite her son and Rowan and smiled at them as she made herself a mug of tea. "Now, tell me everything that's happened since Gene took you all to London with him! I want to know everything that's happened since last time I saw you."
Ray launched into a story about the more interesting and worth knowing things that had happened since he had moved to London, including details about Chris and Shaz and Alex and Gene and how Gene now had a son. He then looked over at Rowan and explained to his mum all about how they had met and finished with how they were living together and it was going along nicely.
Rowan hurriedly sat down and unzipped her jacket, but left it on. She poured herself and Ray some tea and fixed his the way he liked it as she listened to him talk. She liked listening to his stories and loved the sound of his voice. She never got tired of it.
She felt a little nervous when he told him mother about them, she wasn't sure how his mother would feel about it. She knew some people could be a bit, stuffy, about such things.
Maggie beamed at him and turned her attention to Rowan. "So, Rowan, you own a restaurant?" her eyes sparkled in amusement. "Then how is it that my son is practically skin and bone?" she asked with eyebrows raised. Ray cleared his throat and shot his Ma a scowl. "I am not skin and bone, Mam," he retorted. Maggie frowned at him. "Ray, look at you," she gestured towards his middle again and then turned back to look at Rowan.
Rowan swallowed and smiled weakly and nodded at his mother's question.
"Yes, I do, and he eats a lot, but um, he...he does get a lot of exercise," she said and then looked at Ray. "I love him the way he is," she said and then blushed and took a sip of her tea. Her fingers strayed to her mother's bracelet as her nerves threatened to take her over. At least his mother didn't seem bothered by the fact that Rowan was American. Small favors. She realized she'd been silent too long. "Everyone likes my Mexican food," she added lamely.
Maggie grinned at Rowan and nodded at her. She seemed nice enough and judging by the way Ray kept looking at her, he loved her, too. Maggie had guessed that when Ray had turned up with her, he never brought women home. She was just glad that Ray was happy. "I've never tried Mexican," she smiled. "There isn't anywhere around here," she added and took a sip of her tea.
Ray looked from Rowan to his Mum and back again. He munched his way through a sausage roll and then took a gulp of his tea. He looked back at his Mum. "You should try Rowan's bangers and mash Mam, it's great" he smiled.
Maggie nodded at him then turned back to Rowan. "Well, if you own a restaurant I'd say your cooking has to be good dear," she remarked.
"It's um, one of my most popular theme nights," she admitted. "There aren't a lot around anywhere it seems. So I generally have to make everything from scratch, I don't mind, though. I love to cook."
Rowan blushed at Ray's comment. "Thank you," she said.
"People tell me I am, I just do my best. Granny Emmeline and my mother taught me how to cook. They were both really amazing cooks. I'm not nearly as good," she admitted.
"My sausage rolls aren't nearly this good," she added. She wished her stomach would calm down. She had thought her nerves might have settled by now. Ray's mother didn't seem to dislike her so things seemed to be okay.
"I'd be happy to cook for you anytime," she offered.
"Thank you dear, but I've had plenty of practice," Maggie smiled and then nodded at her. "I'd like that," she agreed and continued to study Rowan over the rim of her mug as she took another sip.
Ray raised his eyebrows at Rowan, why was she still nervous? He casually slipped a hand under the table and took hers. He squeezed gently and held it as he took a sip of his tea. "So, Ma, what's been happening around here?"
Maggie looked away from Rowan and directed her gaze at Ray. "If you'd been here instead of London then you'd know wouldn't you!" she accused with a smile. Ray grinned. "If I'd been here instead of London then I wouldn't have met Rowan," he countered to his mother's amusement and she smiled with a nod of her head. "Touché," Maggie put down her mug. "Nothing much, that old bat Evelyn has been getting on my nerves though!" she grouched with a jerk of her head to indicate next door. "I swear, if she let's that ivy of hers grow over my fence once more I will not be held responsible for the consequences!" she finished sourly. Ray chuckled, "Mam, you can't blame the woman, she must be almost 80 by now!"
Maggie glared at him. "If she can't keep her garden under control then she shouldn't have one!" she snapped and Ray chuckled again and turned to Rowan. "Mam and Mrs Shaw have had this feud going on for as long as they've been neighbours. The pair of them," he shot his mum a look, "do everything they can to wind each other up," he looked back over at his mum contemplatively then back at Rowan. "I think once Mam picked Tabby up in mid flow and held her over the fence, ruined Mrs Shaw's gardening gloves!" he grinned.
Maggie frowned. "She shouldn't have taken my job of doing the summer flower arrangement at the Church! Everyone knows that I do the summer arrangement," she defended and looked at Rowan "She's a jealous old bat because she knows that my flower arrangements are better than hers!"
/\\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\
"Eat some sandwiches, Jack got enough to feed an army," Ronnie said. She topped up their wine and settled back. She glanced at her watch.
"Oh, Alyssa should be here soon," she said and finally picked a chocolate from the box Alex had brought.
"So, anything terribly interesting going on?"
Alex reached for a sandwich and munched on it as she thought. "Not as such, Gene's grumpy because Ray and Rowan have gone to Manchester to watch the United/City match and he has to watch it on the TV," she grinned. "Molly's got the day off school though, she...well, she got kidnapped this morning," Alex mumbled. "An ex-colleague that wanted to get at Gene. I've never been so scared in my life Ronnie, but Molly insists that she's fine and has gone to see Peter, Gene quite rightly beat the guy to a pulp, I don't even want to know what happened to him," she shuddered. "I've never seen Gene so angry and uncontrollable before," she said softly as she cradled her glass of wine then took a larger sip and reached for a chocolate.
Ronnie let her jaw drop in shock at Alex's story.
"That's awful! But she's okay, you said, there's that at least. I remember when Roxy got kidnapped, so I can imagine how horrifying it must have been. I'm glad you got her back so quickly and well done for Gene beating him up. I don't like Jack's...um...darker side, but it's useful sometimes. Without him, I might never have got Roxy back."
She leaned over and squeezed Alex's hand.
"You are so lucky!"
Ronnie looked up as she heard the buzzer. "Oh, that's got to be Alyssa," she stood up and hit the button and opened the door to the flat so Alyssa could walk in. She went into the kitchen and got another wine glass and filled it with wine and put it on the table before sitting back down.
/\\\/\/\\\/\\\/\\/\\/\/\/\/\\/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\\
Alyssa smiled at her last customer of the day and waved at Maddie as she dashed off. She packed up all her stuff and locked up the Salon behind her as she headed to Ronnie's. She knocked on the open door as she got there and walked in.
Alyssa took the glass of wine and made her way over to sit on the sofa next to Alex.
Alex smiled at Alyssa and pointed to the food. "Help yourself if you're hungry" she said. Alyssa smiled and took one of the sandwiches from the pile. "So, what's up?" she asked as she settled back.
"Not much here, was just feeling the need for normal conversation. JJ doesn't really have much to say and Jack sleeps most of the day," Ronnie said and chuckled. "I'm not complaining, he takes care of JJ when he gets home from the club so I can sleep, but I think my brain is turning to mush."
Alyssa chuckled. "I'd be surprised if JJ could hold a conversation, you'd have a super child," she smiled. Alex grinned. "Either that or I say we call the men in white coats!" she added. "Mind you, if her brain is turning to mush I think we could forgive a few mental problems," she smiled and looked at Ronnie over the rim of her glass with a grin.
Ronnie snorted. "Glad to know my friends are so supportive," she mock-complained and tossed cushions at the both of them before bursting into laughter.
She picked up another sandwich and took a large bite and picked up the bottle of wine and checked the level.
"I think we might need another bottle," she said and held it up. "What do you reckon?"
Alyssa eyed the level of the wine and then looked at her half empty glass. "Oh definitely," she agreed with a grin and drained her remaining wine and replaced the glass on the table.
Alex nodded and turned to Alyssa. "Ronnie was thinking about another girly day at the Salon," she said. "Rowan, Shaz, Ronnie, me and you" she smiled "What d'you think?"
Alyssa beamed. "I think it's an excellent idea, we haven't done something like that in ages!" she exclaimed and turned to look at Ronnie. "When were you thinking?" she asked excitedly.
"Well, you handle the schedule," Ronnie said as she went into the kitchen and got another bottle of wine. "Does the salon have a fairly slow day coming up at all? Preferably on a day we can all go," she asked with a grin as she opened the bottle and refreshed all their glasses.
Alyssa chewed her lip as she thought "What days are we all free on?"
"Well, I can do weekends because Molly is around to take of Sam if Gene is working, and given enough warning Shaz can swap a shift," Alex offered.
Alyssa nodded. "Rowan...surely she can pull some extra staff in to manage the restaurant for a few hours on a weekend?" she mused out-loud. "If it's quiet I can get Maddie to cover the front desk, I should really hire a trainee secretary," she sighed. "They can do the desk while I do accounts and admin and stock checks and orders," she sighed but shook her head and looked at Ronnie. "What about you, Ron? When can Jack babysit JJ so you can come and get pampered?"
"Aunty Peg will babysit any time, or I can ask Roxy. There's even Jack's family I can ask. Lauren's used to babies so I can always ask her," Ronnie shrugged. "I think my time is pretty open," she grinned.
Alyssa nodded happily. "I'll find a day that's relatively quiet and check with Rowan about when she can do, she's not worming out of this one," she said slyly and glanced over at Alex. "preferably a weekend though right?" she confirmed and Alex nodded her agreement.
"Sounds fantastic," Ronnie agreed and held up her glass. "Let's drink on it," she suggested with a large smile. "It will be nice to have a big group of us. I'll even get Jane to do us some lunch so Rowan can't even have that excuse," she offered and gave a wicked chuckle as she clinked glasses with the other two and drained her glass. "Good thing I've stopped breast feeding," she remarked as she looked at her empty glass.
Alyssa and Alex drained their glasses too and Alex chuckled as she placed her glass on the table and reached for a chocolate. "Probably!" she agreed, "would not be a good idea to get JJ drunk," she chuckled.
Ronnie burst into drunken giggles.
"In fact," she said and glanced in the direction of the baby's room. "I should probably stop now before I get to the point I can't take care of the baby," she remarked and picked up another sandwich. She pushed the bottle towards Alyssa. "But some of us have some catching up to do," she said with a mischievous grin and leaned back to eat her sandwich.
Alyssa rolled her eyes melodramatically and refilled her glass then gulped down half of the contents and put the bottle and glass back on the table, she took a handful of chocolates and looked pointedly at Ronnie. "Happy now?"
"Whoo!" Ronnie cheered. "Let's see that again!" she laughed and refilled Alyssa's glass. She got up and fished her diary out of her bag.
"Okay, so we're looking at this coming weekend?" she asked and peered at her calendar. "Oh, looks like I'm free," she said and shut it decisively. "However, isn't the salon usually busy on weekends? I tell you what, I bet I could get Aunty Peg to watch both the babies," she told Alex. "Then, we could do it during the week when we know the salon is less likely to be busy," she suggested.
"And Aunty Peg is good with kids, Amy adores her. Our two are too small to crawl away from her so she'll have an easy time of it," Ronnie added with a grin.
Alyssa smiled and took another large gulp from her freshly filled glass. She nodded at Ronnie. "It is less busy during the week, and I bet the restaurant isn't so full during the week, too," she remarked with a small shrug.
Alex smiled and nodded at Ronnie. "I'm fine with that, will she be okay with Sam and JJ though? A newborn and a 3 month old? Won't it be a bit much for Peggy?"
Ronnie nodded at Alyssa. "Especially if we wait until after the worst of her lunch crowd is gone," she agreed and looked at Alex as she picked some crisps out of the bowl.
"She won't have to chase them around, which means it won't be that hard. If they were crawling and walking, I wouldn't even think of suggesting it," she replied with a smile. "Besides, Roxy will be there and can help if she gets desperate. Pat's usually hanging around too, so it will be fine," Ronnie assured her and popped a crisp into her mouth.
Alex nodded. "Ask her and let me know, if she doesn't mind then I'm fine with it," she smiled.
Alyssa dug in her handbag and pulled out her laptop, she fired it up and opened her copy of the appointment sheet. She scanned down it and looked up. "We have a free afternoon on Thursday," she smiled. "If you two, Shaz and Rowan are okay with it then I can book us all in for then," she offered.
"I'll call her tonight," she told Alex and turned to watch Alyssa.
"Thursday sounds good to me," Ronnie said with a nod. "I'll call Jane and sort us some food if you want," she offered and ate some more crisps.
"That would be good," she agreed. "And like you said, saves Ro from doing it," Alex smiled.
"We, that is, Alex and I, were also thinking of us all getting together for dinner some night. Maybe with your Jack there, my Jack and Gene will be civil to each other."
Alyssa's nod was couple with a shrug. "Gene is one of my Jack's best friends, if something did start then I couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't take sides," she sighed. "It's a good plan though," she agreed.
Ronnie listened to Alyssa thoughtfully. "I'm hoping that with Jack's experience moderating disputes so to speak, he might keep them civil with each other. Failing that, I suppose we can tell him to just give them both a good beating and make them sit in the corner until they behave," Ronnie suggested and burst into laughter.
Alyssa giggled wildly and tried not to spill her wine as she tried to get herself back under control. "What an image, can you imagine the pair of them on the bottom step because they've been naughty!" she laughed.
Alex felt the laughter hit her and she clutched a cushion to her stomach.
Alyssa had to put the wine glass down as she doubled over and her giggles came quick and fast, she panted for air as they finally subsided and she fell backwards into Ronnie's sofa with a small chortle.
"I think your Jack would do it, too," Ronnie howled. "He'd get those two in line double quick," she added and bent over to clutch her stomach as it began to ache.
Alex brushed the tears away that had leaked down her cheeks and reached for her wine glass as she calmed. Her head swivelled and she raised her eyebrows. "JJ must sleep like a rock, as much noise as that would have woken Sam," she commented.
"Well, I read in this book that it's good to get them used to background noise so you can live normally when the baby's asleep. I always make sure the TV is on or the radio or something, not really loud, but not quiet either. And he cries loud enough I have no trouble hearing him over anything," she said with a chuckle and made a face as the baby began to cry on cue.
"I should have known it would happen any minute now," she said with a grin and got up to fetch the baby from his room. She carried him in and set a bottle to warming before coming back into the front room with him. She put his carrier up on the couch and put him in it.
"He's sleeping longer all the time. I can't wait until he can sleep all night. Maybe then Jack won't work so late and we'll get some quality time," she said. "If you know what I mean," she added and wiggled her eyebrows.
Alyssa giggled again but stifled her laughter as best she could by taking another gulp of wine.
Alex grinned and nodded her agreement. "It is one of the perks of having a baby that sleeps all night, I get to..." she paused and chose her words carefully, "enjoy Gene," she smiled and sipped her wine slowly. She glanced over at Alyssa who was still laughing and raised her eyebrows. "So when are you and Jack planning of having kids?"
Alyssa calmed herself down and shook her head. "We've never discussed it but I don't want children," she said with a small shrug. Alex nodded and smiled. "Then you won't have to worry about losing out on any quality time," she grinned.
"I don't mind it. When we do spend time together, Jack is verrry attentive," Ronnie grinned. "I think he's marking days off on the calendar, but I don't know where he's hidden it so I can't be sure," she chuckled.
She got up and fetched the baby's bottle and checked it before bringing it over to feed the baby.
"I'm more worried about Roxy. She thinks Jack won't spend as much time with Amy now that he has a son. I've told her that's rubbish. Jack dotes on Amy, but she won't listen," Ronnie said with a sigh.
"But Amy is totally Daddy's girl and Roxy has JT now who also dotes on Amy so she hardly needs to worry," she said dismissively and waved her hand. She finished feeding JJ and looked at Alyssa and Alex.
"So, who wants to hold the baby while I call Aunty Peg and ask her about watching the kiddos so we can have our day," she grinned.
Alyssa immediately shook her head and grabbed another sandwich. Alex watched Alyssa then shook her head and lifted JJ out of his seat and held him gently as she leant back into the seat. She smiled as she traced a finger down his face. "He's adorable, Ronnie," she smiled and looked at Alyssa. "Sure you don't want to hold him?" she asked. Alyssa shook her head. "Positive," she confirmed and nibbled on the sandwich.
Ronnie looked at Alex at Alyssa's comment but said nothing.
"Hi, Aunty Peg, yes, I wondered if you might be willing to watch JJ and Alex's son Sam for a few hours on Thursday, we want to have a bit of a girly day at the salon," she said into her phone. "Uh, huh, okay, thanks Aunty Peg."
Ronnie snapped her phone shut and grinned at Alex.
"Aunty Peg can't wait," Ronnie told her as she walked back to the couch to sit down. "And I was right, Pat will be there so there will be two of them. I think they'll handle it fine."
Ronnie caught sight of the clock.
"It's nearly 7. Jack will be home soon. He always comes home for a couple of hours before staying most of the evening at the club."
/\\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\
Gene rummaged in the fridge, there were no bottles ready. He sighed in aggravation. He had no idea how to make that stuff Sammy drank. He filled a bottle with some juice and took it in to him before going back into the kitchen to call Alex.
/\\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\
Alex smiled at Ronnie "Brilliant, that's the kids taken care of, we just need to speak to Rowan and Shaz and we are sorted" she looked back at Alyssa "You're sure you have a slot?". Alyssa rolled her eyes "Yes Alex, we have a free afternoon on Thursday, don't worry!" she smiled back. Alex smiled and then turned her attention to the newborn in her arms. She frowned in annoyance as her phone went off and she handed the baby back to Ronnie and pulled her phone out.
"Gene?" she asked in the phone curiously.
Alyssa looked up at Ronnie. "It's 7 already!" she said in surprise.
Ronnie took JJ back and hummed to him as Alex answered her phone. She glanced over at Alyssa.
"Yes, it is. Sorry, did you need to leave earlier than that?" Ronnie asked worriedly. "I lost track of time."
/\\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\
"Sammy wants feeding and I don't know the first thing about sorting out this stuff you feed him. I've given him one of those biscuit things and some juice, but I don't know how long it will last," he told her gruffly.
Jack sighed as everyone finally left his office. He tiredly picked up his phone and called Alyssa to let her know he'd be home soon.
/\\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/
A knock on the door pulled Max from his reverie. He looked over at Lauren and Abi. "You expecting anyone?"
The girls shook their heads and looked back at the TV. He sighed and got up and opened the door and felt his jaw drop.
"Davina?"
"Hi, I found myself missing you. My job in France is done and I thought the first place I wanted to come was here to see you," she told him with a smile.
Max closed his mouth and stood back to let her inside.
"It's good to see you," she purred and put her suitcase down quickly so she could snake her arms around his neck and kiss him.
Max looked at Davina in surprise after she broke off the kiss.
"Aren't you glad to see me?" she asked him. He smiled.
"Yes, actually, I'm very glad to see you. How long will you be here for?"
"I'm not sure just yet. I have to return some emails on some other job offers, but at least a week or so."
He nodded. She pressed against him so he was backed up against the wall. "I'd like to stay here with you, if you want me to," she breathed.
"Yes, you're more than welcome to stay. I'd like that," he replied and kissed her again. "I'll take your case up to my room. There's pizza in there and a bottle of wine is open in the kitchen if you want some. Help yourself."
"Thank you," she said sincerely and went to do just that. She smiled at Abi and Lauren who looked at her, then shared a look and shook their heads in mild distaste before looking back at the TV.
/\\/\/\\\/\\/\/\\/\\/\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\/\\
Alyssa shook her head. "No, just hadn't realised it had got so late!" she smiled. "Jack should be finishing work soon, he has a meeting tonight which has probably run over again," she sighed and fumbled in her bag as her phone sounded. She smiled at the Caller ID and looked at Ronnie with a smile. "Meetings finished," she grinned and answered her phone.
"Hey, Lyss, meeting just got done so I'll be heading home soon. I'm thinking about getting pizza delivered if you don't mind, unless you're in the mood to cook. I'm knackered," Jack said when Alyssa answered the phone.
"I'll be leaving here in just a few minutes."
"No, I'm fine with pizza," she agreed. "I've been at Ronnie's since I finished work so I'll set off in a bit and meet you at home," she explained with a smile.
/\\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\\
Alex smiled. She wasn't sure how well Gene would cope with instructions down the phone. She sighed "I'll be back in a bit, if he starts crying then try singing to him," she suggested. "I'm on my way," she added before hanging up.
Alex turned back to Ronnie and Alyssa and embraced each of them swiftly. "I need to get back, looks like Sam's about to throw a tantrum and Gene can't sort out his formula," she sighed and looked back at them after dropping a kiss on JJ's head. "Lemme know about the Salon, okay?" she smiled then waved at them as she left and climbed into her car.
/\\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\\
Alex pulled up outside her home and locked the car before going inside. She smiled and kissed Gene's cheek as she took Sam from him and balanced the infant in her arms as she set about making his food, showing Gene what she was doing as she went.
Once Sam had a bottle made up she looked at Gene. "So, how was the match?" she asked as she gave Sam the bottle. She glanced around and listened carefully for any other noise. "Molly back?"
/\\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\\
Molly checked the time, they had got through 3 movies, the chips, some chocolate Peter had found and multiple bags of crisps and biscuits. Molly was feeling a lot better and she sighed as she realised it was probably time to be making her way home. She kissed Peter and thanked him before making her way home.
Gene put the phone down. Sing? She had to be taking the piss if she expected him to sing. That wasn't going to happen. He went back into the front room and watched Sammy happily gnaw on the biscuit thing. At least he'd stopped crying. He looked up as Alex came in and smiled.
He watched what she did, but had no intention of remembering how to do it.
He snorted in disgust at her question. "Match was a bloody draw," he griped. "No, she's not. I've not heard anything from her at all."
Alex sighed. "She's probably still with Peter, I'll give her a call in a bit," she said as she handed Sam back to Gene and grabbed some potatoes from the vegetable basket and got started on peeling them.
Molly pushed open the front door and smiled at Gene as she spotted Sam in his arms and glanced over at Alex as she went to say hello to her baby brother. Alex looked over her shoulder as the front door shut and smiled at Molly. "Heya, Molls."
Molly smiled at her Mum. "Helllooooooo," she beamed back as she left Gene and Sam and went over "Whatcha cooking?" she asked.
"Shepherd's pie.
/\\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\\
"Okay, see you soon then, love you," Jack said and closed his phone. He tidied up his desk and headed to his car, sending a text to Alyssa that it would be just as quick to pick the pizza up as have it delivered, so he would be picking it up.
/\\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\\
Ronnie watched her friends go and then began to tidy the flat before settling on the couch again and cradling the baby.
/\\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\\
Alyssa smiled and glanced briefly at the text before giving Ronnie a hug and leaving her flat, she said a brief hello to Jack Branning as she passed him going into the flat and walked the short walk across the Square to her home. She dumped her stuff in the lounge and went to the kitchen, she got out a couple of plates and a beer for Jack when he got in, after a moment of contemplation she decided that she had had enough wine for one evening and got herself a glass of coke and then got out the appointment book for the Salon and added their group session.
Alyssa pulled out her phone and sent off a text to Rowan. "If you've got plans on Thurs afternoon then CANCEL them, I've changed them :) xx"
/\\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\\
Declan pulled up in front of the house and parked. He looked at the number on the house and then checked his phone again with a nod. This was the address his cousin Jack had texted him. He glanced at his watch and muttered a soft curse. He'd promised to be here an hour ago. He hoped they wouldn't be put out by his being late. Declan was normally on time, a trait he and his cousin shared, apart from their looks.
He climbed from his car and adjusted his coat before heading to the door and knocking.
Jack sat on the chair by the counter of the pizza place and yawned. He rubbed at his eyes and glanced at his watch as he craned his neck to see if the pizzas were ready. He yawned again and felt something niggling at the back of his mind. Something was happening today. He rubbed his hand through his hair and tried to remember.
/\\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\\
"You all right now?" Gene wanted to know. He looked at Molly. She seemed fine, but it was hard to tell. At least Keats hadn't had her long enough to do anything to her. And either he hadn't known about Sammy or he hadn't wanted to chance taking the baby as well, which relieved Gene greatly. If he'd had to worry about them both, he wasn't sure he could have handled it.
Molly turned back to Gene and rolled her eyes. "I swear, everyone keeps asking me that and every time I give the same answer!" she sighed in an exasperated tone. "I'm fine Gene, honestly, I feel great!" she assured him and then narrowed her eyes at him. "How are you?" she shot back at him critically, earning herself a snort from Alex.
Gene looked at her.
"I'm angry and I'm tempted to go and get Keats from where I left him and tear him to pieces," Gene muttered darkly. He pushed Sam into Molly's arms, grabbed his coat and stalked outside to smoke.
Molly gulped and gave her Mum a worried glance as Gene marched out of the flat. She bounced Sam gently and took him to the front room as she started to sing him a nursery rhyme.
Alex watched Gene go and dusted off her hands as she wondered whether it was better to go after him or let him calm down on his own. But she didn't want him to go after Keats, mostly because she didn't want him getting hurt or arrested for murder no matter how much she hated Keats. She put down her spoon and peered around the door. He was still here, she sighed in relief and touched his shoulder lightly. "Gene? Please don't do anything stupid," she pleaded.
Gene glanced at Alex.
"I'm not going anywhere. Just let me smoke, woman," he growled and turned away from her. He'd got Keats out of his mind until Molly had asked that question. He sighed and took another drag.
"I promise," he added finally with a glance back at her.
Alex nodded, he wanted to be left in peace. She left the door on the latch for him and went back to her cooking.
Gene chained another cigarette and hoped Keats had drowned. He deserved it for what he'd done, even if his memory of all the events was hazy and mostly missing. He knew deep down Keats deserved it.
/\\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\\
Alyssa looked up at the knock on the door and frowned. It couldn't be the pizza, Jack said he was going to pick it up, she didn't think she had left anything at Ronnie's and if she had then surely Ronnie would've text her. She stood up and left her laptop and the folder with the wedding plans in that she had decided to go through and went to open the door.
She smiled at the sight of Jack and gave him a quick kiss as she opened the door wider for him to get inside. She frowned slightly at the absence of pizza and raised a questioning eyebrow. "Did you decide on getting the pizza delivered instead then?" she asked curiously as she shut the door behind him.
Declan smiled as he heard the door being opened and was stuck slightly dumb by the stunning redhead that answered the door. His eyebrows flew up as she kissed him and he followed her lamely inside.
He looked at her in confusion as she asked him about pizza, then he realized, she thought he was Jack.
"What? Oh, no, I must apologize; I thought Jack told you I was coming. I'm Declan Macey, Jack's cousin," he introduced himself and held out his hand to her. "I'm sorry I'm late and I thank you for the kiss, you are quite stunning if I may say," he said to her and gave her a charming smile.
Jack finally remembered and sent off a text to Alyssa.
"Cousin arriving tonight. Might already be there waiting when you get home. Meant to say earlier but distracted by meeting. Home soon xx."
He shoved his phone back in his pocket and stood up to pay for the pizzas. He wondered as he carried the pizzas out to the car if he should have called Alyssa instead, explained that he and Declan looked a great deal like each other. No, he shook his head. Declan's wardrobe was far posher than his. She would notice the difference.
/\\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\\
Alyssa blushed as he explained and felt in her pocket as her phone went off; she rolled her eyes at the text.
"He just got here, looks exactly like you! xx" she pocketed her phone once more and looked back up.
"It's nice to meet you Declan," she smiled. "I'm Alyssa, Jack's fiancé," she told him as she motioned for him to follow her into the kitchen. She gestured for him to sit down. "He actually just informed me about you, you do know that the pair of you look identical don't you?" she asked as she opened the fridge. "Do you want a drink or anything?" she offered. She had just kissed Jack's cousin, to be fair he was the image of Jack and she hadn't known that he was coming, she could see differences though, in their personalities and fashion choices, Declan seemed more...well, posh, in both his taste in clothes and the way that he was behaving so far.
Declan smiled. "He told me about you and yes, we know we look alike, but we stopped taking advantage of it when we were kids."
He followed her into the kitchen. "I'll have a beer thank you," he replied.
"I called him the other day, told him I was going to be in London on business for a few days and he invited me round. I haven't seen him in a good three years, but we keep in touch. He invited me to stay, he said there was a spare room, but if it's not convenient for you, I'll understand. I had thought he'd already discussed it with you before he even invited me."
Jack pulled up behind Declan's flashy motor. Yes, he had arrived. He climbed from his own car and got the pizzas out and walked past to admire Declan's machine. He sighed and went to the door and fumbled out his keys.
"Hello, I come bearing pizza," he called out as he got inside.
Declan grinned and walked out of the kitchen and took the boxes from Jack.
"So, it seems you neglected to inform the lovely Alyssa of my visit," he accused.
"I'm sorry, I got so busy with meetings it slipped my mind," he said as he hung up his coat. He walked around Declan and into the kitchen and took Alyssa's hands. "I am sorry. I also said he could stay in the spare room."
He walked over to the table, picked up his beer and opened it as Declan put the pizzas on the table. Jack took a drink of his beer and then looked at Alyssa again.
"Probably should warn Whitney as well," he remarked softly and cleared his throat as he walked over to get another plate for Declan from the cupboard. He hoped Alyssa wouldn't fly off the handle at him.
"I can go stay at the B&B if it's not convenient. I don't mind," Declan told Jack.
Alyssa made to answer Declan when she heard the key turn in the front door and the familiar sound of Jacks voice. She grinned and watched Declan walk off and she reached over and into the fridge for the beer she had put aside for Jack. She raised her eyebrows at him as he came into the kitchen and couldn't help but smile at his unnecessary apology. She turned her attention back to Declan and shook her head.
"No, it's fine Declan, there's no point forking out for a room at the B&B when there's a perfectly good room here," she smiled at him then looked back over at Jack. "I just would've liked some warning before someone who looks just like you turns up and then claims not to be you, that's all," she assured him and got down an extra plate for Declan.
"I did mean to," Jack said and leaned over to kiss her cheek as she handed him his plate.
Alyssa licked her lips as she pulled one of the pizza boxes towards her and opened it, she looked over the toppings then opened the other box and studied the toppings on that one. She left both boxes open as she took a slice from each.
"So, how long are you down here for Declan?" she asked as she handed both of them plates.
"Only a couple of days, then I have to head back to Yorkshire," he explained.
"What are you doing in Yorkshire?" Jack asked in surprise.
"Living in a village and running a large estate, being hounded by my daughter and my ex-wife who won't leave. I can't tell you how glad I am to get out of there actually. The village is nice enough, the people are friendly, but the situation at home is driving me quietly mad. I'd move out, but then Ella would probably take over and I can't have that," he explained as he took a couple of slices of pizza and sat down at the table.
Jack shook his head. "How did she find you in a little village?"
"I needed her help to get the estate, so she showed up and played a little game with me, now she won't leave," he sighed in response. "Of course, Jai and Nikhil are delighted to see her and want her to stay forever," he snorted.
"Jai and Nikhil? I haven't seen them in I don't know how long. But then, they were always your mates rather than mine," Jack said with a shrug and applied himself to his pizza.
Alyssa listened interestedly as she chewed and looked between the pair of them, as far as she could see there was very little she could use to tell them apart from each other. Jack's hair was slightly shorter than Declan's but not by much, their voices were a little different too, their clothes were different. She chewed thoughtfully as she studied the pair of them and held back a chuckle. Whitney would get a shock when she walked in.
"So what do you do that brings you down to London?" she asked curiously.
Whitney sighed and propped her chin on Brett's chest.
"I should get home now, I've not packed to stay over and I can't miss school tomorrow," she sighed and climbed out of bed and began to get dressed. She sat back down on the bed after she was finished and looked at Brett with big eyes.
"I don't suppose you would be willing to drive me home? It will take ages on the tube," she pleaded. "You can just drop me off...please?"
She smiled.
Brett sighed and sat up. He looked over her and nodded wearily. "I suppose I could," he answered as he clambered off the bed and threw on a pair of comfy tracksuit bottoms and a loose top. He fished his keys out of his coat pocket and nodded to the front door with a grin. "Come on, then," he chuckled at her.
Brett drove Whitney back to Albert Square. He pulled up outside Jack's house and his gaze was instantly caught by the flash car outside. "Who's is that?" he asked as he looked at it through the windscreen and looked over the car appreciatively.
/\\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\\
Jane put the last container in the carrier bag and set off for Max's house. She hoped he and the girls would be surprised by her bringing round this dinner. It would be nice to have a quiet dinner with her friend and his kids. With Peter working all the time or at school or with Molly, she was getting bored eating alone and so dropped in at least once a week with a nice dinner to eat with Max.
It had become a tradition that she looked forward to now, and she thought he did, too.
She knocked on the door and waited.
Lauren heard the knock at the door and looked over at Max and Davina sitting at the table and talking and got up and went to get the door.
"Oh, hi Jane, how are you?"
"I'm fine, how are you? I brought dinner," she announced with a smile.
"Oh, well, um, okay, come in," she said uncertainly. She liked Jane, and maybe that blond cow would leave if Jane were here.
"Hey, Max, I brought dinner..." Jane began and trailed off when she saw him sitting, drinking wine and eating pizza with a lovely blond woman. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know you had company. Thought it was our weekly buddy dinner," she stammered.
"Sorry, Jane, I forgot. I thought the girls would remind me," he said by way of apology as he walked over to her. Abi looked up at her father in disgust about to correct him, she and Lauren had in fact reminded him, but he silenced her with a look.
"Then this mate of mine stopped in for a visit and well, you know," he finished. "Come sit down and have some pizza."
"Yeah, sure, I know. Sorry, no, I won't stay, I'll catch you next time. Give us a text okay?" she smiled to cover her embarrassment and hurried out the door, shutting it firmly behind her. She huffed out an annoyed breath. She should have known better. She looked sadly down at the food and headed for the pub. She needed a drink after that.
