Lauren's POV

We'd just finished packing when the taxi pulled up outside of the house.

'Lauren! Abi! Come on, we need to get going!' mum yelled from the bottom of the stairs. I can't deny how excited I was, a week in Portugal with all of my family. Yeah we argue most of the time, but this holiday will be amazing, I'll be free to do what I want!

'Mum, are we meeting the others at the airport?' Abi asked as we both reached the bottom of the stairs. Jack, Sharon, Dennis, Alice, Joey, Carol, Bi and the kids were also coming. A proper family holiday, it almost felt normal.

'Yes honey, now please hurry up. Max! NOW!' she said panicking.

'Calm down Tan, we have plenty of time' Max said as kissed her head and lead Oscar to the taxi.

We all climbed in, all way too excited and made our way to the airport.

Joey's POV

We walked into the airport, all shattered but too excited to sleep and glanced to check our times.

'We're okay for another half an hour guys, they have time' Joey said calmly

About 10 minutes later Max and his lot walked in, Lauren following them chatting to Oscar, beaming from ear to ear. She looked really nice today, I thought to myself. I shook this thought away as she walked towards Alice who was stood next to me.

'Hey Al!' Lauren said cheerily, she smiled at me sweetly as she dragged Alice away to the loo.

After a 20 minute wait we'd all checked in and had around 2 hours to wait until our flight. We all took seats in the lounge apart from Bianca, the kids and Carol who went for a walk.

'Who's coming to shop?' Lauren asked cheerily.

No one replied and her face dropped. 'I'll come?' I said smiling.

She nodded and smiled, turning around and making her way into the main airport.

'You looking forward to the holiday?' I asked breaking the silence.

'Yeah, I can't wait' Lauren replied 'Sun, sea and alcohol? What could be better?'

I looked at her sternly and chuckled. 'You be careful' I proclaimed.

She looked up at me and smiled slightly, 'Yes sir,' she mocked.

Lauren and I hadn't had much to do with each other since I arrived, I'd only been in the square around 4 months and we'd only seen each other now and again, never really feeling like family. I liked Lauren, I knew she had issues and stuff, I mean she liked to drink, but I cared about her.

We spent around an hour shopping, Lauren bought magazines, perfume, chocolate and a teddy for Oscar and I bought a watch; Lauren said she liked it, so with her approval I bought it.

'Oh my god, now nice is that!' Lauren exclaimed pointing to a bracelet, it wasn't a posh bracelet most girls would wish for but it looked like a surfer bracelet with 'hope' entwined around it. I nodded as she picked it up, tracing her fingers over the detail. I watched as she seemed mesmerised by the jewellery before placing it down and walking away. I loitered a while longer before returning to Lauren as our flight was called.

We made our way back to the others and proceeded to the plane. Lauren sat by Abi, Tanya and Max with Oscar, Bianca with the kids and Carol, Jack with Sharon and Denny and Me sat with Alice. About 2 and a half hours into the flight Lauren came over to speak with Alice. They talked for a while, then Alice left to head to the toilet.

'I hate flying' Lauren said as she sat in Alice's seat. I turned to her and chuckled.

'Not long now,' I said reassuringly, 'I'll protect you' I joked. Lauren looked up at me and giggled.

'Thanks Joey, my knight in shining armour' she laughed back.

We sat and talked for the remainder of the flight as Alice went and sat with Abi. I never really thought Lauren and I got on, we never seemed to have much in common, but as I sat and talked to her I realised we did.

'This is gonna be a good holiday' she said happily.

'Yeah I've got a feeling' I agreed. She smiled as there was an announcement to say we were about to come in to land.

'Omg I hate this bit' she said shakily.

'Lauren it will be fine, calm down, trust me' I replied looking straight at her.

Lauren's POV

I hated landing. Never liked it, I hate flying, its un-natural. As I felt us getting lower and lower I got more and more nervous. The wheels hit the floor and I grabbed Joey's hand.

He looked up at me and smiled but did nothing to let go. He placed his fingers in mine and squeezed my hand gently as we came in to land.

'See I told you there was nothing to worry about' Joey said as we slowed down, smiling.

I nodded as we came to a stop when I realised we were still holding hands. I blushed a little and let go.

'you're such a drama queen' Joey looked at me and laughed sweetly.

'Shut up you!' I slapped him playfully and laughed back.