Walford January 2014
Three hundred and thirty three days, that's 10 months and 30 days and a hell of a long time to be missing from the person you most want to be with. See everyone always says you never know what you have until its gone, but I always knew what I had, I had Lauren- the most amazing person that words can't even justify. She is my soul mate, my other half, it definitely wasn't the most conventional relationship but it worked for us. Neither of us went looking for it, it just happened, and I think that's what made it so perfect, it wasn't intended, it was fate.
But somewhere along the lines, it's fallen apart, and not because we wanted it too. Early last year, Lauren left Walford; well I say left, she was kind of forced to go. It happened so quickly, I don't know where she's gone; all I know is that she's safe, I've done everything in my power to find her, Abi, who chose to stay here with Cora, doesn't know a thing, she's just as in the dark about it as me. Something's telling me that there's more to this than them just moving away- the way they left pretty much confirmed that.
I hadn't seen Lauren for days, or heard from her, usually we would see each other every day at least a few texts, but it had been about three days and there had been no contact. It was only when Alice came home the one day and asked if I knew that Max and Tanya were moving out of Walford that something really didn't seem right.
February 2013
"What do you mean they're moving ?" Joey watched Alice roll her eyes, reminding him so much of Lauren.
"What do you think I mean, they're moving house, Leaving Walford- they want a new start apparently… haven't you seen Lauren? I would have thought she'd have told you" Alice started flitting around the room cleaning up the trail of mess left by Joey
"Is Lauren going with them?" His voice was boarding in yelling, but Alice could tell he was scared of the answer. She smiled weakly at him and sat on the edge of the Sofa.
"Sorry Joey , but ye I think she is…" Joey shrugged off Alice's hand and fled across the square.
The incessant banging on the front door, assured Max it was Joey. This was a conversation that he didn't want to be having. He opened the door seeing Joey standing on the steps a guarded stance over his body.
"Where's Lauren?" he asked getting a little impatient that his uncle wasn't talking "I said where is she?"
"She aint hear alright… she's gone out" Max bit back whilst attempting to shut the door on Joey
Joey shook his head "No she aint don't lie to me Max, I've been watching over hear all morning and she aint left the house so you either tell me where she is or I'll just come in and find her."
Lauren was lying on her bed listing to her I-pod, the music providing a much needed escape from what was going on around her. As she went to change the song she could hear raised voices downstairs. One voice undeniably Joeys. She sprung from her bed going to the door which she found to be locked from the outside.
"Dad… Let me out Please… Joey… I'm up here Joey" her calls were unanswered the radio downstairs drowning out her voice. She sunk to the floor her back against the door, how was this possibly for the best.
"Look Joey, she is not here… now id go before your dad catches you…"
"What's he done… if he's done anything to hurt her Max I'll kill him, let me see her… I need to know she's safe"
"Go Joey… Laurens safe, you two need to call it quits, We leave tomorrow and that's it done, there is no You and Lauren, she'll be safe" With that Max slammed the door shut and sped up the stairs.
He stood hearing Lauren Crying, it killed him, but he knew this was the safest option all round for everyone. "Lauren, stop crying, you'll make yourself sick… I know you don't think this is right Lauren but in the long run you will thank me and your mom" He unlocked the door slowly pushing it open. Lauren was curled in a ball in the corner holding onto a picture of her and Joey. She looked up at her dad their eyes meeting together.
"Why are you doing this to me?" she wiped the tears from her eyes "You sent him away… I need to see him"
"I told you Lauren this is for your own good, seeing him will only make it harder to leave"
"But I don't want to go… My life is here…with Joey" Max had tried to comfort her but she'd pulled away "You don't get to do that, you don't get to try and be nice to me when your forcing me to move to another country and you won't let me out my room never mind the house" The front door opened and closed, Lauren attempted a quick dart to the door but was held back by Max, who held her in a restraint long enough for the door downstairs to be locked. Tanya was soon standing in the door way of Laurens room.
"Oh baby" Tanya moved Max out of the way, she gently held Lauren against her "All this will be over by tomorrow… we can start somewhere new just like we planned."
Lauren shoved Tanya with little force out of the way and retreated to the corner where she had been previously sat. "Its never going to be over for me, there's a permanent reminder in here."
January 2014
The next day I was going to collect an early delivery at work, when I saw them getting into the car, Lauren look terrible, she was thin and pale, drenched in what was once a well-fitting jumper. It was obvious Lauren didn't want to be doing this. I shouted across to her but she was already in the car, and it was speeding around the corner. As it drove by our eyes connected, she mouthed I love you and I'm sorry, her hand pressing against the window tears pouring down her beautiful face. And that was it – the last time I saw her. Over the months my concern only grew, no one seemed to have picked up on the suspicious disappearance of lack of contact, and anytime Lauren was brought up in conversation, the subject was quickly changed. It was pretty clear I was missing something, and I'm refusing to be left in the dark about where the hell the love of my life is.
Duff duff duff…. A little dark of her being almost captivated by her own parents , the reasons will be given further on in the story… so stay tuned :) xxx
