Abi's P.O.V

I walk towards the Archers, squinting through the morning sun. Whilst strolling through the garden, I see Lola pushing Lexi in her pink buggy up the path towards me.

"Hey little Lexi!" I say bending down to her level, "having a nice walk with mummy?" As I stand up right, I stroke her cheek, and in return she gives me a wide grin. I then turn to face Lola, who's looking radiant and happy. She's been so bright and cheerful ever since she's got Lexi back, and I'm so happy for her. Lola is a good mum.

"Alright Abs?" She says, whilst smiling down at her baby.

"Yeh, just going to see Jay." I reply.

"Well 'ave a good time! Pop's is tryin' to put up a barbeque for this afternoon, so I better go give him a hand, see ya later Abs!" She says, and pushes the buggy past me down through the garden.

"Yeh, bye!" I call out after her, but I'm not sure she heard me. When I reach the Archers, I see Jay in his blue overalls working on the bonnet of a car. As he turns around to grab something from the tool box, he spots me standing there watching.

"Hey beautiful!" he says, coming over to hug me.

"Hang on a minute," I say stopping him "this is a new jumper, I'm not getting grease on this!" I exclaim, gesturing to my clothes, and then grimacing at his oily overalls.

"Well, can you promise me a hug when I get out of these?" he says cheekily.

"Maybe?" I reply, with a huge grin spread across my face. Jay always makes me smile, and always seems to erase bad thoughts from my mind. Like this morning's family argument. "Did you wanna catch some breakfast at the cafe? I mean, if your busy it doesn't matter but…" I ramble on. Jay places his palms onto my shoulders, sending a rush of heat through my body, making me forget what I was going to say.

"After I finish polishing this car's window, I'd love to go get breakfast with you Abi." He says, smiling at me. I could feel my cheeks getting hotter. He turns away, and back to the car whilst grabbing polish and a cloth. As Jay gets to work, I wander over to the desk and sit down. I fiddle with pens and a few paperclips to amuse myself. Soon bored, I look over at Jay, he winks at me as he polishes the window in big braud circles. Embarrassed, I smile down at my lap and fiddle with the hem of my jumper.

"All done!" He says suddenly, making me jump. I watch him climb out of his work clothes, and hang them up on a peg.

"Finally!" I say, grinning as he takes my hand, entwining his fingers with mine. We walk out of the Archers and through the park. I smile when I see small children running around in the sand, and baby Scarlett being pushed on the swing with Alice pulling funny faces at her. I see Jay smiling too, and I know one day, I'd love to have a family of our own. We stroll into the cafe, with Jay still holding my hand, and order breakfast.

"I'll 'ave a big English please Lucy!" he says, then glances at me, gesturing to make my order.

"um, sorry," I say, whilst looking at the menu behind Lucy's head. I scan through all the breakfast deals, written in white chalk on a black board, "I'll have the pancakes with strawberries and cream please!" I finally say.

"It'll be right over!" Lucy smiles, whilst adjusting her apron. Jay leads me to a table in the corner next to the window. I slide into the seat opposite him.

"You know your birthday's comin' up?" Jay says, placing his hands on top of mine.

"Yeh…" I say slowly, curious as to what he was about to say.

"Are you doin' anythin', like is anythin' planned?"

I think. Scrolling through all the dates in my head. Damn! Mum planned a special family meal for me. God, more arguments and more of mum's mank dinners. I'd do anything to get out of that!

"No." I lie, shaking my head and smiling at him.

"Well, I was finkin' how about a meal out? Just the two of us, I'll pay of course!" He says, and gives me a cheeky grin.

A meal out with Jay, the boy who I think of constantly, and who makes me happy. Or, a family meal filled with a load of arguments, and disgusting food? I think this is a pretty easy decision!

"I'd love to!" I say beaming. Spending the evening with Jay on my birthday sounds so much better then past birthdays. And I cannot stop smiling from the happiness I feel. Suddenly, I hear my phone ring in my bag, vibrating against my ankle. I grab my bag from underneath the table, and rummage through its contents. When I finally get hold of my phone I flip it up, and look at the screen.

1 missed call: Mum

Then, it rings again, with a loud and piercing noise. I look at jay apologetically, and answer it. "Mum?" I say, phone against my ear. On the other end I can hear mum going crazy, and I can't make out a word she's saying. "Mum, slow down, what's happened!" I say softly.

"It's Lauren!" I hear her panic. I feel a flood of dread wash over me, and in a matter of seconds, my happiness shatters.