Lauren dragged her feet as Jack tugged on her arm, pulling her behind him into the Vic. She'd thrown her hair up into a high bun and put some make-up on, but she knew she looked a state. Not enough sleep and too much alcohol probably caused that, but she couldn't bring herself to care. Ducking her head to avoid meeting anyone's gaze, she pressed herself closer to her uncle.
At the moment he was her only ally, well he and Abi but even her sister was starting to give up on her.
"Alright Rox." Jack greeted his baby mama. "Just a coke for me and Lauren?" He turned to face her. "A double vodka and orange?" she said hesitantly, rolling her eyes when she saw his face. "Joking. Jeez Uncle Jack, get a sense of humour already" he chuckled at her sarcasm. "A coke for her too please." Lauren rolled her eyes at this, her drinking wasn't even the big problem they were making it out to be. She could stop if she wanted to, she just didn't feel the need to.
Lauren tense when she heard her cousin's voice. "Uncle Jack!" Alice called across from where she was sat, lifting her head Lauren saw her sat with her old group of friends, and Joey. "I didn't know you were back." Paying Roxy and passing a glass to Lauren, Jack just smiled.
"Not been back long." Placing his hand on Lauren's lower back to guide her passed them, to a free table for them to sit at. "Just having a quick drink and catch up with my favourite niece" Lauren had to laugh at that, especially seeing Alice's face fall.
"You're my favourite uncle too" she added, grinning at him. "Ain't got much competition have I?" Seeing Alice's face Lauren felt a little bad, laughing at Derek's expense. "I dunno. You ain't rescued me from a burning building yet." She teased. "That's a point to Derek."
"You're obviously feeling better, back being a cow." Jack said, trying to keep an straight face but Lauren could see him fighting a smirk. She wasn't sure he was right, that she could be whatever he thought she could be. But he seemed to believe in her, and no-one else did, so she could at least try. "Whatever old man. Thought you wanted a catch up?"
With every few minutes that passed without something kicking off, Lauren felt herself breath more. Having been caught up on her Uncle's travels, and answering a couple of his questions in between stories from her childhood to keep things light, laughter came easily and Lauren remembered how much she missed her close bond with her Uncle.
"Another one?" Jack offered, them having already had two and having split a bowl of chips. Lauren just shrugged, not sure how much time her Uncle had spare for her. Jack rolled his eyes but stood up and headed to the bar. Waiting for Alfie to serve them, he turned to the group of young adults.
"Joe. Alice. Want to join us?" He offered, casually. "Just filling Lauren in on my visit to see your granddad." Alice was quick to agree. "I'd love to. Joey?" Joey's gaze flickered between his ex girlfriend and his sister. Jack decided to inform Joey of a small fact without actually telling him directly. "Lauren babe, orange juice again?" He asked, seeing her get up to go the the bathroom. "Yup. Please." She called over her shoulder walking off. He saw the surprise on his nephew's face and a subtle look at his watch to see what time it was. Yeah it was dinner time, and Lauren was sober. That was new.
"Sure. Okay." Jack grinned, as he turned his back, hearing Joey tell Lucy it was just a drink then he'd re-join the group.
Clutching the glasses, Jack walked back over the the table, the siblings following him, his niece not yet back from the toilet. "Sit down, sit down." He said, placing the glasses on the table. "So I've been filled in on Lauren's life" he looked directly at Joey when he spoke, seeing the younger guy not meet his gaze. "What's been going on in yours?"