Chapter 4
Back inside the pub, Tanya and the rest of the Branning's tried to process what had just happened with Lauren and Joey.
'Why would Lauren do that? They've gotten on so well since he arrived here?' said Tanya
'Maybe they've had an argument over something?' answered Abi
'We should go and check on them' said Tanya, getting to her feet
'No, let them sort it out. They're responsible adults, Tanya' said Derek, putting an arm out to stop her. Tanya looked at Max, who nodded and she sat back down, hoping nothing bad had happened...
Behind the car lot, things were getting heavy with Lauren and Joey. Lauren's leather jacket was on the floor and her checked black and white button up top was hanging halfway down her arms. Lauren felt Joey's hands slide down her back and under her shirt, her own hands messing up his hair even more, while keeping him as close to her possible. Suddenly, Joey's phone went off, shattering the moment. They pulled away from each other, reluctantly and Joey fished his phone out of his pocket. He groaned as he looked at the caller I.d.
'Hi Luce.. What's wrong?... Yeah okay.. Is your Dad there too?... Yeah I was just wondering that was all... okay have a nice time... bye' he said, hanging up and turning back round to see Lauren watching him.
'Luce and Ian are staying in Devon for a week with Peter, so I have the house to myself... If you want to go back... if you want to' said Joey. Lauren's face expression was unreadable.
'Lauren?' said Joey, concerned.
'Luce... my best friend... Your her boyfriend.. Your my cousin. Oh god-'
'Lauren, listen to me. It's okay. It'll be ok, I promise. We'll make it work' said Joey, gripping her arm gently, locking their eyes together
'But our families... they'll tear us apart' said Lauren, her eyes slowly filling with tears.
'Hey, come on. They won't and even if they try and spilt, they won't. I promise you that' vowed Joey, gently caressing her face with pads of his thumbs. Lauren smiled and kissed him. She pulled back, a glint in her eye
'So... about that offer?'...
The next morning, Abi was woken by her alarm. She groaned as she got out of bed and got ready for school. However, she stopped when she noticed Lauren's bed hadn't been slept in.
'MUM!' shouted Abi, rushing downstairs to her mum. She burst into the kitchen and saw her mum making breakfast.
'Mum. Lauren's bed hasn't been slept in...' she said. Tanya looked up.
'What?'
'her bed hasn't been slept in!' said Abi. Tanya paled. The last time this had happened, Lauren had gone on a night out with Lucy and ended up in hospital.
'It's alright, darling. She'll be home soon. When she is, I'll ask where she was' said Tanya, calming herself down. Abi thought about staying, but decided and it and rushed upstairs to get ready...
Meanwhile, over at Lucy's house, Joey was just waking up. He blinked and looked round, then saw Lauren sleeping with her bed towards him. He smiled and moved closer to her, wrapping an arm round her waist and pulling her towards him, been careful not to wake her. He smiled as she mumbled something in her sleep, then he rested his on his pillows again and slowly fell asleep again...
It was around noon when Lauren resurfaced to world. She yawned and turned over, Joey watching her.
'Morning, sleepyhead'. Lauren giggled
'Morning, yourself' she answered back. Joey stroked her face tenderly. He had had girlfriends before, but he had never felt like this before. A new bucket load of feelings had been unleashed and he was certain they weren't going to go away.
'Are you okay? After we...' asked Joey
'Of course I am. You don't regret it do you?' asked Lauren
'God no' said Joey without hesitation, making Lauren
'Good, because neither do I' said Lauren, before Joey drew her in for a kiss, but Lauren pulled away.
'I haven't brushed my teeth yet' she said, clamping a hand over mouth. Joey scoffed.
'Neither have.. Now come here' he said, smiling and pinning her underneath him, silencing her with a kiss...
A few hours later, Lauren walked through the front of her house a smile on her face, to be greeted by her mum.
'Where have you been all this time? And why haven't you answered your phone?' asked Tanya. Lauren didn't answer her. She swept past her mum and headed up the stairs to take a shower, leaving Tanya confused. She grabbed her coat and walked out of the front door, heading to the car lots, where Max was working.
'Max I need word. It's about Lauren' she said
'Okay. What's up?' he asked
'Lauren didn't come home last night. Her bed hasn't been slept in. And literally just now she walked straight the door and upstairs, without acknowledging me' said Tanya
'Tanya it's Lauren. What do you expect?' he asked his fiancée. Tanya didn't answer, but deep down something was bothering her.
'I suppose your right. Sorry, I just get worried about her that's all' said Tanya, giving Max a kiss on the cheek, before across to the market, deep in thought...
Hope your all enjoy it so far :D plenty more to come :D