Wow! Don't think I've ever gotten that many reviews in one night : Thankyou guys! :D Enjoy :) X
Martin, kate and Maddie were all sat on the sofa. Since Lauren had walked out a week ago, they hadn't heard from her since. Maddie practically blamed herself, however Kate and Martin had managed to calm her down before she did anything stupid.
'What if she's lying face down in a ditch?' asked Maddie, as they watched The Big Reunion. Martin looked down at her, as she was lying on his chest.
'Maddie, you can't think that. Remeber when she turned up here and stayed out all night?' he asked. Maddie looked up at him.
'Martin, that was the first two nights, in the first week she came up here. After that, she stopped. I'm terrified theres going to be a knock at the door and its the police with news that she's dead'
'Right, Maddie listen to me... Lauren is going to be fine. She'll get in touch if she's in trouble' Kate reassured Maddie. Maddie looked at Kate and sighed.
'Fine. But if she doesn't answer her phone tomorrow... I'm calling the police...' said Maddie, before settling down and watching the tv...
Max was sat downstairs, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He was looking through the music selection for Lauren's funeral, which was tomorrow. He had to get the music selection in by ten that morning. He heard footsteps on the stairs and Abi appeared in the doorway.
'Dad? Its 3:45am? WHat are you doing up at this time?' she asked
'Can't sleep. Can't stop thinking about tomorrow' sid Max, drinking the last of his whiskey before pouring himself another glass, but Abi stopped him.
'Is that a good idea?' she asked,raising an eyebrow at her Dad, as she put the whiskeyy and the glass on the cabinet. Max chuckled.
'I guess not. I never thought I'd be doing this' said Max, as Abi sat down.
'Doing what?'
'Burying two of my children before I'm gone' said Max, his eyes filling with tears
'Dad... It'll be okay. You've got me and Oscar... and Mum' said Abi, putting her hand over Max's and squeezing it tightly. Max smiled.
'I know I don't say it often enough, but I'm so proud of you, Abs. Through out everything and escpeically last year...'
'Oh, Dad' said Abi, feeling tears trickle down her cheeks. Max pulled her in for a hug, both of them crying together. A few minutes later, Abi pulled away.
'Come on, budge up. Let's have a look...' said Abi, as she helped her Dad search for music...
Later that morning, Tanya woke up to an empty bed. She frowned and grabbe dher dressing gown, heading downstairs. She walked into the living room and smiled at the sght. Max and Abi were fast asleep at the table, the CD resting on top of the laptop, ready to be sent off.
'Max! wake up!' said Tanya, shaking him. Max yawned and slowly woke up, rubbing his eyes
'Morning. Ready for today?' he asked. Tanya shook her head
'Yuo'd better get that Cd off to the parlour. It's eight, so you have plenty of time' she said, trying to keep her emotions in check. Max nodded and, in his clothes he fell asleep in, rushed out of the front, the CD clutched in his hands. Tanya sat down in the seat Max had vacated and woke up Abi.
'Ab? Darling, come on. Time for breakfast' said Tanya, watching as Abi groaned and woke up.
'What time is it?' she asked, rubbing her eyes
'Quater past eight' answered Tanya. Abi nodded and dragged herself into the kitchen, to make a coffee. Tanya watched her and her eyes fell on picture of Lauren and Abi, first night Lauren was allowed from The Priory. The tears fell fast as she started to grieve...
The whole Square had gathered to say goodbye to Lauren. Lucy and Whitney clinging to each as they grieved for their best friend. Even though they hadn't exactly been there for Lauren when she needed them, Lauren was still their best friend no matter what. They watched as Max, Tanya, Cora, Abi and Oscar got into the car behind Lauren's coffin, with Alice, Jack and Sharon in the other car with Carol. As they entered the chruch, Max and Jack as the coffin holders, Max felt a scense of deja vu. He had already buried Bradley here and now he was doing the same with Lauren. He felt his leg weaken a tiny bit, but managed to stay upright. As they set the coffin down, he felt Jack put an arm round him and lead him to his seat, next to Tanya.
'We are here today to rememeber the life of Lauren Branning...' the voice of the person doing the funeral fading out in Alice's ars as she tapped Abi on the shoulder.
'Where's Joey I thought he'd be here?' she whispered
'I thought so too...' Abi whispered back. Alice frowned, deep in thought at why her brother hadn't shown up. A few minutes later, Abi was called up to the podium to give her speech what she had written.
'I didn't really know what to say, until late last night..' she cleared her throat and began her speech.
Lauren,
Although you may be another star in the sky now
I just want you know that I'm forever gratefully that you were my big sister. You were the one I could talk about boys and problems I was having at school, or excuses to skive. I remmeber when we were little, you used to say that no matter what happens when we get older, we'll always be together. The unbreakable twosome, she used to call us.
Even though you're gone now, you'll never be gone in my memories, or my thoughts or my dreams. I'll make sure that my kids will know all about their Auntie Lauren, a special star in the sky.
Say hi to Bradders for us and I hope you'll watching down over me and Oscar from above
I love you, forever and always
Your Abster
Abi finshed her speech with tears flowing down her face. She clutched the poduim as her legs became weak. She felt arms wraps round her waist and helped her back to her seat. She hugged Jay tightly, as she grieved for her sister...
After the main service, The Brannings and Carol headed for the burial site. Oscar created when Max told him to go with Bianca. Either Oscar was young, he knew what was happening and wanted to say a final farewell to his big sister. Abi hugged her brother to her hip and smild at how grown up he was been. As the coffin was lower to ground, the soil was passed around.
'Bye, Lauren darling. Miss you' said Max, before throwing it on top of the coffin
'Goodbye my darling' said Tanya, blwoing a kiss to the coffin with her other hand
'Goodbye, Lauren. Love you' said Abi, hrabbing the soil with a shaky hand and scattering it gentlyonto the coffin. Just as she was about to pass the soil to Oscar, his shout made her jump.
'LOZZA! LOZZA!' he screamed. Max and Tanya frowned at Oscar and whipped round as Oscar shot off running down the field. Standing on the concrete path, just within earshot of the Brannings, was Joey and Lauren...
R&R :D X