We do not own Eastenders, Ashes to Ashes, Waterloo Road, Doctors or Emmerdale
Chapter 8
Jane reached the cake out and put it on a plate and handed it to Tanya.
"Well, I know she's moving out sometime today. I would guess tonight would be fine," she said with a smile. "I'll give you a better idea of time when she's finished moving her things out."
"Now, go eat your cake," she teased with a wink and turned to help Zainab who had just come in.
Tanya smiled and took the cake from Jane. She said hello to Zainab and went to take her seat in the booth she had just abandoned. She smiled as she watched out of the window, she was moving out of that godforsaken house! She wasn't sure how much longer she could have stand it. Max was driving her barmy and the girls and Oscar all there too made it seem too much like the past. The past that they were all trying so desperately to forget. Well, moving out was a good start and then she would take Ronnie and Jack's flat with Oscar and live there with her new business. She smiled as she bit into her cake. Sounded like a good plan.
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Alyssa chuckled and climbed off the bed. She went through to the bathroom and shut the door in case room service turned up while she was in the shower. She climbed under the flow of hot water.
She got out of the shower and used the hairdryer next to the sink that she had found on their first day to dry her hair. She quickly brushed her teeth then packed up both his toiletries and her own. She came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel with the two wash bags and dropped them on the bed before rummaging in her suitcase for her dress that she planned to wear today. She slid on her underwear and slipped the dress over the top then grabbed the two wash bags and put them into her suitcase as she began pulling every thing out to put it back in it in a more organised way.
Jack went around the room while Alyssa showered, ransacking the drawers, the closet and even under the bed, checking everywhere to make sure they had everything. He heard her get of the shower just as there was a knock at the door. He let room service in and signed the ticket. He made sure her things were by her case and casually tossed his things into his before sitting down to eat.
He watched her come out and begin to ransack her case.
"Sit down and eat, Lyss," he admonished.
Alyssa looked up at him and gestured to her folded clothes. "I will once I've finished packing," she told him with a small smile. Alyssa got on with arranging her clothes into her case, making sure that she had everything fitting in nicely. She zipped up her case and went over to join him with the food at the table next to the window.
Jack shook his head. Her food was going to be cold.
She sat opposite him and pulled her breakfast towards her with a smile. "So, how're the waffles?" she asked as she dug her fork into her blueberry pancakes.
"My food is fine, nice and hot," he remarked blandly and kept eating.
"And I'm sorry, but I'm picking the radio station on the way back down to London, because whatever we had on during the way here was rubbish!" she told him.
"Look, I don't care what station is on in the car, I rarely even listen to the radio when I'm driving so stop blaming me for the crap music choices when my choice is usually off," he groused at her and huffed out a breath. "Are you going to be like this the whole way home?" he asked her and eyed her as he considered his odds on leaving her behind so he could have a peaceful drive home. For someone who professed not to know how to drive, she certainly enjoyed telling him what he was doing wrong.
"I'll tell you this right now, if you don't I will tie you up, tape your mouth and you can ride home in the boot," he threatened.
Alyssa raised her eyebrows at him and shut her mouth. It often amazed her how he could be in a seemingly good mood one minute and then suddenly change and go moody. Wasn't it women that were supposed to get the mood swings? She ate a mouthful of pancake and watched him curiously. What had put him in a bad mood? Going home? She shrugged inwardly, she would keep her mouth shut on the way home. 2 and a half hours without talking? She wasn't sure if she could manage it. Alyssa ate the remaining food on her plate and looked about the room. She was packed now. She wondered what time they were going back to London.
Her gaze drifted to his suitcase, it wasn't properly packed yet, she sighed and folded her cutlery on her plate.
Jack saw the direction of her gaze and looked at her.
"Leave my case alone," he told her and got up and zipped it shut. He walked over to her, grabbed her arms and pulled her from the seat.
"Now, promise me there will be no comments about driving or I tie you up in the boot," he stated and raised an eyebrow as he waited for her answer.
Alyssa chewed her lip as she considered his threat.
"The cases are going in the boot right?" she sighed and nodded.
"Do you mean no negative comments on your driving? Because if so, I promise not to criticise your driving and only to deliver praise, worship and such like," she agreed with another small nod. "Or do you mean no comments full stop? Because that I'm not sure I can manage," she smiled.
"Praise and worship as fine, just don't overdo it. Just don't go telling me how to drive or I will not only tie you up in the boot, I will spank you before I do it," he promised and then dropped a quick kiss on her lips. "Now get your things so we can hit the road," he said and ruffled her hair before turning to pick up his case and running out the door.
He went downstairs and took care of the bill and to give Alyssa time to cool off after mussing her hair. Sometimes she could be amazingly easy to wind up – unable to tell when he was kidding. He was only able to get away with it when Rowan wasn't around though. They had signals or something, the pair of them, and she would always tip Alyssa off and ruin everything.
He stood off to the side and waited for Alyssa once he'd finished taking care of things.
Alyssa glared at the door after he dashed through it. He knew she hated him messing up her hair, she hated anyone messing up her hair. Alyssa turned to the mirror, she didn't want to dig through her case for her brush. She frowned at the mess he had made of her hair and set about fixing it.
Alyssa finally got her hair resembling something decent and less messy and picked up her case. She made her way down to the reception area and made her way over to Jack as she spotted him. "It's your own fault now if I go on about your driving," she told him as she lead the way out of the hotel.
"Oi, that was vengeance for harping on about my driving the whole way here. And for complaining about the music which you could have changed at any time. And I mean it, one word and in the boot you go. Also, I think if you know so much about driving, maybe you should do some," he told her and climbed into the car after slamming the boot shut on their cases.
He smirked at her and started the car.
"Let's hit the road."
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Ray watched Rowan get dressed, he wouldn't forget the breakfasts this morning, but he wasn't going to move soon, simply because he didn't want to.
Rowan finished pulling her shoes on and looked at Ray. She did not want to go. But, JT wasn't here, she had to go. She sighed and kissed him before heading back downstairs, tidying her ponytail as she went.
He sighed as she left and decided that getting dressed would probably be a good idea. Just in case anyone other than Rowan came upstairs. He shifted his legs onto the floor and slid his boxers on and then his jeans for good measure. He sat comfortably on the sofa and sighed again.
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Rowan went straight to the walk-in on the pretext of getting more bacon, but she wanted to make sure her skin wasn't flushed. She came back out with a few random things and set about helping Syed with the breakfast orders.
"So, did you get the crate all moved?" he asked and gave her a knowing look. Rowan managed to gaze at him blandly before replying.
"Yes, it was just a few things I had shipped from back home that I want to unpack later," she said blithely. It was partially true, the crate existed, it just hadn't needed moving. She turned back to the stove and Syed snorted a laugh, finally drawing a blush from Rowan. She made sure James and Ffion had the station breakfasts packed up and ready so that Ray would be able to take them when he left.
Ray finally decided that it was time to go to work. He went back down into the restaurant and kissed Rowan goodbye before making sure he had the breakfast order for the Station and leaving the restaurant. He placed the breakfasts in the car as he got in and drove his way to work.
She gave Ray a quick smile before he kissed her and watched him grab the box the breakfasts were in and carry it out. She yawned hugely, feeling a bit more tired than usual and focused on getting through the breakfast rush.
Ronnie hurriedly buzzed JT up when he arrived and pointed out the boxes that needed to go on the truck. He helped her carry them downstairs and stack them on the pavement outside and called up the stairs at her when he saw the truck pulling up.
She came down and greeted the men Jack had hired to drive their things to the house where they would be staying. They began to quickly and efficiently load the boxes onto the truck and then set off. Ronnie sighed as she watched the truck drive away.
JT followed her back upstairs and looked at the few boxes that she needed to have stored.
"Well, I'll get these carried over to the pub and...well...do you just want to go over there. This place seems pretty bleak now it's empty and you've got your things in that suitcase," he suggested.
Ronnie nodded.
"Why don't you help me take my things over to the pub and I'll give you the keys so you can move the rest of the boxes over," she agreed.
He grinned and helped her get the stroller downstairs and then went back and grabbed her two suitcases. She had the diaper bag and her handbag slung over her shoulder and nodded that she was ready. She walked with JT to the pub and he put her cases at the foot of the stairs before heading back to her flat to get the boxes to be stored. Ronnie went upstairs and sat with Peggy and wondered where Roxy was.
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Ray left the box of breakfasts on the table in the middle of the room. he had eaten already, but took the opportunity to snaffle a cinnamon roll before Rhys showed up and scoffed them all. Strangely once Rhys reached work the food seemed to miraculously vanish into nothing. Ray was glad that he delivered the food because it meant he got to take out what he wanted before everyone got the chance. He took the roll back to his desk and eyed the third draw down on Alex's desk. She wasn't here yet, she wouldn't know. Ray left his roll on his desk as his computer loaded up and opened her drawer. He grinned at the sight of the Pop Tarts. He pulled out a box and opened it.
"RAY CARLING! I KNEW IT WAS YOU STEALING MY STASH!"
Ray looked up in alarm and cringed at the sight of Alex, busted! He quickly hid the box behind his back, tucking it into the waist band of his trousers and nudged the drawer shut before she could see that he had actually been in it. "I don't know what you're talking about Drake, I dropped a pen and it rolled all the way over here," he told her innocently.
Alex frowned at him. "I've told you Ray, you can't call me Drake anymore, it's not my name!" she sighed. "And I don't see any pen," she challenged. Ray hurriedly looked around him and ran his hand over his head, he hadn't thought this through, Alex and the Guv weren't usually in this early. "Well, that's because I can't find it!" he retorted. "I am not the one stealing your stash of Pop Tarts!" he told her as he stood carefully and kept his front facing her so she wouldn't see the box tucked into his trousers.
Alex glared. She didn't believe him one bit! "Which pen?" she asked curiously. Ray shrugged. "I don't analyse which pen I'm going to use Alex, I pick a random one out. I don't plan ahead like you, my time is spent doing things more interesting than deciding whether to use the green pen or the red pen," he scoffed, causing Alex to bristle.
Alex stalked to her desk and yanked open her drawer. Her head snapped up as he backed away form her casually. "YOU'VE NICKED THE CHOCOLATE ONES!"
Ray shook his head insistently. "Not me Alex, I've told you, maybe Rhys, he eats a lot," he suggested and Alex narrowed her eyes at him. "They were in my draw when I left last night and you'd already gone, as had Rhys, also, Rhys isn't in yet. I know it's you, so give them back Ray," she ordered.
Ray narrowed his eyes at her. "Or what?" he said, "You gonna tell one me?" he mocked her. A gleam lit up Alex's eyes and she grinned. "I might just do that Ray, I can be verrrry persuasive," she drawled. Ray glared at her, maybe that suggestion hadn't been his brightest idea, the Guv was her husband after all. She could threaten him with all kinds of terrible things. Alex merely smiled at him and sauntered into Gene's office and perched on his desk with a pout.
"Gene," she said, "Ray stole my Pop Tarts," she told him and stroked a finger down his thigh. "Will you get them back for me please? I'd be very grateful," she said as she gazed at him and leaned closer.
Gene glanced up at Alex as she perched on his desk. He raised his eyebrow as she leaned, but he was in no mood for bickering. Sammy had been fussy and Molly had been gripey and he was fed up. He stood up and stepped around his desk, smiling serenely at Alex as he did so. He put his hands on her shoulders and stood her up. He stroked a gentle finger down her cheek and then turned her around, putting his arm around her shoulders as he walked to the door of his office.
"You have a problem with Ray, love?" he asked her softly then gave her a quick push out of his doorway and towards her desk.
"Work it out on your own," he snapped. "I have two children at home, I don't need this sort of bickering here," he finished and turned back into his office and slammed the door behind him. He then looked out the glass partition and dropped all the blinds so he wouldn't have to see them before sitting back down at his desk. He wondered if he shouldn't rethink moving to the Super's office on the other side of the building to get away from it. He sighed and buried his nose back in the file he was going through.
Alex glared at the door that he had shut firmly behind him, locking her out. She bristled as she heard Ray's laughter behind her and rounded on him. He couldn't help but laugh at the expression on her face as he pulled the Pop Tarts out from behind his back. Alex made a grab for them, but he held them out of her reach. Alex scowled and made to grab them again but he just held them up higher.
"Well, that backfired didn't it, DI Hunt?" he grinned at her. "I thought you were into all that independence rubbish, but first little problem you can't solve and you go running to Gene," he mocked her and Alex shot daggers at him. "Just give me back my Pop Tarts, Ray," she demanded and he shook his head. "So, you've completely humiliated yourself Alex, yet you still don't give up," he remarked and held the box where he could see it. "All for a measly box of Pop Tarts."
Ray knew this wasn't about her Pop Tarts, it was more an issue with her pride. He grinned as he pulled out a Pop Tart. Alex narrowed her eyes at him. "Just give them back, Ray."
"Say please."
Alex clenched her fist. "I'm not going to say please to you!"
"Say please or you don't get them back," he told her as he held the box away in case she made to grab it again.
Alex huffed out a breath and took her seat at her desk. She turned to her computer and pulled out her folder. "You're so childish sometimes, Ray," she sniffed.
Ray raised his eyebrows at her, she was going to play it like that was she. He picked up his cinnamon roll and stuffed it into his mouth. Swallowed. Then took a Pop Tart out of the box. He made to walk out of their office. He turned as he reached the door. "So you won't mind if I have these then, if I'm being so childish," he shrugged.
Alex didn't look up at him but shrugged at him. Ray grinned and went out to the kitchen. Alex looked up as he left and glanced over at his desk. She hurriedly went over and raided his drawers, she took everything out and stashed it in the filing cabinet in the main office then hurried back to her desk and resumed her seat at her computer silently.
Ray came back munching on her Pop Tarts and sat down at his desk with a satisfied smirk.
Gene listened to the argument and sighed. He heard drawers being slammed and then silence. He came out of his office and could tell by the look on Alex's face that she was up to something. She couldn't hide anything from him, though he often let her think she could. It helped keep the peace.
"If the pair of you can't stop fighting I'm going to separate you," he told them. "You're doing my head in," he finished. He grabbed the box of Pop Tarts off Ray's desk and stalked off down the hall, taking the box with him.
Alex looked after Gene indignantly as he took the Pop Tarts away. She stood and went through to the main office and grabbed one of Rowan's chocolate muffins and a cinnamon roll from the box and sat down at her desk again after blanking Ray completely. Now she was in a bad mood! Brilliant!
Ray stuffed the Pop Tarts into his mouth and chewed. He glanced at Alex and realised he had probably pushed it a bit too far. She'd get over it, she always did. She would be snappy and pissed with him for a few days then she would go back to normal and start teasing him again!
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Ronnie still saw no sign of Roxy. She loaded JJ into his stroller and thanked JT for bringing all the boxes over and got her keys back. He helped her get the contraption downstairs and she walked to the café to give Jane back the keys and have some tea.
"Hiya, Ronnie, how are things?"
"Better if I could find Roxy," she remarked and smiled. "Okay, I've cleaned the flat and all my things are out so here are the keys," she said and handed the keys to Jane. "Now, I need a cup of tea and one of those pieces of chocolate cake."
"Of course you do," Jane said agreeably and chuckled. "You go on, I'll bring it over."
Ronnie went to a table towards the back and nodded at Tanya as she sat down. Jane brought the tea and cake over to Ronnie and quietly passed the keys to the flat to Tanya when Ronnie wasn't looking.
"So," Jane began as she sat down. "When do you leave?"
"Well, like I said, I have to find Roxy and get the money for the club and I was hoping Alyssa would be back so I could say goodbye to her."
"Oh, that's right; she was out of town and didn't make it to the party last night."
Ronnie nodded. "If she doesn't get back by the time I need to leave then I'll just have to call her or something, say it that way," she decided and took a bite of the cake.
"I tell you one thing I will miss is this chocolate cake of Rowan's. I'm completely addicted. I'll have to make it a rule that anyone who comes to visit me must bring me some of this cake," she laughed.
"I bet Rowan would gladly ship you cake on a regular basis if you asked her."
"You're right, I bet she would," Ronnie agreed. "I will have to ask her."
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JT got tired of sitting around and finally went to Peggy.
"Well, I've helped Ronnie so I'm going to head over to the restaurant. They're likely busy. Let Roxy know," JT told her. Peggy nodded and went back to the game she was playing with Amy.
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Roxy practically skipped back from the bank. The money was now in her account and she could afford the Club. She got to Ronnie's and looked around. No one. She frowned and pulled out her phone to call her sister.
Ronnie picked up her phone and looked. Roxy! Finally! She flipped it open.
"Hey, Rox, I waited for you at the Vic when I got done, but didn't know where you'd got to. I'm at the café now. Where were you?" she asked curiously.
"Outside yours. I just got back from the bank. I've got the rest of the cash for the Club that I owe you," she grinned. "Stay at the Cafe, I'll be there in a tic," she said and shut off her phone. She turned in the direction of the market and nearly ran to the Cafe. She smiled at Tanya as she saw her and took her seat next to Ronnie.
"Here you go," she said as she handed her the cheque.
"Thank you," Ronnie said and folded the check and put it in her bag. She sighed. "Do you want to walk with me over to the restaurant when I've finished this cake? I want to see if Rowan might be willing to send me some on a regular basis."
She paused and then looked at Roxy curiously. "Unless you're going to be visiting…say…once a week? Then you can just bring it when you come," she smiled at her sister.
She finished the cake and drained her tea. She glanced at her watch as she stood.
"Jack will be here to pick me up in an hour or so," she said. "He texted me when he left this morning. He's bringing Penny with him so that should be an enjoyable drive back. I think I'll let her sit up front with Jack and stay in back with the baby."
"Penny is going to be with him? You didn't get along with her so well last time did you?" she sighed.
"Yes, it was less than pleasant. So, if I sit in back with the baby I won't have to endure cold silences or frosty glares," she explained to her sister as they walked.
"Ron, you are going to be living in France not the other side of London. But I promise to visit as often as I can and bring some of Rowan or JT's cooking with me. And Amy, she'll want to see her Dad."
"Well then, let us go and talk to Rowan because I really don't want to miss out on this cake," Ronnie stated and stood up. She waved at Roxy to go and began to push the stroller out.
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Rowan sat down tiredly when the breakfast rush was over. She was exhausted! JT looked over at her.
"Why don't you go upstairs and take a nap? Syed and I can handle getting things ready for lunch," he offered. Rowan blinked and looked at him and nodded slowly. She staggered carefully up the stairs and dropped onto the couch. She curled up, tucking one of the cushions under her head. She could still smell Ray's cologne on it. She squeezed it and closed her eyes with a sigh.
She should ask Louisa if you were supposed to get this tired. Before, she'd done much of what she'd done today and still been loaded with energy. She hoped it was just being pregnant and would pass and not that she was becoming ill or that something was wrong. She yawned hugely and fell asleep between one thought and the next.
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Jane walked over after Ronnie and Roxy left and her customers were taken care of. She dropped into the seat across from Tanya and grinned at her.
"So, looks like you're all set. Do you need me to help move any of your things? Bianca should be here soon and I'll have some time," Jane offered.
Tanya nodded. "I'll see how long it takes to get Oscar and myself packed up at Max's then go round and see what I'll need from my flat," she agreed. "See you later," she waved as she left.
"Okay, see you later," Jane said and gave Tanya quick wave before going back to work.
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He drove along and any time she looked prepared to open her mouth about his driving he held up some duct tape and a length of rope. He was very glad to finally reach Walford just after lunchtime.
"Do you think Ronnie is still here? I think she was supposed to be leaving today," he wondered. "Let's have some lunch and visit Rowan."
He pulled up to the restaurant and parked.
"Yes, that hotel was posh, but I think Rowan's food was better," he remarked and got out of the car.
"I hope she is still here, I was kind of hoping to say goodbye to her before she left," she sighed as he pulled up outside Rowan's and she smiled at the familiar sight. As welcome as the trip back to Birmingham had been she didn't feel quite as at home there as she did down here in London with Rowan and Jack. She knew that her blood relations: Mother, Father, Brother, all lived in Birmingham, but the people she actually counted as family all lived down here. So this was home; Home is where the heart is. Her heart belonged to Jack.
Alyssa smiled and nodded in agreement, as tasty as the hotel food had been Rowan's was still the best place to eat that she knew of. She climbed out of the car and followed him inside. "The only problem with Rowan is that she doesn't deliver breakfast in bed every morning," she commented as she hung her coat up on one of the hooks near the toilets and went into the Restaurant.
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"I suppose we could ask her, but she'd no doubt refuse after laughing in our faces. See, we should have hired her as our personal chef, then we could get breakfast in bed," he justified.
He waved at James and Ffion as he and Alyssa went to sit down. James followed them to the table, his tastefully-stubbled face stretched into a smile.
"I'm guessing you're here for lunch?" he asked them with a chuckle. "If you want to see herself though, she upstairs having a lie down," he told them.
"I want a huge cheeseburger and a pile of chips and a beer," Jack told him. James nodded and looked at Alyssa.
Alyssa raised her eyes at Jack's order, they had only had breakfast a few hours ago and since then he had been sitting down driving. She smiled up at James and ordered one of Rowan's salads before finding herself being embraced by Ronnie, she hugged her back. "I was worried I'd missed you and you had already run off to France," she smiled and took the paper with the address on it. She pocketed it and smiled at Ronnie as Roxy took the other seat and looked directly at Alyssa.
"It's official," she said.
Alyssa frowned at Roxy "What is?" she asked
"I'm no longer your boss, I sold the Salon to Tanya this morning" she informed Alyssa. Alyssa nodded slowly, she was a bit uneasy about the sudden change, she knew Roxy didn't get involved much, if at all, with the running of the Salon and to be honest that was the way she like it, she could do whatever she pleased as long as it brought in the profits. Now Tanya was her boss Alyssa didn't know what to expect. She was comfortable as she was. "Okay," she nodded for lack of anything else to say.
Roxy sighed. "She's fine Alyssa, you'll like her," she enthused. "She's run the Salon before so she knows what she's doing at least."
Alyssa nodded again and managed a smile before turning back to Ronnie. "So, how are you feeling about moving to France? I know you said you were a bit, well, resigned a few weeks ago but surely you feel differently now? I mean, Ronnie, You're moving to France! You get all the yummy French food on your doorstep, gorgeous views, the language, sure there's the frogs legs and the snails but as long as you don't order 'escargots' anywhere you go then you'll be fine!" she beamed. "And you can count on me coming out to visit, I'm not passing up a trip to France, No way!"
Jack raised his eyebrows and looked at Alyssa, but said nothing. A new owner of the salon, and one far more likely to be hands on than Roxy.
Ronnie looked at Alyssa and gave her a small smile. "I don't mind so much. I just wish Jack's daughter liked me more," she shrugged. "I know it will take time, though, so I'm hopeful. Of course, when you do come visit, you must bring some of Rowan's chocolate cake to me. I came here actually to see if I could get her to maybe ship me some on occasion," she said cheerfully. She looked around.
"I don't see her however," she mused.
James came over bearing Jack and Alyssa's food order and looked at Ronnie.
"She's upstairs having a lie down," James told her. Ronnie looked at Alyssa then back at James.
"How long has she been up there?"
"Couple of hours," he replied thoughtfully. Ronnie looked at Alyssa.
"Let's go see if she's awake," she suggested. "Keep an eye on JJ for me for a couple of minutes, please, Roxy?" Ronnie asked and got up and headed for the stairs. She looked back and waved at Alyssa to hurry up.
Roxy nodded and looked down at her sleeping nephew with a smile, as hard work as Amy had been at the age she could remember the bliss when she was asleep as JJ was now. Silence was golden when you had a baby. She tucked his blanket more securely around him and ran the pram backwards and forwards gently to make sure he stayed asleep.
Alyssa smiled at Roxy and pressed a quick kiss to Jack's cheek then walked after Ronnie, she couldn't help but chuckle. She overtook Ronnie and looked up the steps to Rowan and Ray's flat. It was quiet. She looked back at Ronnie and pressed her finger to her lips then proceeded to creep silently up the stairs, glad that she had opted to wear her pumps not her heels. She knocked on the door and waited for a few moments then looked behind her at Ronnie and pulled out her spare key to Rowan's flat then slowly opened the lock.
Alyssa pushed the door open and led Ronnie into the flat, shutting the door behind the pair of them.
Ronnie followed Alyssa and looked around. She saw Rowan sleeping on the couch. Ronnie wondered how Rowan slept all twisted round like that and looked at Alyssa.
"How does she sleep like that? Ray must love that she's so, ummm, bendy," Ronnie remarked and softly snorted a laugh.
Alyssa shrugged. "I don't really know, I don't think I've ever seen her sleep before," she replied and knelt down near Rowan and grinned at Ronnie.
"How to wake her? what do we think?" she smirked. "I could hit her with a cushion, or," she looked around and smiled at the sight of the sink. "A glass of water over her head...or we could make loads of noise, or just the simple prodding until she wakes up," she chuckled. "I can't decide," she shrugged.
"You could just try asking if I'm awake," Rowan muttered. "You two are louder than a group of magpies, I swear."
She unwound herself from the cushions and sat up and rubbed her eyes while she yawned. She blinked and peered up at Alyssa and Ronnie.
"What time is it? What do you need?"
Ronnie chuckled. "It's gone noon and I wanted to talk to you about the possibility of scoring me some chocolate cake while I'm far, far away in France," she explained. Rowan looked at her.
"Do they not have chocolate cake in France?" she groaned as she stood up. "Good grief, I've slept for hours. Had no idea I was that tired."
"Don't worry, it'll pass," Ronnie told her. "Then you'll hit a point where you have boundless energy and you'll drive everyone insane with your cleaning. And to answer your question, while yes they do have chocolate cake in France, they do not have your chocolate cake, which I love."
"Okay, leave me your address and I'll see what I can do," Rowan replied agreeably. She turned to Alyssa and hugged her.
"So, how was the visit to the old hometown?" Rowan asked her and gestured the pair of them to precede her downstairs. Ronnie grinned and bounded down the stairs.
Alyssa chuckled and followed Ronnie downstairs, chattering to Rowan about her trip to Birmingham with Jack.
She told Rowan about everywhere she took Jack and about the hotel he had booked for her birthday present.
Rowan listened interestedly to Alyssa talk about Birmingham, nodding knowingly quite often. She'd lived there for a few months. She gasped at the description of the hotel Jack had booked. How wonderful to be surrounded by luxury and pampered constantly!
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Gene finished his meetings and came back to his office. He speared Alex and Ray each with his gaze, they both seemed to be behaving...for now.
"Will you be going to the restaurant for lunch?" Gene asked Ray. "I have a meeting with the Super and I won't have time to go anywhere. If you go, bring me back one of those Philly steak sandwiches she started making and some chips."
Ray nodded, when did he ever not go home for lunch? He snorted and pulled a face at Alex before returning to his work. Now Gene had mentioned lunch he sneaked a glance at the clock, he still had a while until he was allowed to take his lunch break.
Alex smiled innocently at Gene, she would be going home for lunch to see Sam and relieve their child-minder for the rest of the day. She had the afternoon off today anyway so got to spend it with her son. The flat needed cleaning anyway and Molly's room was a tip! She sighed, her daughter would have to get the duster and vacuum clean her room when she got back from school today. She knew that Molly would spend time with Peter after school to do homework or whatever they did when they were together. She sighed as she looked at the clock; she would go home once Ray got back from lunch.
Gene stopped in the doorway of his office and looked back at Ray.
"Well, go on then. The sooner you go, the sooner you are back with my food," he snapped and continued into his office and shut the door.
Ray looked at Alex and grinned. He patted her head as he left, causing her to swipe at him in annoyance. He chuckled and left the office.
Alex felt she could relax once Ray had gone, he hadn't noticed his stuff missing as he hadn't looked in his drawers at any point. So her removing it had been pointless. She smiled that Gene had let him leave early though, it meant that she got to go as soon as Ray got back. As much as she loved work she was itching to go and see Sammy.
She could wait though, if Gene had meetings then she wouldn't leave him without a DI in charge.
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Jack drove onto the Square, going first to the flat. He buzzed several times, but after there was no answer he finally got back in the car.
"Okay, she's probably at the pub with her sister," he decided with a glance at Penny who gave the barest shrug of her shoulders as she stared at the window. He drove to the pub and had Penny wait in the car while he went inside. He spotted Peggy and went over to her.
"Where's Ronnie?"
"Oh, she and Roxy have gone over to Rowan's. She was talking about cake I believe," Peggy replied before turning to serve someone.
Jack thanked her and went back out to the car. He climbed back inside and proceeded to drive to the restaurant.
"Seems she went in search of chocolate cake," he tried again, but still received no reaction from Penny. He knew she was no doubt less than thrilled that he was married to Ronnie now and they had a baby, but she had simply clammed up rather than throw a tantrum. He wasn't sure which was worse.
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Tanya got sorted throwing her things back into her suitcase. Then dumped everything down by the bottom of the stairs ready to go into her car when everything was done. She got started on collecting all of Oscar's toys from around the house and did a bit of tidying while she was at it. Max wasn't particularly messy but he wasn't as tidy as she would like.
Tanya smiled as she realised that she was all packed up finally and then got moving everything out into her car. She would leave Oscar with Max today so that she could everything sorted in her new place. She smiled as she sent a text off to Jane and drove her car down to Ronnie and Jack's old place. Her new home
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Jack pulled up in front of the restaurant and stopped the car.
"I'll just go in and get her. Do you want me to bring you anything? I will say this for the lady that runs this place, she can't half bake," Jack asked.
Penny looked interested for the first time since they'd left.
"Suppose some cakes or something would be nice," she mumbled.
"Cakes or something," Jack echoed. "Right."
He hurried inside the restaurant and caught sight of Roxy sitting with the pram and then Ronnie coming out from the hall, followed by Rowan and Alyssa. They must have been up in the flat, he reasoned.
"Hey, Ron," he said. She grinned hugely when she saw him and ran to him, flinging her arms around him. He hugged her back and nodded at a smiling Rowan as he extracted himself from Ronnie's embrace.
"Say your goodbyes, love, and get your things, Penny's waiting in the car. She wants some cakes so you have a minute," he told Ronnie. She sighed and nodded.
Rowan stopped at the counter and pulled out a box and waited for Jack to point out what he wanted to get his daughter. She boxed them up and then filled another box with Ronnie's favorite chocolate cake and scrawled Ronnie's name across it. She took Jack's money but refused to take money for Ronnie's cake.
"Consider it a going away present," Rowan said.
"Thanks, Rowan, very kind," Jack said and went back out to the car. He handed Penny the box with the snacks he'd got her and then checked the car seat in the back and put the box of Ronnie's cake in the back next to it then stood near the car and waited for her to emerge.
Rowan went over and gave Ronnie a hug. "I gave Jack a box of cake for you," she said.
"Thanks," Ronnie replied and then wrapped Alyssa and her sister into hugs.
"Come visit soon, okay?"
Alyssa hugged Ronnie back. "I promise that I will come down to France to visit you," she smiled.
Roxy hugged Ronnie fiercely. "I promise, I promise, I promise," she said as she pulled away with a firm nod. "I'm going to miss you like crazy Ronnie, you'd best check your emails and texts at least 5 times a day!" she demanded and hugged her sister again before kissing her cheek and smiled at Jack before kissing JJ's cheek. She turned to Jack and gave him a quick hug. "I'll bring Amy with me when I come down to visit you all," she told him. "She'll miss you," she told him.
Roxy waved Ronnie and Jack off, catching sight of Penny in the front of the car, looking decidedly moody. She sighed, she would miss her sister, Amy had JT, who was really more of a Dad to her than Jack was. JT was the one that was there 24/7 and the one that was there for her when Roxy wasn't. She smiled, Amy really loved JT. But Roxy didn't have a replacement for Ronnie, the closest she got was Christian! And even he wasn't a good replacement for Ronnie.
Ronnie sniffed and accepted a tissue from Rowan and blew her nose.
"I'll come back as soon as I can to visit," Ronnie promised. She picked JJ up from the stroller and Jack walked over to help her fold it up. He nodded at Roxy and carried the stroller out and put it in the trunk and waited for Ronnie to come out. Ronnie pressed her lips closed and looked at her friends and her sister. She gave them a sad smile.
"See you," she said and hurried from the restaurant before she burst into tears. Jack sighed and helped Ronnie put JJ in the car seat. He folded her into his arms after closing the car door.
"Promise we'll be able to visit soon, or at least I will," she whispered.
"Of course, Ron, anything you want," Jack replied softly and stroked her hair.
Ronnie let out a long breath and walked around to get in the back seat. She pulled several tissues out of her bag as Jack climbed into the car and wiped her face. Jack made sure she was settled and drove to the pub to collect her things before they left the Square for France.
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Jane read Tanya's text and hurriedly pulled off her apron.
"Okay, B, I'm off out. I'm going to be helping Tanya move. Call Marie if you get stuck alright?"
"Sure, Jane. If you need any help with heavy stuff, let me know and I'll have my Ricky go round and sort it for ya," Bianca offered.
"Thanks," Jane said and pulled her car keys from her bag as she half-ran home. She waved at Tanya.
"Okay, I'm here and I'm ready to go," Jane said.
Tanya smiled and pulled out the key that Jane had given her earlier. She smiled. "I've got all my stuff in my car," she pointed.
Tanya slid the key into the lock and opened the door. She smiled. "So," she said as she propped the door open. "This one I know is yours," she pointed at Jane's flat. "Which makes that one mine and Oscar's," she smiled happily at Jane. "I want to have a look around before I unload all my stuff," she exclaimed and ran up the stairs.
"Sure thing," Jane agreed and grabbed some bags to carry up while Tanya looked around.
Jane put the bags down near the couch and looked at Tanya.
"So, what do you think? Should be plenty of space for you," she said. Jane walked over and pulled open the curtains.
"Wow, she even cleaned the windows."
Tanya went around inspecting each and every room. She chose the larger one for herself. Oscar could have the smaller one. She turned and beamed at Jane. "I love it Jane! It's perfect!" she beamed.
Tanya smiled at the bags Jane had brought up and took them and put them in Oscar's room. "Fancy helping unloading the car?" she asked as she made to go downstairs again.
Jane chuckled at Tanya.
"I believe I've already started helping unload the car haven't I?" she teased and followed Tanya downstairs.
"So, we'll get this lot unloaded and then go to your place and pack up there?" Jane asked. "Once we're finished, then I think we should celebrate."
Tanya grinned at Jane and nodded "It is definitely a cause for celebration" she agreed as she handed a couple more bags to Jane from the car and grabbed the remaining 3 herself. She followed Jane back up to the flat where she dumped the bags next to the rest and looked at Jane with a nod. "Right, I need to go to my flat and pick up everything and then either sell or put my other stuff into storage" she said with a smile and locked her front door. She went back outside with Jane and got into her car with a grin. She waited for Jane to get in then drove off.
"Okay, I'll follow you there. Just in case you need more than one vehicle," Jane offered and climbed into the SUV and followed behind Tanya as she pulled away.
Jane got out of her car once Tanya had stopped.
"So, this is the place?" she remarked as she walked over to Tanya. "I guess we better get busy, the quicker we get done, the quicker we can celebrate."
Tanya nodded and ushered Jane inside. She went around and emptied the wardrobes and then handed the stuff for Jane to take out to the cars as she went around packing all the smaller stuff that she knew wasn't in her new home. Tanya scanned her flat, she had only left anything fixed, her sofa, her arm chairs, the beds. And everything else that was too big to fit into the cars. Jane's SUV had her TV in it as she refused to leave it behind. She would put the rest of her things into storage and sell anything they no longer needed, it seemed like a good time for a clearout.
Tanya led Jane back to Walford and they spent their time sorting out her new home. Once everything was finally put in it's place and the beds were made and her TV set up in the front room and the smaller one moved to her bedroom she collapsed next to Jane on the sofa. She smiled happily. "So, how about we have a private house warming party?" she grinned.
Jane happily helped Tanya, loading up the vehicles and occasionally filling a box when needed.
She grinned at Tanya's suggestion. "Let me just nip downstairs and get the wine."
She jumped up off the couch and hurried downstairs with more energy then she thought she had. She grabbed two bottles of wine and the bottle opener and then as an afterthought, grabbed some crisps out of the cupboard. She went back upstairs.
"You know, I've got these crisps but maybe we should get a takeaway for dinner. I don't know about you, but I'm starting to feel on the hungry side."
Tanya nodded her agreement. "I'm thinking Indian. I haven't had curry in forever" she grinned as she got a couple of glasses from the kitchen. Tanya brought them back into the front room and handed one to Jane and set the other on the table as Jane opened the wine. She had to admit, she did love when she and Jane had nights in like this
"Well, Max has agreed to have Oscar for me until I've got this place sorted so I've left him with some clothes, some spare clothes and all Oscars nappies and things," she smiled. "So, I'm definitely thinking a girly night in tonight," she smiled as she went to get her folder of Takeaway menus from the draw where she had placed it. She pulled the menus out and separated the ones for the Indian restaurants "Which one d'you think?" she asked as she studied them.
"Argee Bhajee it is then, let's go," Jane said and headed for the door.
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Rowan watched Ronnie leave and then looked back at Alyssa and Jack.
"So, heard you had a nice time in your posh hotel," she remarked and Jack grinned.
"Food wasn't as good as yours," he stated and went back to his cheeseburger.
Rowan shook her head and then told Alyssa where she had lived and worked when she'd lived there around five years ago. No doubt Alyssa might just know the places. Rowan thought it might be funny if they had run into each other when Rowan lived there.
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Ray grinned as he finally reached the restaurant, for some reason just seeing it made his mood brighten. He supposed it was because he knew that Rowan was inside. He spotted her at a table with Jack and Alyssa and smiled. He strolled inside and went straight up to their table and bent to press his lips to Rowan's. He smiled down at her as he pulled up a chair and looked at her expectantly. "So, where's lunch?" he asked with a smile.
Alyssa looked up as Ray came in and snorted at his question to Rowan causing him to raise an eyebrow at her which she discarded with a shrug.
Ray glanced over at Jack "So, how was it in Birmingham?" he asked putting on a brummy accent causing Alyssa to glare across the table at him. "That, was rubbish," she told him and put on a Brummy accent herself. "If you're gonna say it, say it right, yo know what I mean bab!" she said and chuckled to herself.
Ray looked at her. "You really are from Birmingham aren't you? Normally you sound so posh, but that was an actual, proper brummy accent!" he told her and Alyssa rolled her eyes. "I did grow up in Birmingham, just because I lived at the posher end doesn't mean that I didn't have friends that had really thick brummy accents," she told him.
Rowan shook her head and looked at Ray.
"It's in the kitchen, waiting to be cooked, where do you think?" she drawled and gestured James over and nudged Ray's leg under the table with her foot and made a face at him.
Rowan's eyebrows flew up and she looked at Alyssa when Alyssa finished speaking. She burst out laughing.
"You sound so weird when you talk like that," Rowan chuckled. Jack nodded agreement.
"Yeah, the way you eat bacon sandwiches I can handle, but please don't do that again. You don't sound like yourself," he stated and ate some more of his chips.
Rowan looked at Alyssa while James took Ray's order.
"So, are you looking forward to your new boss?" she wanted to know. "She seemed nice enough at the party. She's Jane's best friend so she can't be all bad," Rowan observed. "I wonder how Roxy is going to run both the pub and the club. I have this bad feeling she is going to steal JT from working here to do more at the pub and I'm going to have to find another cook," she noted with a sigh. "I've already started buying halal chicken so Syed can at least cook that. But he can't handle beef or pork at all. Well, he probably would if it was an emergency, but I'm not going to ask him to. And JT is already familiar with most of the food; he grew up eating it too after all."
She waved her hands in front of her face. "I'm not going to think about it right now. No matter what, she can't take JT from here full time until after the end of October," she decided.
Ray snorted at her and looked up at James as he came over and placed his order
Alyssa smiled at them. "I hardly ever talk like that. I'm not a big fan of the Brummy accent, but if you're going to imitate then you have to do it properly," she shrugged and looked at Jack. "And what d'you mean 'handle my bacon sandwiches'? There's nothing wrong with them!" she told him
Alyssa smiled at Rowan and shrugged. "She seemed alright at the party yeah, but I get the feeling that she is going to be more hands on than Roxy ever was. That I'm not looking forward to, I've got used to running the place and I have an idea that she's going to come in and change everything. I know she's run the Salon before but loads has changed since then. If she was using the same system that they were when I arrived then I'm sorry but we are not changing back!" she said a little grumpily.
"Well, you've already employed JT, surely she can't steal him away from here. He does such a good job. Can't you just share him?" she asked.
"I didn't say there was," Jack replied blandly and went back to his chips. He wouldn't be able to wind her up with Rowan here. Rowan would tell on him. He looked at Ray.
"The hotel was amazing. I don't think I've ever stayed anywhere so posh," he remarked in an effort to avoid conversation with the women.
"Well, if it gets too bad you can come here. I know it's not as glam as the salon, but you could wait tables," Rowan offered. "I would never sentence you to the drudgery of the kitchen. I'd bring James into the kitchen," she said, glancing up at James as he brought Ray's food over.
James snorted and looked at her. "So you want me to burn this place down then?" he asked and Rowan chuckled.
"You'd learn," she quipped and looked back at Alyssa. "It may take a bit of time, but I think the pair of you will be fine. She'll get used to the fact that your system is pretty efficient. Oh, and remember, she is a single mum with a toddler and she's used to being able to spend as much time with her kids as she wants. That's going to factor in there somewhere," Rowan added.
Alyssa rolled her eyes at him and turned back to Rowan. "I'm just dreading that she will come steam-rolling in and start making changes that don't need to happen. I suppose I'll have to meet up with her soon so that we can sort everything out. I mean, I'm perfectly happy doing what I'm doing now, and if I'm honest, I don't really want to be doing any less than I am. I like being busy!" she sighed "But you're right about her being a Mum. Max isn't going to want to look after the baby when he's got the carlot to look after. So, I'm kinda hoping that she will leave me in charge while she looks after her kids," she sighed.
"We already do share JT. The trouble is, I'm going to need someone who knows the food and can run the kitchen for a few weeks. I'm going to reach a point where it's going to be difficult to do things. I'm already not allowed to do heavy lifting. Not that I'm complaining," she was quick to add before Ray could chide her for the remark. "But it does make work a bit more difficult."
Jack glanced over as he finished eating another chip.
Ray raised his eyebrows at her and gestured at her belly "You are not doing anything that will damage you Ro, that includes lifting, and over strenuous stuff that you shouldn't do" he told her firmly "We've been through this" he added and looked around grumpily "Where's my lunch? I'm starving!" he huffed and looked at her "Shouldn't someone be cooking something for me to eat?" he asked her with a frown.
"Did you hear me complaining? I was merely pointing out that I was going to need help and why. And the doctor told me what not to do and I didn't argue then either. And your food is right there, James just brought it over," she frowned. "You are as grumpy as a bear with a sore paw," she observed. "Eat your lunch."
She looked at Alyssa. "Sheesh, I thought I was the one that was supposed to get temperamental," she commented loudly and then glanced over at Ray.
"She could always have Peggy start running the pub again," Jack said. "It was her place before it was Roxy's."
"Which I am going to suggest to her if she asks me to do it. Kitchens are one thing. Helping out behind the bar for a spell is one thing. Running a pub is not something I know about and I don't want to know about," JT remarked as he walked over.
"Do you want me to make another cake?" he asked Rowan.
"Probably should, thanks," she replied then turned back to Alyssa so they could resume their conversation.
Alyssa looked up at JT with a smile and watched him wander off. "You could always talk to Roxy when you need JT to be here to take care of the restaurant. I'm sure she'd understand!" she shrugged. "It's not like she can't find someone else to help her, all she has to do is put out an advertisement and she'll get loads of interest," she said. "Everyone is looking for a job nowadays, besides, you need JT more, he is one of the only people that knows exactly how to make all the dishes on the menu," she smiled.
"I think a meeting would be an excellent idea. You should call her and see if she can meet you in the morning before the salon opens. That way you don't fight in front of the employees," Rowan teased, but held up a finger. "You do have a temper Alyssa, I can't say about Tanya, but I don't imagine a disagreement between the pair of you would be pretty and it would be good to get that sort of thing out of the way before the girls that work there, or worse, the clients, see you two arguing," she advised.
Alyssa sighed. "I know, it would be bad for business. I get that. I'll have to invite her round or whatever so we can get some stuff all sorted out. Though maybe a neutral environment would be better," she mused. "I'll find out and we can meet up and get things sorted out," she shrugged.
Ray pulled the plate towards him and dug into his food. He was only grumpy because he was hungry and the food was taking a while getting here. Normally when he got there Rowan had his food waiting! He supposed their early morning activities must have mucked up her plans for the day a bit. He shrugged to himself, he would take Rowan over her food any day!
"It probably wouldn't hurt for me to advertise for some kitchen help though. Have JT help me train them," Rowan shrugged. "I don't know."
Alyssa smiled and nodded. "Well, you have Syed and JT, and Ffion and James. So that's three of you in the kitchen and two serving," she observed. "If you really thing you need more people then you only have to paste a sheet of paper to the window or stick an advert in the newspaper," she said. "Have a think about it and maybe discuss it with JT or Syed. See what they think."
Alyssa chewed her lip. "It's okay, if I need to I can text Jane," she smiled. "We had this whole text conversation about Davina a few weeks ago, it's nice to know that someone else hates her as much as I do," she said.
Ray looked up at her, "I'm going to make sure that I'm not working any night shifts once its born," he told her. "You're gonna be exhausted and you get cranky when you're tired," he told her. "And if you end up anything like Alex did, then you are going to need your sleep," he told her with a grimace and then turned back to his food.
Alyssa chuckled at them and bit back laughter as Ray glared at her. "I'm not joking, have you seen her when she's tired?" he said pointing his knife at Rowan. Alyssa nodded. "I used to live with her Ray," she smiled.
Rowan burst into laughter and Jack couldn't help but chuckle.
"I don't exactly hate her, but I dislike her excessively," Jack put in. "I don't know what's happened to her to make her act the way she has been, but I wouldn't even be able to stand being mates with her. Just the idea of being around her makes me cringe."
Alyssa looked at him "I hate her!" she remarked. She was more glad than she would let on about Jack saying he couldn't stand being mates with Davina. Alyssa was already paranoid enough where that woman was concerned. She didn't think she would be able to stand it if Jack was friends with Davina, she would constantly be on edge. She sighed, she had the idea that had it been under different circumstances that they had met that she and Davina may have actually got on. They seemed quite similar in respects and certainly shared each others taste in men: though that wasn't necessarily a good thing.
She reached over and slid her hand into Jack's. "I'm glad you don't like her," she admitted quietly to him. "I'm not sure I could cope if you did," she smiled at him gently and squeezed his hand.
Rowan looked over at Ray. "As grumpy as you get when you haven't been fed," she shot back and smiled sweetly at him. She stood up and walked around the table to him where he was seated next to Jack and stood behind him, wrapped her arms around his chest and kissed his cheek.
"But it's very sweet of you to be home with me in the evenings," she said and squeezed him. She put her hands on his shoulders and looked around the dining room and then at Alyssa.
Ray nodded with a small shrug and shot a glance at her over his shoulder. "Hasn't happened yet, so don't thank me too soon. I may decide it's too much work and take the night shifts," he teased and kissed her cheek before returning to his food.
"Well, looks like I better get to it. The lunch rush is on," Rowan said. She plucked the piece of paper with Gene's order on it from Ray's shirt pocket and then walked over and gave Alyssa a quick squeeze.
He glanced down as she took the paper from his pocket. "Yeah, meant to give you that," he told her as he shovelled another forkful into his mouth.
"If you want to meet her here for breakfast or dinner or something I'm happy to make sure you have a table, even if it's after my normal hours, because it's you. Text me and let me know," she said.
Alyssa hugged Rowan back with a smile. "Now I feel loved!" she beamed and nodded. "Thanks, Ro, I'll let you know what we plan. Though, if the offer of here is on then I have a feeling we may have to take it," she smiled and waved as Rowan walked off to the kitchen.
She gave a quick wave then went to the kitchen and got to work.
"If she hadn't decided she should have me back when I'm with you then I might be able to be friends with her. I think the pair of you would be friends and all. She was always a bit on the posh side and she's actually quite a decent person. She works with challenged children. She got started doing it when she worked closely with Karla when we were at Waterloo Road. Karla had Aspergers. Davina was great with her," he told Alyssa.
"Shame she has these issues," he added. He sighed and pulled some notes from his wallet to pay for the food. "Let's go home."
He stood up and gave Ray a rough clap on the shoulder.
"See you later," he said and grabbed Alyssa's hand.
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Peggy looked at Roxy.
"So, now you have R&R and this place? You know I'll help out here as much as you need. So will Pat," Peggy offered and looked across the bar at Pat, who nodded.
"I have to say, Peggy, it would be a lot of fun," Pat agreed.
Roxy smiled at the both of them. She already had a mind to ask Peggy to take over the pub, she knew exactly what she was doing and it would leave Roxy with time to look after the Club. She smiled at her Aunt.
"Actually Aunty Peg, I was wondering whether you would like to, well, basically look after the bar like you used to? It would mean I can get the Club sorted, and you know what you're doing in the Vic," she smiled.
"I wonder where she's going to be living. She'll be staying around if she's bought the salon," Rowan wondered. "I bet Jane rents her Jack and Ronnie's flat. Do you want me to call Jane and get Tanya's number for you?"
"Yeah, I think I might see about getting more help. It's been getting busier at lunch quite often and I'm thinking about staying open until six in the evening now, apart from just Fridays when I do the buffet. I'll have to think about it. I want to make sure the place doesn't end up short-handed when I take some time off for the baby," she said and grinned.
"Really? Oh, Roxy, I'd love to," Peggy cried and threw her arms around her niece.
Roxy was a little startled as she found her aunt attached to her but hugged her back regardless. She pulled away with a smile. "Thanks, Aunty Peg," she beamed.
"Oh, you're welcome, darlin', and thank you," Peggy bubbled. She looked at Pat and the pair of them rubbed their hands together with glee.
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Alyssa had agreed to meet Tanya to discuss the running of the Salon. They had decided to meet early morning at the restaurant as Alyssa hadn't eaten and was hoping to beg some breakfast from Rowan while she was there. She smiled and waved at Tanya as she waited patiently outside the Restaurant for Rowan to open up and let her inside. Her bag had her big folder in it and it was killing her shoulder.
"Morning Tanya," she smiled and Tanya nodded back. "Good Morning."
Alyssa looked up as Rowan opened the door to the restaurant at last and beamed a smile at her sister and gave her a grateful hug before leading Tanya inside.
Tanya said hello to Rowan as she followed Alyssa inside. She sat down opposite Alyssa at the table and watched as Alyssa started getting out her folder and unloading everything. Jane was right, the woman was efficient.
Alyssa held in her temper. Tanya had looked over the design she had done for the appointment book that she had designed when she first got here. Alyssa watched carefully, Tanya clearly didn't like it. Tough, it was simple enough and it worked. There was no point in creating an overly complicated system.
Tanya handed the appointment sheet back. Alyssa's explanation had been easy enough to understand and everything seemed to make sense. But she still wasn't used to this way of running the Salon. She also didn't like that Alyssa seemed to fit being in charge, as nice as it was to have someone to fall back on she didn't need someone undermining her all the time which Alyssa would undoubtedly do. She handed the sheet back and began to explain her ideas for changes around the Salon. Including the brand of products they were currently using, she didn't like this brand that Roxy had favoured.
Alyssa frowned at Tanya. "You do know that the quality is the same don't you? And what we are using now is cheaper when we buy in bulk," she explained. "That's half the reason we use it, the other reason is that the customers seem to like the brand," she said and Tanya nodded. "Be that as it may, I would still rather change," she said. "I don't trust the products you're using at the moment and I won't work with something I don't trust," she said stubbornly.
Alyssa frowned. "Tanya, that makes no sense, you're just making us pay almost double the price for something that works just as well as what we are using simply because you have something against what we are using," she said in exasperation. "It makes better business sense to stay with the cheaper product. I'd agree with you if there was a substantial difference in the quality and reputation of the two brands but there isn't."
Tanya shook her head stubbornly. "Still, I still think we should change."
Alyssa gaped at her, so accepting the system was fine, but changing the products because of, what? A personal dislike? What was that about? She threw her hands into the air. "Fine, change it. But we can't afford to put prices up for treatments, things are expensive enough as it is. If we push the prices any higher then we will lose clients," she explained. "You're just going to lose the Salon money!"
Tanya shook her head. "I disagree," she said simply and Alyssa gaped at her again. She clearly wasn't going to get Tanya to change her mind. She sighed and pushed forward her new promotion idea.
"I was thinking of doing this," she said as she handed Tanya her plan. "We offer a half-price pedicure with every manicure. It's coming up to Summer, that means sandals and strappy shoes which means that everyone is going to want nice toenails. So we offer a half price pedicure, if we start next week then they will last until mid July, then they will come back to get them redone for the rest of July and August. We also advertise in local newspapers, drum up new interest, new customers," she explained as Tanya read through the plan.
Tanya nodded. "I like it, the manicures are more expensive anyway. So a half price on the pedicures makes sense," she agreed and looked down at her watch. They had covered basically everything. She had told Alyssa that she would be there almost every day unless she had issues with Oscar. So on those occasions Alyssa was in charge, when Tanya was there then she was Junior Manager as she was for Roxy, but with less to do.
"What time do you open at the moment?" she asked
Alyssa checked her watch, too. "I usually aim to get there about now to do checks on the work stations and top ups of bottles etc. before we open and the girls arrive," she said and Tanya nodded. "We had better get going then," she said as she stood up. Alyssa sighed and packed up all of her stuff. She went and thanked Rowan for breakfast and gave her another hug and a huge eyeroll before turning back to Tanya with a smile and following her out.
Rowan was glad to see Alyssa show up with Tanya for breakfast. It was still too early to properly open so she locked the door behind them and went to find out what they wanted for breakfast and then went to fix it. She listened to them argue back and forth.
She could not understand why Tanya wanted to change the products. Rowan didn't use them herself, she bought things from Louisa and her mother back home. But surely Tanya had to realize that people liked the products the salon carried already. She sighed and hoped Alyssa would be able to work things out with Tanya.
Brett pulled up outside the house with a smile at Whitney as he climbed out of the car. They had been getting back to normal for a while now as Brett had been ignoring Davina completely. He felt that his relationship with Whitney was a bit more important thanks to Davina's display with Jack at the birthday party. He had then put all his efforts into his relationship with Whitney. It seemed to have worked, she hadn't chucked him at any rate.
Brett grabbed her bag from the boot of his car and took her hand as he walked her up to the house. "So, this party at the Vic is tonight right?" he asked, she had asked him to go earlier on in the week and he had readily agreed, they hadn't gone out together in quite a while and he was looking forward to it.
"Mind if I hang around here until we get going? There really is no point in going home, by the time I get there then it will be time to come back again," he smiled at her and gave her his best pleading gaze. "I promise to be good."
Whitney smiled at Brett and nodded as she pulled out her keys and led him into the house.
"Go ahead and put the kettle on and I'm going to go stick my stuff upstairs," she said and brushed his cheek with her lips before heading upstairs.
"I can't wait till we get to the party," she bubbled as she walked up behind him and wound her arms around him.
Brett grinned, turned and wound his arms around her and pulled her close to her. "I know, it seems like ages since we went out somewhere, I know it's just the Vic but it is a party" he told her with a grin
He smiled down at her and pressed his lips to hers lightly "Tea or coffee? What're you having?" he asked as he gestured to the kettle as it boiled and released his grip on her and got down the mug he knew was hers and deliberately took Jacks Mug. He had been round here often enough to know which mug his former headmaster always tended to use. He liked winding Jack up, but not quite as obviously as he used to do. He didn't want Jack banning him from the house.
"With all the craziness at school right now it's not been easy for us to go out," she reminded. "I'll have tea, please," she replied and went to the fridge to see what food there might be.
"Do you want a snack or should I just open some biscuits?" she wanted to know.
Brett started making her tea and looked over at her, he stopped what he was doing and looked into the fridge. He sighed. "I think I'll go with biscuits," he told her with a smile then finished making them both a mug of tea. He handed hers over and picked up Jack's mug with a smile. "So, what time d'you want to go down there?" he asked.
Roxy was rushing around downstairs in the bar putting up decorations. JT was the best person for this job, he could actually reach everything without too much trouble. But Peggy had got him doing something or other outside, probably hanging the main banner over the door: he could actually reach without too much problem. It was Peggy's official party, a management party. Roxy smiled, it was nice to see her Aunt happy again, she hadn't seen Peggy this happy in ages and felt a little proud and smug that she was the cause. She hung the banner up finally and stood back to look it over, it was wonky. She cursed under her breath and stood back on the stool and made sure she was steady before trying to fix it.
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Rowan finally finished handing out the last dinner take out order and smiled at Syed.
"Thanks for helping out when JT needed to go. How do you think the new kids are doing?"
Syed shrugged. "Well, they both seem smart and willing to learn. Ffion and James really like Nora and Trevor seems to be catching on to the recipes okay. JT could tell you better, he's been working with him a lot more closely than I have," he explained.
"But you think they're settling in okay."
"Yeah, I think they are. You did good, Boss," he teased and dodged her hand.
Rowan finished tidying up and hung up her apron and followed Syed to the door to lock it behind him. She went upstairs to tidy up and change her clothes for the party. She turned sideways and looked at herself in the mirror on the back of the door as she ran her hands over her belly. She was finally showing. She tilted her head and wondered if she should be quite so big. She shrugged. She couldn't quite remember how big Alex had looked at about the same time.
She went and grabbed a clean dress and pulled on some leggings and her flat boots and waited for Ray to get home so they could go to the party.
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Jack left school and climbed into his car and drove to the salon to pick up Alyssa. He did appreciate one thing about Tanya owning the salon. Alyssa didn't have to stay late and do the books anymore, at least, not every day. He just hoped they would start getting along better. He peered in through the window and saw she was at the desk and went inside.
"How is the love of my life today?" he asked cheerfully. "Ready to party at all?"
Alyssa looked up at Jack and beamed at him. She looked back down at the appointment book she was going through, she had everything sorted for tomorrow and it was Tanya's turn to close up tonight. She looked up at Jack as she shut the book and grabbed her bag. "I'm ready" she beamed at him as she went over and pulled him down into a kiss. "How was school?" she asked as she slipped her hand into his and looked over her shoulder to wave at Maddie who she knew was in the kitchen getting coffee for Kim.
"School was fine. Things getting a bit lively since we're nearing the end of the year. I suppose I'll have to talk to Roxy now about the end of year party. I hope she'll be as accommodating as Jack always was."
He drove them home and noticed Brett's car parked in front of the house.
"Great, looks like we have company. What do you say we just get ready right quick for the party and go?"
Alyssa chuckled. "I'm sure you won't have a problem with Roxy, though you may want to watch the booze if she lets you have the party there," she warned and got out of the car. "I really don't see what you're problem is with Brett, Jack," she sighed as she shut the door and pulled out her house keys. "He's a nice lad," she told him and nodded. "I'll be quick, we're meeting Ro and Ray down there anyway," she smiled.
Alyssa opened the front door and waved at Whitney and Brett in the kitchen. "Heya," she called out and heard Brett say hi back. She left her bag behind the sofa in the front room and then darted upstairs to get ready.
Alyssa was back downstairs before Jack, she had only had to change from her work clothes into her dress and brush her hair, she had done her makeup at the Salon for lack of anything else to do. She smiled at Whitney and Brett as she got herself a glass of water. "You two coming down to the pub tonight?" she asked and Brett nodded. "That's the plan."
Alyssa's eyebrows rose as she saw Brett drinking out of Jack's mug and she gave him a questioning look which he countered with an innocent smile. Alyssa snorted lightly and sat down at the kitchen table as she slipped on her heels.
Jack glanced at Alyssa. Brett. A nice lad. Jack was pretty sure that Whitney's suspicions about Brett having an affair with Davina were no doubt accurate. Brett had pursued her avidly once before. What was to stop him doing so now?
He followed her into the house and gave a smile and a nod to Brett and Whitney.
"Ummmmm," Whitney began and glanced at the clock. "I guess let's just have our tea and a couple of biscuits and then go," she shrugged and turned as she heard Jack and Alyssa arrive.
She smiled and waved at the pair of them before turning back to Brett.
Jack went into the kitchen and chose to ignore the fact that Brett was using his mug. He knew Brett was only doing it to wind him up, he chose not to rise to the bait. He would be a good boy. He went upstairs and put on a clean shirt then hurried back down.
"So, we ready to go, Lyss?" he asked.
Alyssa nodded and drained the water from her glass. She stood and smiled. "See you both in a bit then," she told Brett and Whitney as she slipped her arm around Jack's waist.
Whitney cradled her mug of tea and leaned against Brett. "We'll see you over there in a bit, yeah?" Whitney called after them.
Alyssa smiled at him as she led him outside and made her way towards the pub.
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Peggy and Pat walked around, getting the pub ready for the party. She smiled hugely at Roxy and at Christian as he helped hang some more decorations.
JT came back inside and slung an arm around Roxy's shoulders.
"So, I think we're about done," he remarked as he looked around the pub. "I've got the food ready and Rowan's going to bring the cake."
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Ray parked up his car outside the restaurant and looked inside. He smiled as he climbed out and took the packet of Pop Tarts with him. He was counting how many boxes he was getting through without Alex noticing. So far he owed her about 6 boxes. That was her birthday present sorted when it finally arrived, his present to her would be the amount of Pop Tarts that he had nicked from her. He chuckled as he went upstairs and dumped the packet in the bin.
"Ro?" he called out as he looked around and spotted her on the sofa. He smiled as he went over to her and sat down next to her. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and then stood up. "I'll go get ready, we're still going to this party at the pub right?" he asked as he went through to the bedroom.
"I hope so, I've got dressed up and everything," she teased and got up and went into the kitchen. She saw the empty Pop Tart package in the bin and picked it up.
"Ray, what's with the Pop Tarts?" she asked him. Rowan didn't buy them. She carried it into the bedroom. "How much of these are you eating?"
Ray changed his shirt and came out. "I'm winding Alex up, don't worry. I'm not eating all of them. You know her stash? Well, whenever she goes out I nick a few and share them around the office. She notices they're gone and gets really pissed off," he said with a chuckle. "You should see her face Ro, one time she went to Gene to get him to have a go at me for it and he refused to help her. Most hilarious thing ever," he chuckled and pulled her into a hug. "I'll replace them for her birthday though," he said and kissed the top of her head.
"Besides, if I snack to much then I can't eat as much of your delicious food can I?" he grinned and patted her arse. "Pub?" he said as he took the packet off her and dumped it back into the bin.
Rowan wound her arms around his waist and shook her head.
"You really are just evil, aren't you," she teased as she leaned against him and jumped when he patted her backside.
"Yes, let's go. Just don't get too drunk," she warned. "I don't mind driving home, but remember, I'm not allowed to lift heavy things and you are definitely a heavy thing," she finished and grinned up at him before slipping from his arms, grabbing the box with Peggy's cake in it and heading out the door.
Ray chuckled. "I promise not to get too drunk to the point where I pass out" he told her as he followed her downstairs and got into the drivers seat of the car "But, if I do fall unconscious in the car then just leave me in it," he advised her as he started the car up after she got in.
"I couldn't leave you in the car," said Rowan.
Ray's gaze fell on her stomach briefly as he started the car, she was starting to show. He felt a sudden and unexpected wave of pride wash over him, he couldn't help but grin at her before driving away from the restaurant.
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Davina looked at herself in the mirror. She admired the way the new dress flattered her and bent to pull on her shoes.
Since his ex had moved out of the house and into her own flat, Max had been calling Davina quite often. She didn't mind. He was decent enough in bed and sometimes she managed to catch a glimpse of Jack. This party Max wanted to bring her to promised to be fun. And she was sure Jack would be there. She would have to be careful though. No cornering him and snogging him somewhere dark.
But she could look and attempt to entice him. She would be nice and occasionally dismissive and try to pique his interest. She smiled. She was going to get him back.
