Hiya! It's been a while i know, lost inspiration!

I'll try and write some more in the upcoming weeks, get this story finished cause i hate leaving them half done!

A couple of days past and everything seemed to slot back to 'normal'. It was all sort of surreal as Mum and Dad seemed to be getting on better than I'd seen them in months, Abi was a lot happier after Jay had returned from working away with Phil and I'd actually accustomed properly to being back in Walford. Today I was meeting Jamie in town for some coffee, something I was actually looking forward too.

I hadn't seen Joey much since the dinner, I heard he was actually living with Lucy…on and off, and that things were just 'casual' between them. However I doubted that is what she'd like to believe. I was currently sat in the gardens, staring at a blank piece of paper trying my best to start drawing again. Whilst I was away I spent a lot of time just scribbling down anything that popped to mind, something to distract me from the need to drink, but since I'd been back I was stumped for ideas. I'd spoken to my old college and organised a meeting with them next week to discuss what I wanted to do, they were pretty understanding.

"Lauren!" I heard Whitney's voice shout me from across the garden, looking up I smiled and waved as she walked towards me. "I need your help,"

"Go on…" I asked, putting my pencil down.

"Would you be able to watch Tiff for me this afternoon? Mum's at the stall, Carol's at the café and I'm meant to be meeting a vicar about the wedding with Ty," She explained, sitting down next to me.

"I would…but I can't, I'm sorry," I admitted, feeling slightly bad. "I mean I could cancel if you…."

"No, don't be silly, she'll have to stay with her Mum on the stall," Whit smiled, "Where are you off too then?"

"I'm, erm, meeting Jamie for a coffee," I told her, smiling and doing my best not to blush, it wasn't like that.

"Jamie?" She raised her eyebrow, "Is this a date-type-coffee?" She winked at me chuckling.

"No, he was erm, my doctor at the clinic," I explained.

"You sure that's all it is? You don't normally stay in touch with your doctors Lauren, let alone have coffee with them," she nudged my arm suggestively.

"Whitttt…" I groaned at her but couldn't help myself from laughing slightly, "It's just coffee,"

"Fine, let me know how it goes yeah? I better go and find Bi, tell her she's been lumbered with Tiff because our Lauren here is going on a hot date," She winked at me again as she stood up to leave, "See you Lolly, love ya"

"Bye Whit," I laughed as she made her way towards the market.

…

An hour or so later I returned home after managing to get down the flower in the garden, before remembering it was the one we tied Joey too all those months ago. The thought made me smile, but shudder at the same time, it was ridiculous how much things had changed since then…with me anyway. I checked my phone for the time and noticed I had a text message.

Hey Lo, looking forward to later… do you want me to pick you up? J x

I smiled automatically, as I was honestly looking forward to seeing him again. I typed out a reply:

Hey J, would you mind? The tube scares me… ;) x

I chuckled at my response and headed upstairs to go for a shower, realising I hadn't got a lot of time.

20 minutes later I returned to my bedroom and plonked myself down on my bed, staring blankly at my wardrobe not having the faintest idea what to wear. I sighed and ran my fingers through my wet hair, noticing my phone was flashing.

Course I don't stupid, and don't lie to me Branning, you lazy shit ;) See you at 4 - J x

I rolled my eyes and laughed to myself, knowing he'd caught me out. Shit. It was half 3 already? I threw my towel off and placed my dressing gown on and began trying to tame my lions' mane of hair. I then applied little makeup, and retreated back to my wardrobe, aware that it was almost 4 and Jamie would be here any minute. I sighed as I began to panic, not having a clue what I was going to wear so I grabbed my phone, dialling his number.

L: J, you here yet?

J: No, almost… why, can't wait to see me? I could hear his smirk…

L: Very funny, I'm not ready… so fancy meeting me in the café across the square? I'm sorry!

J: Yeah fine, doesn't surprise me actually. You women… See you in a bit Lolly.

L: Bye Jay.

I relaxed slightly, after buying myself a little more time, now I could really get ready.

Joey's POV

"Hey, Luce can I have a coffee please?" I asked as I walked into the café, just finishing work after being given the evening off. I glanced around the room, not recognising anyone; I sat at the end of the till. A few minutes later she placed the coffee in front of me, leaning over and kissing me on the cheek. I knew now I was not remotely interested in Lucy, it was so much clearer now Lauren had returned, I didn't want anyone unless it was her and I'd blown that one countless times.

"Hi, erm, 2 coffees please," I heard an unfamiliar voice ask over the counter, glancing around the room, probably looking for chairs. I'd never seen him before, which was strange for round here, everyone knew everyone. He glanced towards me and smiled slightly before turning with his coffees and sitting in the corner.

"Luce, who's that?" I called across the counter, turning to nod towards him telling her who I was talking about. Before she could answer, or maybe she did answer but I switched off the moment Lauren walked in. She glanced at me slightly, followed by a small smile and hurried past.

Lauren's POV

"Jay!" I squealed excitedly as I noticed him sat in the corner with two drinks. The comforting sight of him helped a great deal when I noticed Joey propped up against the counter as I entered.

"Hey you," he replied, standing up to accept my hug and wrapped his arms around me, lifting me off the floor slightly.

"Put me down you fool," I giggled as we pulled away and landed on the floor. "So happy to see you, you have no idea,"

"You too kid," he winked at me, before we both sat back in our seats. I could feel a pair of eyes on me from behind and no doubt they would be Joey's.

"You're never gonna' let this go are you?!" I laughed shaking my head, choosing to ignore Joey.

"Never little'un" he winked again as I slapped his arm across the table, causing us both to laugh more. Jamie was 5 years older than me, meaning he was 24 and once we'd developed this friendship he'd never stopped teasing me. A comfortable silence fell over the two of us as we relaxed in one another's company. "So Lo…"

"Mmm?" I responded, sipping my coffee.

"That wouldn't be Joey would it?" He raised his eyebrow at me and nodded towards the counter. I rolled my eyes finding it annoying that he was able to guess because Joey was making himself rather obvious.

"How did you ever guess?" I replied sarcastically, refusing to turn round and check.

"Maybe the devilish stare he's been giving me the past few minutes," he chuckled a little. "You still not on good terms?"

"No, we are, kind of," I mumbled shaking my head and sipping my coffee. "Jay can we not talk about him,"

"Course, sorry babe," he smiled as he finished his coffee. "Right come on, got a fun day ahead for you,"

"What? I thought we were just having a coffee and a catch up," I asked him, raising my eyebrow in confusion.

"Well I'm not as boring as you," he joked, standing up and putting his coat on, "Come on Branning, drink up,"

"Alright, calm down. God you men are so pushy," I winked at him as we began to leave, not going unnoticed by Joey. I caught his eye as we got to the door making me nervous.

"Lo?" I heard Jamie say from the door.

"Be out in a sec," I called after him, smiling as he walked off. I turned to look at Joey, his eyes still firmly on me. "You going to sit staring at me all day?"

"Erm, sorry," he mumbled, turning his head. I chuckled slightly knowing I'd got to him. "I don't like him calling you that,"

"What?" I questioned him, my eyebrow raising.

"Lo" he replied quietly, that word giving me goose-bumps. How could one word from him make me melt, fall at his feet like I always did.

"Joe, what's the problem?" I asked, trying to keep my guard up, I couldn't go weak in front of him anymore.

"That's Jamie then?" he asked nodding towards the exit, completely ignoring my last question.

"And what if it is? Joe you can't monitor everything I do. I'm not yours to check up on, I'm not yours to worry about, Joey I'm not yours anymore." I sighed deeply, smiling slightly trying to ease what I'd just said as he seemed to wince at my final words. He looked up and me and nodded, smiling back gently, the sides pinched indicating it was forced. "I better go,"

"You'll always be mine," he mumbled to himself as I turned to leave, causing me to pause and look back at him, his eyes glued to me. I wasn't sure I was meant to of heard his last comment, but now that I did there was no ignoring it. "Sorry,"

I sighed deeply again, "Cya Joe,"

As I left, the cold air hit me bringing me back to reality. Every moment with Joey left me confused recently but I wasn't about to let myself be drawn straight back in. I was stronger now.

"You okay?" I heard Jamie's voice next to me.

"Yeah, I'm fine Jay," I smiled, hooking my arm into his. "Where we going then?"

Well, reviews please? Ideas will be appreciated as well !

I have some ideas, but definitely open to suggestions ;)