Fresh Start Chapter 13
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"So, what brings you to Walford? You don't seem like the type of person to come to a place like this", Harry forces himself to keep his charm up as Lucy's flirtness goes up another level and Harry realises he has to do something big to get Lucy to confess about her spiking Lauren's drink.
"Thought I could do with a change from the usual Pubs. Enough about me, a young girl like you should be partying with her mates, where are they?" Harry watches Lucy with intent and he realises that Lucy could be about to reveal all and ends up slyly turning his phone up some volume to get the confession.
"Don't really have any mates, me and my best friend fell out over a bloke. Her name is Lauren, she lives around here and even since then, I have basically been making her life a misery. I can't help but hate her for stealing thia guy from me"
Knowing he needs more than that, Harry decides to devel a little deeper, "How do you mean cause misery? I mean, you don't look like somone who would hurt your best friend, if you don't mind me saying"
"Thanks, I was really jealous and I guess I still am. I spiked her drink, you see, she was an alcoholic and I guess I made it worse but I can't stop breaking them up. Her ex should be mine and I guess I won't stop until I get him. I'll be back in 2 seconds, i just need the ladies"
Harry watches Lucy walk to the toilets and as he turns the record off his phone, he can't help but smirk at how easy it was to get his confession and after drinking the last of his pint, he heads back to No.23, ready to out the rest of his plan together to help his best mate get back with his girl.
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"Abi, we need to talk about happened yesterday. Your problems are getting worse, you need to deal with them", I try to get Abi to listen to them as she runs away from me down the stairs at the House but it is too late as she slama the front door and I know it is going to get even worse before she even thinks of listening.
As I walk into the kitchen, I am surprised to find Kirsty in deep conversation with my Dad and I can't help but worry that he is choosing her over us, considering that Abi is clearly mentally unstable. Before I can get breakfast, I force myself to tell my Dad on how I feel about the situation.
"You did hear everything I just said to Abi, didn't you? She needs our help, Dad and no offence, you need to put her first before your wife", I move more into the kitchen to grab some coffee and I can't help but be amused when I see the smirk has gone from Kirsty's face. Did she actually think that she came first in my Dad's eyes?
"Why what did you say? Babe, I don't have time for this, can you deal with Abi's problems yourself", I turn around quickly in disbelief and I can't stop the tirade that comes from me, I actually thought he would realise Abi needs him, let alone me needing him.
"What the hell is wrong with you? I need you to help me deal with Abi, do you honestly think I can do this myself! I am still in recovery if you didn't notice. For God's sake, Dad, you need to make a decision once and for all, choose her or us. Otherwise you can get put of the House for good", I quickly chuck down my cup off coffee and grab my bag and keys and slam the front door with frustration, leaving Dad with a big decision to make.
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After a satisfying night of manipulation, Harry finally heads down to the kitchen, much to the annoyance of Alice and her mother having to wait for the lazy male to get up to see what he achieved last night. Their annoyance continues to grow as the young male can't help but smirk but his smirk gets wipped off his face as Alice throws a piece of toast at his head, causing him to retrack and reveal the truth.
"Ok, you want the truth, I managed to record her confessing to spiking Lauren's drink. So what do you two want to do with it?", Harry puts his phone on the kitchen table and just as Alice is about to give her opinion, she is stunned to find her brother watching them with shock and she signals both her Mam and her brothers best friend and they wait with anxiousness for Joey to talk.
"Are you kidding me, Harry? Play the message, I want to hear it, now", Harry quickly grabs his phone from the middle of the kitchen table and presses play on his recording and as the recording plays, all you can hear is a pin drop and as Harry turns his phone off, he, Alice and their Mam look at Joey ans they can't help but worry about him as they notice the blank look on his face.
"She was telling the truth all this time. I should have believed her, if I believed her, none of this would happen, why did I believe Lucy Beale for all people?, Joey makes his way to the kitchen table and puts his head in his hands, clearly frustrated with himself and he struggles with his tears as he feels Harry's hand on his back, clearly trying to comfort his best friend.
"Mate, we are going to help you ok. Before you say anything, you can get Lauren back, if this recording comes out in a public place, Lauren won't be able to use the excuse of Lucy trying to split you guys up at every second. Trust me, you are going to get your girl back", Joey looks at Harry with gratitude and he hopes his best friend is right.
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After having that massive argument with Dad, I find myself trying to eat my breakfast in the Cafe but as my worries with Abi continue to go through my mind, I find myself struggling to keep the tears inside and I don't even realise that the tears have started crawling down my face. Not wanting anyone else to see me get worse, I quickly eat the rest of my breakfast and quickly pay so I can run out of the Cafe.
Not watching where I'm doing, I end up bumping in a brunette woman who I have never seen before and as I quickly wipe the tears from my face, I find myself confused as her face seems to be recognisable to me but I just shake my head and I apologise for my behaviour, "I'm sorry, I'm having a bad day"
"Don't worry about it darlin, can I ask you something is your name Lauren Branning?", I can't help but be confused as she asks me about my name and I can't help but worry as she laughs at my confusion"
"Yea, my name is Lauren Branning, how do you know my name?", I take another look at this beautiful older brunette and as I look at her eyes, I see Joey's eyes as well, I realise that she must be Joe and Alice's Mam.
"I guess you've realised by now, I'm Joey and Alice's Mam, my name is Lydia, nice to meet yoy darlin. Both Joe and Alice have told me a lot about you, don't worry its all good, I was just wondering do you meet in the Vic tonight? I really want to know a lot more about the girl that my son has fallen in love with", I try to hide the surprise from my face and I quickly agree before running out of the Cafe, not realising the type of awkward situation I have now found myself in.
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"Mam, you did what exactly? You actually asked her to have a drink here with us? Do you realise how crazy that is, we have just broken up, I'd be surprised if she really wants to be in my presence right now", Joey looks at his Mam in disbelief as they, Harry and Alice sit in a booth at the Vic as they await for Lauren's arrival.
"Oh, shush, you. I want to get to know her, you have said how amazing she is, so obviously I want to see that amazement up close. Don't worry I won't embarrass you and one last thing, maybe this will give you both the kick up the backside you both need".
Before Joey can respond to his Mam's remarks, the person they are waiting for walks into the Vic looking her usual self in a simple ceamy top, jeans and black wedges and as she pushes her hair to the side, Joey can't help but think she looks as stunning as usual, causing Harry to smirk at his best mate when he sees the slight drool coming from his best mates face, cuasing Joey to scowl.
"Hi, I'm not late at all?", Joey can't help but smile as he notices how nervous Lauren looks but he struggles to hide his disappointment as Lauren refuses to lool at him in the face and as Harry allows Lauren to get into the booth, he knows that both he and Lauren are going to be uncomfortable sitting so close together.
"Not at all honey, we got a coke for you. So, tell me everything I would need to know about you. After all, there has to be a reason why my kids are so besotted with you", even with the tension, Joey can't help but smile at the blush that forms on his ex-girlfriend's face, she is never going to be able to take a compliment. Joey tries to get as comfortable as possible as Lauren starts talking about her life.
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A hour had already passed since my arrival to the Vic to meet Lydia, Alice, Joey and his best mate, Harry and even though I was nervous at first, I now feel as comfortable as I can even though there is clear tension between me and Joey as we sit next to each other. Granted there has been a few awakward moments, we have both managed to get through them.
It doesn't take long for my mood to change as Lucy struts into the Vic and I can't hide my anger as she gives me a smirk as she spots me in the booth but her smirk disappears as she spots Joey sitting next to me. After staring in Lucy's direction, I try to focus my attention on Joey, Alice and Lydia, not realising that Harry has gone up to the bar.
Even with my mood changed, I struggle to put the smile back on my face and I try to leave in the best polite way and just as I move from the booth and walk towards the door, I stop when I hear a recording from the phone and I am stunned by what I hear.
"I spiked her drink", I can't help but turn around as I see hear Lucy's voice coming from Harry's phone and I find myself frozen in my place, not really knowing what to do and my eyes end up fixating on Joey. As Joey gets up from the booth, he comes closer to me and I can't help but allow my tears rapidly fall down my face.
"Lauren, its ok", I look at Joey with disbelief. Did he honestly think it was okay. The truth is out there and I have no idea with what to do and I shake my head with anger and I quickly run out of the Vic, not caring that Joey is calling my name with desperation.
A/N - Ooh, the truth is now out. Next chapter Joey and Lauren struggle with the truth being out about the spiking and they finally communicate about everything that happened last year, Lydia gives Lucy a piece of her mind and Peter starts to blame himself for Cindy's problem. Please R&R, until next time...