Christmas had been and gone and the new year was here but Max was in no mood to celebrate. Emma summerhayes his girlfriend was dead after been hit by a car and he was still reeling over the Revelation that Harley whom he had thought was April's son was actually Carols son. With David Wicks. He felt betrayed somehow and he wanted Carol and David to at least acknowledge how he felt. But his anger lay more with David and he had deviced a plan of action to make him pay. He immediately grabbed a phone and dialled the number.
Harley and Cindy were walking behind Carol and David as they headed out on what they called a double date. Harley made vomit noises as Carol kissed David passionately while Cindy cuddled up to him and kept a tight grip of his hand as they walked along bridge street towards the argee bargee for a double date as David called it. Secretly Harley would have preferred it if it was just himself and Cindy but he supposed they could steal a few moments together later on.
"I like your mum and Dad, their good together. They love each other." Cindy remarked as they walked further up bridge street nearing the argee bargee.
"Their embarrassing", Harley whispered, "I wish it was just us two." Cindy rested her head on his shoulder and they walked inside together.
During the date Harley wondered why he hadn't heard from Dot for a while. She normally spoke to him at least once a week at least but for the last few weeks she hadn't spoken to him or made any appearance at all. Harley wondered whether this had anything to do with Nick being around and if it did he swore he would help get rid of him once and for all. It didn't seem right for him to treat Dot so appalling and so horrible. He himself never treated April like that and he certainly didn't treat David or Carol like that. The worst thing of all was that Dot was allowing it to happen. Then a thought occurred to him. Maybe Nick had done a runner? Maybe he had done something terrible to Dot? Those horrible thoughts were flooding his mind and he didn't know how he was going to try to block them away. He took a deep breath and smiled at Cindy when she fed him pompadoms and they both cringed together when David and Carol began sniffing in public. Harley was embarrassed by their gestures of love for each other and he knew that when Valentine's day came it would be the same thing. He was glad that he wouldn't be with them then because on that day he had planned something special for Cindy. It was the first time he had been in a serious relationship and he was determined to make a go of things with her. He knew that she hadn't really had a proper life, having lost her mother just after she was born, being brought up by her aunt and feeling unloved and unwanted. It seemed that she may have kept Beth because she wanted to give her the life she didn't have. Harley had become attached to Beth even though she was TJs daughter and Beth seemed to like him, always smiling when she saw him.
After the date Harley walked Cindy home after asking David if he could do so. David agreed albeit reluctantly, he didn't trust Cindy at all.
"Thank you for tonight. I enjoyed myself." Cindy said genuinely and Harley smiled then she added,
"Do you want to come in?"
Harley thought about it then he nodded. Bobby was sitting cross legged on the floor watching the telly and not taking his eyes of the screen. Cindy rolled her eyes at him then picked up Beth who held out her arms to Harley.
"She wants you to hold her. I think she thinks your her dad." Cindy said happily and Harley smiled then he said seriously,
"Ain't she gonna find out the truth when she's older?"
Cindy shrugged, "Maybe but that's ok. I'll tell her everything. She will understand because I will raise her that way." And Harley was pleased that she genuinely meant what she said.
Freeing one of his arms for her to cuddle into, Harley kept a firm but gentle hold on Beth who wriggled about, kicking her legs excitedly.
Ian walked in then and saw the two teenaged lovebirds and didn't know how to feel. On the one hand Harley seemed like a decent young man who wanted a good future but then he remembered the Times they had clashed and he was reminded of David in his younger days.
"Harley I think Cindy needs to go to bed. No doubt Beth will keep her up in the night and Cindy has school tomorrow." Ian said seriously and Harley knew he was being dismissed. He kissed Cindy and Beth goodbye and headed home. Once he was gone Ian remarked,
"Cindy you want to watch him. He may seem charming but he might turn out to be a right ratbag."
Cindy rolled her eyes and took Beth upstairs to bed, feeling more in love with Harley than ever.
Carol and David were lying in bed after tonight's date at the argee bargee. David stared up at the ceiling and thought about Harley and his relationship with Cindy. He had to admit they seemed happy together but there was something about Cindy that he didn't like. He remembered when she had played Liam and TJ off against one another when she had first become pregnant. He didn't want her doing the same to his son, the last thing he wanted was him going back in hospital after a suicide attempt like before. He watched Carol sleeping and began stroking her back and playing with her hair. Then he saw that she was smiling and began to think that she wasn't asleep after all. With a mischievous glint in his eye, he turned on his side and began caressing her but she still slept.
As David watched Carol sleep, powerful urges were overcoming him. He slowly climbed on top of her and lay there waiting for her to realise. Carol turned over to see David looming over her, the powerful aroma of his aftershave was sending her on a lust fueled haze,
"Horny tonight are we?" She whispered as she reached to grab his growing erection. He winked at her,
"I've got a present for you Carol, it's small but it's getting bigger all the time" he whispered as he revealed his erection to her causing her to gasp out loud at the thing of beauty standing to attention in front of her. He leant over her then and pulled his boxers down allowing his erection to almost hit her in the face. Knowing what to do, she opened her mouth and starting with the tip began sucking furiously. Slowly she went further downwards while David made soft groaning noises. Even though what she was doing was noting new she was still surprised that she could still take the whole thing into her mouth. His size had always been a challenge but she had managed just the same.
When she finished David was out of breath and his legs were on the verge of giving way so Carol pulled him down beside her and took her knickers off before straddling him. She lowered herself gently onto his tip and began rocking her hips backwards and forwards rhythmically. David groaned beneath her and massaged her breasts smiling at her, Carol moved faster at this gesture and David grabbed hold of her hips causing her to get harder and faster. She moaned loudly as she felt her climax coming and David gripped the bedsheets as pleasure overcome him in an instant. Carol tensed up and collapsed beside him breathing heavily as David held her in his arms tenderly, kissing her head and cuddling her to his chest.
February came quickly and Harley as promised organised a Valentine's surprise for Cindy. He called for her on Saturday afternoon armed with a Valentine's card and a present which he would give to her at the location of their Valentine's date. Cindy kissed him and left Beth in Ian and Jane's care before they both headed out.
"Where are you taking me?" Cindy asked as Harley led her by the hand towards the park where his special surprise was. He covered her eyes and led her towards the spot then he uncovered her eyes. On the grass in front of her Cindy saw a huge picnic hamper that had red roses in the middle and had quite a lot of food with a heart shaped cake.
"Oh Harley! You shouldn't have!" She gushed as she wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed him, Harley responded with such enthusiasm that he lifted her off her feet. Cindy giggled as Harley put her down and they say down on the mat. Harley cut up the cake and began feeding a slice to Cindy. Cindy loved this gesture; no one had ever made her feel this special.
After the food had been eaten Cindy rested her head on Harleys chest as he looked up at the sky wondering if Pat, Pete and any other deceased family member were looking down on him. Cindy watched him and it seemed she knew what he was thinking,
"Harley do you think that my mum and Lucy are looking down on me?" She asked softly and Harley stroked her cheek before replying softly,
"I'm sure they are Cindy."
Cindy smiled at him and leaned up to kiss him which he responded to passionately. He rolled on top of her and was kissing her passionately when someone yelled,
"What the hell is going on?!" It was Peter.
Cindy leapt up and Harley looked sheepish as Peter strode over to him.
"Peter I'm sixteen! I'm not doing anything wrong!" Cindy protested as Peter dragged her home,
"Think about Beth and not yourself like you always do!" Peter snapped back and Cindy waved goodbye to Harley,
"Meet me before Ian and Jane's wedding!" She shouted and Harley nodded before blowing her a kiss and heading home and when he arrived home the load moaning sounds that were coming from his parents bedroom indicated that Carol loved her Valentine's present.
Ian and Jane's wedding arrived a few days later and Harley, David, Sonya and Carol were getting ready for the wedding. Harley looked great in a dark blue suit with a white shirt and black shoes, he gelled his hair and applied aftershave while David was in his and Carols bedroom getting ready also and when he saw Harley walk past the resemblance between them was uncanny, he just hoped that Harley turned out to be a better man than what he had been.
"Someone looks sexy" Carol whispered as she wrapped her arms around his waist. David sighed heavily and turned around. Carol looked lovely herself as she always did whatever she wore. Sonya came in and moaned,
"Oh God you two, get a room!"
Sonya was dressed in a silver dress with a white shawl as she was a bridesmaid for Ian and Jane as was Cindy and Harley couldn't wait to see her.
Carol and David went downstairs and Harley followed with Liam, their relationship was better now but Harley knew they would never be close.
As promised he met up with Cindy outside Ian and Jane's and they went to the wedding together while David decided to go with Max for some reason and Carol and Sonya went together. All the time Harley kept a look out for Dot whom he hadn't seen for a while. Then again he hadn't seen Nick or Charlie since Ronnies accident that left her in a coma.
The wedding took place half an hour later, Jane looked lovely in her green wedding dress and her brother Christian had turned up too. Harley had never met him before but having spoken to him earlier on, he had quite liked him even the revelation that he was gay and married didn't bother him.
Harley and Cindy and Carol and David held each other's hands as the ceremony progressed and they had all waited with baited breath after Jane stopped speaking during the vows thinking she was having second thoughts but this was a false alarm and soon Ian and Jane were declared Husband and Wife with everyone cheering.
"Lets hope this marriage lasts." David mumbled as Ian and Jane walked down the aisle.
At the reception Harley and Cindy sat together in the corner kissing and holding hands and Carol looked at them happy that Harley had found someone he cared about. But Harley was still wondering about Dot and Nick and hoped that nothing bad had happened to her because of him. Even Fatboy didn't know where she was and he was round more times than Harley. Then Ian and Jane were nowhere to be seen and Cindy decided to look for them,
"I'll meet you outside in a bit." She said before kissing him and leaving with Beth and Bobby.
Then at last Dot appeared.
Harley looked at Dot and knew that something was not right with her. He waited until Carol and David got talking to Mick and Linda before he made his way over to her with Charlie following behind. "Dot what's wrong?" He asked rubbing her shoulder, she was trembling and then she cried out, "I've killed my son!" Harley stood back in shock as did Charlie and her cry had alerted Carol and David who had heard what she had said. Harley kept hold of her while digesting what she had said,"You haven't killed him Dot. He took an overdose!" Charlie said while David scowled at Charlie whom he didn't like at all. Carol stayed with Dot while Harley went to Cindy who had been waiting for him.
But she wasn't there. Harley thought that this was strange as she had always turned up when she said she would. She had been gone quite a while. Harley decided to go and look for her.
"Where you going?" Max called as he catch up with Harley. Harley walked on not interested in what his uncle had to say. Max turned him around and said in low voice,
"Your dad isn't bothered about you, you know. He thinks more about his ego than he does about you. He's abandoned your mum that many times and he's broken so many marriages in his path. Your better off going back to April, she'll look after you"
Harley raised his eyebrows at Maxs dissing of his dad and snapped,
"My dad does want me and I'm gonna be working with him soon at the car lot so you better get used to it. Don't you ever say such horrible things about him again, do you hear me?"
Max sneered then,
"Oh dear looks like he's worked his magic on you. Well don't say I didn't warn you. You'll end up just like him you mark my words." And he walked off in the opposite direction then as Harley walked on, a rough pair of hands grabbed hold of his shoulders, it was Peter.
"What the hell are you doing with my sister? She's only sixteen!" Peter yelled and Harley shook his head,
"She's not underage Peter! I'm not hurting her or making her do anything she doesn't want to do! I love her!" Harley yelled back, pushing Peter away from him. Peter shook his head and shook his head and walked home.
Harley walked up the street and saw that Deals on Wheels was still open which puzzled him because it was normally closed by now. He slowly walked towards the car lot and peered through a gap in the door and realised that someone was already inside. He opened the door slowly and Harley was stunned by who it was...
"Ben!" Harley exclaimed as Ben turned around and smiled smugly at him.
"Harley what a nice surprise seeing you here." Ben sneered as he held a wade of money in his hand.
"What you doing with that? Put it back!" Harley shouted as he locked the door behind him. Ben became angry by this,
"Open that door now!" Ben shouted but then the door unlocked and Max was standing there, having heard the yelling coming from inside.
"What's going on?! Ben, what you doing with that money?! Give it here now or I'll get the cops!" Max went to lunge at him but Ben backed away mockingly.
"You'll get the cops eh? That's weird since you were screwing saga that copper whose death my dad went to prison for! Maybe I'll tell everyone you and her had a thing going on" he sneered before turning towards Harley,
"And you, son of a homewrecker and a slapper. No wonder you are all screwed up. Slept with Lola did you? Mother of my daughter? Now your having it away with the daughter of someone who tried to kill her husband. Are you mental or something?"
Harley felt his fists clench at these harsh words and then Peter arrived,
"Harley what's going on? I could hear something." Peter said and then Ben laughed,
"Oh look, my ickle wickle nephew all grown up with a six pack. Screwing Maxs daughter now are you? Lola wasn't good enough for you?" Max began clapping his hands.
"Oh dear Ben. Think your Mr big man do you? Trying to follow in daddy Phil's shoes? Well guess what? I own the arches now and I own deals on wheels. You Mitchell's think your special don't you? But your not. Face it Ben. You lose." Max said mockingly and Ben felt humiliated. Then grabbing some piping on the floor, he lunged for max. All the men yelled and shouted as they tried pull Ben of Max who was trying to make a bolt for the door but Ben pulled him back by his tie trying to strangle him. Then Harley, knowing that Ben was in intending to kill Max, grabbed the piping from him and hit him across the head, Ben fell in the floor.
He wasn't moving and Max, Peter and Harley stared down at him, all thinking the same thing. Harley began to cry. He believed he had killed him.
"Oh my God. He's dead isn't it?" He cried and Max just stared at Ben who still wasn't moving, Peter held onto Harley who cried in his shoulder. Max got up,
"Harley get out of here now! Peter, go to the arches and turn the lights on. He can't stay here." Max commanded and Harlye taking one last look at Ben, ran out crying. Peter went over to the arches and turned the lights on.
Max then went to close the curtains and turn the lights off when Ben suddenly grabbed his leg, sending him crashing onto the floor,
"My dad's gonna kill you!" Ben yelled as he kept a firm hold on Maxs leg. Out of panic Max grabbed the piping and smashed it over Ben's head again.
This time he delivered the killer blow not Harley.
And Peter had witnessed it all. After a few seconds he came back in the carlot and both of them looked at each other and at Ben.
"He's dead for sure but I'm not letting my nephew go down murder. Well move him to the arches, make it look suicide." Max said and Peter was to traumatised to say anything as they moved the body.
Harley was heading home the events of what happens earlier replaying in his mind and he felt himself become numb with shock.
He'd killed somebody and that somebody was Phil Mitchell's son.
He couldn't take it in what he had thought he had done, it seemed like a nightmare that he wouldn't wake up from. Just then Carol and David came out of the vic and the look on their faces indicated to Harley that something bad had happened, he ran over over to them,
"What's happened? Mum? Dad?" He said in a panicked tone and Carol replied in a numb voice,
"Dots handed herself into the police." She said and Harleys eyes widened with shock. Why had she done it? It wasn't her fault. When Carol and David went home with Charlie, Liam and Sonya, who had earlier delivered Kim Foxs premature daughter into the world, Harley decided to see Cindy and there, outside Jane and Ian's house, she stood there, crying. Harley held his arms out to her,
"Cindy what's wrong babe?" He said softly and Cindy cried,
"It was Bobby. He killed Lucy. He hit her over the head with a jewellery box. And Jane helped move her body."
Harley was stunned. So much had happened tonight; Dot going to prison, Lucy's killer being revealed, Ian and Jane's wedding.
But the biggest shock of all was that he had supposedly had murdered Ben Mitchell in cold blood.
As he held Cindy in his arms, he was unaware that the real culprit was his own uncle Max Branning.