A.N - Sorry its took me a while to update but I've been a bit busy. I hope this makes up for it. Please let me know what you think. Greatly apreciated xxx
...Perfect Catch...
Chapter 28 – Little Wonders
Several days had passed since Ronnie received the phone call. Her hands clung on to her hot cut of coffee as she stared out the window onto the Square. Her eyes followed the tyre tracks on the road that had been left thanks to the small covering of snow until she suddenly saw Jim helping Jack out of the car.
"Never thought I'd love to see this place as much as I do now", Jack said as he climbed out the car looking round the Square.
Jim patted Jack on the back, smiling widely. "Let's get you inside". With one last glance over at the Vic Jack followed his father inside.
...
Ronnie made her way downstairs, climbing over box after box as she reached the bottom of the stairs.
"No Tracy over there", Peggy said as she watched Tracy put the decorations up.
Tracy nodded. "Need any help", Ronnie asked making Peggy jump.
"You gave me a fright there", Peggy said with a half-hearted laugh. "Tracy it's still in the wrong place. I'm telling you Ronnie if you want anything done right you have to do it yourself", Peggy added as Ronnie leant against the bar laughing.
"What's all the racket", Phil said annoyed. Ronnie continued laughing as Tracy and Peggy squabble.
"It's Christmas tomorrow. Get a move on", Peggy shouted getting frustrated.
"I think I'll leave them to it", Phil said to Ronnie before walking out the Vic. Ronnie put her head in her hands letting out a heavy sigh.
...
Jack pushed open the living room door with his spare hand, as the other was holding onto his side. He laughed as he saw the elegant Christmas tree full of decorations and presents underneath it.
"I hate Christmas", Jack said under his breath while slouching down on the settee.
"So", Reenie said excitedly joining Jack, "Do you need help wrapping your present. Well that is if you have any".
"You're such a kid", Jack said laughing softly. "There are a few bags in my room with stuff in", Jack added watching his mother stand up immediately. "But mum, don't touch the green bag".
5 minutes later Reenie came storming down the stairs like a child, pushing the little coffee table to one side and sitting right in the middle of the floor. She started wrapping present after present as Jack instructed her what was for who.
"This is nice", Reenie said taking the white gold bracelet out of the packaging and examining it.
"There's no point in wrapping that", Jack said joining his mother on the floor. "Waste of money", Jack added taking the bracelet of his mother.
"It's gorgeous Jack. How can it be a waste of money", Reenie said finally twigging on, "Ronnie".
Jack nodded and handed it back over. "You know Jack you could still give it to her. I mean you are friends", Reenie said convincingly.
"Friends don't give friends expensive jewellery. Friends don't visit the hospital once when your cooped up in their for days. Friends don't...", Jack said angrily throwing the bracelet on the floor and storming up stairs, leaving Reenie sat looking down at the bracelet.
...
Over at the Vic Peggy and Tracy had just finished putting the decorations up as Phil walked back in.
"You ready Ronnie", Phil asked prompting Ronnie to straighten up.
Peggy's head swiftly tilted in the direction of the voices and approached them, "I'm coming with you".
"No", Ronnie said sternly, "I have to do this by my-self. Anyways someone has to look after Roxy once Dr Robertson is done with her".
"Be careful", Peggy said softly wrapping her arms around Ronnie.
"Break it up", Phil said, "Come on were going to be late".
"See ya later", Ronnie said softly, "And tell Rox I'll let her know everything as soon as I get back".
"Will do love", Peggy replied before Ronnie and Phil left the Vic.
Peggy turned to Tracy who was looking at her. "Poor thing", Peggy said as Tracy nodded.
...
Half an hour later Phil pulled into the car park as he reached the destination. He looked at a nervous Ronnie twiddling her thumps. "It be fine", Phil said reassuringly.
"You sure", Ronnie said lifting her head.
"I have been banged up before", Phil said, "And I have been on your side too".
"Thanks", Ronnie said rolling her eyes.
"I be waiting here. Just come out when ya want. I'm not budging", Phil said smiling at Ronnie. Ronnie took on last deep breath before stepping out of the car and heading towards the entrance. Phil watched her every move.
Ronnie walked through the double doors feeling the eerie atmosphere. She slowly walked over to the desk looking around at all the equipment. "I'm Veronica Mitchell. Here to see Archie Mitchell".
The man behind the desk stood up and shouted for DC Harrington, making Ronnie's pulse racing. All of a sudden the side door open and a tall, masculine woman walked out. "You need to leave your back in here and I have to search you", she demanded. Once she was ready DC Harrington lead her to a single room, as Ronnie looked round confused.
"What's going on? I though everyone was in a hall. Like on bad girls", Ronnie asked making DC Harrington laugh.
"We do normally", she said sternly, "But today is different. I have to be present and so does your fathers solicitor". Ronnie looked on confused, what did they mean solicitor and why a single room, why be different. "If you would like to take a seat and I'll go and get your father", the DC added.
Ronnie took her seat looking around the bare room. The only objects being a table and 4 chairs. Suddenly Ronnie jumped as the door swung open and the clatter of chains became annoyingly loud. She watched as Archie took his seat opposite her, as did the solicitor. DC Harrington took a seat beside Ronnie while one police officer stood outside the door and another stood inside by the door.
"Ronnie", Archie said with a smile on his face reaching out to hold Ronnie's hands, but Ronnie pulled her hands back and placed them under the table.
"What do you want?", Ronnie asked sharply prompting the solicitor to put this brief case on the table and open it up, dragging out several pieces of paper.
"Can I tell her", Archie whispered to his solicitor who nodded. As Archie spoke to Ronnie the solicitor leant over the table placing two sheets of paper in front of Ronnie, with crosses where she had to sign.
"So let me get this straight", Ronnie said eventually, "You're willing to hand the cub over to me, no attachment, no catch, no nothing".
"Well there is one thing", the solicitor said pointing to the pieces of paper, "Since you are under 18, you have to find a business partner who is over the age of 18. For legal reasons of course, but apart from that you can run the club from the office, give orders, etc".
"And all I have to do is sign this piece of paper", Ronnie asked.
"Yes", Archie said softly as the solicitor interrupted, "You sign both of them, but the one on your left is for the business partner of your choice to sign".
"Please don't hire some idiot", Archie said bolding.
"What about the house?", Ronnie asked staring at the solicitor.
"Well you see, we aren't going to sell that. Archie is going to use it as an investment, then when you turn 23 we will allow you to live in it or your sister", the solicitor said.
"I'll do it", Ronnie said without any hesitation, "Pass me a pen".
DC Harrington pulled a pen out of her pocket and passed it over to Ronnie, who signed the two pieces of paper.
"Merry Christmas princess", Archie said smiling at Ronnie.
"Leave that talk for Roxy", Ronnie said angrily passing the pen back over to the DC. "So do I just call into your office and give you these", Ronnie asked the solicitor.
"Yeah", he replied. "But not tomorrow, I mean its Christmas day".
Ronnie laughed slightly before turning serious. "Can I have a word with my dad in private".
"I don't think that's a good idea", DC Harrington replied.
"Please I will only be a minute", Ronnie pleaded.
"One minute", DC Harrington replied guiding everyone out the room apart from Archie and Ronnie.
"Have you told them everything", Ronnie asked getting straight to the point.
"Told them what?", Archie asked quietly.
"That you're a murderer or are you just in here for the assault you done, on my ex-boyfriend", Ronnie said sharply.
"He deserved it", Archie replied.
"No-one deserves that dad. He nearly died", Ronnie said angrily trying to keep her voice down. "You haven't answered my question", Ronnie added.
"No I haven't", Archie said quietly. "But..."
"Don't you 'But' me. I'll give you til the end of next week to tell them and if you don't I will", Ronnie said bitterly.
"You won't", Archie said glaring at her.
"We're done here", Ronnie said picking up the pieces of paper before getting up and knocking on the door to be let out.
DC Harrington opened the door as Ronnie took on last glance at her father who said, "I love you". Ronnie shook her head, fighting back the tears as she walked along the corridor and collected all her stuff.
...
The Vic had just opened as the punters came rushing in. Roxy had finished her therapy session and was sitting at the side of the bar observing.
"Can I have a erm ... a ... orange juice please, yes orange juice", Jean asked.
"Here you go", Peggy said handing over the drink and taking the money off Jean.
"Pint please", Minty asked followed by the early morning drinkers that included Gary and Keith.
10 minutes later Reenie walked in heading straight for the bar. "Vodka and coke", she asked.
"Bit early for you", Peggy said as she saw to the drink.
"After the morning I've had I need it", Reenie replied as Roxy listened to the conversation. "Jack's back", she added.
"Oh!", Peggy said trying to avoid the conversation.
"I've never seen him so down in the dumps about a girl", Reenie said taking a sip of her drink as Roxy smiled.
"I'm sure it's just a phase", Peggy replied.
"I doubt it. He spent well over £200 on her Christmas present. She was special in his eyes", Reenie added as Roxy's smile grew.
"It's his own fault for losing her", Peggy bit back but before Reenie could retaliate Jean was waving her hands in the air shouting her over. Reenie reluctantly walked over to Jean and joined her.
...
Phil pulled up outside the Vic as Ronnie quickly jumped out the car and headed into the Vic by the back door. Roxy heard someone storming up the stairs so jumped off the seat and followed her upstairs.
Ronnie headed straight into her bedroom, collapsing on the bed. Roxy slowly crept in and sat on the end of the bed. "How'd it go?", she asked.
"Not too bad", Ronnie said sitting up. "How'd your session go", she asked.
"Better", Roxy said smiling, "He says I'm coming on leaps and bounds already. Must be the good old tablets".
"Yeah", Ronnie said with a slight laugh as Roxy's eyes averted to the pieces of paper on the bed. Ronnie noticed Roxy's eyes and began to explain what has happened.
Meanwhile downstairs in the Vic Peggy was hounding Phil for answer, but Phil was none the wiser as the car journey back was in total silence.
"So then who's going to be your partner", Roxy asked after hearing Ronnie explain everything.
"Probably Aunty Peg or Phil", Ronnie replied fiddling with the pieces of paper.
"Jack's back", Roxy said happily totally changing the subject.
"I know. I saw him out the window this morning", Ronnie replied as Roxy's smile soon disappeared into a frown. "Me and Jack are history sis. You know what he done to me".
"But you still love him and he loves you", Roxy replied.
"Jack Branning doesn't know the meaning of love", Ronnie replied sliding off the bed.
Roxy thought for a few seconds as Ronnie opened her bedroom door but suddenly came to a halt as Roxy spoke up. "Is that why he spent over £200 on your Christmas present".
"What!?", Ronnie said staring at Roxy. "You're making it up".
"I heard his mum downstairs having a little argument with Aunty Peg", Roxy said. "I'm not making his up Ron. He loves you and if that doesn't prove it I don't know what will".
