Chapter Thirty-Seven.

Joey treated Lauren to a takeaway later that night, despite the fact she kept ruining parts of the movies for him. If he was honest he didn't mind because it was nice to see playful Lauren back. She'd laughed as she told him spoilers just as they were about to happen on the screen. He was happy to see the old Lauren back, even if it was just for a little while.

They had just finished their meal and Joey looked at Lauren 'Seriously babe, where do you put it all?' he asked her 'you've stuffed your face practically all day and you're as thin as a rake

She frowned and then shrugged 'I don't know' she told him grinning. 'I had a really good time today'

'Me too' he told her.

'I could keep you company at the club tonight, if you want' she suggested.

'Oh' Joey frowned and Lauren's face fell slightly 'you know that would be really nice, Lauren but…'

'It's okay Joey' she said shaking her head 'I get it' she told him. She sat forward and gathered up the takeout boxes and carried them through into the kitchen. Joey sighed, getting up and following her.

'You could let me finish my sentence before you leave the room' he said watching her scrape the left overs into plastic containers on the worktop 'I was going to say, yes it would be nice for you to keep me company at the club tonight and you can still go if you want to, but I won't be there. I swapped my night off for tonight. I thought that as we were spending the day together we could make it last a bit longer' he explained.

Lauren looked at him 'Oh' she said sheepishly 'that would be nice'

'I thought so' he said to her 'I was thinking maybe we could go to the Vic. Spend a little time with our friends?'

Yeah?' she asked him.

'Yeah' he nodded 'I know Fats and Poppy are going to be there, maybe Tyler' he said and he looked at her 'is that okay?'

She smiled at him 'yes' she nodded her head.

'Good so why don't you go and get ready and I will do the same?' he asked her.

'Okay' she walked over to him and gave him a quick kiss.

*JL*JL*JL*JL*

An hour later they walked into the pub, Joey glanced at her 'You okay babe?'

'I'm fine. Why don't you join the others and I'll get the drinks?' she asked him as she spotted Lucy and Whitney with the group, Joey hesitated for a split second too long, before he nodded, walking over to their friends and sitting down.

Lauren took a breath and walked to the bar. The pub was busy tonight and Lauren waited her turn patiently, glad it was busy because it meant she didn't have to join the others yet.

Roxy eventually came over to her, 'Lauren, what can I get you?' she asked her.

'Pint and a cranberry juice please' she told her.

'Coming up' she said with a smile.

She served her the drinks 'I hear you're working for Michael in the gym'

'Yeah, part time' Lauren nodded as Janine came in to the Vic and stood a few feet away from Lauren.

'And how's that working out for you?' Roxy asked her, Lauren frowned as she handed over her money to Roxy.

'I'm not sure…I'm thinking about quitting' Lauren told her.

'Well I have a job for you if you want it' Janine said butting into the conversation.

'Nannying really isn't my thing' Lauren told her.

'I didn't mean..that's Alice's job, there's an office job if you are interested' she said looking at Lauren.

'That's really nice of you Janine but …'

'Does this have something to do with Lucy?' she asked her looking over Lauren's shoulder 'because I can fire her' she told Lauren matter of factly.

'Thanks, but no thanks' Lauren said and she picked up the drinks, turning towards the table, she walked over to them with Janine watching her with interest. She put the beer down in front of Joey spilling some on her fingers as she did so, automatically and without thinking she popped her fingers into her mouth and sucked off the beer and then wiped her fingers on her jeans. Six faces stared her wide eyed as she sat down; she frowned. 'What?' she asked them confused.

'You just spilt Joey's beer' Lucy said accusingly.

'Yeah so?' she frowned at the tone of her voice.

'And then you licked your fingers' she told her 'the beer'

Lauren swallowed and nodded, picking up her cranberry juice turning to briefly look at Joey as she took a sip of her drink, she thought she saw shock and disappointment on his face, mirroring those of her so called friends, she felt her face flush and put down her drink and got up, walking out of the pub. Janine frowned wondering what had happened and followed her. She found her in the alley way behind the pub in tears

'Lauren?' she said softly, Lauren looked up at her and Janine could see tears on her face 'what happened?' she asked her/

'It's nothing' she said and shook her head. She made her way out of the alley and went to Phil's. She rang the doorbell and Phil opened it.

'Lauren?' he said in surprise, he saw she was upset and he let her in. She sat down on the sofa and burst into tears.

AN: So after having a great day with Joey, her friends ruin it for her. She only licked a little bit of beer off her fingers. It isn't not like she downed the whole pint in front of everyone. Do you think Lucy over reacted? Do you think Lauren did? What is Joey thinking? What are you thinking? Let me know by sending me a review. R&R as always