The day of R&R's opening finally arrived and Katy was growing more and more tense. She was determined that, because the bar was a tribute to her mother and aunt, the grand opening had to be perfect. The first opening would be for close friends and family. Obviously they were having a promotional public opening later that evening, but it felt right that the children were included in the actual initial viewing of the bar.
"Just bring 'em over for a bit and see if Lou or someone can watch them, yeah?" Katy said, clamping her phone between her ear and her shoulder as she hefted a crate of champagne bottles off the floor and carried them over to the bar. "Yeah, Gran, I know. Dad's on his way back now and he'll get here as soon as he can. I dunno where he is! He said something about Sonia." She huffed loudly, listening to her grandmother's arguments. "Yeah, but she's your grandkid and he might as well be, so I don't see why it's such a big deal. Fine, fine… just bring them over here then."
Rolling her eyes at the fuss Glenda was making about having to look after Ricky and Amy as well as Ruby, Matthew and the twins, Katy started stacking the bottles in the fridge irritably. She knew that her grandmother was mostly annoyed because she had wanted to take her time getting ready so that she looked her best for the opening. Katy understood, but she also had very little patience for the older blonde's dramatics considering everything else that was going on.
As Katy banged the bottles into place, she missed the sound of the door shutting and jumped as a voice cut through the silence.
"I heard today's the grand opening."
"Uhh… Tyler?"
He grinned at her, pushing his hands into his pockets almost nervously. "Hi. You're looking good."
"Thanks?" She blinked, straightening up slowly and frowning. "I don't mean to sound rude, but what are you doing here?"
"It's just a fleeting visit. I thought I'd come and see you and the kids. Whitney told me this place was looking good." When Katy just nodded slowly, he sent her a lopsided grin. "As soon as you told me about your plans, I knew you'd make it work."
"Just not with you."
"Come on, K. We went through this. You kicked me out."
"With good reason, Tyler." She reminded him, starting up the stairs to the upper floor. He followed and she sighed, bending to check the stock in the fridge behind the bar.
"Yeah and I'm sorry, but–"
"Daddy!"
He broke off as thundering footsteps on the stairs met their ears and Ruby flew towards him, leaping at Tyler and grinning as he swung her up into the air. Rolling her eyes, turning away rather than watching the scene unfolding in the middle of the room.
"Tyler." Glenda's tone was enough to drop the temperature in the room significantly.
"Glenda, you alright?"
"What are you doing here?"
"I was in the area and thought I'd come and see my favourite munchkins." He told her lightly, distracted by the children fighting for his attention.
"Not staying long, then?"
"Gran, leave it." Katy requested firmly. "I need your help."
Scowling at the young man, Glenda followed her granddaughter into the office and folded her arms. While Katy avoided meeting her eyes by focusing her attention on the laptop on her desk, she tapped her foot impatiently, waiting for the younger woman to say something. Finally, growing bored, she leant on the surface between them and fixed her with a determined stare.
"Katherine, what is he doing here?"
"Like he said, he was in the area and popped in." Katy informed her with a shrug. "That's what he told me, anyway. He just turned up a couple of minutes before you did."
"Katy… after what he made you do–"
"Tyler didn't make me do anything."
"He didn't leave you with much choice though, did he? Running off to Spain and leaving you to deal with–"
"Gran, seriously! Enough. I don't know why he's here." She snapped. "I've got a million and one things to do and I don't have time for this crap. Are you going to help me or not?"
Glenda sighed deeply. "Of course, darling. I just–" She stopped, before reaching out and grasping her granddaughter's arm. "What's that?"
Katy craned her neck to see what she was looking at. "A bruise? I don't know!"
"Where did it come from?"
"I don't know! I've been carrying crates around; it's not exactly surprising I've got bruises, is it?"
"Katherine, you know the doctor said to watch out for–"
"Gran, stop!"
"OK, OK!" She held up her hands reluctantly backing off. "What do you want me to do?"
Katy immediately gave her a list of jobs to do before the rest of the family turned up for the opening. Glenda knew better than to try and push the point, not mentioning Tyler's presence again. Grateful for that, her granddaughter smiled warmly as she passed, pressing a kiss to her cheek before Glenda headed out to finish stocking the bar.
"Mumma, can daddy stay with us?"
"No." Katy replied bluntly, avoiding looking at her daughter so that she didn't see her expression. "Sorry, Ruby, but no. We've got too much going on."
"But–"
"I said no."
"I hate you!" The seven-year-old shouted, before storming out of the office.
Katy rolled her eyes, shaking her head at the dramatics. She tried not to take the comment too personally, although she felt it like a kick to the chest.
"She didn't mean it, you know."
Katy glared at Tyler as he leant in the doorway. "I think I know my daughter well enough to know that, thanks. Don't even think about telling me about my children. Especially after you walked out on them without a backwards glance."
"You're unbelievable, you know that?" He told her angrily, moving further into the room.
"Me? How is your new girlfriend, by the way?"
"Don't even go there, Katy."
"What?" She snapped. "I'm not allowed to be pissed off with you?"
"You told me to go!"
"Because you said you had feelings for someone else!" Katy spat furiously. "I told you that I wanted to come back here, so that my children would have their family around them and you told me you had feelings for someone else!"
"That's just it, Katy. Your children. You wanted to come back so your children would have their family around them." He retorted, more weary than angry. "Whatever you said, you've never considered me part of their family, or yours."
"And you proved that I was right to think that, didn't you?" She snapped. "You found something better and you left us."
"Because you never let me in, Katy!" He challenged her, finally getting fed up with her attacks. "You never completely trusted me or let me into your life. Jack told me once that he always felt on the outskirts of Ronnie's life because you and Roxy and the kids were the only people she truly trusted. You are exactly like her. That's why you're going to wake up one day and realise that you are completely alone."
"So why are you here then, Tyler, eh?"
"I told you. I'm here to see Matthew and the girls."
"Right, well, you've seen them now, so you can fuck off again."
He shook his head, looking at her pityingly. "Why are you so terrified of me being here?"
"I'm not! I just don't want you–"
"Is it because I know what you've done and you're petrified I'm going to tell your precious family?"
"Tyler." Katy said warningly, her eyes flashing dangerously. "You should leave before they get here."
"I ain't scared of your dad."
"Maybe you should be."
Tyler laughed mirthlessly. "Nah. You're the one I'm scared of, Katy. I've seen what you're like when someone threatens the people you care about. I know what you do to them. Carl White, for example? Or Ruby's dad?"
"Don't you dare–"
"What? Worried someone's going to hear?"
"Maybe you should leave again, then." Katy suggested angrily.
"Did you really expect me to stay?"
"I did what I had to do." Katy told him bluntly, folding her arms over her chest. "Because of what you did."
"No." He jabbed his finger in her direction. "No, you did not have to sleep with him."
"I had very little choice, Tyler. You owed him thousands and you'd fucked off to Spain and left me to deal with it."
"I was getting the money."
"Not fast enough!"
"I still don't understand why you didn't just pay him off. Why the hell did you have to sleep with him?"
Katy glared at him furiously. "Because the money I have is for the kids' futures. It's for building something for them. There was no way I was going to hand it over to Andrew Quinnan because you owed him money!"
"So you had sex with him instead?"
"Yeah, because it's what I do." She spat back. "I don't see why you're complaining anyway; it got him off your back, didn't it?"
"That's not the point!"
"It's exactly the point." Katy said bluntly. "You got us into a mess and I got us out." She huffed, catching sight of the time. "I've gotta get on. You should probably leave before Dad and the others start arriving."
Tyler rolled his eyes and made no sign that he was planning on following her advice. Ignoring him, Katy left the office and went in search of her grandmother. Glenda informed her that Louise had come to get the kids and that she was going to go and get changed ready.
"Thanks." Katy called after her as she left, passing Whitney and Stacey on their way in. "Hi, girls."
"All set?" Stacey asked, looking around interestedly.
"Yeah… Ian should be dropping the food off soon and then it's just a few finishing touches before everyone starts arriving at about 4." She told them, forcing herself not to display the nerves she was feeling. "The DJ is arriving at about half five to start setting up. Hopefully we'll open the doors at half seven. Are you sure you're OK to be here?"
"I'm fine. It's gonna be great." Stacey assured her, squeezing her arm and heading round the bar to finish off where Glenda had stopped.
"It is." Whitney agreed with a broad grin. "Mick's phoned Shirley and told her to shut the Vic for a couple of hours specially."
"What?" Katy blinked in surprise.
Her friend nodded. "Yeah, he said he wants everyone here to support you. Don't get used to it, though. He wouldn't do it for anyone else."
Touched, Katy simply nodded, not knowing what to say. She glanced at the clock and saw that it was only about fifteen minutes before her family started arriving. Wondering where Ian was with the buffet, she breathed a sigh of relief as the door opened and he appeared, laden with plates. Kathy stepped in behind him, smiling warmly at the younger blonde and asking where she wanted them to set things up.
"Whit…" Katy pulled her to one side, chewing her lip. "Tyler's up in the office."
"What?" The brunette's eyes lit up at the news. "Why's he here? Oh my god, are you back together?"
"No." Her friend replied firmly. "We're not. He said he was in the area and came to see the kids. I've told him to leave, but he won't go."
"That's good, though! Katy, he obviously wants you to take him back."
"It's not going to happen, Whit. Too much has happened and I've got too much going on. Besides, his life is in Spain now and mine's here. It wouldn't work."
"So… what do you want me to do?"
"Get rid of him. Point out that bumping into Dad or Phil wouldn't be good for his health."
"And if he won't go?"
Katy sighed, shaking her head. "He'll just have to deal with them."
There was a pause and Whitney bit her lip. "Is there any chance I can duck out early?"
"What? Why?"
"I need to get home."
With a frown, Katy looked at her for a long moment, trying to work out what her best friend wasn't telling her. "I really need you here tonight, Whit."
"I know… I just…"
"Alright," the blonde held up her hands and nodded, "I know you wouldn't ask if it wasn't important. I might be able to get Gran to cover you later."
Whitney thanked her and hurried off distractedly, clutching her phone. Katy didn't have time to dwell on the conversation and, before she knew it, people were starting to swarm into the club, but she still hadn't noticed her ex leaving. Aunt Sal was among the first to arrive and she distracted Katy by congratulating her loudly, telling her she'd done her mother and Aunty Peggy proud. Everyone else seemed impressed with the remodel as well, even Phil complimenting her on the décor of the bar.
"You invited Aunt Sal?" Glenda appeared and laid a hand on her granddaughter's arm. She glanced incredulously towards the old lady who was apparently enjoying herself finding fault with the paintings on the walls. "Really? Aunt Sal?"
"Of course I did, Gran." Katy replied with a shrug. "She's Aunt Sal. She had to be here."
"You gonna make a speech?" Jack asked, appearing beside Katy and nudging her in the ribs. He handed her a glass of the complementary champagne she'd laid on and grinned.
"Uhhh? I wasn't planning to."
"You have to." Glenda announced from her other side. She picked up a fork and knocked it against her glass, getting everyone's attention. "Katy's going to make a speech."
"I… thanks, Gran." She muttered, frowning at the older woman and making everyone laugh. "Well, as you all know – and if you don't you should have – today would have been Aunty Roxy's birthday." Katy began, looking around at the assembled members of her family. "I couldn't think of a better day to open the R&R and I think she would have approved.
"Ronnie and Roxy were my two most favourite people in the world. They were kind, caring, funny, determined, focused, loyal, strong, loving and beautiful. They were everything that I have ever aspired to be. They shaped me into the woman I am today.
"The R&R is my tribute to their memory and their legacy. I know that they would been immensely proud of Amy, Ricky, Ruby, Jessica, Sophie and Matthew. This bar is going to be part of their future and hopefully it'll allow them to do everything Ronnie and Roxy would have wished for them." Katy smiled, raising her glass. "So, before we cut the ribbon and we take the first orders at the new R&R, please raise your glasses to Veronica and Roxanne Mitchell. To Ronnie and Roxy!"
"And," Jack cut in before everyone started talking again, "I think we need to raise our glasses to you, Katy. It's been a tough few years but I don't think anyone here would argue with the fact that you've done us, yourself and Ronnie and Roxy proud. To Katy."
She blushed, scooping Sophie in to her arms and hiding her face in her daughter's hair as everyone echoed her name.
"Mumma, I wanna go down." Her daughter told her, struggling in her arms.
"Alright, baby." Katy agreed, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
"He's right, you know." Tyler told her, appearing at her side from nowhere. "You're amazing. Ronnie and Roxy would be incredibly proud of you."
"I thought I told you to go." Katy muttered, sighing and giving up on trying to keep hold of her wiggling daughter. She handed Sophie over to Tyler, folding her arms defensively. "I don't want you here."
"And I said I wasn't going."
Shaking her head, Katy turned and walked away from him. She made her way over to where Shirley and Tina were knocking back drinks in the corner and smiled tightly at them. In unison, they looked past her towards where Tyler was still standing, before turning incredulous looks on her.
"Why did you invite Tyler?"
"I didn't." She snapped in response. "I don't want him here."
"What exactly did he do?" Tina asked interestedly, craning her neck to see past the younger woman.
"He didn't do anything."
"Oh…" Shirley's eyes widened in understanding. "You cheated on him?"
"No!" Katy scowled, before exhaling sharply. "Not exactly."
"But it was obviously something because you broke up." Tina pressed. "But he's here? If it was something you did and he's here anyway–?"
"No chance, Tina." The young woman shook her head firmly. "It's done. I'm not going back there. I've got too much to think about without dealing with an overgrown child who refuses to grow up and deal with things like an adult."
Arching an eyebrow, Shirley shrugged. "Remind me not to get on the wrong side of you."
Sending her a tight smile, Katy moved away, mingling with the guests. She laughed as Louise asked whether she could have a job, promising that as soon as Phil agreed she'd hire her. As the teenager turned to her father hopefully, she received a raised eyebrow in response and let out a small huff of irritation.
Grinning, the older Mitchell moved away towards her grandmother, laying her hand on Glenda's arm and leaning in to ask whether she was enjoying herself. Glenda fixed Katy with a broad, proud smile and pulled her into a tight hug. Pulling away and holding the young woman at arm's length, tears sprang to her eyes as she reiterated how proud she was.
"I love you, Gran." Katy muttered in her ear, pulling her into another tight hug.
"I love you, too." Glenda replied without a second's hesitation, cupping her face gently.
"I'd better go and help Stace behind the bar."