Well here we are again! Thank you so much for the reviews! Made me very happy to have your approval so, here is the next update!

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Café et fraises

Chapter Three

Catching up

'What brought you back?' Bovver frowned. He, Pete, Lucy and Libby were sat in the small front room of Pete's apartment. Lucy took a small breath in.

'I didn't want to hide anymore. I wanted to come back,' she said. Libby frowned, but stayed quiet, wondering if Adam had anything to do with her need to come here and be safe. 'Guys, this is Libby, my best friend. Libs, this is my brother, Pete, and Bovver.' Libby gave a tentative smile, feeling a little out of place here. And nervous. Both of the men looked thunderous that Lucy was here, and it suddenly seemed like a not-good-idea about coming. Pete shook his head.

'But, fucking 'ell Lucy, it aint safe down 'ere. If Hatcher…' he trailed off, glancing at Libby. Lucy sighed, running a hand through her mousey brown hair.

'It's alright, she knows. And he doesn't have to know I'm down 'ere,' she replied. 'Just keep your mouths shut and I'll be fine.' Bovver stared. She was still how he remembered her, if not better. The way her curls fell down her back and the way her blue eyes sparkled whenever they landed on him. Bov looked away, staring hard at his hands. He and Lucy were hardly strangers to each other. They had first met when Pete was ten and Luce was eight and they had been firm friends ever since. They first went out as a dare when she was eleven and then again when she was thirteen which lasted a couple of months. When Lucy had other boyfriends, Bov used to get so jealous he'd just go and beat them up.

Jesus, they'd been everything to each other, even if Pete wasn't happy at first. They'd shared their first kiss when she was fifteen and on her eighteenth birthday she lost her virginity to him. But now, it was just fucking awkward. They were avoiding each others eyes and taking quick glances at each other every now and again.

'Lucy, you and Libby can 'ave my room if you don't mind sharing. I'll be fine on the sofa,' said Pete, getting to his feet.

'Pete, you don't 'ave to do it for me…'

'I'm not,' he replied, but there was a mischievous sparkle in his eyes. 'If your friend weren't 'ere, you'd be in the bath.' Lucy laughed, playfully hitting his shoulder.

'Twat. Well, we're off to bed.' She held out her hand and helped Libby to her feet. Leading Libby in Pete's bedroom, she looked back, her eyes lingering on Bovver. 'Goodnight,' she murmured, before shutting the bedroom door and leaning against it. She shut her eyes and sighed.

'So that's Bovver, huh?' smiled Libby, moving over to Henry's newly filled tank and putting in some fish food. 'Seems nice.'

'It's a fuckin nightmare being back,' she murmured, before moving away from the door. 'You haven't even met the guys yet.'

'You mean the bunch of drunken ogres that were battling it out with the weediest men I've ever seen?' the dark haired woman laughed, as she climbed into bed. Lucy nodded.

'That would be them.' She dressed quickly, shutting out the lamp and climbing into bed. The smell of Pete around her comforted her deeply, and she snuggled in, shutting her eyes tight to stop the tears before they fell. They did anyway.

--

'Friends will be friends! When you're in need of love to give you care and attention! Friends will be friends! When you're through with life and all hope is lost! Hold out your hand 'cause friends will be friends! Right till the end!' Lucy laughed as she moved into the kitchen. Libby was stood over the cooker in her underwear, singing Queen at the top of her voice along with the radio. The shorter girl looked over her shoulder to flash Lucy a wink, before she served up a plate of bacon and put it in front of the blonde.

'What are you going to eat?' asked Lucy.

'Friends will be friends!' Libby merely sang in her face. 'When you're in need of love to give you care and attention.'

'Alright, Freddie,' she laughed, tucking into her breakfast.

'Where's your brother anyway?' frowned Libby, turning off the cooker and picking up her cup of tea. Lucy frowned.

'Who knows? I'm sure he'll be back later though,' she said, before putting another piece of bacon in her mouth. There was the sound of the front door opening.

'Pete, you fat cunt!' Lucy cringed when Swill's voice echoed through the flat. 'Get your fucking skates on- oh,' he frowned, stopping in his tracks when he noticed the two women in the kitchen. Dave bumped into his back.

'Oh, 'ello, darlin,' beamed Dave, coming over and pulling Lucy into a tight hug. She laughed, kissing his cheek.

'Alright?' she smiled. Libby looked up, noticing the blonde man's eyes still on her. Now, she wished she'd gotten dressed.

'Who's your friend?' asked Swill, glancing at Lucy, who peeped out from under Dave's arm.

'Oh, Libby meet Dave and Swill. Guys, meet Libby.' Libby gave a small wave, before sitting at the table and looking at the suddenly interesting dead plant on the shelf. 'Are you two hungry?' Lucy asked, noticing Swill and Libby's reactions and trying to break the ice.

'Nah, we just ate.'

'Mind if we wait for Pete?' asked Swill. Lucy nodded, not noticing the dirty look Libby flashed her. Like she wanted to spend time with the local pervert. Exhaling sharply, Libby jumped to her feet.

'I'll go change,' she said, darting out the room.

'Who is she?' demanded Swill, as soon as she left, his eyes bugging out his head. Lucy smirked.

'Why?'

'Just curious?' he shrugged, trying to look casual.

'She's my best mate,' replied Lucy, sitting back.

'Single?'

'Surprisingly so, yes.' Swill fell silent when Libby returned, her black hair pulled into a ponytail, now dressed. He glanced up at her as she sat down, before looking at his hands. Lucy suppressed a laugh, looking up as someone came into the flat.

'Just me,' called Pete.

'In here,' replied Lucy, leaning back against Dave. Pete appeared with a small grin on his face.

'Lads,' he greeted. 'Libby.'

'Morning,' she replied, sipping her tea, eyes meeting Swill's every now and again before they both looked away.

'You ready to go yet?' asked Dave, as Pete put some beans in the cupboard.

'Sure, but I need to get some cash off Steve.'

'Can I come?' asked Lucy. 'I'm coming too!' Pete laughed.

'Hurry up, I'm going now.' Lucy nodded, sliding away from the table and moving into the bedroom, Libby on her heels.

'He keeps staring at me!' she hissed.

'Who? Swill?' grinned Lucy, pulling a pair of jeans out of her suitcase and pulling off her shorts.

'Yeah. Have I got something on my face?' Lucy burst into laughter, and Libby scowled.

'It's not funny; he's making me self conscious!'

'Don't worry about him,' she smiled, pulling a top over her head and grabbing her jacket.

'Put your eyes back in, son,' muttered Dave when the two women walked out.

'What you mean?' smirked Pete, looking over at them.

'He can't take his eyes of that Libby bird.'

'I was just looking!' protested Swill, glaring at him.

'Ah, well leave it out. She's well out of your league.' They fell silent as Libby and Lucy returned.

'Come on then, fat boy,' smiled Lucy.

'Am I going with them?' asked Libby, nervously glancing at Swill.

'Yeah, unless you want to stay 'ere?' she replied. Libby gave a small smile.

'No, I'll go, its fine.' Pete checked his watch.

'Come on, them,' he said, leading the way out. The two groups parted, walking opposite ways down the street.

--

'What are you drinking, darlin'?' asked Terry, smiling at Libby.

'Fosters, please.' She flashed him a toothy smile, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Terry grinned back, pouring the drink and taking the money when she held it out. Libby went and took a seat by Dave, whom she felt safer beside as he wasn't looking at her like she was a piece of meat.

'Where about you from then?' asked Dave, taking a sip of his beer and looking at her.

'Lincolnshire,' she replied.

'You're a posh tot then?' Ned grinned.

'I guess so, yes,' she replied, glancing down at her hands.

'Is it true you birds get around a lot?' butted in Ike. Libby looked up, her cheeks flaming red.

'Oi, twat,' snapped Dave. 'Show 'er some respect, will you?' Swill stamped on Ike's foot.

'Sorry,' he muttered, both him and her looking away.

'As a matter of fact, that's not true,' she grumbled, taking a sip of her drink.

'Don't listen to him,' said a voice and Libby looked up to see Swill. 'He's just jealous 'cause he can count how many times he's got laid on one 'and.' Libby laughed, shaking her head slightly as Ike stuck up his fingers.

'They call me the thoroughbred, you know,' said Ned thoughtfully. 'I always do a thorough job on them.' Swill rolled his eyes.

'Alright, mate, in your dreams.'

--

Lucy met her oldest brother's gaze, feeling tears sting her eyes. 'Steve,' she murmured, stepped forward. Steve pulled her into a tight hug, as she burst out into tears.

'What you doin' 'ere?' he asked, holding her at arms length and looking her up and down. 'When'd you arrive?'

'I came down last night and kipped at Pete's,' she replied, wiping her eyes. 'I don't want to hide anymore,' she said, looking up as they heard footsteps on the stairs.

'Steve, who is it- Lucy?' Shannon looked down in surprised, before jogging down the rest of the stairs and hugging her. Lucy stared at the man behind her, who was looking awkward.

'Luce, this is Matt, Shannon's brother,' introduced Steve. Pete glared at him, as Matt stepped forward to shake her hand.

'I'll go and put tea on, yeah?' smiled Shannon, pulling Matt along with her as she left for the kitchen. Steve smiled.

'Come on,' he said, taking her hand and leading both Pete and Lucy out into the garden. A small blonde boy was waddling about on the patio, pushing a trolley as support as he went.

'This must be Ben,' she smiled, sitting down. Steve picked up the youngster, who kicked his legs in the air, before placing him on Lucy's lap.

'Ben, meet Auntie Lucy,' he smiled. Pete took a seat beside her, waving Ben's fat fist with a grin.

'He's gorgeous,' she murmured, feeling tears burn her eyes once more. Bouncing the youngster gently on her knee, she looked up as Steve leaned forward.

'So, how was good old Lincolnshire?' he teased.

'Flat and green and smelt of cow shit,' she replied with a laugh, as Ben tugged on the necklace she was wearing.

'Sounds like fun,' he smiled.

'Yeah. My best friend, Libby, came down with me, too.' She looked up as Shannon re-appeared, placing two beers and a cup of tea on the wooden table.

'If you want a snack, just ask. I'm going to show Matt around.'

'Alright, babe,' smiled Steve, placing a kiss on her cheek before she walked back inside. Lucy ran a hand through her curls, sitting back as Ben chewed on his hand. 'Have you spoken to Bovver?' he asked. Lucy nodded, looking down at Ben, unable to stop the smile coming to her lips as she rested her eyes on him.

'Yeah, but we haven't had a great chance to talk,' she said. 'But we will… you know, catch up.' Steve nodded, as Pete cracked open the bottle and handed it to him. Steve took a long drink, and sighed.

'I've missed you.'

'I should hope so,' laughed Lucy, but she gave a small smile. 'I missed you too.'

'Hey! Did anyone miss me?' said Pete, lifting up Ben and pulling a face. 'No one misses Uncle Pete though, do they?'

'I missed you too, you old sod.'

'Old?' said Pete, looking offended.

'Yeah, I can see the grey hair coming through already,' Lucy laughed. 'No matter how short you shave it, they'll always come through!' Pete got to his feet, carrying the gurgling boy towards the hose pipe.

'She's gunna pay for that, aint she Ben. The good old Dunham way!' Turning on the tap, he turned back to Lucy, a smirk on his lips.

'Don't you dare Peter Andrew Dunham!' she warned, climbing off the chair and stepping back, screaming when Steve grabbed her and pulled her onto the grass. 'Oi! Get off! That's not fair!' she squealed, as Pete turned the jet of water onto her, managing to soak Steve as well. 'Oh my God!' she cried, wiping water from her face and charging forwards. She tackled the hose off him. Pete grinned, racing away with Ben laughing in his arms. 'This is war!' Lucy announced, before charging after them with the hose. Shannon gave a tut, before she turned away from the window.

--

Pete, Lucy and Matt trudged down the road. They had nipped back to Pete's, changing into dry clothes. The Abbey was in view and Lucy could feel a surge of excitement coming through her; it had been a while since she had been in there and she couldn't wait to see the guys again.

'No! No! I won that!' she heard Libby complaining, grinning when she saw the group, glasses littering the table. Libby gave a hiccup.

'You did not win!' replied Swill with a laugh. 'I 'ad one more.'

'Liar!' she said, but there was a grin on her lips. She prodded him in the chest. 'You just want to look good, but I can tell you now, no one beats me in drinking contests!'

'Where you live with the sheeps and chickens maybe, but not 'ere in the city,' Swill laughed. Libby rolled her eyes, pulling Lucy to sit on her knee.

'Why is your hair wet?' she frowned, running her hands through it. Lucy glared at Pete.

'You can blame that twat for that,' she replied. 'I said he had grey hair so he got me with the hose pipe.'

'Unlucky,' laughed Dave.

'Who's that?' said a gruff voice. They turned to see Bovver staring hard at Matt who had yet to be introduced.

'Oh, guys, this is Matt, Shannon's brother.'

'Nice to meet you, mate,' smiled Dave, before going up to grab some peanuts. Without a word, Bovver sat down, eyes still hard on Matt.

'Are you going to the match?' asked Libby in what was supposed to be a whisper. Lucy nodded.

'Yeah, I think so.'

'I'm gunna stay with Terry,' she whispered again, turning to wave at the barman. Terry laughed.

'Alright, honey. You stay 'ere where you can't do any damage.' Libby smiled, resting her head against Lucy's shoulder.

'Get the drinks in,' beamed Swill. With a grumble under his breath, Dave got to his feet to get the drinks in.

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