Chapter 8

'NAN! What are you doing here?' Lauren asked, fitting her shirt and getting to her feet.

'I came to see if your mum was home... but instead I find you two...' Cora trailed off, trying to shake off what she saw.

'Nan! Please, please don't say anything to Mum or Dad and Derek! Please!' begged Lauren. Cora eyed Joey.

'Get out of here, Joey. I need to speak to my granddaughter' said Cora, a sharp edge to her voice. Joey looked at Lauren, who nodded slowly. He picked up his jacket and squeezed Lauren's arm, while reassuring her that everything was going to be okay with his eyes, before leaving. After hearing the door shut, Cora turned to her granddaughter, who swallowed...

Joey stumbled from the house. He rushed to the gardens and sat on the bench, his head in his hands. A football hit his legs and his head whipped up and saw Dennis Jr heading towards him.

'Can I have my ball back please?' he asked. Joey smiled and handed him the ball. Dennis studied Joey for a minute and climbed onto the bench and next to him.

'Are you okay?' he asked Joey. Joey smiled and nodded his head.

'Yeah, I've just a little headache that's all' replied Joey. He saw Sharon head out of Jack's flat and across to where him and Dennis were.

'Ah, hey Joey... You okay? You look about pale?' said Sharon, studying him closely. Something inside Joey was telling him Sharon would understand what he was going through. But it wasn't only his decision to tell, it was Lauren's too. But he had to talk to someone and if that meant Lauren been mad at him, he took that chance.

'No, I'm in some real deep trouble' he said, looking at Sharon. She straightened up.

'Well, if you want to talk about it... Want to go to R&R? It's not open yet for another four hours' said Sharon...

Cora and Lauren were sat round the table in kitchen, each clutching a cup of coffee.

'Nan! Please talk to me' said Lauren, her eyes filling with tears. Cora couldn't look at her without seeing Joey with her. She sighed.

'Lauren, whatever your doing with him it stops... now!' she demanded. Lauren's mouth dropped open

'Excuse me? Whatever I'm doing with him?'

'Yes!.. Lauren, it's wrong! He's your cousin'

'Why should that stop me from being with him?' Lauren said hotly. She was getting frustrated now. Cora frowned.

'What's that supposed to mean? He's your cousin, Lauren! His dad is your Uncle!'

'Well-'

'Your going to rip this family apart if you carry on with him!' yelled Cora. Lauren stood up then

'RIP IT APART! THIS FAMILIES BEEN RIPPED APART ALREADY! AFFAIRS, SCANDALS, CHEATS... YOU NAME IT!' screamed Lauren, storming from the kitchen, grabbing her jacket and phone and storming from the house...

Sharon was shocked. She hadn't expected that to come from Joey. Joey sighed.

'Go on then... tell me I'm a sick twisted guy for feeling like this' he said, looking down into his drink. It took Sharon a minute to realise he had spoken. She took a big breath.

'Joey... I was once in love with someone forbidden to me...' she started. Joey's head snapped up

'What? Who? If you don't mind me asking' he said. Sharon smiled and shook her head.

'My half brother, though not by blood. I'm adopted. He was my adopted dad's son. We knew it was wrong in our families eyes, but we had to be together... Before he... Before he died, I found out I pregnant with Denny... It was the best he ever gave to me' said Sharon, her eyes sparkling with tears. Joey swallowed thickly. So... Sharon had been in his shoes at one point.

'So can I trust you to keep this between me, Lauren and you?' he asked

'Yes. You can' said Sharon, nodding...

Lauren was in the park, her eye make up leaving dark tear streaks on her face. She sniffled and got her phone out of her pocket, as she had received a message. She opened the message and saw it from Abi.

On our way back. Dad's taking us out for tea. Dress up X

Lauren rolled her eyes, but got up off the swing and headed back to her house. She opened the door and came face to face with Cora.

'Nan, please just leave it' said Lauren

'No, wait... I won't tell your mum or dad..' she began. Lauren smiled and hugged her.

'Thank you, Nan!' she said, but Cora pulled out of the hug and fixed her with a glare.

'I won't tell them... You're going to tell them. By the end of the next week. If you haven't... it'll come from me' Cora said, before walking into the living room, leaving Lauren gaping at her...

Two hours later, Max, Tanya, Abi and Cora were all waiting for Lauren. She was taking her time, longer than usual.

'Lauren, if your not down in five minutes.. I'm coming up there and dragging you downstairs! We're going to be late!' shouted Tanya. The bedroom down slammed shut and heels clacked onto the steps. Lauren appeared, with her hair loosely curled, her make up as normal, a black mini dress and a red leather jacket, with black heels on her feet.

'I'm ready' she said, stopping in front of her parents. She could tell Max didn't approve of her outfit, but Abi did say dress up... So she did.

'Come on, we're going to be late' said Max, ushering them out of the door...

Three hours later, as Joey was closing R&R for the night, he heard the door swing open and feet come down the stairs. He looked up and saw Lauren standing there. His mouth dropped open.

'You have not been out dressed like that have you?' he said, moving to stand in front of her. Lauren nodded.

'With my parents. It was fancy restaurant, but the food wasn't good. Besides.. Nan was giving me evils all night' she said, as she sat down on a bar stool. Joey swallowed.

'Erm.. Lauren... You know that we weren't going to tell anyone?' said Joey. Lauren looked at him.

'Yes'

'Well... um... Sharon knows'. Just as he expected, she exploded.

'YOU WHAT! YOU IDOIT! WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU GO AND THELL MY MUMS BEST FRIEND THAT FOR!' she screamed, heading round to the bar to him.

'Lauren, listen. She was in the same shoes as we are once... She fell for her half brother, although they weren't blood related... their families still thought it was wrong, but her and Dennis were together against all odds...' said Joey. Lauren blinked.

'Wait, so she fell for her half brother, even though they weren't blood?' said Lauren confused. Joey rolled his eyes playfully at her, and she swatted his arm.

'Sharon was adopted' said Joey

'Oh right... Listen... we need to talk' said Lauren. Joey froze.

'About what?'

'About this morning' said Lauren. Joey nodded and relaxed.

'What did Cora say?' he asked

'That it's wrong, we're going to end up tearing the family apart.. oh and we have until next Friday to tell our parents' Lauren replied. Joey recoiled in shock.

'WHAT! I don't think so. I'm not ready for it to come out yet'

'Neither am I... But my Nan is dead serious about it. Either we tell my parents or she does'...

:D Will Lauren and Joey tell them... or will Cora beat them to it? X