" Alright, so lets get to the questions then shall we?" Joey asked, placing a hand on my leg.

I know it should have been uncomfortable; your cousin placing his hand on your thigh but it didn't, it actually made me feel more comfortable around him.

" Okay then. Ask away!" I replied, smirking.

" So what do you owe Derek?" He asked

" What do you mean?" I enquired. I was a little bit confused at what he meant.

" Well you said that you came to find me and Alice as a thank you to Derek"

" I'm not really sure if I can tell you or not... I don't like people knowing my past." I said. It was true though, I hated people knowing my past. They always judged me for who I was back then and not who I was now.

" I don't wanna push you to answer but I want you to know that I won't judge you. You can trust me." Joey replied.

" No it's fine, and thank you" I smiled." I wan't you to know now that what you're gonna hear will probably blow your mind, you will be running from me after what I tell you" I laughed at the last part, but I wouldn't blame him if he didn't want to know me after I tell him.

" It can't be that bad" He laughed. I scoffed a little but proceeded to tell him everything.

" Well it all started back before I moved to Walford. I was ten years old and that was when I found out my dad was having an affair with some woman. Me and my family moved to Walford after mum found out but she took my dad back. Then when I was twelve my dad had another affair, this time with my brother's wife. I was the one who found out when I accidentally taped it on my brother's wedding day. I burned the tape onto a disc and showed it to everyone on christmas day. Even after that my mum still took my dad back but then they seperated and she married someone else, but my dad and my mum had an affair behind everyone's back." I stopped talking for a moment as I looked at Joey who was in complete shock.

" Wow that's a lot." He said

" That's not it all" I replied. " Mum eventually got divorced from her husband and then pushed my dad away, then he left Walford to go live with your dad in Manchester. My mum had cancer at the time and I was the only person she told. I helped her through everything; hospital appointments, my siblings, holding her hair back when she was sick, and doing all the housework. My dad came back and I had to tell him about my mum's cancer because I couldn't do it on my own. He stayed in Walford but pushed me away and he took over everything. Ohh and that's not all. I ran over my dad because he wouldn't let me date my ex-boyfriend and I got sentenced to two years under supervision. My brother Bradley died falling off a two storey pub. He was running from the police for the murder of a man. He was protecting his wife, Stacey because she was the one who killed him but she killed him because he raped her. And our cousin Billie drank himself to death, and I got the blame because I was the one who gave him the vodka that killed him. Ohh, and I was almost the next victim of a pedophile who was abusing my best friend, Whitney. I started drinking to numb the pain and even though it helped me forget for a little while, when I woke up the problem was still there. I was a binge drinking because it was the easiest option. I slept with someone on his wedding day. I've also woken up with strangers who I had slept with the night before. That was the lowest point in my life and I didn't realise it until I became sober and I only got sober with the help of my Uncle Derek; your dad.

Joey was speechless and couldn't find a single word to say. He couldn't even move.

Wow was all he could get out of his mouth.

" Yeah, it's a lot, isn't it? " I said

" I didn't know you had it that bad, I'm sorry!" Joey replied with sincerity in his voice.

" You have nothing to be sorry about. It wasn't you who did any of that to me. Your dad helped me with all of it, and to answer your earlier question that is why I owe him."

" Wait, So you're telling me that a wife beating, little control freak actually helped someone?" Joey enquired. His tone was aggresive and it was obvious that he hated Derek with a passion.

" Don't say that!." I shouted.

Joey stood up and was pacing the room.

" It's true, Lauren. He used to hit my mum all the time. He once hit her so hard that he left his ring printed on her forhead." Joey was shouting at this point.

" NO!. He wouldn't do that" I stood up and we were now standing face-to-face.

Joey took both my hands and bored into my eyes.

" Please Lauren. I know you haven't known me for long but please believe me. What have I got to lose or gain by telling you this?" Joey replied, his voice much quieter.

" Nothing." I replied " I just don't know how I'm meant to face him knowing what he's done"

" Easy!. Come live with me, mum and Alice." Joey said.

I was shocked at what he said. He was asking me to move in with him after only knowing me for a couple of hours.

" I can't." I replied

" Why not?" Joey asked

" Because we've only known each other for a couple of hours." I replied

" Okay then. We will get to know each other everyday for two weeks and after those two weeks are over you give me your answer." Joey said

" Fine!" I replied." I've got to go, it's getting late."

" Alright, but can I do something?" Joey enquired. I was confused as to why he was asking me if he could do something.

" Sure" I replied.

Joey walked over to me and kissed me on the cheek. It lasted longer than it should have but it felt amazing!. He pulled away and gave me a smile, before walking into his kitchen and phoning a taxi for me.

" Thanks" I said, as Joey came back through to the livingroom.

" It's no problem. So I will see you tomorrow." Joey said

It wasn't a question. He was adamant that I was seeing him tomorrow and I wasn't objecting.

My taxi arrived ten minutes later and I was standing at the door saying goodbye to Joey.

" Well see you tomorrow, Miss Branning!"

" Yeah you will. What time?" I asked

" Come around about two. I'm going out with my girlfriend in the morning and I won't be back until about half one." Joey replied

Girlfriend!. He has a girlfriend and he wants me to move in with him.

" Ohh, okay!. I will see you later." I replied as I hopped into the taxi. I was now dreading going back to his house tomorrow.

Well Joey has a girlfriend, but is it serious? R&R please, it means a lot :)