Chapter 7

Joey was stood with his arms round Lauren, as they finished telling Max and Alice about their relationship. Max felt as if he was going to throw up, but then his anger kicked in.

'DID HE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU, LAUREN?' Max thundered, making Lauren flinch and tense up at the tone of his voice. All she could do was shake her head,

'ANSWER ME!' screamed Max, showing his full anger

'N-NO, HE DIDN'T! I LOVE HIM, HE LOVES ME!' Lauren stuttered, as she wasn't used to her Dad raising her voice like this.

'I DON'T BELIEVE YOU! JOEY, YOU TELL ME RIGHT NOW! DID YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MY DAUGHTER, WHO I MAY I REMIND YOU, IS YOUR COUUSIN, UNDER MY ROOF?'

'No, I didn't, Max. I wanted Lauren from the moment I meet her. But I knew it was wrong and so backed off. But as the months dragged on, I was falling more for her every minute of everyday, and we couldn't fight anymore' said Joey calmly. Lauren had happy tears sparkling in her eyes, even Tanya was touched, but she didn't show it. Max was shaking his head.

'I do not believe that. You're a guy, Joey. It's your instinct to go for the prey, but I sure as hell didn't expect it to be my daughter! This is wrong! Its disgusting!' said Max

'No, it's not, Dad! I love him. I've never loved anymore more than I love Joey!' Lauren said loudly. Max shook his head and grabbed Lauren roughly by the wrist, which had her injuries on. Lauren let out a pain filled shriek as Max yanked her forward, however, Joey still had hold of her and yanked her back into the safety of his arms

'I've got you. I've got you!' he whispered to Lauren, soothing her, as she cradled her tender wrist.

'LET GO OF MY DAUGHTER RIGHT NOW!' Max thundered. Joey shook his head and Max lunged for him, throwing Lauren out of the way. Lauren hit the floor as Max tackled Joey and he was about to deliver a blow to his face when Lauren screamed

'MUM! DO SOMETHING!' Max froze and looked at Tanya, who looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Max looked from Lauren to Tanya and back to Lauren.

'What do you mean?' asked Max

'Mum knows and so does Derek! I was the one who was driving the night of the crash.' said Lauren. Max got to his feet and walked over to Tanya, while Joey got to his and Lauren rushed into his arms.

'I'm okay. I promise…' he whispered in her hair. Lauren smiled contently and hugged him round the waist tightly. Max watched this and felt sick.

'Get out of my house! Both of you!' shouted Max. Lauren rushed up the stairs and quickly packed a bag, throwing clothes and her toiletries into it and rushing back downstairs, grabbing her house keys and jacket.

'Lauren he doesn't mean that!' shouted Tanya, watching as her daughter walked from the house with Joey, slamming the door shut…

Lauren and Joey walked into the gardens and sat down on the bench, Lauren desperately trying to hold back tears. Joey put his arm round her and pulled her close to him.

'Just give him time. It's a big shock' said Joey, rubbing Lauren's arm

'I know. But I can't see him forgiving me any time soon' said Lauren. Joey kissed the top of her head and stood up, confusing Lauren. He offered her his hand and pulled her up, slinging back over his shoulder and began walking towards the train station.

'Where are we going to go?' asked Lauren

'My mums down South' said Joey. Lauren stopped, bringing Joey to a halt.

'What's the matter?' he asked

'My purse, I've forgotten it' said Lauren. Joey rolled his eyes and groaned

'So much for a dramatic exit' he said. Lauren shook her head.

'Wait for me at the train station. I'll be back in two minutes' said Lauren, rushing towards her house…

Abi and Oscar were in Abi's room, when a knock came to the door. Alice opened it and smiled weakly at Abi.

'How could she do this?' said Abi, clearly in shock. Alice closed the door and sat with Abi on the bed, putting her arm round her younger cousin.

'I don't know' said Alice, who was having a difficult time getting her head round it as well.

'They've gone then?' asked Abi. She felt Alice nod and tears welled up in Abi's eyes.

'I'm sorry, Abi. I'm sorry we even came to the Square. If I hadn't have come looking for dad, then Joey wouldn't have followed me here and this wouldn't have happened' apologized Alice.

'Whoa, Alice! You have nothing to apologize for. Lauren does for tearing this family apart!' said Abi, looking at Alice. Alice sighed and nodded

'But I know what my brother I like, when he wants something bad enough, he won't apologise' said Alice

'That's like Lauren…' said Abi, thinking about what had happened in past few minutes…

Joey was getting a bit agitated. He had seen Lauren rush off in the direction of her house twenty minutes ago and she still hadn't returned. He sighed and leant against the wall, rubbing his hands together to get them warm. Suddenly, his phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket and checked the caller ID.

'Lauren, where are you? How long does it take to get a purse?' he asked

'Joey…' stuttered Lauren, on the other end of the line.

'Lauren? What's wrong?' asked joey, immediately picking up on Lauren's tone of voice. She sounded like she was going to cry or hyperventilate or possibly both.

'Joey… It wasn't me… I swear it wasn't me…' stuttered Lauren. Joey frowned. He picked up her bag and began walking in the direction of the Branning residence.

'Lauren, what's happened?' he asked

'Come to Derek's house…. Come to Derek's house now!' she shouted, hanging up. He stared at his phone for a moment before he broke into a run. If Derek had touched one hair on Laurens head, Derek was dead. He rushed into Derek house and saw Lauren stood in the kitchen with her back to him.

'LAUREN! ARE YOU OKAY?' he shouted, rushing up to her. He stopped dead however, when she turned round and he saw her hands covered in blood and Derek's body lying behind her…

Uhohhh :D R&R