Chapter 5

A few months had passed since Lauren had started working. She was enjoying every second and learning something new every day. More than anything she enjoyed earning her own money which was rather good. She found she could now treat herself without having to owe anybody anything, without relying on her parents for the funds. This shone through in her clothing and accessories as the perks of earning a good living paid off.

Lauren was leaving work late due to being behind on a portrait. She quickly text Joey letting him know she was on her way and not to worry, shoving her phone away in her new designer bag and walked to the station. It wasn't till she got off the train at Walford she noticed she was being followed. Deciding to get her phone out of her bag and make out she was on the phone to scare off this mystery man, didn't work so well and before she knew it, Lauren was pushed to the floor, her head scrapping the side of the curb. She watched as her belongings were swiped from her clutches and in one swift moment she was hit and the mystery mugger had gone.

Joey looked at his phone, there was still no reply from Lauren and it was getting later by the seconds. A faint knock sounded against the front door, Joey rushed to the door hoping it was Lauren. As he opened it, he was shocked by what he saw. Lauren was covered head to toe in blood. Her nose was bleeding and a faint black marking appeared around her left eye. Her shirt was torn matching the rips in her tights.

"Oh my god" was the only words that left his mouth as he pulled her into his embrace.

"I was mugged" she sobbed as her legs gave way under her, Joey catching her limp body in his arms.

Joey carried Lauren into the living room where the rest of the family were sat watching the television.

Tanya leaped up straight over the Lauren, taking in the sight of her eldest daughter.

"Abi grab a flannel and wet it down" Tanya said before ushering Max out the way to get a closer look at the cuts on her face.

"Baby what happened?" she said as Max held his eldest hand.

"I was mugged, I noticed this man following me when I left the station, so I pulled my phone out to ring Joey and he knock me down before taking everything" she whispered still sobbing into Joey's chest.

Joey could feel his whole body shaking with anger, brushing her hair with his hand to try soothing her, when all he wanted to do was find this monster and kill him. He looked at her beautiful face which was now covered in cuts and bruises. Her mascara leaving a stain on her cheeks from her crying she looked so vulnerable and weak, he knew this would leave her confidence at an all-time low, when she was finally so happy.

"MAX WHERE ARE YOU GOING?" Tanya shouted breaking Joey from his trance

"Well I'm going to find this bloke and see how he likes being beaten to a pulp" he replied, grabbing his coat and keys.

"Dad don't, he would be long gone by now" replied Lauren, "there's no point" she whispered getting up off of the sofa making her way up the stairs.

"Darling, where are you going I need to sort your head" Tanya said following Lauren out the room.

"I want to just lay down ok, in peace, Joey?" she held out her hand signalling for Joey to go with her.

Joey brushed passed her hand and instead picked her up and carried her up to bed.

"Just lay down babe, I will be right next to you" he said placing her down seeing the fear in her eyes.

Together they lay there in each other's arms, Joey stroking up and down her arm silently.

"I was so scared" she whispered, breaking the silence, she turned and faced him seeing tears in his eyes.

"Baby, what's wrong?" she looked at him puzzled

"It's just when I saw you tonight, this fear inside me that god I could of lost you, well it was too much to take" he replied stroking her cheek.

"I know, it was scary but I won't be going anywhere anytime soon, we will be together forever, we will probably die together too, like the old couple in The Notebook" leaning up and kissing his lips softly, seeing a small smile creep onto his face.

"You think that far ahead into our future" Joey said in a surprised tone

"Of course, it's me and you forever" was all that she said before snuggling back into his chest.

"Forever" he whispered back to her.

The following day, Lauren was up early getting herself ready for work when Joey began to stir from his sleep. He rubbed his eyes, his arms reaching out to where Lauren should be laying still asleep.

"Erm babe, what are you doing?" he quizzed sitting up in bed

"Going to work silly, I do work now you know" she chuckled, as she continued to try and cover her bruise over her eye.

"No you're not, you were mugged last night you shouldn't be going to work today" he replied

"No I think you find I am baby, why should I hide at home all day, I want to work and anyway I'm getting a taxi there so I will be save promise" walking over and pecking him on the cheek.

"Okay but take your old phone so I can check that your safe okay, I meant it I need you safe". Joey got out of bed wrapping his arms around her waist and kissed her passionately. He felt Laurens hands playing with his hair and she deepened the kiss before pulling away.

"Better go, bye babe" quickly kissing him again before leaving.

Joey sighed sitting back on the bed; he knew today all he would do was worry about Lauren, but she was being so brave so he would be too for her, she needed his strength now more than ever.

Lauren arrived at work, her colleagues noticing her cuts and bruises immediately rushing to ask her what had happened. From then Lauren spent the day retelling her story and was becoming sick and tired of being the victim. She buried her head into her work to get through the day.

"Hey Kel, what do you think" she quizzed her friend on her latest piece

"Love it, is that your boyfriend" replied Kelly, acknowledging her friends work

"Yeah it is, he is amazing so I can't wait for him to see it"

"He will love it promise, it is amazing" Kelly said before returning to her work.

Lauren really appreciated Kelly, she didn't keep questioning Lauren on her mugging she left her in piece and acted completely normal much to Laurens delight. She knew then that Kelly would be a good friend, or so she thought..