This is set around about episode 9 taking in some of the events that are in series 7.

Chapter 11

"I suppose it was the holiday really Nellie luv." Martina passed her a cup of tea. She was trying to do a bit of peacemaking.

"What do you mean?"

"Well," she paused, "Joey felt he'd put a lot of time and effort into organising the holiday for everyone, and he was trying to enjoy a bit of time with me and the boys on our break and no one would leave him alone."

Nellie frowned, she couldn't make sense of what Martina was saying, Joey constantly sorted out everybody's troubles. The family always had come first for him, always would as far as she was concerned.

"But we had problems, I mean what with Oswald turning up drunk, and my poor Aveline pregnant again, and then she's says nothing pleases her and they may as well divorce, and then that Leonora and Jack arguing about having babies. I mean why he wants to have a child with her is beyond me. She's ten years older than him. Then Jack going and her going and then them coming back." She drew breath. "Then we had that little madam of a Connie turning up, and she's no better than she should be, and as for Billy he's besotted and look what happened last time he was like that." Nellie had a sob in her voice.

"I know luv, I know." Martina tried to appease Nellie as best she could. "But I think Joey's struggling a lot at the moment, you know with Freddie not here to deal with the allotment, I mean Jack's great at the digging and all the heavy stuff, but the planning, planting and sowing side of things, well neither Jack nor Joey have a clue really." She snorted, "even Shifty had more idea, but now he's back inside they're stuck. And if they can't keep the shop supplied it's going to go down the tubes, Joey's having to buy in at the moment."

The mere suggestion that Joey might not be coping sent Nellie into denial. "Ye-es, but it's not like him. I mean we'd just got back from the hospital after the scare with the baby, I have a note to say Adrian and Irenee have eloped, Jack got violent with Billy and then Joey, Joey of all people had a go at Connie then chucked her out of the house. Then he walked out without a word, not a single word. As for my poor Aveline," she started sobbing.

Martina got up and moved behind Nellie, holding her as close as she could given the bump she was carrying.

She hesitated, not really sure how or what to say next. "I think he feels it's time the others took a bit of responsibility for themselves, at least had a go at sorting out life's little problems before running to him."

Nellie looked so downcast Martina didn't have the heart to say any more, she rubbed Nellies shoulder, unconsciously mirroring Joey.

"At least the baby's safe Nellie luv. I know it was a threatened miscarriage, but the last check said things had settled didn't it?"

"Yes, yes it did. Thanks luv." Nellie gave her a weak smile. "And your baby's due in 5 weeks isn't it?"

"Yes, if I go that long. The boys were both a fortnight early." Martina sat next to Nellie, still rubbing her shoulder.

"Everything will be fine Nellie. Jack and Leonora and Adrian and Irenee will have to sort things out the way the rest of us do. Leonora and Irenee are working and they've all got somewhere to live. And Aveline, well at least the scare shocked Oswald into stopping drinking and they've been talking more. Ursula's doing well. and anyway," she grinned, "Connie turned Billy down when he asked her to marry him and she refused to elope with him as well."

"Oh dear God, whatever will Billy do next? Still you're right luv." Nellie couldn't help smiling back. "I'll get another brew on."

"And Nellie," Martina looked around, they were alone, Aveline was upstairs resting. "Didn't you tell me Derek was back?"

Nellie blushed, "yes, yes he is." But before she could go on the door opened and Joey came in.

"Oh, here's my gorgeous grandsons." Nellie bustled over, and scooped them out of Joey's arms, all thoughts of a brew forgotten.

Martina narrowed her eyes, 'apology' she mouthed. Imperceptibly Joey shook his head. In return he was treated to one of her fiercest frosty faces, 'now.'

He shrugged. "Er, mam sorry about last week, l was a bit tetchy. Anyway," he turned to Martina, "we need to be off. I've a surprise for you at home."

"Oh right, well I'll see you soon Nellie."

"Ok luv." Nellie kissed her and carried her grandsons to the car.

"That was a bit rushed Joey," Martina remarked mildly as they drove away.

"Yeah, it's not me mam so much, but the others are really pushing me buttons at the moment. I wanted to be away before any of them came in. I've just not got the patience right now."

"Probably wise." She wriggled her back trying to get comfortable. "Joey, I'm not fussed about moving so don't get in a state over it."

"No sweetheart I know, but it's not right. You and the children should be my priority and I've stopped sorting out our stuff and been caught up with their problems again and again. And as for Aveline," he snorted.

"Joey, she's been under the threat of a miscarriage, and she's still not completely out of the woods."

"Well, she's gone on so much about not wanting to be pregnant, I'd have thought she'd be pleased to get shot of it."

"Joey!" Martina was shocked.

"Sorry," he sighed. "I just wanted a little bit of us time and it didn't happen." He shook his head. "Wait till you see what we've got for you at home."

Martina leant over and kissed him.

"You'd better get us home then."