At the end of the afternoon Peter, Jay,Lauren, Whitney and Robbie were walking through Bridgestreet, they just had come back from school and where trying to extend there time outside before going home.
- 'Oi little Mitchell!'They heard someone scream, it was Kat Moon who was helping out at Stacey's stall, Stacey was also there, laughing at her cousin always being really loud.
The group walked up to the stall.
- 'Hiya Kat, Stace, what are you screaming about?'Robbie said as the rest of the group walked by slowly.
- 'Heard you had some liqourproblems?'Kat asked 'you're something else, and you got caught right?'
- 'Who told ya?'Robbie asked putting her bag down.
- 'A little birdie told me, you causing havoc all the time, you don't like the world outside then?'Kat laughed.
- 'We were just having a little fun right'Robbie smiled looking at Peter who kept his eyes on Robbie the whole time.
The cafedoor opened and Roxy and Shirley came out, they just had a break from the Vic. Roxy noticed her sister standing at Stacey's stall.
- 'Robbie, oi!'Roxy yelled then walking up to her. Robbie turned round and saw Roxy coming up and Shirley pointed to Jay to immediately go inside the Vic.
- 'Is this your sister then?'Kat asked Robbie.
- 'Yeah another one with a big gob'Robbie said winking at Stacey taking the mick out of Kat and Roxy.
- 'You'd better shut yours!'Roxy said 'Don't you have somewhere to go madam?'
- 'I was on my way alright, why don't you just move along Roxy, don't you've got some punters to serve'Robbie said trying to show off.
- 'Oi, you listen to your sister yeah bigmouth, or you'll get yourself in much more trouble'Kat said grabbing one of Robbie's shoulders.
- 'More trouble then she's already in, you think that's even possible?'Roxy said sighing putting her hand on her head'common trouble, i think you've had enough freedom for today'.
- 'See you later Robbie'Kat and Stacey both said. Roxy lead Robbie to where the friends of Robbie were waiting.
- 'Alright i want you to go over to Jacks yeah and i won't say anything to Ronnie'Roxy said 'Pete you live here right so no need to escort my babysis to Jack's door alright mate'.
- 'Rox just shut up yeah, and talking bout Ronnie, what are you not gonna tell her, that i walked home from school?'Robbie said 'Are you on something sis cause you're seeing things'.
- 'Yes i'm seeing you make your way to Jack's now really fast before i'll smack you all the way over!'Roxy said walking over to the entrance of the Vic.
Robbie just walked up to Peter and gave him a kiss 'Don't let her bother you yeah, it's Roxy nothing to be afraid off''.
- 'Robbie!'Roxy got tired of Robbie always pushing her to the edge.
- 'You'd better go now Robbie, don't want you to cause yourself more trouble'Peter said giving Robbie a kiss back.
Robbie and Whitney both walked over to their houses.
- 'So you'll be over at Jacks then?'Whitney asked.
- 'Yeah Ronnie doesn't want me to be home alone all the time while grounded, you know cause of things that had gotten me in trouble before'Robbie winked at Whitney.
Then the door on number 29 opened and Jack came out.
- 'Oi think you had enough time to talk to your mates now haven't you?'Jack said'And you too Whit, both get inside now'.
Robbie and Whitney looked at eachother and gave eachother faces.
- 'Alright Jack don't have to get all hysterical'Robbie said joking around Whitney.
- 'Inside now!'Jack then said firm.
- 'I'll see you tomorrow yeah Whit'Robbie said thinking Jack really was serious now.
- 'Alright see you tomorrows Robbie'Whitney said walking to her door.
Robbie passed by Jack and walked inside his place, she had been here before many times but never like this, being grounded at his place.
- 'You want a drink or something?'Jack asked while he was standing at his kitchensink, while Robbie put her bag on his kitchen table.
- 'Yeah a beer would be alright Jack'Robbie said trying to joke around with Jack.
- 'You trying to be funny Robbie?'Jack said serious looking at her like a dad would look at his not behaving child. In a way it made her feel safe being with Jack having him treat her like normal, like a person, a daughter maybe, he'd always had done that, everytime Ronnie was with Jack, and even when they were apart she could always count on Jack, he was just always there for her. He always treated her more like a daughter, making her feel secure, more secure then Archie ever did. She could feel that Jack really cared, and with Archie she never knew if she was doing the right thing or the wrong.
Robbie looked with a shy glance at Jack.
- 'Do you want tea or a fizzy drink?'Jack asked looking still serious at Robbie.
- 'Tea…please Jack'Robbie said wanting to sit down at the kitchentable.
- 'Go sit in the livingroom darling, Amy's about to wake up any time soon, she has her toys there'Jack said putting some water on.
- 'I gotta make my homework first Jack'Robbie said trying to soften him again.
- 'Oh yeah i know i just thought you like it better to sit in the livingroom with Amy and me'Jack said giving Robbie a little smile.
- 'Ehm ok'Robbie said standing up and packed up her bag from the table. Then they heard a little cry.
- 'Oh someone's awake'Jack said getting the sugar in the cups.
- 'Can i go and get her?'Robbie said' change her and everything?'
- 'Ehm yeah thanks darling i'll get us the tea and make a little bottle for Amy, have her have a little tea too'Jack said.
- 'Mix it with a little water Jack, i mean that's what mum always does, that it's not to hot for her'Robbie said saying it as if she thought Jack wouldn't think of that.
- 'Thanks darling glad you're here to help me out'Jack said making Robbie think he really didn't know everything about toddlers.
Robbie walked over to the little bedroom where Amy had a little crib and changingtable and there was a extra bed, for when she stayed at Jacks. Amy was already standing up and crying a bit for waiting on someone to come and get her.
- 'Hey little princess, how are you, do you want to get out, come here babe, come to your auntie Robbie' Robbie said being sweet with her little niece who immediately started smiling at seeing Robbie come in.
- 'Now let's see where does daddy hide your nappies, oh i see them, here they are'Robbie was talking to Amy, showing her a new clean nappie while Amy lay on the changingtable.
After a couple minutes Robbie came back to Jacks livingroom holding Amy on her hips.
- 'Are you alright girls?'Jack asked both Robbie and Amy.
- 'Here Jack'Robbie said handing him Amy's wet nappie 'yes we're alright daddy'she said.
Robbie sat down with Amy and grabbed the bottle that Jack just had made, Jack watched them both, how well these two got along. For Robbie, Amy must have been like having a little sister, just like Roxy and Ronnie had Robbie.
While Robbie made sure the bottle wasn't to hot for her little niece she softly brought it to Amy's mouth and they quitely sat together. Jack heard Robbie softly singing to Amy, he was moved by this moment. He just let them be, not wanting to interupt this moment the girls obviously shared together.
After a while Amy's bottle was as good as empty and Robbie walked over with Amy to Jack who was trying to put some dinner together.
- 'Hey Jack can i put her on the floor with some toys or what, i really have to get my homework done, you know how mum gets'Robbie said a little dancing with Amy.
- 'Yeah that's alright darling just keep an eye on her if you will, when i'm done here, we'll have some dinner then after i'll take care of her alright'Jack said.
- 'Alright thanks Jack'Robbie said walking back to the living with Amy.
- 'And thank you darling you're really great with Amy'Jack said stirring in some of the pots and pans.
At the Vic Ronnie and Roxy were tending the bar, Shirley had just got upstairs to have dinner with Peggy, Phil and Jay, ZsaZsa seemed to be still to sick to eat anything so Shirley brought her enough fluids to take in.
- 'Heard anything from Jack?'Ronnie asked Roxy, Jack hadn't called her yet and she was curious how he and Robbie were getting along.
- 'No, not really, i mean this afternoon he texted me Amy was sleeping but you're wondering how babysis is doing right?' Roxy said grabbing her phone out of her pocket and handing it to her sister 'Call him'.
- 'I don't want to check up on them, i'm sure Jack can handle Robbie'Ronnie said.
- 'I saw her before, at Stacey's stall, she was talking to that loudmouth that's Staceys cousin, you know, .. Kat' Roxy said 'but i gotta give her credit cause she send Robbie home'.
- 'What was she doing there then?'Ronnie immediately looked strict at Roxy.
- 'The kids, they came home from school Ron, nothing big don't worry'Roxy said tapping her sister on the shoulder.
- 'Alright, guess what, Max has asked Jack and us over for dinner this week, and Jack wants Robbie to come with us, but i told him i would not agree on it yet cause i wanna see how she's gonna behave'.
- 'Oh my god am i hearing this right, mummy doesn't agree with daddy?'Roxy teased Ronnie a bit.
- 'Yeah that's what we said too, acting already like a little family handling our very naughty daughter'Ronnie said giving away a little smile.
- 'Well would it be that bad if you were?'Roxy asked serious.
- 'No ofcourse not, just don't wanna rush things Rox, i don't wanna spoil what we have'Ronnie said.
- 'Veronica Mitchell Miss "i doubt everything and everybody first before i can relax''Roxy said'just don't spoil it with you doubting everything all the time Ron and in the end you end up with nothing'.
- 'I know Roxy, now go help some punters yeah'Ronnie said when it got a bit to hot under her feet.
When washing some glasses and keeping her eye on Roxy, who was flirting with some of the punters that were playing darts, Phil had come down.
- 'It's busy for a monday now is it?'He asked Ronnie.
- 'Look at your cousin Phil, this way they all wanna stay here'Ronnie smiled making Phil look at the young lads that were pudding in Roxy's hands.
- 'Speaking of cousins, ehm i had a talk with mum and Shirley and well we thought maybe the kids could do some chores to let them pay back the damage they done'Phil said.
- 'I don't know Phil, Robbie already has no priviliges anymore so i'm not gonna overdo it'Ronnie said 'I mean housearrest, no phone, computer and a bedcurfue and no pocketmoney, so think i'm already hard on her'.
- 'Well give her some back then'Phil said'I have Jay working couple hours at the Arches, ZsaZsa works at the Cafe but she's gonna give me some of her pay'.
- 'What do you want Robbie to do then, work at the club, don't even go there she already dreams of working there later when she older' Ronnie said giving Phil a smile.
- 'Cleaning maybe?'Phil said'I mean at the club after school'.
- 'Let me think about it Phil alright?'Ronnie said walking over to Roxy.
- 'Yeah alright'Phil said walking over to the other side of the bar.
- 'Rox'Ronnie said to her sister grabbing her arm pulling her away from her crowd.
- 'Ron i'm having a good time here'Roxy said 'What is it?'
- 'Do you need someone to clean the hairs up at the salon or you know something like that, bringing the towels to the launderette'Ronnie asked biting her lip.
- 'Why?'Roxy asked being curious what her sister might be up too.
- 'Well Phil got me thinking, he said that he put Jay to work and well ZsaZsa already works and they have to pay Phil for the stolen booze, and to give Robbie some priviliges back she could clean up at your place, earn a little money you know'Ronnie said.
- 'Are you sure?'Roxy asked 'i mean she stole booze from the Vic and got drunk on it'.
- 'Yeah i know, it's not like i'm gonna let her of the hook Rox'Ronnie said 'Cause believe me i'm not'.
- 'And what would you give her back then, i mean talking priviliges i mean'Roxy asked.
- 'Well shorten her housearrest a bit, maybe her phone back'Ronnie said pouring herself a drink.
- 'Letting her go to bed later then Amy?'Roxy said but started laughing at Ronnie 'I'm just kidding with ya Ron'.
- 'Getting ready for bed round 10 is not really that early Rox, you're taking the mick out of me aren't you'Ronnie said pretending to be strangling her sister.
- 'Alright she could come round for like an hour after work, i mean she still is 15'Roxy said'Then i'll pay Phil off and she has to at least stay for a while, but if she messes up Ron, she's mine!'.
- 'Ofcourse'Ronnie said smiling at her sister.
Back at Jacks, Robbie, Jack and Amy just had finished dinner and were sitting on the sofa watching a little telly while in the meantime Robbie tried to do some homework.
After a while Roxy and Ronnie came over, they finished there shift and went home.
- 'Hi darling'Ronnie said giving Jack a kiss 'Hi my little love, have you been behaving for Jack' Ronnie gave Robbie a hug.
- 'What am i, a five year old,"behaving for Jack"?'Robbie said pushing Ronnie away.
Ronnie pulled Robbie of the sofa, sat down herself and pulled Robbie back on her lap.
- 'Yes, did you make your mummy proud?'Ronnie said obviously being in a funny mood.
- 'Have you been drinking mum?'Robbie asked 'Rox has she been drinking or what?'
Robbie wanted to get of Ronnie's lap but Ronnie didn't let her go.
- 'Mum let go of me please, i was doing my homework, you always nag me about it, i'm doing it now and you won't let me go' Robbie said letting Ronnie hold her really tight.
- 'Did you have a good time?'Ronnie asked looking into Robbie's eyes.
- 'Yes, now please let go of me'Robbie said, Ronnie then let loose and Robbie got of the sofa sitting down on the armchair where Roxy also was sitting. Roxy put her arms round her sister.
- 'So you're going home right away or not?'Jack asked the girls.
- 'Just one drink and then i'm taking Amy home, she looks pretty knackered'Roxy said looking at Amy sitting on the floor playing with a little ball.
- 'She can sleep here if you want Rox'Jack said puttig a bottle of wine on the table.
- 'No not tonight Jack, i'm really leaving after this one'Roxy said putting the glass of wine to her lips.
- 'We're not staying that late either'Ronnie said.
- 'Maybe later this week ey'Jack whispered in Ronnie's ear who had now climbed onto Jacks lap.
- 'Yeah, maybe baby'Ronnie said putting her head on Jacks shoulder.
- 'Why don't you stay over mum and i'll take Rox and Amy home'Robbie then said looking from over her schoolbook.
- 'You take me and Amy home, on your little tricycle babes'Roxy said making fun of her sister.
- 'Ha ha well aren't you the funny one'Robbie said putting her book in her bag and standing up.
- 'Where you think you're going?'Ronnie said looking at Robbie making moves to leave.
- 'I'm going home'Robbie said looking at Roxy who was laughing.
- ''No you don't nobody's there, just sit down darling'Jack said'don't want you sitting there by yourself, you're leaving when your mum does'.
- 'Look i'm gonna take this little one to bed'Roxy said pointing at Amy who was rubbing her eyes.
- 'Alright we'll be there in a little while yeah'Ronnie said.
- 'Allrigth sis'Roxy leaned over to kiss her sister goodnight', then whispered'Stay here with Jack, "little family remember"'. Roxy got up again and winked at Ronnie who had a cheeky smile on her face. Jack had picked up on it and said 'it's alright you know'.
- 'Yes i know sweetie but ehm, i just want to take her home alright, like i said maybe after the dinner this week'Ronnie said'But you can sleep at our place if you want, i just…well after moving around all the time i just want something stable for her'pointing at Robbie who was watching the telly.
- 'Well i'll be off then, mum should be home by now'Roxy said'Robbie you wanna come home with me then maybe?'
- 'Yeah, i'm tired'Robbie said yawning 'is that alright mum?'.
- 'Tired? 'Ronnie said'that's at first, ehm yeah sure go on'.
Robbie got of the chair walked over to Ronnie and gave her a kiss goodknight and gave Jack a quick one on his cheek.
- 'Night darling ,have a good nights rest yeah'Jack said. Roxy, Robbie and Amy then left to go nextdoor where Glenda was already home having herself some wine and watching some telly.
- 'So how did it go?'Ronnie then asked Jack.
- 'You should have seen her with Amy, so sweet, they get on so well, it was perfect, there was only one thing missing'Jack said figetting with Ronnie's hair.
- 'And what was that ey'Ronnie asked already knowing what it meant.
Jack answered her with a loving kiss. Ronnie was in doubt if she would stay over at Jacks but Jack made it easy for her and went home with her to nr 27. When they arrived there everyone already was fast asleep. They tiptoed upstairs and went sleeping as well.