Sorry for the long wait, so this chapter is extra long ;)!Had a great weeknd in the UK, Sam Womack was brilliant in South Pacific, if you're able to go see then do it!And guess what, i met her after the show as i waited at stagedoor. She was really nice as a lot of people have said before, got some pictures with her aswell!So happy i went over to see her and meeting her!Well i hope you like this chapter peeps, please keep reading and reviewing! x-x-x Brooklyn ;)
At the Vic, it was a normal Sunday. Some of the local punters were there. Ronnie, Jack, Roxy and Michael were seated in one of the boots having a drink.
Ronnie had noticed that Kat and Alfie were behaving a little strange behind the bar, their eyes were constantly on Michael. She also noticed Michael looking at them, mainly looking at Kat too.
- 'I'm gonna get another round' Ronnie said with a friendly smile, then walking over to the bar.
- 'What can I get ya Ron?' Kat asked a little distant.
- 'Well you can tell me what is going on between you and Michael, I've noticed you've been watching him the whole time we've been here' Ronnie asked not to loud.
- 'It's a long story Ronnie' Kat said fidgeting with some of the coasters that lay on the bar.
- 'Hmm, what's wrong with him?' Ronnie asked.
- 'What do you mean?' Kat asked surprised at Ronnie's reaction.
- 'I don't know, something just is, I sensed it when I first met him' Ronnie said 'the way he stares I don't know, it's creepy, intimitating'.
- 'He's my baby's father' Kat said 'I don't know what he's doing here, cause he made very clear to me that he didn't want to have anything to do with it'.
- 'Wow' Ronnie said looking from Kat to the table where Jack,s Michael and Roxy were laughing about something 'didn't see that one coming, so ehm, Alfie knows then?'
- 'Yeah' Kat said 'and to be honest for me it's his, wouldn't want to have to tell the kid that him overthere is the one who got me pregnant, one mistake'.
- 'Well, you'll get a little miracle back for it right, just focus on that' Ronnie said 'I mean he can biologically be the father but it takes more then that, I have livingproof at home, I mean my dad was an evil and nasty man but Jack, he's more than a dad then my dad ever was to Robbie' .
- 'Yeah and maybe you're lucky he's dead, but he's still here, unfortunately I don't even know for how long he's gonna be here' Kat said.
- 'Pff alright now you just take care of that little one in there yeah, don't worry bout him' Ronnie said looking over to Michael again, still glancing from Jack and Roxy to the bar.
- 'Yeah let's just hope he doesn't look like him when he comes out' Kat said as they started to laugh.
Then Phil, Shirley and Heather walked in, apparently also to get a drink. Heather quickly walked over to a table followed by Shirley while Phil walked up to the bar.
- 'Ronnie' Phil greeted his cousin.
- 'Hiya Phil' Ronnie said collecting the drinks from Kat 'oh ehm now that I see you here Phil ehm..we're planning a surpriseparty for Robbie's 16th on Friday, so if you wanna come over to the club, that's where we're going to celebrate it'.
- 'Ehm, yeah, sure, let me run it by Shirley, I'm sure we can make it' Phil said 'she ehm, came around earlier to ask if Ben was at home'.
- 'Who, Robbie, hmm ok?' Ronnie said not trying to react surprised 'ehm well I'll let you know how we're going to do it alright she hasn't got a clue, for now, hopefully Rox will keep her mouth shut'.
Phil smiled as Ronnie walked back to the booth.
- 'What did you talk to Phil about?' Roxy asked having observed her sister and Phil earlier.
- 'I invited him to Robbie's birthdayparty Friday' Ronnie said as she saw Roxy's face turn from a smiling one into an irritated one 'now I know what you're going to say, but with him giving me half of the Vic, I kinda want him involved just for now'.
- 'And what do you think Robbie or mums reaction will be if the two of them turn up at her party Ron' Roxy said 'you don't want a scene right, it's her Robbie's party she won't want them there?'
- 'There won't be any scene, I'll tell mum before the party and at the party I will tell Robbie, I'll figure something out' Ronnie said winking at her younger sister.
- 'Good luck on that' Roxy said making faces.
Xxx
When Ronnie, Jack, Michael and Roxy came back from the Arghee Barghee , Roxy went straight up stairs. Ronnie had asked her to send Robbie downstairs.
Roxy walked into theliving and found Glenda laying relaxed on the sofa watching some telly.
- 'Hi mum, where's babysis, Ronnie wants her to come downstairs' Roxy said sitting on the arm of the chair.
- 'Well she went and picked up Amy for you at Dot's right after you all left' Glenda said smiling 'she's giving her a bath, getting her ready for bed'.
- 'Did she eat and all?' Roxy asked.
- 'Yeah what do you think, they were having a ball earlier, Amy was laughing so much think the bath is calming her down a little or she wouldn't been able to sleep' Glenda said obviously touched by Robbie's caring side for her little niece.
- 'Yeah she's good with her' Roxy said 'I'll go see what they're up to'.
Roxy walked to the bathroom and went in finding both Robbie and Amy, both rosey cheeks from the warm water, in the bathtub. Amy was sitting with Robbie as they were playing with some bath-toys.
- 'Hey my little rugrats how's the bath?' Roxy asked as she sat down next to the bath.
- 'Feel for yourself' Robbie said with a cheeky smile as she put her wet hand on Roxy's face making Amy giggle.
- 'Nice one auntie Robbie' Roxy said ' are you laughing at mummy princes?'.
- 'Could you get her out Rox, think she's really sleepy now, aren't you Ames?' Robbie said kissing the top of Amy's head.
Roxy grabbed Amy's towel and put it around her and held her' you coming out also Pix, Ron wants you downstairs'.
- 'Could you get me my pj's then maybe Rox, I don't wanna put my clothes back on?' Robbie asked.
Roxy sighed 'I'll get you one of mine yeah, I'm staying upstairs tonight, is that alright?'
- 'Yeah fine, just get me normal ones yeah Rox not those cheap, you think they're sexy ones' Robbie said smiling.
- 'Excuse me, do you know how expensive they are' Roxy said 'alright, you dry yourself off yeah, I'll get you one and put Amy with mum for a minute'.
When Robbie was putting on one of her sisters pj's, a little later on, Ronnie came up the stairs to see what Robbie was taking so long.
- 'Where is she, thought you were gonna send her downstairs?' Ronnie asked walking into the livingroom where Roxy was reading a book with Amy while getting her ready for bed, while Glenda was cleaning some dishes,
- 'She's in the bathroom getting some of my p'j's on, she took Amy for a bath earlier' Roxy said.
- 'Oh she did now did she, my little Angelface' Ronnie said smiling at Roxy, then walking over to the bathroom, after a little knock she walked in.
- 'Hey lovey, you alright, heard you took a bath with Amy?' Ronnie asked taking the towel of Robbie and drying Robbie's hair with it.
- 'Yeah, I picked her up from Dot's house and played with her and then i took a bath with her, it's easier to better get in as well since she loves to splash the water all around' Robbie said putting on her sisters pj's.
- 'Who, you or Amy?' Ronnie grinned.
- 'Amy ofcourse' Robbie said pinching her mums nose.
- 'I'm a very proud of you, you know that?' Ronnie said as she ruffled her hand through Robbie's damp hair.
Robbie smiled.
- 'Ehm, something else sweety, why did you go over to Phil this afternoon looking for Ben when you were suppose to get upstairs to mum?' Ronnie asked raising her eyebrow.
Not expecting this at all made Robbie's face turn red.
- 'Phil's?' Robbie asked.
- 'Yeah Phil told me you asked for Ben?' Ronnie said.
Robbie started combing her hair hoping her mum would change the subject but ofcourse, being Ronnie, she didn´t.
- ´Robbie just give me an answer please´ Ronnie said a little more serious then before.
- 'It's nothing mum, I just wanted to see Ben, he is my cousin remember, nothing wrong with that' Robbie said.
- 'No ofcourse not, but you said you had a talk with Peter, that you went by his house, not Ben's' Ronnie said.
Robbie just sighed.
- 'Robbie, this is me you're talking to, not Roxy alright, I'm not that thick!' Ronnie asked wanting some answers, knowing Robbie obviously made something up.
Robbie's face turned a little irritated.
- 'Can we just go downstairs, I still have to read some chapters before going to bed mum' Robbie said opening the bathroomdoor.
- 'Is it still to do with Phil and mum?' Ronnie asked 'just tell me Robbie you're not in trouble, I mean you already were so it can't get any worse now can it'.
- 'It's cause of Ian' Robbie then blurted out.
- 'Ian?' Ronnie asked surprised 'what's Ian got to do with it?'
- 'It's nothing alright, just kidsstuf, he's been nagging Pete, you know what parents do' Robbie said thinking of Glenda who didn't want Ronnie and everyone else to know. Robbie put the towel down and walked out of the bathroom leaving Ronnie standing there a little confused.
- 'Robbie!'Ronnie called Robbie back as she was walking quickly down the stairs.
- 'What's going on?' Roxy said carrying Amy on her hip as she and Glenda got out of the livingroom, wondering what was going on.
- 'That's what I like to know, I'll see you tomorrow!' Ronnie said as she followed Robbie downstairs.
Robbie walked into the apartment, straight through the livingroom.
- 'Hey sweetheart' Jack said giving Robbie a little smile as she walked in, happy to see her 'how did it go upst…' but he couldn't finish as Robbie just walked straight to her room and closed the door.
- 'Where is she?' Ronnie asked as she also got into the apartment.
- 'In her room…now what?' Jack asked looking at Michael not understanding what was going on. As if he wanted to apologize for this crazy day at home.
- 'Like I said, handful' Michael said smiling.
- 'Oi this is my kid you're talking about yeah, ehm Jack let me talk to her first ok, I tell you later' Ronnie said looking at Jack clearly not wanting to get Michael involved.
Ronnie just walked into Robbie's room without knocking.
- 'Mum I don't wanna talk about it, nothing's going on ' Robbie said as she was sitting at her desk fidgeting with her ipod.
- 'Oh but I think there is?' Ronnie said 'and there's no way I'm gonna be leaving this room before I know what is going on!'
- 'I was afraid of that' Robbie said 'can I go stay upstairs with mum?'
- 'No you can't, and what is this sudden wanting to be at mums all the time?' Ronnie said as she suddenly realized that Robbie kept asking, wanting to stay at Glenda's.
- 'Cause you're on my case the whole time mum' Robbie said looking irritated again 'where, what, why, just stop it mum, you drive me up the wall with your constant questioning me all the time, do this do that, here, there, school, breakfast, bed, get dressed, get up, go to bed pfff you're doing my head in!' Robbie got up and walked to the door. Ronnie grabbed Robbie and pushed her back onto the bed.
- 'You're not leaving this room till I know what is going on!' Ronnie said also trying to keep her calm but it wasn't easy, she knew Robbie was ticked off already, maybe for something she was not telling and the fact that Ronnie was onto it.
Then there was a knock at the door, then it opened and Glenda walked in.
- 'Are you alright?' Glenda asked Robbie.
- 'Mum do you mind?' Ronnie said, the fact that her mum was now intruding a little was not helping.
- 'Can I stay with you tonight mum?' Robbie asked thinking this was her chance to get out of the situation.
- 'No Robbie!' Ronnie snapped' you're staying here end off, you live here, mum can you please go back upstairs, I'll handle it'.
- 'Ehm sure, as long as you both are alright' Glenda said looking first at Ronnie then at Robbie who was just looking angry.
Glenda left the room leaving Ronnie standing with her arms across her chest and Robbie sitting on her bed.
Then Ronnie's face changed, like she thought of something and opened the door and called Glenda back in. Glenda looked surprised but walked back into the bedroom.
- 'Ron?' Jack asked not understanding at all what had been going on.
- 'Just let me, please Jack' Ronnie said feeling sorry for Jack as he must have been feeling a little set on the side.
- 'I just wanna know what's going on?' Jack said 'ehm Michael mate, could you just ehm..'
- 'I'll be at the Vic yeah, just give me a call when it's over' Michael said grabbing his coat and leaving the flat.
Jack walked over to the bedroom also 'now what is going on?'
Robbie didn't say anything she didn't know what to do or what to say that was going to sound right.
- 'Well it's like this Jack, Robbie snuck out this afternoon before she went upstairs, going out to talk to Peter, but at the Vic Phil told me Robbie was at hís door asking for Ben, now when I got upstairs I asked her about it and she said nothing was going on but that it was about Ian?'Ronnie said explaining all the fact's that she had collected.
Glenda looked straight at Robbie when she heard Ian's name come up. Robbie just got nervous about it and looked at the floor avoiding all eyes that were in her room.
- 'Ian?' Jack asked 'what has Ian got to do with it, Robbie?'
- 'Let me finish' Ronnie said' then Robbie didn't wanna talk about it anymore and ran off downstairs, then we got here and she asked if she could stay upstairs, thinking I wouldn't ask anything anymore about it probably, so then mum comes downstairs asking if everything is alright, it's the second time this weekend that Robbie asks if she can stay at mums, and mum comes to ask if everything is fine now?'
- 'So, maybe she's a little concerned with you giving me the 3th degree here, what's this CSI-Walford?' Robbie said making a face to Glenda.
- 'She's right i'm just concerned that's all' Glenda said looking at Ronnie trying to prove a point.
- 'They're trying to make us believe that everything is normal, really' Ronnie said pointing at both Glenda and Robbie.
- 'And your point is…?' Robbie asked trying to be smart.
- 'I see what you mean' Jack said 'now what is going on between the two of you?'
Robbie and Glenda looked at eachother where Glenda started to move around a little nervous.
- 'Oh yeah, Jack has been with the old bill ofcourse, he's gonna ask if we got an alibi or something mum, can we do the fingerprint thingy dad' Robbie said being cheeky with Jack.
- 'Oi you better stop with those wise-cracks of yours, you hear me!' Ronnie said 'I just had about enough of you talking back at us all the time!'.
- 'Boohoo' Robbie said softly' it's not gonna make me say anything, "really"'.
Then Ronnie grabbed Robbie by her arm and dragged her out of her room.
- 'Mum let go of me, are you insane?' Robbie screamed as Ronnie took her to the kitchen and sat her down on a chair.
- 'Now you're going to sit here until you're ready to tell us what is going on, and don't tell me that nothing isn't cause I know something is going on with the two of you!' Ronnie said as she lead Robbie to sit on one of the chairs in the kitchen.
- 'Look ehm.., it's not Robbie you should be blaming for her to keep her mouth shut, she's keeping it shut cause I asked her to' Glenda then said not wanting Ronnie getting more angry then she already was with Robbie anymore, only causing Robbie to get more cheeky with her eldest daughter.
- 'What?' Ronnie reacted surprised making them all look at Glenda.
- 'Mum don't, you don't have too' Robbie said, making Ronnie look suspicious at Robbie again.
- 'Could someone please tell us what is going on, I'm sure this whole drama is not needed if we just talk about it alright' Jack said getting tired of this whole talking around obviously something Glenda and Robbie were hiding from them.
- 'I want my lawyer' Robbie said trying to make another joke about it, but no one started laughing, where was Roxy when you needed her.
- 'Shuss you or I'm gonna make you have to stand here all night if you know what I mean!' Ronnie snapped at Robbie then shut an angry look at Glenda' you're letting my kid lie to me to obviously save your own schemes from us mum, are you serious?'.
- 'Mum that's not what's going on, god, just let her explain, or are you frustrated again that you're not in control of this, that we know something you don't' Robbie said standing up. Glenda pleased with Robbie taking her side, while thinking of what to say to Ronnie and Jack.
- 'Oi Robbie sit your bum down, better shut that lip of yours!' Jack said holding Ronnie back from walking over to Robbie, who was not amused being slagged off by Robbie in front of Glenda.
- 'When the two of you were in Paris, Robbie…well Robbie saw me and Phil a couple of times together and was curious of what was going on. She wanted to talk to Roxy about it who was obviously busy with herself and…' Glenda started.
- 'Mum we already know what happened there, she felt alone cause she couldn't talk to anyone when she found out about you and Phil right' Ronnie said annoyed.
- 'Yes she did' Glenda said 'but what you don't know is that she told Peter about it'.
- 'Alright, I see' Ronnie said with her hands on her hips 'is that it, why you had to be all secretive about that, I mean I understand that Robbie, I almost smacked your rear a minute ago, and you mum, why would you make her not tell us hmm?'.
- 'Cause now Ian has been checking Pete's chat history with me on his laptop cause he overheard a conversation I had with Peter to not talk about the affaire anymore, Ian was eavesdropping on us and now he wants something with mum or else he probably go to Phil, also to get to Phil probably' Robbie said getting a little upset that her telling Peter caused some problems now, although if Glenda and Phil had left eachother alone nothing would've been going on.
- 'Sweetheart you don't have to get upset about it, I mean I understand you want everything to be alright, but it's not you who started this, I mean it all started with your mum and Phil alright' Jack said walking over to Robbie and put his arm around her.
- 'Yeah but that's over now, and what if Ian goes to see Phil or Shirley and they're going to hurt mum?' Robbie said as she started to cry.
- 'Darling this isn't your fault, just like Jack said, that's why I told you to let us grown-ups handle it alright, don't you worry, mummy will be alright' Glenda said.
- 'This is all because of you and Phil mum, this is all your fault' Ronnie said.
- 'Mum it happened alright, it's over now' Robbie said walking over to Ronnie 'it was stupid…but it's over'.
- 'I need to talk to Phil' Ronnie then said.
- 'What?" they all reacted.
- 'Well if Ian gets to him before me, and Shirley finds out, he could easily not hand over half of the Vic to me anymore, I mean we still have to sign the papers you know, if he comes back on his word we can really say goodbye to Roxy's money, I mean, even though wé know he did it, we really have no proof, we only could have him for placing money at home to blame mum' Ronnie said, and she was right about it Phil had only said it but there were no official papers signed yet.
- 'Ronnie's right' Glenda said 'you should have a talk with Phil darling, just to be on the safe side, I don't want him get away with everything, I mean you should get that half of the Vic settled with him'.
- 'You wanna call him over or what?' Jack asked Ronnie.
- 'Ehm yeah, mum could Robbie stay upstairs with you for another night?' Ronnie said not wanting Robbie involved in this, they knew enough to tell Phil.
- 'Why can't I just stay here, you said no when I asked you before' Robbie asked.
- 'Yes and you were eager to stay upstairs remember smartypants besides, that was for some other reason, I don't want you here when Phil is around and I don't know what time he comes or goes for that matter' Ronnie said.
- 'Can I come downstairs after then?' Robbie asked.
- 'No babe, I mean like I said I don't know how long it will be and I want you in bed on time, tomorrow's a new day of school ok' Ronnie said nodding at her mum.
- 'Yeah alright, you know everything what's going on now, so if you need me I will come downstairs yeah, I mean Rox is upstairs' Glenda said.
- 'Come here baby' Ronnie said walking up to Robbie who stood up 'now you go upstairs and have a good night sleep yeah, and just be honest with me as of now yeah, I don't want to get angry with you for something you obviously didn't have to hide from me alright?'
- 'Alright, would you come up after then maybe mum…I might not fall asleep easily knowing Phil's gonna be in one of his famous grumpy moods, you know the 24/7 ones he has' Robbie said obviously worried of what was gonna happen, Phil wasn't really the predictable one, but Robbie knew he could be a hard man, if he would find out about Ian he could really hurt him. She didn't much like Ian but since he was Peter's dad she just accepted him for the kind of sleazebag that, in her eyes, he was.