At night Ronnie walked into the livingroom with tea while Jack sat with Amy cuddling her and reading a book to her. Robbie and Roxy were laying strangled up with eachother, on the sofa, watching telly.
- 'Sweety could you put your dirty laundry together in the basket tonight, I mean I saw some of it already there but there's a lot still wondering around your room hmm' Ronnie said raising an eyebrow as she sat down next to Jack.
- 'Maybe clean your mess at the same time' Roxy said 'ow and there's some of your stuff in my room upstairs'.
- 'I'll get that In the morning yeah' Robbie said clicking through some channels.
- 'I'll tell you what, when I go up you come with me and get it, gonna put your niece to bed in a minute'' Roxy said.
- 'Dad, for how long is Michael gonna stay at the B&B?' Robbie asked.
Jack looked up 'ehm, don't know darling, I don't know for how long he's staying in Walford' Jack said 'why?'
- 'Well, ehm, how ehm, how come he became a friend of yours then?' Robbie asked.
- 'I think he's fit' Roxy said tickling Robbie a little.
- 'Argghh stop Roxy' Robbie screamed trying to push her sisters hands away.
- 'Rox please' Ronnie said as Amy jumped up a little on Jack's lap from her auntie's screaming.
- 'It's alright darling' Jack said soothing little Amy.
- 'Well how come dad?' Robbie asked again.
- 'Well he was a mate in school' Jack said 'why?'
- 'Don't know, I find him weird' Robbie said' the way he looks and I don't know just weird'.
- 'Weird' Jack asked 'he might be a little different, I'm sure you have friends that are a little different'.
- 'Those friends probably think she's the weird one ey Robbie, I think Michael's sexy' Roxy said smiling to Ronnie.
- 'Every guy that breaths is sex to you Rox' Robbie said giving her sister a little squeeze.
Roxy put her leg around Robbie's waist who was trying to get out of her sisters grip.
The phone rang and Ronnie, grinning, picked it up 'Phil…hi?' Ronnie said and walked over to the kitchen to talk a little more private with Roxy and Robbie laughing with eachother, and Jack reading to Amy again.
After a couple minutes Ronnie came walking back into the livingroom, her face looking far from amused.
- 'What is it?' Jack asked noticing Ronnie's face.
- 'Phil pulled back' Ronnie said 'he's decided not to give me half of the Vic'.
- 'What?" Roxy said immediately sitting straight up 'how can he do that, what about my money'.
- 'He said he thought it over, and the whole Ian thing, he still thinks Ian's gonna let it slip to Shirley' Ronnie said.
- 'He said he was going to deal with Ian right, you said' Roxy said.
- 'This is all my fault' Robbie said 'if I hadn't said anything to Pe..'
- 'Robbie no' Jack said 'this has nothing to do with you, this is not your fault sweetheart, it's Phil's own fault by betraying Shirley with Glenda in the first place , and this is how Ian is, and apparently how Phil is, they're just people you can never rely on'.
- 'Mum I'm sorry ' Robbie said walking up to Ronnie and putting her arms around Ronnie's neck.
- 'Come here lovey' Ronnie pulled Robbie up as Robbie put her legs around Ronnie's waist, as much as she wanted to say sorry to Ronnie she just needed her mum to tell her it was all alright.
- 'Sweety you heard what Jack just said, this is not your fault, this all started with Phil and mum having an affair, and Ian just being a scumbag alright, but ehm, don't worry I'm not done with Phil yet, If he thinks he's playing clever he better be paying attention cause I'm not going to let us just be ordered around by Phil or agree on how he wants to play it, he stole Roxy's money and he's going to pay for that, he can choose between Shirley or the police'.
Xxxx
It was the middle of the night and dark on the square, just the lights of the lamppost were the only lights shining. Some dim light was upstairs the Vic. A dark shadow slowly got out of nr 29 and then ran quickly across the street but didn't walk into the little park but just around it, then crossed the street and walked alongside nr 55 into Victoria road. In front of the house the shadow came to a stop, looked around and then threw something towards the house. The loud sound of breaking glass broke the silence on the square. The sound of someone running away from it followed.
Upstairs at nr 55 the lights switched on in almost every room. In less then a couple minutes Phil and Jay were downstairs out the frontdoor. Shirley and Ben walked out the kitchendoor into the frontgarden. There was no one to be seen. Phil put his hand to his forehead as he saw the front baywindow got smashed. As they walked inside again they found a large brick laying on the damaged pooltable.
The shadow had run away around the house and had been running as long as it could. Finally at Bridgestreet the shadow stopped being out of breath kneeling down to feel better again. Then jumped up as a hand grabbed the shadow in it's neck.
- 'What the hell were you thinking?' the person said breathing heavily.
The shadow jumped up and looked around, looking straight into Roxy's face looking upset and angry at the same time.
- 'Roxy?' the shadow said, what are you doing here, I thought you were sleeping like everyone else'.
- 'I was just on my way home from the R&R when I saw you sneak out of the house Robbie, why aren't yoú in bed hmm, you've got some nerve cause Ron is gonna kill you if she finds out, I mean if there's gonna be something left of you when I'm finished with you ' Roxy said grabbing Robbie by her arms and shaking her out of frustration 'Ohh you are so stupid sometimes, breaking Phil's window, really Robbie are you mad, you dosy cow!'
- 'Could you just scream a little louder Roxy, so everyone can here you, you idiot!' Robbie hissed while trying to push her sister away 'why do you think I ran all the way overhere, and have you been following me, I heard someone running behind me I thought it was Jay at first then it stopped, couldn't keep up with me ey, you old bag'.
- 'Will you just shut that big mouth of yours, calling me old bag and an idiot, enough of it, you smashing Phils window now who's the idiot?' Roxy said giving Robbie a smack on her backside.
- 'Then let go of me, and stop yelling at me!' Robbie said again trying to push Roxy away.
Roxy sighed and looked around, there were some people also leaving the R&R but the sisters weren't noticed by them since most of them were under the influence of alcohol.
Roxy pushed Robbie in a dark alley and took a deep breath again.
- 'Let me think, I ehm, …I have to say you got guts Pix, but I still think it is stupid you did this, Phil will know it was one of us after he told Ron about not getting half of the Vic' Roxy said.
- 'He might know, but Shirley doesn't, let him explain why we're on to him' Robbie said 'I'm gladly to explain it all to her'.
- 'What about mum, I thought you were afraid of that cause Shirley will you know?' Roxy said.
- 'I just hate it so much that he prances around the square, with that ugly big fat bald head of his like he's all that, I hate him Rox!' Robbie said 'and as long as we're around mum Shirley might not do anything, and If she does I will smack her a couple'.
- 'Did you hit your head coming out tonight Robbie, you think you can take on Shirley, Shirley ánd Phil to be exact?' Roxy said.
- 'Then what were you going to do then, just let him have his way again Rox, hé stole yoúr money Roxy!' Robbie said 'and he's getting away with it'.
- 'Common, I need to sneak you back inside without anyone noticing you've been missing from your bed yeah' Roxy said grabbing Robbie's wrist and walking together 'let's not walk through Bridgestreet ey, we go way around and then walk home by the playground alright'.
- 'So who were you with at the club then, all by yourself?' Robbie asked.
- 'Well Christian was there but was called home by Sy so then we walked home and at the park I saw you sneaking out, you just moved a little too fast for me to get you to stop' Roxy said looking worried at her younger sister'so how are we gonna do this?'.
- 'Well we get in, I take this gear off, you take it with you upstairs and I'll sneak in in my shirt and knickers, I mean I'll go have a glass of water in the kitchen or something, I mean If they wake up I'll say I was thirsty' Robbie said.
- 'Common, let's just hope they haven't heard anything and haven't been missing you yet' Roxy said.
They both walked all the way around, hoping all would've turned calm at nr 55.
When they arrived at the square again they crossed through the park and got a little shock as they saw Michael coming out of the porch of nr 29.
- 'Michael?' Robbie whispered to Roxy.
- 'What are you doing here?' Roxy asked not understanding what Michael was doing there standing at the porch of their entrance.
Michael's vicious smirk appeared on his face and turned into a charming smile when facing Roxy.
- 'Isn't it a bit too late for you to be outside…clubbing with your older sister then, does Jack and Ronnie know?' Michael ignored Roxy's question and just asked his.
- ''Why are you here, you lost then, the B&B is overthere!' Robbie asked looking at the blinds of the downstairs apartment, it still looked dark inside.
- 'I think you should be in bed don't you' Michael said looking at Robbie 'and you, does Ronnie know you took your sister out, don't you know she has school tomorrow, and what will "daddy Jack" say ey?'
Then the light inside switched on and Jack opened the door followed by Ronnie wrapping herself in her nightgown.
- 'Michael do you know what… Robbie, what the hell are you doing out?' Jack asked not seeing Robbie and Roxy at first.
- 'Robbie?" Ronnie's face, confused and not amused walked passed Jack' inside both of you, come on get in Roxy! '
Robbie and Roxy looked at eachother and walked by Jack and Ronnie inside the flat.
- 'I just…well I saw her outside with Roxy, I ehm, I thought you should know she was out, I mean she's just a kid, what is she doing outside at this time, on a schoolnight right' Michael said 'I mean, I would want you to ring my bell if my kid was out on the street, no matter what time it was'.
- 'Yeah' Jack said not really understanding what was going on and most of all, why Robbie was outside on the square, with Roxy' thanks, ehm, I'll see you tomorrow Michael, maybe we can have a drink at the Vic or something?'
- 'Yeah alright, you sort it out, goodnight Jack' Michael said as he walked out of the front yard and onto the square, to the B&B where he was staying.
Inside, Robbie and Roxy were seated at the kitchen table while Ronnie was standing against the kitchen sink, her arms crossed.
- 'Now can someone please tell me what the hell is going on, why you aren't in your bed asleep as I thought you were, and why are you with her outside Roxy?'
Robbie looked at Roxy and then at Ronnie.
- 'Well?' Ronnie asked again as Jack walked in.
- 'What the hell were you doing outside Robbie?' Jack asked.
- 'Just couldn't sleep, was a bit hot and started breathing…'Robbie said, it was the best she could come up with.
- 'They will find out soon enough Pix' Roxy whispered to her babysister.
Robbie gave Roxy a look to better keep her mouth shut.
- 'What did you say Rox?' Ronnie said as she walked up to the kitchentable sitting down at on of the chairs having a good look at Robbie and Roxy.
- 'Nothing' Robbie said her eyes still on Roxy.
- 'Robbie was…well after you received Phil's phonecall' Roxy started.
- 'Shut..up..Rox!' Robbie said, coming across as a little threathening to her sister.
Roxy sighed not knowing whether to tell Ronnie or say nothing for Robbie, she knew Phil was probably was gonna be pointing the finger at them, so there was nothing she could do.
- 'Robbie smashed Phil's frontroom window, threw a brick and ran off, I was just coming home so saw her coming out of the flat, she moved so fast that I couldn't prevent it anymore, I'm sorry' Roxy said.
- 'You did what?' Ronnie stood up and grabbed both of Robbie's arms ' what were you thinking Robbie, what if Phil finds out?'
- 'That was a really stupid thing to do Robbie!' Jack said raising his voice 'I mean throwing that brick, but also going outside in the middle of the night, what if something happened to you, what if Roxy wouldn't have been there'.
- 'Then she would have kept her gob shut, and I would have been in bed by now without you all freaking out' Robbie said standing up.
- 'Freaking out, just sit that tiny bum down before I really freak out' Ronnie said giving Robbie a slap on her bum, and made her sit down on the chair again.
- 'Why don't we all go to bed and talk in the morning alright' Roxy said.
- 'To hot under your feet?' Jack asked.
- 'My feet?' Roxy said' look Ron she just got upset when she heard about Phil not giving you the half of the Vic, he stole my money and he's getting away with it, she just wanted to get back at him'
- 'Didn't we make it clear to you that we would handle it Robbie hmm? ' Ronnie asked facing Robbie close by.
- 'I just hate that cockiness he walks around with mum, thinking he's all that, I mean I'm not like Billy, letting Phil tell me what to do or making a fool of me, let him walk over us, and that is what he's doing, he's just playing with us and I want it to stop!' Robbie said putting her head between her two hands out of frustration.
-' 'Well this way you're making it worse Robbie' Ronnie said then banging her hand on the table 'this was really stupid, why are you so stubborn, you should've been in your bed sleeping like any normal kid your age'.
- 'Yeah let's all play dead or roll over whenever Phil snaps his fingers' Robbie hissed back at Ronnie.
- 'Alright, it happened, we have to be ready if Phil comes by tomorrow cause he probably will' Jack said coming in between Robbie and Ronnie, a little more calmer then Ronnie was.
- 'I want you to get to bed now!' Ronnie said looking at Robbie 'come on, bed!'.
- 'What about..' Robbie said but Ronnie gave her the look she knew too well.
- 'I said bed now Robbie, didn't you hear me!' Ronnie said grabbing Robbie by her arm and getting her off the chair walking her into her room 'now try to get some sleep yeah'.
Ronnie let go of Robbie who got into her bed and looked at her mum who was sighing and scratching her forehead.
- 'I'm sorry I sneaked out mum, I just…' Robbie said but Ronnie stopped her.
- 'Goodnight Robbie, I'll see you in the morning' Ronnie said as she closed the door.
Robbie sighed and rolled over on her side, she knew Roxy had to tell, just to be prepared for Phil. The thing she was more worried about was what Michael had been doing there, and what he had seen, did he witness her throwing the brick?
- 'I'm sorry Ron, I mean that I didn't really had a chance to stop her, it went really fast' Roxy said.
- 'Well, I'm glad you were just coming home and chased her, I mean otherwise she would've been out there alone' Jack said.
- 'We just have to ignore everything Phil's going to say about it ok' Ronnie said sitting down again.
- 'Don't be too hard on her Ron alright, she's just not one to sit back and wait for things to happen ok, and she already received a smack from me, she got a little snappish with me' Roxy said 'I mean if you wanna punish her then punish her for sneaking out alright? '
- 'Why don't you go upstairs Roxy' Jack said 'get a little sleep yeah'.
- 'Yeah alright, you both too yeah, she's safe in bed, this is not her fault, this is all because of Phil' Roxy said giving Ronnie a peck on her cheek walking up to the door.
- 'Goodnight Rox' Ronnie said looking at her sister leaving out the door then looking at Jack 'what are we going to do about this one?'
- 'We're not going to admit to Phil what happened, we're going to stay calm' 'Jack said 'come on let's go to bed'.
- 'You know, when she was little and I sometimes had to deal with Roxy's rebellious behavior, I always thought that Robbie was going to be a little more me, you know, thinking before doing, but she is so much like Roxy, and I know she does it cause Phil stole her sisters money not just cause she wants to behave badly, you know what I mean?'
- 'Yeah I know darling, still she snuck out and we need to talk to her about that' Jack said putting his arms around his wife.
- 'Yes we handle that in the morning then, I need some sleep' Ronnie said jumping up at Jack and putting her legs around his waist 'what a family ey'.