"Shaz! I'm back!" Layla shouted as she ran through the house doors
"I'm in the kitchen babe!" Sharon replied
Layla ran through into the kitchen and placed the bag of veg on the table.
"Tommy's upstairs! Alfie dropped him off early, he said he was sorry!"
"WHAT?! I've got my brothers trial in two hours and I've gotta have a shower, do my hair, do my nails, my make-up..."
"Relax, I'll look after Tommy. You go get ready!"
"Thanks!"
Hours later, after the hearing. Mick arrived back at the Vic. Linda ran round the bar and kissed him
"How did it go?" she asked
"Not well. He got with self defence. Apparently his dad had a gun. He got community service and a fine... That was it!" Mick stated angrily
"Oh god! How did Layla take it?"
"Not too well..."
"Is she on her own?" Stan asked
"I don't know. Sharon's at work, but I think Phil is at home!"
"So technically she's got no hope!" Shirley said grouchily
"I offered to go back with her, but she said she'd prefer to be on her own...! Where's Nancy?"
"She's gone to The Albert. Sharon's organizing a birthday party for Phil and she asked if Nancy could give her a hand!" Linda replied
"Why not Johnny. He does work there after all?!" Mick had a small amount of confusion in his voice
"I'm doing an essay!" Johnny yelled from a nearby table. Mick looked over to see that his son had a pile of about seven books stacked up next to him, and a frustrated/concentrated look on his face!
Mick felt pain for him, being cooped up in a corner!
"At least give yourself a break! When's it due?"
"Next Week!"
"Well stop it. You can do it another time! Just... Go and see Layla...Please!"
Johnny sighed, got up, grabbed his jacket and walked out the door.
He walked all the way to Sharon's house, but when he got there, quite a sight met his eyes. The door had been smashed in and the garden ruined. He heard shouting...
Layla's voice and... Toby's! He ran through the kitchen, it was a total mess. He caught Layla's eye... She looked scared...
"Hey! What's going on in here?!"