AN - This is just the first update of many coming hopefully! New laptop, let's get writing :) Feel free to tweet me - SimplyReBECca_ - what you think, what to see next, encouragement to write more etc.
Lots had happened in the almost 3 months Lauren had been away from the Square. She left mid-May having made some dumb choices and having hurt a lot of people. But her being gone didn't stop the drama. Peter Beale was back and stirring things up in the Beale house, she'd been told. She couldn't imagine timid Peter causing trouble, but apparently he was clashing with Lucy big time.
The news that Kirsty had lied about her pregnancy had rocked the Branning's and after a stupid one night back together with Max, Tanya had left Walford, citing that too much had happened for her to be happy there anymore.
Oscar had stayed with Abi and Cora, Tanya would get settled elsewhere before making him move but Abi was staying full stop. Refusing to start fresh, wanting to be with her Dad and Jay, and waiting for Lauren to return home. Without Tanya, Max decided to try again with Kirsty but it was rocky, especially with her ex boyfriend now on the scene.
Jack had returned after a month away, surprising everyone when he turned up without Lauren in tow, having her Uncle back on the Square though meant Lauren was kept up to date on the gossip. Joey was still not with Lucy, not for the lack of trying from the blonde apparently, and Lauren's presence was missed.
She'd spent the last month travelling a bit, she felt freer away from Walford even though she knew she'd have to return eventually. It was easy to breathe, to think, away. Whilst with Jack, she'd discussed the past and what to do next; he'd made arrangements for her to continue her college work via online study and surprised her by switching her course from media studies which her Dad had picked for her to Art & Graphic Design.
Once she returned to Walford, he'd agreed she should work for the family, doing advertisements for not just the car lot, but the gym and Booty's too whilst she finished the second year of college diploma. They had caught up with her Aunt April, who Lauren hadn't seen since she was a kid. Her Aunt was happy to splash the cash, and told Lauren the only good guys were good for was sex and splashing the cash. And she shouldn't let no man, especially Branning men, ruin her happiness.
And once Jack returned back home, she'd gone to see Stacey and baby Lily and would return with heaps of things for Jean. She'd caught up on the past with Stacey, her sister-in-law encouraging her to draw a line and wash the secrets & pain away before it ate her up. She could tell how much Stacey still missed Bradley, but she'd built a happy little life for herself and Lily. And with promises she'd bring Abi back with her one day, Lauren ended her travels up with a stay at her Aunt Raine's.
Seeing her Aunt, sober and happy was life changing for Lauren. Having removed herself away from the poisonous environment she'd found herself falling in; she now had a stable job, a cute flat and was in love with a great guy. Lauren wanted that, and was trying to believe it was possible. Working with whether she should return to Walford, whether her new sobriety would last back there and if she could ever be happy there.
She felt less burdened and a lot more stable now than when she left, she'd hit rock bottom and was working her way back up. She didn't know what going back to Walford would bring, would she be able to cope with all the painful memories and secrets?
And the time away hadn't changed the way she felt about Joey. She'd moved on in a lot of ways, but not that one. She wasn't sure she was ready to deal without it all. Her Mum had given her the option of moving with her and she knew her Aunt Raine's door was always opened but she felt like going back was something she had to do.
Stepping off the train in Walford, Lauren took a deep breath in. Ready or not, she was back.