Chapter 20

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Having asked Tanya to drop him off at the tube station which Lauren had finally got her Mum to agree to, Joey saw his Dad drive out of the Square, thanking God that he'd have some time to get his story straight. Making his way up to his front door, he opened it quietly and shut it behind him, hanging up his coat and pulling off his shoes, his Mum appearing in the doorway a few seconds later, her arms wrapping around him tightly.

"Where the hell have you been? I've been worried sick" she proclaimed

"It's a long story, Mum" he admitted, sighing heavily

"You better have your story straight. Your Dad's out right now, but he'll be back in half-an-hour" she informed him

"Gives me enough time to get my stuff and go" he admitted stepping on the bottom step of the stairs.

"What?" she questioned, turning back to him as she went to walk away "where are you going?"

"Grandmas" he whispered

"Talk to me son, what's going ?"

"I was at the hospital with Lauren".

"oh no! she's not hurt herself like before has she?" worry painted on her face as her eyes closed at the thought.

Joey shook his head "no Mum, She's pregnant…I'm going to be a Dad" he explained "Max and Tanya have her under house arrest, she's scared and doesn't know what to think, neither do I to be honest"

"oh Joey" she sighed "how could you be so careless ay? It's okay" she nodded "we'll sort something out…"

"Mum, I know you hate lying, but I need you to do something for me. Can you tell Dad that you've not seen me if he asks, please?" he inquired

"Why would your mother lie to me?" Derek's voice questioned, Joey silently cursing as he turned to face his Dad

"Dad"

"Don't Dad me" he proclaimed "in there, now. Isn't there cooking to do Sara? "

Nodding her head, Joey watched as his Mum disappeared into the kitchen . Shoving Joey into the living room, Derek shut the door behind them with slam.

"I should back hand you" he admitted "but I'm not going to. I'm going to give you the chance to tell me where you've been. So come on, I'm waiting"

"I was at Luke's" Joey informed him "my phone died. I'm sorry"

"And why couldn't you use his house phone to call?" he asked

"Their line has been disconnected. Something about his Mum not having paid the bill" he replied "sorry again, Dad" his body relaxed once he saw his Dad's face, he didn't know when he'd got so good at lying, but something told him he'd be getting a bit more practice.

"Well you're not going out again tonight, you've missed out on vital study. Get upstairs and do some work" he proclaimed

Nodding his head, Joey left the room, moving out of the way for his Mum to enter. Waiting for her to leave the room which she did a few minutes later, she shut the door behind her.

"Joey" she sighed

"Mum, please, I need you on my side… me and Lauren both do" he admitted

"I am… you know I am. I didn't keep quiet all those months if I didn't think you were serious " she assured him, smiling at him warmly "I'll make your Dad his favourite for tea tonight, which guarantees that he'll fall asleep in front of the TV, that gives you chance to get out ill call your Grandma tell her to expect you and Lauren yes?" he nodded.

"Are you sure, Mum?" he asked "I don't wanna get you into trouble"

"Don't you worry about me, love" she replied "you worry about you, Lauren and your baby"

"Thanks, Mum, I love you" he sighed, relieved

"I love you too" she mirrored "now upstairs and study, yeah?"

Kissing her cheek, he hurried up the stairs and into his bedroom

so Joey's the one telling fibs now and his Mum is totally on side which they really need ... back tomorrow xx