Chapter 23

Tanya and Max arrived home later on that evening, a plan of their own set in their heads. "Mum Where's Lauren?" Tanya questioned as she popped her head around the living room door, to see no sign of Lauren.

Cora came from the kitchen pointing upstairs "she ate and went to bed about half hour ago, I've been to check on her and she's out for the count".

Tanya looked at Max who slipped back out of the front door. "what was that?" Cora asked having noticed the exchange between her daughter and son in law.

"none of your business Mum" Tanya stepped on the bottom step ready to go upstairs

"I don't know what you're planning on doing girl but if you do another thing to upset her the…"

"Then what Mum, you'll kick me out ? I'm not 15 anymore , you're the one living in my house, so if you don't like the way I do things the you know what you can do!"

Cora stared narrowing her eyes "if it wasn't for the fact I don't want to leave my granddaughter then I'd be gone. You can't see what you're doing to her can you?" Tanya averted her eyes from her mother's glare "she's been through enough… let her be"

Tanya watched as Cora went back to the kitchen, her words ringing in her ears. She climbed the stairs quickly and pushed open the door to Laurens room. She sat on the edge of the bed looking over her baby girl. Her fingers brushed through Laurens hair gently running down her arm. She stopped when she noticed Laurens phone clasped in her hand.

Tanya picked up the phone, her eyes rolling when she saw the background picture of Lauren and Joey in their school uniforms about a year ago. She opened the texts reading the latest one, she opened up a blank message and sent Joey text in response.

I don't think you should come over anymore. This was all a huge mistake.

She waited for the message to send and then deleted it form her sent box, removing all evidence it had even been created. She took the phone in her hand and waited for the response she knew she'd get, and seconds later she did.

What are you talking about ? I'm in this with you Lauren, there's no mistake about it. Please call me and we can talk about this xx

She deleted that message too and placed a gently kiss to Laurens forehead. She took the phone and slid it into her pocket, leaving the room- it was like she'd never been there.

don't you just love Cora ? And bad bad Tanya ? What's Max up to though? I have several chapters to be posted today ...so you know what to do try for 7 reviews before the next chapter is posted ...go go go ! Xxx