Chapter 32

The end of that week quickly approached and with Much trepidation Joey Branning was off to start his new life at university. He knew leaving behind the Square and so many memories, good and bad would be hard, but he had to. He couldn't stay around much longer waiting for Lauren to give birth and see her almost every day with their child. Neither Joey or Lauren knew of Max and Tanya's involvement in their break up, he still had no idea that Lauren had been sneakily coerced into having their baby adopted and Lauren had no inclination to the fact Joey was begging for her to give him a reason to stay.

Lauren heard a car horn beep in the square and made her way to the living room window, moving the blinds to get a better look. She stared wide eyed as Joey, Alice, Derek and Sara made their way out of number 30 and to the waiting taxi. The taxi driver took Joey's bags and put them into the boot whilst Joey said his goodbyes to his family.

"are you sure you have everything?" Sara questioned, Joey nodding "and do you really have to go this early?"

"you know I do Mum, official lectures don't start to September, but they like you to do the introductory classes in July and august, get to know your flat mates… you know the drill"

"I know" she nodded stepping aside as Alice made her way towards her brother.

"I'm gonna miss you, Joe" Alice admitted

"Joseph" Derek sighed

"What?" Alice questioned

"His name's Joseph, Alice, not Joe" he explained

"Oh, sorry, Dad" she replied "I'm gonna miss you, Joseph"

"I'm gonna miss you too, little sis " he admitted, pulling her in for a hug "don't let him rule you" Joey whispered into her ear as he pulled away.

"Call us when you get there, okay?" Sara questioned, pulling him in for yet another hug.

"I'm only an hour away, Mum, but yes, I'll call" he informed her, reciprocating the hug "Tell Lauren I love" he whisperedpulling back, he turned to face his Dad… "So?"

"Yeah" Derek replied "I'm very proud of you, Joseph. I hope you know that"

Joey nodded his head, "I do"

"Well" he began, fishing around in his pocket "here's some money to get you started, and to keep you going till you find a job, I'll be sending weekly payments"

"You don't need to do that, Dad" Joey admitted, surprised by his Dad's generosity

"Yes I do. My son's going to university, I'm very proud" he informed him

"Thanks" he replied, smiling at his Dad warmly for the first time in months

"You're welcome" he stated "so shall we have a quick hug? For the ladies?"

Joey nodded his head, his Dad embracing him tightly… "Don't let us down"

Lauren was surprised as she watched Joey and Derek embrace. Seeing as though they weren't on speaking terms, she didn't know the sort of relationship he had with his Dad now, but from the looks of things, she guessed they were good. She doubted it'd be that way if he knew about her and the baby. Swallowing hard as Joey turned and looked up at the house, seeing her in the window, he smiled at her weakly. She watched as he climbed into the taxi. Derek trailed back up his front oath reached his car keys and got in his own car driving off.

On impulse Lauren ran from the house, Tanya turning a little late, to see her speeding barefoot down the street "Lauren!".

"Joey! Joey!" she continued running down the street yelling his name "Jooooeeeeyyyy!" she screamed his name for the final time as she felt an arm on her shoulder. She turned falling into her aunties arms.

"He's gone Lauren... oh darling"

"No ! I need to talk to him I need to tell him..." she cried a little harder, Sara holding her close. "I need to tell him about the baby..."

Tanya held back at the side of the street watching Lauren.

*JL*JL*JL*

"what am I doing..." Joey sighed running his hands over his head. "Mate can we go back... there's something I've got to do" the taxi driver did a loop at the tube station and quickly made back to the square. "i'll be 5 minutes" he told the taxi driver as he jumped out running across the gardens. He caught glimpse od his Mum standing near the path of number 5.

"Lauren?" he ran towards her moving to her in place of his mother.

"Joey!" he held his arms open and she stepped in them.

"I couldn't just go without saying a proper goodbye" his hand moved down her back and she tightened her hold on him. "Look after yourself Lauren ok ? My Taxis waiting for me babe... I need to go" the beeping of the horn confirmed his point.

"I'm sorry Joey..." she leaned up and kissed his lips softly "go..." she nodded biting her lip and walked away. She couldn't tell him... she couldn't ruin his life any more than she already had done.

sorry ! Will it ever get fixed for the two of them ? So joeys gone to university without knowing about the baby L...should Lauren have told him? Or has she done the right thing ? Xxx