"I wanna word with you, Tate."

Joe looked up from his lunchtime drink with Graham. "What is it now? Richard?"

"You know what. You and Rebecca."

"Oh, that." Joe looked around the pub as Graham sighed. "I don't think this is the place to discuss it, do you?"

"You think you're so clever, but she's gonna see through you."

"It's none of your business."

"Seb's my son, and I'm not gonna let you hurt his mother."

"What's going on?" asked Chas from behind the bar, a look of realisation dawning. Debbie was watching from her seat in the corner.

"Him and Bex." Robert turned, pointing at Joe. "He's taking advantage of her."

"I'm not taking advantage—"

"You're sleeping with someone who can't even remember where she is half the time."

"It's not like that," Joe protested, dropping his smug look. "We haven't even slept together. Yet," he couldn't resist adding.

Robert went to grab Joe by the collar but Graham intervened. "I don't think so, do you?" he said, quietly menacing.

"Wait till you haven't got your bodyguard to protect you," Robert sneered.

"Robert, what are you doing?" Rebecca had entered the pub, her eyes moving uncertainly from Robert and Joe to the gawping onlookers.

"I'm just looking out for you."

"I don't need you to look out for me. I'm an adult, I can make my own choices." Rebecca looked at Joe. "Are you okay?" He nodded.

"I'm not helpless, Robert." Rebecca turned back to him. "Stop treating me like I am."

She turned and went to join Chas behind the bar.

"Now, who'd like a drink?"

"You're off your head," Chas muttered. "Getting involved with him, after what he did to Debbie?"

"Thank you for your input," said Rebecca. She looked in Debbie's direction, but she was already getting up to speak to Joe, who was heading outside with Graham.

"Oi!" Debbie yelled at Joe, who turned around. "That true, what Robert said?"

"What's it to you?"

"Rebecca's my friend."

"Yeah? When was the last time you went to see how she was doing?" Joe dropped his voice. "And you're not really in a position to lecture me after what you did to Ross."

He turned and walked to the car with Graham, leaving Debbie glowering after them.