whiskey & cigarettes;

Josie looked up from the work she’d been going over and smiled. “Hey… perfect, I’m starving.” She chuckled, closing the books and watching him for a moment. “Alright, the shop was a bit busy. What about you?”

Brendan noticed her smile and he couldn’t help but smile back at her. “Hey. Good, I was hoping that you would be.” He started to pull the food out and place it onto the table. “Same. Danny’s was busy but I made time to speak with Arthur. He’s willing to help but Emma needs to go and see him.”

“Just been thinking about stuff back home.” She shrugged. “Coffee Bean?”

Arthur took a deep breath, looking down at the calendar on his desk. His task list was extensive, but he could move things around. Cancel some of the things that he really hated. There was certainly a lot of them. He cleared his throat and gave a small nod. “I can see what I can do. Can she come in and see me? Josie and you may come if you would like, but I need to talk to her. I need to know she wants my help.”

Brendan looked over at him before nodding his head. “I’m sure that can be arranged. I don’t trust these Hale’s. Granted they have nothing now but still what their son did to her...Arthur it was bad. No one actually seen her afterwards, but I was there for them and what she endured because of that bastard is something that no one should go through. She’s strong, a survivor but still.” And maybe that was why Brendan had used Matthews International to take everything that the Hale’s had. Or maybe that was the way he showed that he actually cared. “It could have easily been Molly..”

“Hey, so I got our favorite take away place.” Brendan said this, after he moved inside. Taking off his jacket, and shoes, he hung up the jacket and then grabbed the take away bag. “How was your day?” He questioned, as he moved into the kitchen. Hoping to find Josie in there. Putting the food down onto the counter.

Clarissa nodded. “Yeah…” She just had a lot of thoughts in her head right now. “Sure, yeah. That sounds good. Let’s go.”

Arthur frowned a bit, looking up at him. “What is it?” He shifted slightly in his chair, closing the book on his desk. “What’s wrong?”

“Emma Williamson, or well Emma Everett-Williamson I need you to be her lawyer. You are the best that I know and she’s Josie’s daughter and I feel once she talks to Victoria Hale, she is going to need a lawyer.” He glanced down for a moment before back up at him. “Can you help? You know that I’ll pay whatever the fees are.”

“I need a favor. A big favor.” Brendan stated after making his way into Arthur’s office. “I mean it’s a big one.”

Clarissa shook her head. “No, uh, I’m fine.. thanks.” She said, looking down for a moment. “Tired.” She sighed.

Josie shrugged, looking around. “I dunno, what do you feel like doing?” She wondered, glancing back at him with a nod. “Yeah, I think so.” She smiled, thinking it would be fun. The twins were so cute and she was so proud of Emma. When he mentioned Victoria, Josie rolled her eyes and sighed. “I hope not but knowing Emma… probably.”

“Well we could go on a couple of rides.” He suggested, his eyes remained on her for a moment. “Okay, good. I like being there with you when you have the twins.” He really did, “Yeah most likely. She’s a tough cookie though and she gets that from you.” 

“What should we do first?” Brendan questioned, looking over at her for a moment. “Are the twins still coming tonight?” It was nice to be out with her and it was nice that Emma and Nina let them have the twins. “Do you think Emma is going to do it? Talk to Victoria.” If so he wanted a lawyer there for her.

“Just a boring lemonade for me, thanks.”

“I think so.” She nodded. She hoped so anyway but if they were even half as strong as their mother was, they’d be just fine. She gazed at them for a moment longer before his next comment registered properly. Josie looked at him, concern splashed across her features. “What do you mean? What did you do?” She asked, studying his face. The Hale’s. She shook her head and closed her eyes briefly, angry. That whole family… she felt sick over all of it but it’s not like she wanted Brendan wrapped up in anything horrible because of it. “Where’ve you been?”

“Good, I’m glad.” Brendan glanced over at the babies, smiling a little bit. His attention going back to his girlfriend. Of course he noticed the concern right away, and tone in her voice. “The Hale’s aren’t going to be an issue. I have been in Liverpool. Matthews International has absorbed all of their money, companies and anything else that it could get it’s hands on that belonged to the Hale’s. And Victoria Hale is sitting down in her lovely new home aka the Baberton Police Station. Lauren has enough evidence to put her and her husband away for a very long time.” His eyes stayed on her. “They aren’t going to get away with this, Josie. The money that Matthews International absorbed was put into college funds for the twins, and another account for Emma. I couldn’t--” He started for a moment, glancing at the babies before back at her. “I couldn’t just let them get away with any of this anymore, Josie. Not after seeing the both of you after what that bastard did.”