A New Beginning • Emmerdale

Chapter 3: Joe Tate

KENNEDY'S POV

Me and Debbie stare speechless. She pulls me into her arms giving me the tightest hug,

"It's good to see you too, but squeeze me any tighter and i wont be here for much longer" I say laughing slightly.

"I can't believe this is actually happening!" she smiles happily slowly letting me go, but still holding my arms "

i honestly thought i'd never see you again" Her smile fades a little, giving me a sad smile.

Rebecca lifts two drinks over the bar and places them in front of smiling. I look at Debbie with a confused look

"we didn't order any more drinks" i say to Rebecca "I know, he ordered them for you" she said subtly pointing behind us, smiling then walking away.

Me and Debbie turn around to look at who Rebecca was pointing to, and sat in a booth along with an older man, was, i must admit, a very good looking, well dressed man. He made eye contact with me, lifting his drink up slightly and pointing it toward me a little. He smirked, took a sip and returned to his conversation with the older man.

We turned back around facing the bar.

"well he is a bit easy on the eye i must say" I smirked taking a sip of the drink as Debbie rolls her eyes

"Don't, under any circumstances, go near him" she says sternly.

"I am 19 now Debs, not 12. I have gained this thing slowly over the last couple of years, it's called free will" I shrugged. "Who is he anyway" i asked

"Joseph Tate, one of the most hated men in the whole of town. He is very manipulative, and don't get me started on his ego. Just stay away from him" She told me "The last thing that we want is for him to find out the reason you left. He would use that against ALL of us"

I sighed as i looked over my shoulder slightly to get another look "He can't be that bad"I shook my head "He blackmailed me, and lied to me for ages. He is not a nice man. If mum see's you anywhere near him she will kick off" She glares slightly. "speaking of mum, how did she react to seeing you again? cant've been good"

"I haven't seen her yet" I spoke quickly followed but gulping down the rest of my drink. Debbie stares me down frowning. "what do you mean! She's going to go ballistic" Debbie says loudly earning us a few stares. She looks down at her phone and scoffs "I have to dash off, but i'll be back soon okay" she gives me a quick hug before rushing out the front door.

I reach for my jacket on the seat next to me and go to slip it over my shoulders.

"leaving so soon?" I hear a voice come from next to me. "we haven't had a proper introduction yet" Joe says raising an eyebrow at me. I keep my eyes on him while thinking about Debbie said. He's trouble. Stay away.

I smirk at him and pull my jacket off placing it back on the seat, holding my hand out "I'm Kennedy, Kennedy Dingle" He smiles and takes my hand raising it slowly up to his lips "Joe, Joe Tate"

My tongue rolls over my dry lips as i look into his eyes. I was definitely not going to be able to stay away from him. And that doesn't bother me one bit.

A/N pretty much Joe did still blackmail Debbie, but im changing it up to where they had nothing romantic going on between them, just so its easier to write joe and kennedy in the further chapters :) let me know what you all think so far, this is my first ever time writing in agessss so all feedback would be amazing!

-Elisia