Joe and Dianne: Life away from you

Which way should we walk? - part 1

"Dianne... I-uh... what are you doing here?" Zoe questioned in disbelief of who was stood before her. Stuttering through her words, no attempt to hide her sudden panic and confusion. After all, this weekend had put her through her paces as much as it had done for Joe and Dianne. But now was not the time for Zoe to be selfish. After all, the likelihood of Joe and Dianne having an explosive argument on her front porch, was now more than an unwanted possibility - now an almost unavoidable probability.

Dianne knew herself that what she was doing was bordering on insanity. The idea of going to her almost ex-boyfriends sister for help was, in most situations, a bat shit crazy move. But it was the one she was going with. Knowing that Joe would still be in London, heading to Brighton gave Dianne a chance to escape that city that no longer felt like a home at all, not even a secondary one. And despite the endless stream of thoughts, and bitterly cold wind, the moment she got off of the train, fresh sea air filling her lungs, Dianne knew that this option, as crazy as it was, was definitely a good one.

"I need to talk to you Zoe." Dianne said, the usual glee in which she talked to Zoe with, now dissipated - and replaced with a mundane disappointment.

"Really... now?" Zoe questioned. Constantly flicking her eye line behind her, in the hope that Joe was not about to walk down the stairs, into Diannes path.

"If that's okay. It's about Joe" The desperate red head replied.

Zoe felt her heart soften at the thought of Di coming all the way from London just to talk to her. And although it seemed stupid, Zoe couldn't help but smile at the fact that even after 4 months, her little brothers girlfriend had enough faith in Zoe to open up to her. But this time she couldn't be there to help.

Zoe sighed slightly. Taking her hand and rubbing her temples in stress. A habit that she'd had since a child, and one that Dianne picked up on instantly, having known that Joe does exactly the same when stress takes over his life.

"I don't know Di... I mean I'm Joe's sister and as much as I love the fact tha..."

"Please Zoe. I know that its weird me showing up unannounced like this but I just don't know who else to turn to. I love Joe and it breaks my heart that I don't know how to fix it. I thought about it last night and no one knows him better than you do, he loves you and tells you everything. I asked you about Joe in the past, so what's changed?" Dianne asked, the not so subtle desperation in her voice sickening her to her soul, knowing that the winy and co-dependent persona she had today was brought upon by herself.

"Dianne, I can't imagine what it is that you're going through but with what Joe has told me it's almost unfair of me to let you in and help you. He's heart broken and I can't do that to him. I'm sorry." The sorrow in Zoe's voice was heartbreaking for the both of them, but they knew it was the right thing to do.

Dianne pushed her eye line to the floor, kicking her toes into the gravel driveway she was stood on. Disappointment and rational thoughts filling her brain.

"No it's fine I understand." Rising her eye line to the sweet woman in front of her, Dianne corrected her posture and began to speak again. "It's just that since -..." But she was cut off... Cut off by a familiar, yet unexpected voice.

"Dianne?"

In pure shock Zoe turned around. Fear filling her body from head to toe as she looked at her little brother standing in the hallway before her. Not knowing what it was he was about to do, all three of them stood there in shock. Silence filling the situation.

It took several moments.

Several moments for Dianne to realise the trap she had walked into. Being stupid enough to not even consider the idea that Joe came down to the only person he trusts in the world in a time of need.

Several moments for Zoe to take some time and push away the fears and doubts she was feeling, trying to ignore the feeling of an anxiety attack rising within her body.

And several moments for Joe to realise that he wasn't dreaming. The fact that barely 5 minutes ago he had expressed how much he didn't want to see the red headed Australian he had shared so much of his life with - but now... Now that she was stood there in front of him, it made him realise something. The only person who could help Joe get out of this pit of hatred and pain that he found himself in, was the person who put him there in the first place.

"I.... I was just leaving." Dianne stuttered. Her eye line fixed firmly onto the man she loves more than anything in the world. Taking in one last glimpse of him before she stuffed her hands in her pockets and turned away from the door.

"NO!" Joe yelled in a sudden burst of desperation. "I mean... wait a second Di" Joe pleaded, a sudden feeling of joy filling his rattled brain as he watched her turn back around. Joe walked slowly down the hallway, running his sweaty hands through his hair as he reached the door. The full effect of the cold wind taking him by surprise. He turned to his sister far a moment, seeing the distressed look on her face, Joe wrapped an arm around her for a moment. "Zoe, can you give Dianne and I a second. Alfie's in the kitchen, maybe go sit with him for a bit." Joe said to her. Zoe feeling thankful for the escape route Joe gave her, just as her tears were beginning to spill over. Watching her walk away, Joe turned his attention back onto the red head in front of him. Her tired eyes and smudged mascara proving to Joe that sleep had definitely not been as successful last night for Dianne as it had been for him.

"Hi." He said timidly. Looking down at her, it was the first time that Joe had ever felt awkward around Dianne. But now knowing the truth about what happened that night, he realised how unfair he had been to the kind, funny, gorgeous woman before him. And despite all that had happened barely 24 hours ago, Joe knew that now it was his turn to apologise.

"Hey." Dianne said quietly. Her happy-go-lucky personality hiding behind the guilt she held within her. There was yet again an awkward moment of silence between the pair. One that even when they had arguments, had never come across before. Neither of them liking this new addition to their already complicated relationship.

By now, Dianne was just about ready to explain why she turned up at Zoe's door, but instead was taken by surprise at a feeling she was certain she would never feel again. The feeling of Joe's strong arms wrapping around her. His hands finding their usual place on the small of Dianne's back, his homely scent filling her nostrils - instantly relaxing her.

As Dianne stood frozen in his arms, Joe couldn't help but feel the guilt he had no idea he was holding onto, escape him. Tears began to fall down his cold cheeks, dripping slowly onto the top of Diannes head that was tucked perfectly under his chin - the way that it should be.

"I'm sorry Di" Joe whispered to the love of his life.

In confusion Dianne pulled away from Joe, instantly missing the feeling and warmth of Joe's arms around her. "What?" She questioned.

"Come on, we need to go for a walk."

A/N Hey people, sorry for my lack of updating, I have been so busy recently that I just haven't had the time to update. That it also the reason as to why these parts may not have been up to my usual standard, just because I've been writing them late, and in a rush. Anyway , I really hope that you have enjoyed this part. I have so many ideas for this story, and there may even be enough ideas within my head for a second book within the future. However, If you guys aren't enjoying it and would prefer this to come to an end it can do. Should be uploading again some point over the weekend. Also thank you so much for over 10K reads. So much love for you all xxxx