Lauren Goodger has been to hell and back over the last few weeks, but a source close to the 35-year-old has told us that the heartbroken star is determined to pick herself up and look to the future.
Last month – just days after her ex-boyfriend Jake McLean was killed in a horror car crash in Turkey – Lauren tragically lost her daughter Lorena after she was born with the umbilical cord around her neck. Weeks later, in a horrific turn of events, Lauren was allegedly assaulted by her boyfriend Charles Drury on the night they laid their baby to rest.
Charles denies the alleged attack, telling The Sun: “There’s a completely different side to stuff.”
Lauren was pictured with a bruised eye as she stepped out for Jake’s funeral last week. The tearful star put on a brave face as she paid her respects to the 33-year-old, who she dated on and off for five years.
The former TOWIE star, who was joined by the likes of James Argent and Liam Gatsby on the day, took to Instagram to share a montage of memories with Jake. “R.i.p Jake you always be apart of me … we shared something for 5 years solid like no other,” she wrote, before adding, “Look after Lorena for me my angel baby.”
A source explained: “She’s pleased that she got to say goodbye to Jake. She was friends with him after they broke up and there was no bad blood between them. It came after Lorena’s funeral, which she was understandably dreading. She’s grieving her baby girl and she always will be. But she feels like she has a bit of closure now that her funeral is over.”
Despite a traumatic time, pals say they’re surprised at how well Lauren has been dealing with things. “She’s actually feeling good, all things considering,” our source told us.
“Of course she has her down moments but she’s just cracking on and trying to stay as positive as she can. She’s been getting out and about because she doesn’t want to wallow. She’s so strong. She doesn’t realise how strong she is sometimes.”
While Lauren was previously keeping a low profile, she now wants to get on with her life and is focusing on being a mum to her and Charles’ one-year-old daughter Larose.
“It’s been one thing after another for Lauren. After everything that’s happened, she was hiding away and not going anywhere,” they continued. “But now she’s slowly starting to get back to doing normal everyday things because she knows she can’t hide away forever, and it wouldn’t be good for her.
“She’s enjoying quality time with Larose, who is her priority and is keeping her strong. She wants to keep things as normal as possible for her. She’s doing some self-care too, like getting her hair and eyebrows done.”
Last week it was confirmed that a 25-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of Lauren’s assault. A statement from the Metropolitan Police read: “Police were called at 00:37hrs on Thursday, 4 August to reports of an altercation at a residential address in Upminster, Essex. Officers attended. At the scene a woman, aged 30s, was found with facial injuries.
“A man was arrested on suspicion of assault. He was taken to an east London police station and subsequently bailed pending further enquiries.”
Lauren was said to be in hiding following the incident, but our source added, “She’s back in Essex now and she’s thinking about the future.
She wants to move house and start a new chapter. She has a strong group of friends around her who are supporting her. She just has to look forward now.”
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