Lost and Found – Chapter 1
-O-
DISCLAIMER: I am not connected to Emmerdale and its characters, which belong to ITV
-O-
Aaron was just gulping down his breakfast when Chas came through the door and saw her son sitting at the table.
"You'll be late for work!" exclaimed Chas, looking at the clock on the wall.
"So?" Aaron scowled, "There are advantages in being your own boss!"
"I know all about that; I do own fifty percent of this place you know," Chas moved her arm in a sweeping gesture as if to encompass the entire Woolpack, "but keeping your customers waiting is not a good way to run a business!"
"I know; I'm not thick! I'm just running a bit late, that's all!"
"You'll be late for your own funeral, you!" Chas remarked as Aaron bolted out of the door.
Aaron unlocked the garage and prepared for his day's work. He tore the top sheet off the calendar to reveal the date; 16th June, 2013. Before he even started on his first car, the phone rang and he answered it.
"Yes, you can bring it in this afternoon," he said politely to a customer, "I'm afraid I'm on my own today, but I should be able to fit it in!"
Later that day, Paddy called into the Woolpack for a quick drink; Chas served him at the bar.
"How's little Leo?" Chas enquired after Paddy's surrogate son.
"He's fine, thanks. He's a bit of a handful these days!" Paddy smiled.
"Who does that remind you of?"
"Yeah, I know! Mind you, I haven't seen or heard much of Aaron lately. Is he OK?"
"You know my son, Paddy! Communication has never been his strong point. He spends most of his time playing loud music in his room unless he goes out with Adam on one of their boys' nights out."
"So, this thing with Flynn came to nothing then?"
"No. He's a nice lad, Flynn; but Aaron just doesn't seem to want a relationship. I've tried to talk to him, but he just clams up as usual. He hasn't really got serious about anyone since..."
"Jackson?" Paddy looked at Chas quizzically.
"Yeah. But Jackson left, what, must be three years ago now. You'd think Aaron would have moved on by now."
"Does he ever hear from him?"
"Well, I probably wouldn't know if he did! But I don't think so. He never mentions him but, like I say, he's not the most talkative lad, is he?"
Just then, Aaron walked in, wearing his work overalls. He smiled when he saw Paddy, "Well, well! If it isn't Patrick Kirk! Propping up the bar as usual, I see!"
"Oi! Less of the lip, you! I only came in for a swift half; but your mother kept me talking!"
"That's right, blame me!" Chas rolled her eyes skyward, "Anyway, what can I get you?" Chas asked her son.
"I'd better have an orange juice," Aaron said with a grimace, "I'm busy this afternoon, especially as I'm on my own! I want to keep a clear head."
"Where's Flynn?" Paddy asked.
"It's his day off. I could have done with him today, some bloke wants his brakes seen to before closing today and Flynn's usually quite good with brakes, but don't tell him I said that! If he thinks he's too good a mechanic he'll probably up and leave!"
"Your Mum and I were just talking about Jackson," Paddy said, "do you ever hear from him?"
"What brought him up?" Aaron looked slightly uncomfortable.
"We were just thinking about the old days," Paddy tried to justify himself, "Your Mum was saying it must be about three years ago."
"Ancient history!" Aaron shrugged it off, "Anyway, no, I haven't heard from him; not since he drove off into the sunset."
Aaron sat in silence for the next couple of minutes, recalling in his mind the events of the last night he saw Jackson. He remembered their heartfelt exchange and Jackson driving off in his van with Aaron running after him shouting "You've got me!" at the top of his voice. Since that day, there had been no word; although Adam did say that he once saw Jackson in Hotten, working on a house.
Paddy's voice broke Aaron's reverie, "Well, I must get back to the surgery, duty calls!"
"Who'd be a vet, eh?" chuckled Aaron.
xxxxxxxxxx
David Metcalfe was in Hotten that day on business. He called in to a cafe for a bite to eat and, as he sat down at a table, he heard a familiar voice behind him. He turned to see a face that he had not seen in years: Jackson Walsh.
David rose from his seat and called out, "Jackson! Long time, no see!"
Jackson recognised David and crossed over to him and they shook hands.
"Nice to see you again," said Jackson, cheerily, "What brings you to Hotten? Or have you left the village now?"
David motioned Jackson to sit down opposite him, "No, I'm still there, running the shop."
"Running it?" Jackson looked bemused, "I thought your missus did that!"
"Leyla? She's long gone!" David said.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know. I thought you two were solid."
"Well, you know how it is," David said with a wistful look, "Love never does run smoothly, does it?"
"Tell me about it!"
"Actually, I'm glad I've bumped into you. Would you be interested in giving me a quote for some work on the shop?"
Jackson looked surprised, but he never was one to turn down work, "Yeah, OK, I've just finished renovating a house, so I'm at a bit of a loose end, as it happens."
David smiled, but then looked serious, "I asked a builder to give me a quote a couple of days back, but he never showed! You'd think people would be glad of the work!"
"Well, I would be! I could drop by tomorrow, if that's convenient?"
"Sure, that's fine. I can show you what I want doing and if we agree a price, the job's yours."
"Thanks David, see you tomorrow morning then!"
The next day the weather was really hot. Jackson drove into Emmerdale with the window of his van completely down. He loved the cooling breeze wafting through his van. As he passed the sign at the edge of the village, he had a feeling of déjà vu. He had not set foot in Emmerdale for three years and the place still brought back memories; some happy, others not so. He parked outside David's shop and went inside to keep his appointment.
Aaron was inside the garage while Flynn was working on a car outside on the forecourt. Aaron walked outside and saw that Flynn had his head under the bonnet of a Vauxhall.
"Time to get us a snack," Aaron addressed Flynn, who lifted his head.
"I'm busy, why can't you go?"
"It's your turn!" Aaron looked sternly at Flynn.
"It wouldn't kill you to walk down the shop, lazy git!"
"All right! But you're definitely going next time!" Aaron said, as he made off towards the shop.
As Aaron approached the shop, he stopped dead in his tracks. There, parked outside, was a blue van with the name 'Jackson Walsh' on the side. He approached the shop slowly; almost as if he was afraid to enter. Was Jackson really here?
Aaron entered the shop with mixed feelings. If he was about to come face to face with his ex-boyfriend, he did not know how he would react; or what he would say. He was slightly relieved when he saw that David was on his own behind the counter and Jackson was nowhere to be seen. Maybe Jackson had just parked his van outside and was elsewhere.
Aaron took some filled rolls and packets of crisps to the counter and pulled the money from his pocket to pay for his items.
"You're quiet today," David said.
"Am I? I just had a surprise, seeing Jackson's van out there."
"Oh, yeah, he's giving me a quote for some work," David suddenly remembered the relationship between Aaron and Jackson and looked a bit sheepish, "It wouldn't bother you if he did a job for me, would it?"
"No, why should it? No skin off my nose!" Aaron said, defensively.
Just then, Jackson appeared from upstairs, "Thanks for letting me use your..." he suddenly stopped at the bottom of the stairs on seeing Aaron, "Oh, hello!"
Aaron returned Jackson's gaze; he hadn't changed a bit in the three years since he'd seen him, "Hello!" he replied, curtly.
"You still living in the village then?" Jackson could not think of anything else to say.
"Yeah, still here. They tried to get rid of me; but I wouldn't go!" Aaron felt awkward and clumsy, he wanted to say so much to Jackson; but could do nothing but come up with a fatuous remark.
"Well," Jackson felt as awkward as Aaron, "I'll be in the Woolie later; maybe I'll see you in there for a pint, for old time's sake?"
"Yeah, maybe," Aaron took his change from David and made an abrupt exit.
Aaron could not think of anything but Jackson for the rest of the day. After three years, he finally thought that he had got Jackson out of his system, but seeing him again brought the old feelings flooding back. Flynn could sense that Aaron was troubled, but Aaron did not mention the chance meeting with his ex-boyfriend. He was still trying to come to terms with the mixed emotions running through his head.
That evening, Aaron was in his room at the Woolpack, pacing the floor like a caged animal. He was in two minds about whether to go down to the bar. Would Jackson be there? What would he say to him after all this time? Did he want to see him again?
Drawn like a magnet, he made his way downstairs and entered the bar. He looked around, but there was no sign of Jackson; he did not know whether he was relieved or disappointed. Diane poured him his customary pint and he sat down at a table, drinking alone. Suddenly, he heard Diane say, "Hello, stranger!"
He looked at the door to see Jackson saunter through it and up to the bar. "A coke please, Diane!" he said.
"Aaron's over there!" Diane nodded towards the young mechanic.
Jackson collected his drink and walked over to Aaron, "Can I join you?" he asked.
"It's a free country!" Aaron replied, sarcastically.
They sat in silence, consuming their drinks; neither of them really knew what to say.
"Still at the garage?" Jackson asked, trying to break the ice.
"Yeah! I run it now!" Aaron replied.
"Wow! You've gone up in the world!" Jackson said.
Aaron eyed him suspiciously, but could tell that he was being sincere.
"So," Jackson continued, "What happened to Cain?"
"He got banged up for stealing cars, stupid sod!" Aaron sounded exasperated, "I always knew he'd get caught one day, but he wouldn't listen!"
"What about your cousin, the one that owned the place? What was her name?"
"Debbie. Yeah, she still owns it; but she got married to this guy, Cameron. She went back to live with him in Jersey. Now I work with a young bloke I met at Bar West; Flynn."
"I see," Jackson looked pensive.
"What about you?" Aaron asked, "Where have you been these past three years?"
"Well, I went down to London at first. My Gran died."
"I'm sorry."
"Thanks. She left her house to my Mum."
"Oh yeah, how is Hazel these days?"
"She got itchy feet again; ended up in New Zealand of all places!" Jackson grinned.
"Is she still there then?" Aaron asked.
"You won't believe it; she met a man out there, Shane. They're married now."
"Married? Wow!" Aaron had a look of disbelief on his face.
"That's not all! This Shane is a very rich guy! She wants for nothing!"
"Lucky cow!" Aaron felt embarrassed at his remark and looked at Jackson, "Sorry!"
"It's OK! Yeah, she is lucky. He's a nice bloke; I met him once when they came over for a visit; them and Shane's son, Brad."
"So, you've got a step-brother!"
"Yeah, He's gay too!"
"No way!" Aaron was genuinely surprised.
"I think that's partly why my Mum and Shane hit it off; having things in common."
"What else have they got in common then?"
"Well, they share the same birthday; same date, same year."
"So," Aaron changed the subject, "Where are you living now?"
"Back in Hotten. Mum sold my Gran's house and gave me the money to buy a flat. So, I've got my own place now."
"Are you living with anyone?" Aaron suddenly felt he was overstepping the mark, "Sorry, it's none of my business."
"I don't mind you asking! No, I'm not with anyone right now. Are you?"
Aaron wanted to turn the clock back; to tell Jackson how he truly felt. But, his pride would not let him admit to being lonely; so he lied, "Yeah, me and Flynn...you know."
"Good," Jackson covered his disappointment with a smile, "I'm glad you've moved on. Well, I'd best be heading back home. See ya!"
Aaron watched Jackson leave. He wanted to call after him; to tell him that he had thought about him every day for the past three years. But, how could he rebuild the bridges that had been burned so long ago?
