A knock at the door disturbed Chas and Katie from their glass of wine.

"I'll get it." Chas told Katie putting her now empty glass of wine down on the coffee table and fixing her hair before heading over to the door. Clearing her throat Chas prepared herself to come face to face with Carl again as she opened the door.

"You 'right mum?" Aaron smiled as Chas looked almost surprised and pulled him into a rib cracking hug.

"Better now you're here." Chas answered on her son's shoulder, feeling the tears threatening to fall. "Come on, lets get inside. It's freezing out here."

"Yeah, I was wondering when you'd invite me in." Aaron laughed, following Chas into Katie's house.

"Me and Katie where just having a glass of wine, would you like one?" Chas asked as she walked into the lounge, where Katie was then pouring herself another glass.

"Oh hey Aaron." Katie greeted him, surprised her friend's son had decided to call round.

"Hi." Aaron answered, not one for many words.

"I think Heartlands on now, I'm just gonna go watch that upstairs." Katie told them, sensing that maybe she should leave them alone.

"Always one for being subtle." Chas told Aaron, as Katie left them. "So, glass of wine? Or there's a few beers in the fridge?"

"Beer, please." Aaron answered her, taking a seat on the sofa, while she disappeared in to the kitchen and returned with a bottle of beer. "Thanks." Aaron said as he accepted the drink.

Aaron took a few sips from his drink, before being able to figure out how to word what he wanted to say. "I'm proud of you, you know . . . for ditching Carl. Just wish I was there for you at the wedding."

"Thanks." Chas smiled. "Don't worry, Jackson needed you more. How're things at Dales Head?"

"Alright." Aaron replied, taking another sip.

"Good. How come you're not there now? It's Christmas, you should be with him." Chas told him.

"Had to sneak out for a while, Hazel's snoring was driving me mental." Aaron said. "And Jackson's asleep."

"Ah well then, stay and have a few drinks with me. Katie's not going to be much fun, too busy watching Heartland." Chas said, settling herself down comfortably on the sofa next to Aaron. "Besides it will be the first Christmas we've spent together in a while."

"Yeah, I know." Aaron breathed, remembering last Christmas sat at the Dingles eating a roast turkey.

"Come here." Chas said, pulling Aaron into a spontaneous hug. "I've missed you."