Next Life
Chapter One
The local bus pulled into Hollyoaks village, three familiar faces were on it; Cheryl, Nate and Eoghan. Nate was the first to exit the vehicle as he had to help Cheryl with the buggy, he placed it carefully on the pavement below. Eoghan followed behind them; relieved to finally get some fresh air. There was a baby boy fast asleep in the pram, the four month old son of Cheryl and Nate. The blonde-haired woman looked across to see her old friend Nancy, the two women waved at each other; Cheryl smiled.
"Oh my god, I missed you; come here" Cheryl acclaimed; giving her a hug; it has been about five years.
The two have kept in touch through phone-calls however they never actually saw each other since Cheryl's engagement party. Darren gave her a smile; he had enjoyed Cheryl's company when she was last here. It has been a very long time since the Irish lass was in town and they had a lot of catching up to do.
"We got so much to talk about Cheryl, you have to come mine for a cuppa" Nancy insisted, locking arms with her old friend.
"I would love something a bit stronger" Cheryl replied with a small smile; leaving the pram with Nate as she and Nancy walked ahead.
Nate gave a small sigh; taking grip of the pram now; Darren gave Nate a small nod..."Women, eh" Darren mumbled to him; making him laugh.
"Can't live with or without them; it's good to see you Darren; I don't know how long it's been to tell you the truth"
"My bank account remembers...when Seamus died; I got his winnings, so thanks for that" Darren confessed to him in a hushed tone so the women wouldn't hear.
Nancy and Cheryl were up ahead now; giggling with each like the last five years never happened. Eoghan was keeping himself to himself meanwhile, he didn't know these two as well as Nancy and Nate did; it was Lynsey's funeral the last time he saw any of them. "Alright mate?" Darren asked him out of politeness.
"Yeah" Eoghan replied back with head down.
He was soley here for moral support; he and Cheryl had patched things up since Brendan's arrest. He was like an uncle to Cheryl's son now; he was her shoulder to cry on nowadays. He didn't mind though. He looked ahead to see Cheryl and Nancy laughing and joking, she looked happy.
"I'm so happy you guys are still together; you still look great together" Cheryl told Nancy.
"Well I'm happy for you and Nate; you deserve it after everything you went through Cheryl... I honestly didn't think I would see you again"
"Well I do have a very good reason for coming here again...we are having a christening and we would love you to come; it would mean the world to me"
"Of cause I will come; wouldn't miss it"
...
After a short while, the small group had made it to the house; Nancy unlocked her door. Their entrance definitely caught the attention of the rest of the household; Charlie got up from the couch to see who it was. He remembered them a little bit however it was only a blurry memory due to him being so young at the time.
"Charlie...how much you grown; I don't suppose you remember me" Cheryl presumed.
"I remember you a little bit" Charlie told her; even at his young age; he knew it was best not to mention Seamus.
He did remember Cheryl's dad, he remembered drawing a picture for him and thanking him for finding him in the local woods. He did once mention him to Nancy afterwards, asking her where he went; she just told him that he had died and was not a nice man.
"I will get you that drink" Nancy interrupted them; retreating into the kitchen to pour everyone a glass of white wine.
"Now I know this isn't as good as the pub but still; a man's home is his castle; right Nate?" Darren questioned him.
"In my case...my home is my manor" Nate replied; making him laugh; he almost forgot.
"Yeah alright, no need to be big-headed about it; a humble man is a good man"
Nancy was walking over with the wine bottle and glasses; placing them down on the table. Inviting Cheryl, Nate and Eoghan to sit down. Cheryl thanked her for the glass of wine, enjoying it.
"How old is he now?" Nancy asked, referring to Cheryl's son; he must be a couple of months.
"He's four months now; a nightmare labour but it's all worth it in all the end...I finally decided on a name...Jacob Brendan"
"Brendan as a middle name? That's interesting" Darren interjected, Nancy softly kicked him in the leg with her heel.
"Can I hold him?" Nancy asked her; Cheryl gave a small nod; gently taking Jacob out of the pram and passing him to Nancy.
She rocked him slightly; Jacob Brendan Tenbury-Newent was the baby's full name; Cheryl didn't want the name 'Brady' after her father's death. She took Nate's surname when they married.
"Jacob is a lovely name" Nancy told her.