I DO NOT OWN EMMERDALE OR ANY OF IT'S CHARACTERS, LIKEABLE OR NOT. THEY ARE ALL PROPERTY OF THE ITV STUDIO

JUST TESTING THE WATER...

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It was the start of a fantastic day for Chas Dingle. She had spent the summer being romanced by James Barton and now it was the morning of their wedding day.

Of course, there had been some ups and downs between them. At times it seemed he was harbouring secrets from his past. But then again, who was SHE to complain...what with her past.

James made her happy and boy she needed to be happy.

She made her way across main street and saw Charity and Jai coming out of the shop.

"Hey...shouldn't you be getting ready?" asked Charity.

Chas pulled her hair out of her eyes and smiled at her, "Yeah...I should be...I just can't seem to believe this is really going to happen...me being in danger of actually being happy with a bloke"

Charity grabbed her arm and lead her back up to the pub, "you deserve it! After all the rotten blokes you've been saddled with...take it from me...James is a good'em"

The wind was rushing against his helmet shield as Aaron came speeding along the country lanes. Emmerdale was around the next corner. He swerved the motorcyle into a siding and paused.

Back here. Back in Emmerdale.

Had the place changed much in the year and six months or so since he had been away?

Well his Mum was getting married. Marrying a Barton, so he must be a good bloke. John had been...so why not this James bloke.

He took in a few deep breaths and then went along his way into the village proper.

Chas was in back room of the pub having her air down by Bernice. Kerry was painting the bride to be's nails.

"There" Bernice cooed, "That should hold out for the rest of the day...well...should do", she pushed a strand of hair one way and then the other way.

Chas frowned, "You don't sound too convinced"

Kerry laughed, "Hey, don't diss her man! Bernies done a cracking blinder on you!"

Bernice's face snapped up, "Kerry...how many times do I have to tell you, it's BerNICE...not Bernie"

Diane came in with a tray of Champers.

Kerry was in like a rat up a drainpipe. Chas blew on her nails to dry them. Bernice took a glass of champers and took a sip.

Aaron was on the doorstep and fumbled for his door key.

"If you ever need a place to go, you've always got your key"

That's what Mum had said on the sunny day in Whitby, when she came to visit. Before all that stuff happened..before he was in there...in that place... all alone..

He shoved the key in the lock and pushed it open.

Priya turned from stocking up the crisps. She jumped at her...but then smiled when she realised the figure in leathers was Aaron.

"She not ready yet?", he said with a hint of a smile.

Chas was out in that hall in a flash.

"BABE BABE BABE! I didn't think you would come!"

Aaron leaned in for a hug and was laughing, "Do you think I would miss this?"

She looked at him. His hair was longer. And he had a face full of stubble, "You look all grown up"

"Mum! I'm 26!"

"but you are STILL my baby!"

It didn't seen five minutes ago when he had been sitting on the harbour front in Whitby. The seagulls had been circling like they alway did. Rats with wings.

Chas put her hand on his cheek, "babe? You were miles away...HEY...you not brought your best suit?"

She was looking about him for any sign of a bag or holdall.

"I'll borrow one of Adams"

He then nodded to the direction of the stairs, "My room still empty?"

"Box room...I'm afraid Bernice grabbed it when she came...I didn't think you'd be back"

Aaron sighed and looked up the stairs, "nor did I..."

"Aaron...YOU are ok...aren't you?"

Aaron broke into a smile for her, even though it was a tad on the sad side, "Of COURSE I am...why wouldn't I be?"

Chas nodded.

And watched him go up the stairs, he turned mid stair, "I'll just go grab a wash and then I'll go up to Butlers and go grab that suit off Adam"

He closed the bathroom door and stared at himself in the mirror. He sighed deeply and put the plug in the sinkhole and run the taps.

(Dirty white walls...a green metal door that clanged. I hate the stink of this prison cell. He looked down to his grey sweat pants and rubbed his hands over his thighs.

Six months of this shit! SIX FUCKING MONTHS!)

Aaron stared into the bathroom mirror. His eyes were fixed. He moved a hand to brush away a tear that was threatening to fall down his cheek.

And then he went to Adams.

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