Author's Note: Hey guys! First Robron fanfic as promised via twitter! All rights of course go to Emmerdale and ITV! This story however is mine! Can't deal with the God awful one we've been given so we gotta make up our own!
Enjoy! And let me know what you think!
TAKE ME HOME
Chapter 1 - Gods Own Country
Sentimentality was never his strongest trait. Robert Jacob Sugden shoved his hands in his leather jacket, gazing across at the squat farmhouse, sitting untouched at the bottom of the hill. The sharp Autumnal air, nipped at his ears, forcing him to shuffle his scarf a little further up his neck. His fingers crept toward the cold, metal keys nestled safely in his pocket. Re -buying Emmerdale Farm was the best decision he could've made. Finally, his blessed ancestors could smile down upon him. He never understood why his father fought tooth and nail for the place. All Robert cared about was his family. He wanted them to just stay together and be happy, no matter where they were. But his father's obsession over the farm and the legacy, ignoring Robert's own wishes and dreams for life, ruined everything. The farm was a grenade into his parents marriage and the catalyst for a whirlwind of disaster.
This damn farm.
His mother died for it, he poisoned his relationship with his brother for it, he fell out with his father for it…
So why did he gravitate back here?
Perhaps as he grew older, Robert understood the need to cling on so desperately to the comfort of the past.
"Nothing ever changes around here does it?"
A crisp, plum voice cut through the chilly air. Robert turned, smiling at the smartly dressed man sauntering toward him.
"All right Olly. How's things? Robert asked.
Oliver shrugged, patting down his dark, slicked hair with a gloved hand. "Italy's okay. But it's nice to be back home once in a while. Then again you know us Verney's. We never could be satisfied with one place for very long!"
Robert scoffed, "Yeah, I hear you. And what about your old man, how's he doing?"
Oliver waved his hand in a dismissive manner, "Ah he's still the same. He's not coping as much with things so he's left it all to me to look after. Finally selling the land and Emmerdale Farm… best decision the family's made in generations! It'll pay off a lot of debts. And we wouldn't sell it to just anyone you know. But the Sugdens and Verneys go way back. It's almost like we signed some kind of contract. Ever since your great-great-great grandfather Joshua, saved mine in the Crimean War and risked his life! Guess we owe you forever!"
A smile tugged at Robert's lips. "Thanks Olly. You won't regret this."
"It doesn't matter if I do or don't, we're done with this place. My kind of people don't rule this village anymore Rob. We haven't for a long time."
"You could always come back." Robert said, the devious cogs in his brain suddenly whirring into motion. "Re-claim Home Farm. Come on, it's your birthright, the house has been in your family for what? Five hundred years!"
"Was Rob. It was in my family for five centuries yes, but you know we had to sell up and get lost!" Oliver kicked some dirt under his perfectly polished shoe. "It's been hard, I won't lie. An Earl, the great Verney dynasty, living abroad with old money and new debts. But it's a changing world. And my lot got caught up in the middle of it all. Buried my head in the sand, let all the money drain away. Do me a favour Rob. Don't let it happen to this place."
Robert shook his head, "I won't. Trust me."
Oliver smiled, reaching into the depths of his dark overcoat. "Knew you'd say that. Robert Sugden," He pulled out a thin, folded piece of paper, "You are now the proud owner of Emmerdale Farm. Again."
Robert plucked the contract from the young Viscount's hands, unfolding it with trembling fingers. For the first time in months, he felt a surge of hope.
Black and white, there it was. Robert Jacob Sugden. Owner of Emmerdale Farm. At last!
Butlers. Wileys. Even the Dingles meagre pig farm was nothing compared to the acres of land he now owned! It was better than pocketing the land Home Farm boasted! Robert silently thanked God that the Verneys had the good sense not to sell this portion of land before they left.
He wondered why Lawrence never thought to seek it out for purchase. Perhaps everyone just… forgot it even existed.
"So how do you feel?" Oliver smirked.
Robert released a low whistle, "Amazing! I can't believe I own it. Feels like a dream. Thank you for procuring it back for us Oliver. God, you don't know how much I need this right now. Everything's such a mess right now Olly. If my Dad could see me now… " Robert bit down on his lip, struggling to keep the tears at bay.
Oliver laid a sympathetic hand on the young man's shoulder, "Hey, don't give up Rob. Look, I don't know the ins and outs of what happened, but I know you. And I know you're a fighter."
"Am I?" Robert sighed, "I don't know Olly. I'm so tired of it all…"
"What's up?"
"I just… I need a place to disappear into. And I can't rent a place anymore; I'm done with that. I need something to call my own. I'm thirty-one, I've been lumbered with a kid I didn't ask for, I own shares in two businesses – which I might need to sell in order to run this place – and I have nowhere to call home! Can't stay at my sister's gaff. Not after everything… her guilty fussing will only drive me nuts! Thought maybe I could get Annie's Cottage or Jacob's Fold, you know, the two places named after my grandparents? But I was so distracted I took my eye of the ball and lost them too! And… I thought the Mill Cottage would've been my home but… that didn't work out either. I don't own it. I wanted to own the Woolpack but no… couldn't get that. Couldn't even get my hands on your Home Farm in the end. So I need this Oliver. I need to just go back… go back and start again."
Oliver merely nodded, a sad smile gracing his lips. "I don't understand your rambling. But I get it. Your life sucks. And I know I'm not supposed to ask questions but I thought you might want this." He reached further into his pocket and drew out a stack of letters and postcards.
Robert's stomach churned in excitement.
Oliver scrunched up his face as he handed over the packet, "Look I don't know who Bombasto Thunderhammer is… erm, nor do I want to! But he – and another guy, Brian Moore can't stop writing to you. They don't say much. But whoever the hell they are… they obviously really miss you."
Robert nearly snatched the letters up, "Thanks Olly, I can't tell you how much this means to me! And thanks for not asking questions and letting us use your address. I can't explain it but… you've really helped us."
Oliver laughed, "Anything for you!"He nodded toward the farmhouse, "Now, on a more serious note – I've had the foresight to get some guys in there and do a full extermination, so you won't find any wildlife running around the house. I've also had them take down some furniture from the loft… can't promise it'll be clean but it's the thought that counts right? The water meter is okay, but not great, just don't freak out when some brown sludge spurts out of the shower – it's mud! I promise it's mud! There are nails sticking out of the floorboards in the master bedroom so I hope you got a tetanus shot. Also, the back door sticks a bit so you might have to give it a good kick every now and then. Or just fix it. Whatever, I don't care anymore, it's not my problem!"
Robert's smile dripped off his face. "I'm starting to realise why this was so cheap now." He said, his voice clipped. "Sugdens and Verneys go way back? My arse!"
"Hey, hey!" Oliver threw up his hands in defence, "It's still a very hot property I'll have you know!"
"Yeah, a sizzling money pit!"
Oliver thumped Robert's shoulder; "I'll see you then! Good luck with it all. Oh yeah, there are some tins of paint under the sink. You might want to save some dosh and paint over a spot of damp on the wall, in the living room. Just a thought! Enjoy!"
Ignoring Robert's scowl, he scurried away, hitching up the collar on his designer coat.
Suddenly Robert called out to him, "Hey what date is it today?"
Oliver spun back, yelling, "October Sixteenth!"
Robert nodded, "Right." He muttered to himself, "Let's do this."
He hitched up his plump kit bag over his shoulder and strode toward his new home.
As he walked down the hill, new memories stirred up, unannounced in his mind. One particular memory flashed before him. His pudgy little hand holding onto a man's finger as he tried to toddle across this very field. The man had a kind face and warm smile.
Jackie. His brother. The only full blood brother he's ever had. And he was gone.
A few miles away, the rest of his family lay under the earth, waiting for him to join them. His grandmother had impressively clung onto life all these years, buried husbands, all her children, some grandchildren and yet she continued to plough on. But Robert knew that when her time came, she'd be back here. In Emmerdale. With the rest of them. Probably buried next to his grandfather.
Never mind shelling out for a new headstone for his Dad, he should just erect a crypt, name it The Sugden Crypt, move his family in there and be done with it. It still irked him that Adam had paid for his Dad's headstone without permission. Of course it was all a cheap ploy to worm his way back into Victoria's bed. Robert wasn't having any of that. He sought Adam out at the scrapyard and threw an envelope of cash at him. Adam had tried to protest but Robert ignored him – and Aaron who was watching the whole exchange through the window with curious eyes.
When he found out about the baby – the way it had been conceived and the violation that he had been subjected to, his entire mind just shut down. He grabbed whatever clothes and items he could, including several bottles of Jack Daniels, shoved it in the bag and drove as far away from the village as he could.
His phone shuddered. Robert dug into his back pocket and glanced at the screen. Ten missed calls from Victoria, eight from Diane and… five from Aaron. Two from Liv.
So. They all know.
Robert's heart clenched. The whole damn village would be laughing at him, snickering behind his back whenever he walked down the street. The mighty Robert Sudgden, finally fallen.
Robert tapped on his messages icon, swallowing nervously at the handful of worried texts, waiting for him.
Victoria:
Rob, you okay? xx
Aaron:
Where are you?
Victoria:
Pick up! Xx
Diane:
Robert please call us, we're worried pet. x
Liv:
Are you okay? We know what that slapper did to you! Aaron's so pissed off! Wanna talk? I'll bring the brandy! ;) Xx
Aaron:
Are you okay? Look, just ignore Liv, I saw her text, she's tactless!
Charity:
Is it true what they're saying? Even I wouldn't do something like that!
Charity:
Also, Aaron's looking for you.
Aaron:
Oi, you at the bridge?
Liv:
Aaron's gone out searching for you. Please let me know you're okay then I can tell him. You don't have to talk to him. Xx
Aaron:
Okay Rob. Starting to worry now.
Adam:
Vic is going out of her mind. So is Aaron. Let us know what's going on mate.
Aaron:
Heading off to the quarry now. You better not have done anything stupid, swear to God!
Liv:
Aaron thinks you've topped yourself. Please call. xx
Victoria:
Please call me, we're worried about you! I love you xx
Chas:
Aaron's going mad with worry. Let him know where you are please. Can't believe that twisted cow did that to you! Could wring her neck!
Diane:
Robert I don't like this texting nonsense. I'm sorry pet, but you can't stay mad at us forever. Victoria and I are going spare! And Aaron is very worried about you too. He won't stop asking where you are. Him and Liv both. Been driving around trying to find you. Ring us. Please. D xx
Adam:
Listen mate I know it's hard right now but please let someone know where you are!
Victoria:
Robert, I'm so sorry, just let me know you're okay! Before it gets dark! xx
Bernice:
You know people are looking for you right? x
Victoria:
I understand if you don't want to talk to us right now! And I'm so so sorry! But let us know you're okay! xx
Diane:
Pet, you've got a loving family right here. Ring us. D xx
Victoria:
Cut it out Rob! Where the hell are you?
Liv:
If you're worried about that witch being around then don't! She wouldn't dare show her face! I'll protect you! xx
Chas:
If you've run off to lick your wounds, could you at least tell your family and Aaron? They're clucking around like hens over here!
Nicola:
I'll cover the meeting for you tomorrow. I take it you won't be in for some time now.
Diane:
Robert this is going beyond a joke now. Pick up the phone or ring us back! x
Aaron:
Why aren't you picking up?
Victoria:
Rob, you're scaring me now!
Liv:
Rob? You okay? Where are you? I'll come to you? Xx
Victoria:
If you don't get in touch within the next ten minutes I'm sending out a search party and then the police!
Liv`:
Dude? You alive? xx
Aaron:
People are worried about you!
Aaron:
Or don't you care?
Don't you care? Of course passive aggressiveness would be Aaron's first port of call. Why was Aaron calling him anyway? He heard murmurings about a new guy on the horizon, usually from Adam or Paddy. Anytime he was within kicking distance of course. But Robert was now too far broken to even pretend to give a damn. He waited for it. The rush of jealousy. The anger. Pain. But nothing. It was as if he had nothing left to give anyone.
He was done feeling guilty, done apologising and done with being the village's emotional punch bag! He had half a mind to text: Just go screw yourselves - to almost everyone on his contact list.
Restraint won in the end.
Robert tapped a quick text to Victoria:
I'm fine. Just bought Emmerdale Farm back. Yes sis, I'm going home. No, this isn't a joke. Right now I need to be left alone. Just thought you should know. Despite everything I'm going through - I still care. Xx
His thumb hit the send button before he could delete the message, watching the two lines of his reply attach itself to the tiny white screen. A few miles away, Victoria would receive it. He knew Aaron would be hovering around, waiting for the response. And he knew Victoria would read it aloud, probably to Diane but within the earshot of his ex-husband. And the 'I still care,' would replay in his mind. Maybe. Who knows at this point? He wanted to text Liv personally and assure her he wasn't dead… but it wasn't his place anymore. If he was going to do this – it had to be done properly. All chains to that life must be broken.
Robert gazed at the portrait of himself, Liv and Aaron, squeezed into his home screen. He scrolled through the camera roll until he found the one he was looking for. A picture he had snapped from an album at Victoria's house. Himself and Andy aged ten, grinning cheekily at the camera behind their parents, whilst Victoria chuckled on their mother's knee. A smile tugged at his lips. Robert's finger hovered over the 'replace' button on his screen. One click and they're gone.
He quickly saved the old picture as his new screensaver. Why? He didn't know the answer to that. Of all the people in that picture, two were dead, one was on the run and one had sided with the woman who had ruined his life. Granted Victoria hadn't known the truth – she was just as desperate for a baby and a family as Robert was. But it still stung. So did Diane's attitude towards the whole sorry mess. He felt touched that people were so worried about his safety at this point in time, but right now it's too little, too late.
His thumb stabbed the power button, holding it down until the new picture was swallowed into darkness.
Aaron had told him over and over again how much he needed space and how his presence made him worse. He spoke to Robert like he was some toxic poison he needed to flush out of his system, not a man who loved and worshipped him.
The man who had saved his damn life!
Well, now Aaron wanted Robert out of that life and his wish just got granted. Liv tried to make room in her life for him, but Robert could see it aggravated Aaron so he backed off. If it weren't for him tracking Sandra down, Liv would never have found Aaron. If it weren't for him bringing Andy into the house and begging his parents to foster him, Andy wouldn't have had a family.
How is it that he always managed to find other people families but could never find one of his own?
Robert halted before the farmhouse. The windows were boarded up, old farmyard equipment resting against the wall, untouched and caked with dirt. Cobwebs weaved their silver threads around the crusted metal, staking their claim.
With Andy's letters tucked safely under his arm, Robert slowly bent his knee; lowering himself to the ground. He opened his hand and laid it upon the rich, fresh earth, closing his eyes and just letting the wind whistle into his ears. His fingers wove into the callous blades of grass, bunching it into his palm. He had to touch, feel, embrace the ghosts of the Sugden farmers whose blood, sweat and tears had watered this very land for over a century.
"Dad." He whispered, tears prickling his eyes, "I get it now. I'm home."
To be continued...
