Chapter 2
Cain!
Aaron hadn't even remembered that he would have to ask Cain for time off, and with Ryan away he couldn't see his uncle letting him go.
"Come on, you won't know, for sure, unless you ask," They were walking up the road towards the garage; Jackson could see the excitement and enthusiasm draining from Aaron as he considered the prospect of asking Cain for time off. And to be honest, Jackson didn't really think Cain would let him go; the garage was far too busy.
"Oh I do," replied Aaron, sighing.
Cain was leaning in to the engine of a Mondeo as Aaron and Jackson walked up to the garage. He straightened, easing his aching back muscles.
"Can I get a couple of weeks off; we want to go on holiday?" No preparation, no softly-softly approach; emotionless now, Aaron asked the question like an automaton.
Cain glared at him, then at Jackson, saying nothing for several uncomfortable seconds.
"What?"
"Can I get a couple of weeks off? We want to go camping; in the van." Aaron repeated his request. Jackson said nothing; Cain was always a bit tricky around him although he thought, hoped, it was more because he was working for Declan than because he was going out with Aaron.
"What?" Cain repeated. "With Ryan inside and work piling up all around the place! Get in there and get those tools sorted out!"
Without a backward glance, Aaron walked into the garage; he picked up a wrench and flung it onto the workbench before leaning his weight on the bench, taking deep, steadying breaths. He knew it had been a waste of time. He could hear Cain rummaging around in the tiny office; he flung the wrench onto the floor, but it didn't make him feel any better.
"Oi!"
He hadn't heard Cain come out of the office behind him.
"I thought I told you to get those tools sorted. You'll need a bit of a tool kit with you in case of any problems. Here." He held out an envelope to Aaron. "If a holiday with lover boy will put a smile on your ugly mug, the sooner you're gone the better." He turned abruptly and walked out of the garage.
Jackson was sitting on the kerb; he wasn't quite sure what to do. He didn't feel like doing anything now.
"Oi! Twinkletoes! Go and get your van!"
"Why! What are you going to do" Aaron had followed him from the garage; his head was mince, what was going on? Was Cain really saying that he could have the time off?
"I'm going to paint it pink and cover it with glitter!" exclaimed Cain, chuckling as he saw the mounting horror creeping over Aaron's face. "I'm going to give the engine the once over while you two muppets get your stuff ready. I assume when you say you want to go on holiday you actually mean you want to go on holiday – now?"
"Well…I don't know…we hadn't…" Jackson wasn't sure what to say, what Aaron wanted.
"Yes, now!" said Aaron decisively, grinning at Jackson.
"Well in that case, will you go and get those tools sorted then," Cain said in exasperation. He watched him go back into the garage, almost at a run. Then he turned back to Jackson. "Look after him, won't you. He's not…." Cain paused and shrugged.
Without any more words being said, Jackson instinctively knew what he meant.
"Have you got my mobile number?" Cain continued.
Jackson shook his head, reaching into his pocket to get his phone and adding the number Cain reeled off.
"Call me if there is a problem. Anything. Anytime."
Jackson looked steadily at Cain. "He hasn't got you sussed at all, has he?"
"No, he hasn't," grinned Cain. "And let's keep it like that, shall we. Now are you going to get this van of yours or not!"