Chapter Four: Childhood Part 4

"Charlie" Rose called, giving him a hug as he passed her the money, this is exactly what she wanted.

"I seen your sister and your nephew...Hello Andrew, oh how I missed you" Charlie spoke, lifting him up in his arms.

He was a coward, he got on the first train and never looked back to Walford until his marriage with Rose broke down. Rose watched Charlie with Andrew for a bit, it was like he hasn't saw him for years. His time spent with his other son or 'Rose's nephew' as he was known most of the time made him miss Andrew so much.

"How is my nephew?" Rose asked, he gave a sigh before saying..."Let's not talk about him, he's none of our business sweetheart"

She just nodded, she didn't want to upset him as he seemed so happy and full of life. Deep down, Rose did feel guilty. Her sister is all alone up in that dreary Albert Square with only a little boy for company. Rose can remember hating the square, reason she left for the much brighter Southend-on-Sea

"I love you Charlie" Rose answered with a smile, putting the money on this side; he put Andrew back down

He walked over and gave her a kiss on the lips..."I love you too Rose" Charlie replied, giving her a hug.

This is the reason he came back from Albert Square, this was the easy option and he took it. He had everything he could need here, a loving wife and a son he loved like any other father. It was something he never had as a child.

"I tell you what, we can leave Andrew with John and Maggie next door and go out for a dance" Rose suggested, he gave a nod; giving her another kiss.

...

In Albert Square, things were a little different; Dot was sat in her bedroom sobbing. Sobbing at the thought of the only man she ever loved, the only man she has ever knew, has left her all over again.

"Ma?" a voice from the doorway was heard from the doorway, she quickly wiped away her tears and looked her son.

"Oh Nick...you're not suppose to see me like this; go back to your bedroom and I will be there in a moment" Dot answered, wiping away her tears.

He left the room in an instant, going into the kitchen and like always, he took a pieceof paper to scribble on. He didn't have any toys, just lots of teddy bears and his mother's old diary which he was scribbling on right now with her pen.

"Nick" Dot called, unsual for Dot, she gave him a hug to make herself feel better; she needed one after what Charlie put her through.

She released him from her grip, grabbing her handbag and putting on her coat. She was going to the laundrette and was going to pretend this never happened, that was her plan. That was always her plan if things went wrong, she just pretended they never happened.

"Come on, let's go Nick; the clothes won't wash themselves" Dot insisted, the little boy took the diary and the pen with him this time.

They walked to the laundrette, opened the door and resumed their normal duties. The little boy sat on the benches like per usual, drawing line after line on the piece of paper. He did remember 'pa' but he just thought it was a dream or something like that. He slept with his teddy bear last night though.

"Why do you always mess around with that?" Dot asked, taking the diary away from him for a second.

"Nothing else" Nick replied with a shrug, Dot couldn't argue with that, she gave him the diary back..."Back in my day, I had to make my own entertainment up" Dot insisted.

Nick looked confused, he was trying to think of a reply however he wasn't so good at words just yet however something came to him.

"What am I doing then?" Nick asked, holding up the piece of paper; Dot actually thought he had a point.

"Well...don't chat back at me; you're not allowed to do that for another 5 years yet at least" Dot replied.

The door opened again as Pauline came in with her son Mark, she had some of her clothes in a bag.

"Alright Dot...I see Charlie isn't with you" Pauline commented..."I don't want to talk about him, he left again last night" Dot replied.

Pauline bit her top lip, she shouldn't have said anything; she stood there for a moment or two.

"I'm sorry to heard that, really I am" Pauline answered, letting go of Mark's hand as he put his toy car on the floor to push it.

Mark looked up at Nick for a second while their mother's went into the backroom for a little chat. Leaving the door ajar so they could hear the boys, Pauline knew Dot needed an adult to speak to about this.

"I hate your paper" Mark spoke, like all little boys; he spoke the first thing that came to mind. He started to imitate the sound of a car engine as he pushed the toy around the floor.

Nick took a bit of paper from the diary as he ripped it in two; trying to make something out of it. He scrunched up the paper into a ball and chucked it at Mark

"No!" Mark cried, he didn't expect that; like all little boys; he reacted in the same way and fought back.

Mark picked up his mother's washing bag and chucked it at Nick which resulted in Nick chucking the diary at him.

"What's going on here then!" Pauline shouted, seeing all her clothes on the floor; Dot soon followed.

"That's very bad of you Mark" Dot scolded, she didn't blame her son for anything; not even back then.

Mark pointed at Nick, trying to tell them that it was him who started it however Nick went over to his mother and held onto her hand. Looking very innocent..."Help me pick up the clothes please" Pauline spoke to her son.

He crossed his arms..."Now!" Pauline shouted, he sighed as picked up her clothes and put them back into the bag.