Filling up the time before my 7pm date with Aarson on ITV tonight…. So my lucky readers, here is the third chapter for the day
BANG BANG BANG
Cain and Charity jumped at the loudness of the knock on the door,
"What the bleedin…." Charity jeered
"Sweetheart, I have a feeling who I know who this is… and he's gonna be a happy chap, so you may wanna make yourself scarce…." Cain replied, ushering Charity upstais.
"Oh..Aaron…" Charity whispers, and Cain nods, "Goodluck…" she giggles.
Cain opens the door… "Ah, Aaron, you alright mate? All packed?"
"Don't pretend like you don't know…" Aaron spat back at Cain
"What mate? I don't have a clue what you are on about…" Cain retorted, feigning innocence.
"The job fell through, Mike doesn't want anyone anymore…."
"aaaw, that's not good, looks like you still work for me then….. so I expect you in first thing on Monday morning…." Cain replied
"you wish….." Aaron scoffed in reply, "I'm still looking for a job out of the village, the sooner, the better…."
"you know, maybe this job thing is a blessing in disguise, I mean, now you can still work for your faaavourite uncle, and keep a close eye on how lover boy is doing at the hospital….. I don't know why you wanted to leave in the first place….."
"Shut up….." Aaron replies, before heading out the door, and slamming it shut.
A wry smile appears on Cain's face, and Charity appears sheepishly from the kitchen….
"Your evil…. You know that…." She smiles.
Hazel walks into Jackson's hospital room and smiles at her son sleeping soundly. She takes a seat next to his bed and waits patiently for him to wake up.
Approximately an hour later, Jackson's eyes flutter open,
"…A..Aaron.." He croaks, pleading to his mother.
"I'm sorry my darling, he's not here, but I spoke to Cain earlier and he's managed to persuade the guy from the garage in Carlisle to tell him that the job is no longer available, so he's staying in Emmerdale, at least for a little bit longer…."
A tear fell down Jackson's cheek, which Hazel gently wiped away.
"I know he cares so much about you my darling, the fact that he was here everyday until you woke up proves that, but he just needs time to process everything, and come to terms with everything… and time to forgive himself…."
"You didn't see him Mum, he's won't step foot into this hospital again…he won't forgive himself…..he can't even look at me…."
"Oh, my baby…what can I do to help? I can't bear seeing you so upset….."
Jackson paused for a minute, "Do you have a pen and paper mam? I need you to write a letter for me….."
"AARON… DO YOU WANT ANY TEA?" Paddy bellowed up the stairs.
"Not hungry" was the only reply he got, as Aaron scoffed back, half heartedly unpacking his case, and wanting to make it clear he didn't want to talk to Paddy he placed his iPod into his docking station and turned the volume right up.
Meanwhile, downstairs, unbeknown to Aaron, there was a light tap on the door. Paddy went to answer it and it was Hazel.
"Hazel? Is everything alright? Is Jackson okay?"
"He's fine… well still the same, you know…. But he wanted me to give this to Aaron….."
"Umm.. he's upstairs at the minute, but I'll give it to him if you want" Paddy replied, taking the envelope from Hazel.
Hazel smiled softly, "Thanks…." She added, before heading out the door.
Paddy trudged upstairs, only to find Aaron had gone in the shower, so he placed the envelope on the bed and looked around the room. He noticed the pictures that used to be on his desk of Aaron and Jackson, some from Bar West, some from Lanzarote, some from the Woolpack, were all missing.
With a deep sigh, Paddy headed back downstairs to finish tea.
Aaron came out the shower, feeling refreshed and slightly chirpier than before, and headed back into his room. And that's when he noticed it, an envelope simply with 'Aaron' written on the front.
He opened it carefully, and sat on the bed.
Aaron,
I'm sure you know that I can't physically write this letter myself, which is why you might recognise my mum's handwriting.
This does not mean that it isn't me saying all of the following.
Firstly, I do not blame you, in contrast I thank you, because you make my life worth living, you are the reason I am still awake, I may be injured, but I am still alive, and that is down to you.
I know you blame yourself for all this but I can't stress how much you need to forgive yourself, it was an accident Aaron, please, please remember that.
Secondly, I want to thank you for standing up to my Dad, I know he's a handful and my mum told me what you said to him and I am very grateful.
Finally, I just want to tell you that whatever you decide to do, go, stay, whatever, that I love you, and I need you, now more than ever, but I just want you to be happy.
Stay safe, promise me that.
All my love,
Jackson
X
A single tear fell down Aaron's cheek and on to the bottom of the letter.
PLEEEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK… IM NOT SURE HOW THIS IS BEING RECEIVED AND WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW