I DO NOT OWN EMMERDALE OR IT 'S CHARACTERS...THEY BELONG TO ITV

The snow was falling lightly as Aaron stepped off the back of Ryan's motorbike. Ryan removed his helmet and both looked up at the colourful fairy lights that lit up the car park of the cinema complex.

"Hey, do you REALLY wanna see this film?"

Aaron looked at Ryan and shook his head, "Yeah, course I do..."

Ryan gave him a cheeky smile, "We could always do something else...I'm off to Gib tomorrow to see My Mum and Dad for Christmas..."

Aaron shrugged his shoulders, "up to you...this isn't a date"

Ryan blew out a laugh, "Course not...we're just having a bit of fun, that's all"

Aaron sighed and looked over to the complex entrance, "...well...the bit in the movie where all them heads gets blown off his a pointer for me"

"and me...go in shall we?"

"Yea...why not"

Over Christmas...Aaron in the box room of the pub...

"Adam tell your Mum thanks but I'm not in the mood for Christmas lunch"

"Oh come on Aaron...we ALL want you there"

"She gonna be inviting James over as well?"

"No...I don't want him there...nor do you"

"I have to run the pub...I promised Mum I would"

"You've got Priya and Bernice to do that"

"I'm not in the christmas spirit, Adam"

"but you've already turned down Zac and Lisa's invite...where are you gonna go?"

"dunno...somewhere on me bike"

The stars are out and the night is cold. Silent night. Aaron speeds ahead on his bike on the open stretch of road as it tails off into the distance. His hands grip firmly through the gloves onto the handle bars. And his focus is dead ahead after the orange haze of rows and rows of street lights.

He stops off and finds his piece of grassy bank where he usually comes when he feels so alone.

He holds out his mobile and looks at Facebook.

Adam: Merry Xmas, the same for most of the Dingles as well. Why is Charity wearing a santa themed bra, stockings and suspenders in her profile. What a slapper.

A message popped up.

He smiled, it was from Ryan. He was seeing his parents in Gibraltar. Merry Xmas Aaron...see u Monday.

He had told Mum about Ryan. She was pleased. It was healthy to get back into it. But he couldn't stop thinking about the op.

What if he changed his mind. Mum said it was okay, but to him...it WASN'T ok.

Ryan said that it was just as hard for the donor as well as for the recipient. The consultant had said that too.

The Dingles said he was doing a MARVERLOUS thing. But they didn't have to do it. There was enough of them in this family...maybe there's somebody else.

He was cold. Even in his leathers. He closed his eyes.

He was dreaming...he knew that much. He was sitting at a table in his sunshades as the hot sun was beating across the beach.

He had an ice-cold pint too.

"I want to help my Mum...but I'm scared"

"There's no need to be"

Tom was sat there with his drink and shades on too.

"Errrr...do I know you?"

Tom smiled at him, "You used to"

Aaron looked out to sea, "How would YOU know? Have you ever given away apart of yourself"

Tom shook his head, "No...but you love your Mum, and that WHY you are going to do this for her"

Aaron focused on him, "You are from my past, aren't you?"

Tom shrugged, "I am I suppose...but like your past I'm dead and buried as well, so I wouldn't go fretting over it"

"You were my friend...someone I could talk to..."

Tom laughed as he lifted his head to the gentle breeze, "I tried my best"

"hang on...if YOU are dead, then why are you talking to me now?"

"because you are dreaming, that's why"

"Yeah...", he looked to the sand, "...I know I am"

"How's Jackson?"

Aaron looked up to him, "We...we split up"

"But you WILL get back together again...you two always..."

"...did?"

Tom smiled at him, "Always do"

Aaron swallowed, "I miss him"

"I know you do...and he misses you"

Aaron pulled himself together and stood up from the table, "you saved me once...I was in the street...I felt funny...like I took something"

Tom remained seated, "that was a long time ago...I wish I could be there for you now...you need a mate who understands you...MORE than that...you feel pain about Jackson...so does he when he thinks about you"

Aaron opened his eyes. He was so cold. He sat up and shivered, his bike beside him.

He bit his lip. He had been dreaming. He always was a dreamer. Tom...he had been his best mate back in the day.

Why had he been thinking of him. He couldn't even remember a night out with him. But he could remember being out on the street. Like he had been drugged or something.

He looked at his phone and found Jackson's Facebook profile. Jackson had never unfriended him.

His face was looking at him. He was on a sunny beach with a great big straw hat on.

Before he switched off the phone, he received a voice mail. He frowned to himself, must have been when he was asleep.

He pressed listen to, and put the phone to his ear.

Loud loud music, that was all he could hear of first.

and then HIS voice.

"...I hate you...I hate you for making me feel like this...I used to love Christmas and I hate not having you with me here...I Wish I could magic you out of my head, but I can't...I hate you!"

By the shouty slurs, Aaron could tell Jackson was drunk and at some party.

But you would have to love somebody to hate them that much, wouldn't you?

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