Aaron walks through the woods watching as he walks, he remembers last time what happened when he didn't pay attention, but this was the quickest way back to the village instead of walking the long way round.
He couldn't believe he fell into that kiss, but worse he leaned in to it more, yes he missed the touch of another man on him but worse they were caught. No doubt by the time he got home his mum would have heard what he did but considering her current shenanigans meant she may keep her opinions to herself.
Coming to the end of the wood cut through he ends up by the field near his uncle Zak's, he makes his mind up to pop in, mainly to warm up and catch up with the elder Dingle.
"Hey Uncle Zak." He says walking through the door.
"Ey up lad, what are you doing here? How are ya?" Zak asks.
"Just wanted a warm up, went to Butler's farm and just cut through, so thought I'd pop in to see how Sam and Samson are doing?" Aaron replies walking towards the kitchen.
"Ay, if you're making one for you I will have one also." Zak says with a wink making Aaron laugh, "Sam's fine he will be back poaching soon, Samson well there's another problem, he doesn't want to see the baby anymore. Anyway, how are you doing? And Vinny? Mandy says he won't really speak to her, just gives her simple answers." Zak adds.
"That's good, I'm ok, still deciding if i'm going head back, mum doesn't need me and to be honest I think I'm done with this place. Vinny is just taking his time to deal with it, we both know how full on Mandy can be." He chuckles as he makes the brews.
"That she is lad. Your mum will need you, it's a tough time, we still have the funerals." Zak says.
"Nah trust me she doesn't, once the funerals are done im off. Can't stand to be around her." Aaron says as he passes the cup to Zak.
"Around who?" Belle's voice makes Aaron look towards the door.
"His mum, says he can't stand to be around her." Zak explains.
"Oh really, why's that?" She questions her arms folded.
Aaron hated how much Belle had become so much like Lisa when it came to family matters. He knew he would crack if he stayed, it was eating him up inside knowing what he knew, especially as it led to Liv's death.
"Sorry, I forgot to say I need to check the scrapyard to see if there is anything that needs attention, I'll be back in a bit." Aaron explains.
He quickly places the cup he was holding down and makes a quick exit walking around to the portacabin, he needs to be alone just for a bit, peace and quiet that's all he needs.
Getting into the cabin he's glad no one else was there, he sits on the chair and starts looking through papers but can't focus, the thoughts of watching his sister die, his mum and Al in each other's arms and then Mack kissing him. His life was becoming more complex by the day.
Grabbing the laptop he opens it and starts looking at flights to Italy for after the funeral, as much as he wanted to stay there was just nothing keeping him here, anyone he cared about was dead or locked away, everyone else had someone. The sound of footsteps across the gravel outside made him roll his eyes, he couldn't even get five minutes of peace.
"Spill." Is all Belle says as she walks through the door.
"There's nothing to spill." Aaron calmly replies.
"So why aren't you talking to your mum?" She questions.
"She's just thinking about herself as always and sod the rest of us." He mutters out.
"Hmm, so does this have anything to do with Al?" Belle asks and Aaron was glad he was sitting, how many people knew about this.
"You knew and let her carry on." He snaps at her.
"I told her to break it off or I'd tell everyone, can't believe I fell for her lies, when did you find out?" She asks.
"Yeah and now Liv is dead." Aaron mutters out.
"You can't blame her for that." She replies, taking a seat on the desk.
"I can, why do you think Liv was out in the storm, mum had been taken to hospital by Al, doesn't take a genius really." Aaron says, typing away.
"We have to tell people, she thinks guilt tripping us will keep us quiet, but the longer we keep it the worse it will get when it does come out." Belle explains.
She was right, Paddy definitely needed to know it wasn't fair to him, but the fall out would split the family, especially considering hownmu h they all hated Al.
"We don't have to worry, it's over. I told her it was me or him, if she sees him again we're done and I'm gone for good." Aaron says and the shocked look on Belle's face says it all.
"Well hopefully that's the end of it, anyway tell me about Italy?" She asked and he was thankful for the change of subject.
They chat for half an hour before she drags him back to the cottage and they chat more with Zak and Samson. Aaron likes these times just talking to family, no drama or kick offs. A few hours later he's sat in the pub with them and some others all talking about Faith, he can't help but notice his mum is watching every move.
The door opens and in walks Moira and Cain, and the way Cain looks at him only means one thing, Moira had told him about what she saw, which meant a talking to was going to happen. They get their drinks and make the way over to the table. Moira places her drink down giving Aaron a sorry look and Cain takes a sip of his pint and puts it down.
"We need a chat, don't ya think?" Cain says.
"Not really." Aaron replies, he knows it is only going to wind Cain up.
"Outside now." Cain demands and Aaron huffs and gets up.
"You can use the back room." Chas says.
"Nah, we can discuss it outside, come on." Aaron says.
They walk off, his mum's voice in the background and they walk outside to the front of the pub.
"What's up?" Aaron tries to be smart.
"Don't get cocky, you know full well what, him and you." Cain states.
"Who's him?" Aaron smirks, to which he regrets as Cain slaps him around the head.
"Mackenzie, of all people you and him. Just stay away from him, he's bad news." Cain states.
"First it's my life and I'll see who I want, second there is far worse people I could have kissed, third it meant nothing he caught me off guard, I found him camped out in the pavilion drunk, I brought him back to Moria's as he had no where go and then he caught me off guard and kissed me." Aaron explains.
"Good, you deserve better and you have that Marco lad to go back to so don't ruin it." Cain explains.
"What's going on?" Chas says.
"Nothing it's dealt with. I'm heading home to check on Vinny, I will see you at the funeral." Aaron says before walking off.
‐—-‐—-
A few days later its the day of the funerals and Aaron really can't face it, after the run in with Cain he had taken off to see a friend in Leeds and came back the night before the funeral, to which Mandy had asked why he had disappeared, Vinny had stepped up and said Aaron had the right to be somewhere he felt comfortable to grieve without everyone being in his face.
He is thankful for that, though the time away his mum had called him non stop to the point he turned off his phone not like there was anyone to call him if there was an emergency with Liv now. Mandy backs down and Aaron heads up to get ready, his suit all pressed and ready for the long day ahead. Whilst he got changed he turned his phone back on, the second it boots it's going off, looking at the messages it's mainly from his mum and voicemail no doubt his mum also, but there's one from a number he didn't know so clicks on it.
'Hey, it's Mack, got your number off Moria's phone, hope you don't mind. Heard Cain gave you a talking to, sorry, I got it off both of them, I'm sorry if I upset you, I wasn't thinking straight. Look if you need someone to support you or be a verbal punch bag im your man.'
Aaron tries not to laugh at Mackenzie's message, even though he tried to be serious, it hadn't read it, but was thankful for the message of support and god help him he needed it today, he felt bad for what he was about to do but he needed someone.
'It's fine, though I could do with someone to be my verbal punch bag today if you want to come.' He hits send and carries on getting ready, he expects no reply or just no answer.
Once they're ready they make their way up the bath and see the carriages passing them by towards the church, they walk to meet people by the pub, Paddy and Chas both stood there with a few of the others. He can already see his mum's face glaring at him.
"How you holding up? …sorry stupid question really." Paddy stummers out.
"Pad's it's ok, I just want to get today over with." Aaron replies looking at the church.
"Let's go." Vinny says.
"You go, I need a word with Aaron." Chas states, he knew she would do something to talk to him.
Aaron turns and rolls his eyes as everyone walks towards the church, he awaits for whatever rubbish his mum is about to tell him.
"Aaron, look at me, you can't tell Paddy, I've told you it's over, I won't see him again. I promise." She says.
"You're unreal, It's my sisters and your mum's funeral and that's all you care about. No I'm not saying anything and to be honest the sooner I'm gone the better." Aaron explains.
"Time away from here is what we all need." She replies and he couldn't believe what she just said, not even trying to keep him here.
"Really, that's what you want, me gone your secret kept quiet, you have a good man in Paddy and you treat him like this, it's going to blow up in your face just like Cameron did." Aaron snarks his anger building, he was digging his nails into his hands.
"How dare you, this is nothing like that." Chas snarks back.
Before Aaron can reply he feels a hand on his shoulder.
"Sorry to interrupt, seems like this is getting heated all ok?" Mackenzie says, and Aaron can feel his anger subside a bit.
"None of your business, I was talking to my son, why are you here? You're not even invited to the funeral, well not anymore now Charity dumped you." Chas states, Aaron couldn't believe how his mum was being, he was thankful Cain had not obviously said anything about the kiss but still there was no need to be like this to him.
"Well that's just rude, but I get it, it's a tough day for all." Mackenzie replies.
"Before you snark and annoy anyone, I asked him ok, just drop it. Let's go Mack." Aaron says and they start to walk towards the church.
"Thanks for coming, you could have smartened up a bit though." Aaron chuckles.
"Oh, sorry, someone didn't really give me a chance, plus I'm still living out a bag for your information, though when you asked me to be your verbal punch bag I wasn't expecting it off your mum. It looked rather heated." Mack questions.
"It's complicated I just wa t to get this over with." Aaron says.
They get to the crowd of people and straight away see Cain glaring at him, but Moira moves him on and nods, she obviously got it, as they enter the church Mack states he will sit at the back, Aaron gets it as Charity and Vanessa were right behind where he and Vinny were gonna be sitting.
The whole ceremony was hard, worse when he had to try and talk in front of everyone but he had got through it. The walk up the main street was beautiful. He didn't think many people would turn up but to see the love for the two people the day was set out for.
They eventually end up in the pub, Aaron was standing next to Paddy and Vanessa drinking his beer, watching as everyone was enjoying the wake his gran had planned in advance, he wouldn't admit it but these were the times he missed Robert the most, just to have someone to hold on too but not anymore.
"Oh great, who invited him?" Vanessa moa s.
Looking over to where she was pointing he sees Mackenzie walk in, mainly looking sheepish which wasn't his usual m.o but at least there be no arguing, well he hoped.
"I did, I just needed someone to talk to." Aaron says, taking a swig of beer.
"But why him?" She asks.
"I mean he talks utter nonsense and it's a good distraction, everyone keeeps pussy footing around me he doesnt. What's your problem anyway you got Charity back and he knows where he stands, look if he starts I'll throw him out ok." Aaron states and gets a smile from Vanessa before she walks off.
"Ooo someone's touchy." Mackenzie jokes.
"Oi, behave, I had to say I'll throw you out if you start." Aaron explains as he passes a bottle of beer to him.
"I mean you can try." Mackenzie says with a wink as he drinks.
"You two, no funny business understand, Moira said to let you be here, don't push me." Cain states, no sooner had he appeared than he was gone.
"What's he on about?" Paddy questions.
"Nothing, look I need to check on Vinny, Paddy keep this one under control, Mackenzie stay and behave." Aaron jokes and pets Mackenzie on the head before walking out.
Once he had checked on Vinny who told him to go back to the party and enjoy it he starts walking up the street and stops when he sees his mum and Al hugging at the side of the pub in broad daylight, before he does something stupid he turns around and storms in the house explains he's going now and heads upstairs and starts packing, he couldn't believe she lied to his face again.
As he fills his bags, he can hear Mandy on the phone. She wasn't exactly the subtle type, which meant it would be to either Paddy or his mum, though his mum would be glad for him to disappear. As he walks to the bottom of the stairs Mandy is there asking him to stay but Vinny gets it and tells her to back off.
Leaving the mill he's greeted by Paddy, he couldn't look the father figure in the eyes, he would break if he did, his mum's figure starts to walk towards them and he can already feel her glare on him, after a awkward exchange he starts to head up towards the shop where his taxi was due to pick him up, but also he could say a final goodbye.
As he gets to the shop there's no sign of the taxi but he sees Cain storming off from the pub, which was weird but Aaron just put it down to what today was. After half an hour there still no sign of the taxi he starts to get annoyed.
"There he is, man of the hour, my knight in shining armor." Mackenzie's voice makes Aaron turn.
"What?" Aaron snaps, he wasn't in the mood.
"Woah, what's got you rattled?" Mackenzie asks, if Aaron didn't think to much he would have taken the question as sincerely but this was Mackenzie so most likly some stupid remark was due to come out thag mouth.
"This place, just filled with bad memories and people who just don't care about anyone but themselves." Aaron remarks and looks straight at Mackenzie.
"Ouch, don't mince your words mate, ok maybe I've been a bit self centered." Mackenzie says.
"And then some, but this isn't about you." Aaron says and has to stop himself saying anything else.
"Well good, it's meant to be about your sister and gran today no one else. But running away isn't the best answer, maybe talk to someone." Mackenzie says.
"Ok, who are you and what have you done with Mackenzie." Aaron chuckles, wiping the forming tears away.
"You know I can be a good guy, only special people get to see that side of me, though they tend to ditch me when they do." Mackenzie explains and Aaron knew who he was on about but it was nice to see a kind side to Mackenzie, he starts to think maybe Mackenzie would be fun to play with but knew his flirting was just to wind him up as he was into women.
"Well more fool them, anyway it's too late, the taxi is due soon and…" Aaron stops as Mackenzie grabs his phone and starts tapping away.
"Now it's canceled, come on, I think there's some whiskey in the pavilion that I left." Mackenzie says smiling.
Aaron shakes his head and follows Mackenzie down to the bridge where he stops making Aaron stop suddenly and ends up bumping into Mackenzie who just smirks.
"Why did you stop?" Aaron questions.
"Because maybe.. and hear me out before you go all moody Dingle on me, but drinking might be a bad idea." Mackenzie says as he turns and leans on the rail of the bridge.
"What in case you pull me in for another kiss. We've had the funeral time for the wake." Aaron replies, turning to lean on the rail too.
"Yes it's a wake, but a wake you disappeared from and somewhere along the way, packed a bag and was leaving, without even saying goodbye." Mackenzie replies.
"Awww, would you miss me." Aaron teases.
"Well, you are the only one bar Moira who seems to want to talk to me, without the pity looks." Mackenzie explains.
"Mack, no one gives you pity looks, well maybe they do but screw them, Charity made her choice, you can do better than her trust me." Aaron says.
"Maybe I should have listened and not pushed her into keeping it just for her to lose it and suffer a miscarriage. I just wanted to be a dad, though I did make an epic mistake." Mackenzie says, it was weird to hear Mackenzie to be so open.
"That might have not been the best thing to do, but knowing Charity she would be doing it her own way then tell you, you would make a great dad by the way. So what's the epic mistake?" Aaron asks.
"Now, now, I tell you what, you tell me what made you want to leave and I will tell you mine. Deal sweetcheeks?" Mackenzie teases.
"Mack, I can't tell you, As much as it would be nice to, it's just too big and would destroy a lot of people's lives, I just can't take that risk, which is why I need to go." Aaron explains.
Before he can say anything, Mackenzie's phone starts to ring, he holds his finger up and walks off, he can hear him talking but can't make out why, he watches the water flow down the stream as he waits, maybe he could stay, at least Mackenzie was there to talk to.
"Aaron, I gotta go to the farm. Moira needs me to look after the kids, Cain's been arrested, not sure what's gone on, just that they're saying he killed Al." Mackenzie explains, Aaron clicks into what he saw earlier had Cain gone to meet him, had he found out about his mum and Al.
He falls to the floor, tears starting to fall, another load of people's lives ruined because of his mum, why didn't he say something and just out her secret, get it all out in the open and sorted, not keep it a secret like Belle had, this was on him just as much as his mum. A hand on his shoulder makes him look at Mackenzie who kneels and pulls him in for a hug.
"It's fine, most likely nothing, he wouldn't have done it." Mackenzie explains.
"I think he did." Aaron sobs.
"Why would you say that?" Mackenzie says, pulling away slightly to look at Aaron.
"Because he most likely found out about my mum and Al having an affair these last few months." Aaron says and instantly regrets this.