DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN EMMERDALE OR ANY OF IT'S CHARACTERS. THEY ARE THE PROPERTY OF ITV.

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EARLY SEPTEMBER

Nick pressed the buzzer again. The buzzer for flat 6. He stepped back and looked up at the old house. It was apart of a town terrace, old 3 storey affair that had been converted into flats.

The front door opened and Aaron was standing there in a pair grey trackie bottoms and a white vest, he was half smiling.

"So...this is it then" Nick said.

Aaron ushered him inside and he lead the way up two flights of musty creaky stairs to the top room, that was his.

Nick crossed the freshhold and laughed, "Well...what can I say...sparse comes to mind"

Aaron was at the tiny kitchette in the corner. There was a counter top fridge, "this is all I need mate" and he chucked Nick over a can of lager.

Nick brushed the moth eaten couch and sat down. The main window had what was left of a yellowing net curtain hanging down.

"you ARE gonna be getting more furniture? Those curtains have seen better days"

Aaron screwed his face up as he pulled the ripple on his can, "you what? You're joking aren't yah? Who cares about all that shit...but I AM getting me bed and Stereo over from Paddy's, he's gonna get it shipped over here tomorrow"

Nick nodded his head, "...and Clyde...?"

Aaron smirked at him, " Yeah, he's gonna come here too...just DON'T be telling the landlord!"

Nick looked around the room, " You and a big dog in here? Nice"

Aaron smirked again, "He's gonna love it"

Nick decided to change the subject, "So'a...have you seen him about then? Jackson"

Aaron shook his head and scowled at him, " Why would I wanna see him for...I fucked up when it came to him, why would I want to be reminded of it"

Nick raised his eyebrowes as he took another sip of lager, "so you've taken my advice then...you're moving on, pleased to hear it...you two were not suited anyhow"

Aaron shrugged and looked to the grubby floor.

"phrrrrrr, it's hot in here...can you open that window" complained Nick loosening his shirt, Aaron shook his head, " They're nailed shut...but I'm sorting it...come on...I fancy a curry me"

Nick stood, "Oh, oh yeah...and whos gonna be paying for that then?"

Aaron gave him a grin, "Me! I've conned Cain to give me my job back at the garage, so everything is just dandy mate"

Nick followed him out the room, " Yeah...it looks like it..."

XXX

Jackson finished off his lunch by scrapping his slice of bread across the plate mopping up the bean juice and sticking in his job.

Hazel sat there watching him with her arms folded, " Blimey...it's like watching the pigs at feeding time"

"Mmmm Hunnngry" said Jackson, voice muffled by his stuffed gob and it was hard to make out what he said.

"Hungry? YOU are eating me out of house and home..."

Jackson farrowed his browe as he licked the plate clean, "I gave you 30 quid the other day, what are you complaining about"

He handed the plate over to her, " Thanks Mum"

Hazel chucked it into the sink, and as she pulled on the pink marrigolds, she asked, "So...have you seen him then? Aaron I mean"

"Who" asked Jackson flippantly as he stood and laced up his muddy works boots.

"Oh, it's like that is it...Ohhh I don't know you do pick'em...it's funny, I was in Tescos the other night and I saw that Nathan...blimey, I said to meself, I said Hazel...if that boy lost any more weight, then he'd be slipping through a crack in the aisle"

Jackson grabbed up his yellow works vest, " I thought that when I saw him..." he stopped dead wanting to kick himself for opening his mouth.

"I thought you had! You just can't keep away from them, can you..."

Jackson threw up his arms, " Mum...It's up to ME if I go see him or not...I was pricing up some work round the corner from him and thought it best to tell him I'm back...we've STILL got things to sort out, ie the divorce"

Hazel was skepitcal, she sat down with her brew, " You're too nice that's your trouble...always worrying about other people...a little worry wart"

Jackson snatched up his shades, "Look, I can't help the way I am...I care...that's my trouble...whatever they've done to me...I just hate all this bad feeling"

"You and me both sweetheart"

"So just bear with me then, will yah", he then headed to the door with his van keys in hand, "I won't be home late for my tea"

XXX

Aaron and Nick sat in the curry house eating their meal. Just as Nick was about to order in another couple of pints, a rowdy lot of lads came in the entrance. They were wearing rugby tops.

The waiters hurried to accommadate them with a couple of tables put together. As Aaron scowled because he thought it rude of the waiter to disappear at mid-order, Nick jumped up at the sight a a bloke he recognised.

"Hey Ed, long time no see"

Ed looked up from the rowdy table and came bundling over with a smile, "Alright Nick mate...nice to see you out and about"

Aaron glanced up at him.

"Just out having a curry and that...this is me mate Aaron"

"Just a mate is he...", teased Ed.

Aaron and Ed's eyes met, but Aaron broke contact quickly.

"Nice catch..."

Nick laughed, " It's not like that!"

Ed was on his way back to his table, " That's good to hear...that MEANS he's available then" he laughed in jest.

"He's full of himself!" groaned Aaron.

Nick looked at Ed and then Aaron, "Yeah he is...like somebody else I know, not too far away..."

XXX