You Are All I Need – Chapter 3
-O-
DISCLAIMER: I am not connected to Emmerdale and its characters, which belong to ITV
-O-
Aaron was sitting in the living room, studying some papers at the table, when Jackson walked through the door.
"You're home early!" Aaron looked surprised.
Jackson bent to kiss Aaron's forehead, "Yeah...Declan wanted me to collect something from Hotten. He's at a meeting this afternoon so he told me to see him in the morning and go home once I'd finished. It didn't take long, so I was soon all done and dusted!"
"You should have called me; I could have had your dinner ready!"
"Well, I thought we might go out to dinner; we haven't had a meal out since your birthday!"
"Are you sure we can afford such an extravagance!" Aaron smiled.
"Yeah!" Jackson smiled back, "We'll be OK. Anyway, I thought you said that you can claim the dole until you start your training!"
"Yeah, like I'm going to get rich on that!" Aaron rolled his eyes.
"At least Debbie and Cain played by the letter with the business and paid your contribution every week!"
Aaron flinched at the mention of his relatives' names, "It's just about the ONLY thing they did right!"
Jackson looked at the papers on the table, "What have you got there?" he enquired.
"It's the details of the apprenticeship courses and the companies that have spaces at the moment," Aaron looked apprehensive, "Trouble is, there aren't any in Yorkshire or anywhere in this area. I suppose it's the wrong time to be looking; maybe there's more around September time."
Jackson looked at the paper on top of the pile, "Looks like quite a list of companies there!" he said.
"Yeah, if you live in Cornwall; or Wales; or Scotland! I think they're a bit too far to commute!" Aaron grimaced.
"Talking of Scotland," Jackson tried to take Aaron's mind off his frustration at not finding a suitable placement, "I heard from my Mum today...she rang me earlier."
"How is 'Eddie the Eagle'?" Aaron giggled; as he realised that Jackson had made him smile again.
"She's having a whale of a time; you know my Mum!" Jackson pulled a face, "Sounds like she's getting serious about this instructor bloke! Campbell is his name!"
"Doesn't he have a first name?"
"Campbell IS his first name!" Jackson chuckled, "Campbell Macduff!"
Aaron laughed out loud, "Campbell Macduff?" he did not need to add any further sarcastic comment, by the look on his face; Jackson understood his amusement at the name!
"Yeah, I know! Sounds like a brand of Scottish pastry, doesn't it?"
"Only Hazel could take up with a character called Campbell Macduff!" Aaron was laughing his head off now. Jackson had provided just the fun that he needed at that moment.
"Anyway," Jackson regained his composure, "My Mum wants us to go on a visit; she's staying in a place called Tunnoch Bridge. It sounds like a lovely spot in the Highlands."
"How can we do that?" Aaron asked.
"Easy, we jump on a train and head north!" Jackson had lost none of his sarcasm.
"No!" Aaron tutted, "I mean, how can we just up sticks and go to Scotland for a jolly? You've got your job to consider."
"I'm owed some time off!" Jackson reasoned, "I've been saving up for a holiday...and, you haven't got any ties at the moment!"
"Thanks for reminding me! Anyway, my Mum might need me!"
"Aaron!" Jackson was trying hard to talk his boyfriend round, "I know you're worried about her, but she's a tough cookie! She can look after herself and I know she wouldn't begrudge you a little break away from your troubles. You'll only be on the other end of a phone, anyway."
"I suppose so," Aaron looked pensive, "OK! Maybe a break is just what we both need!"
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Before he knew what was happening, Aaron found himself sitting next to Jackson, on a fast train, hurtling towards Edinburgh. It was his first trip north of the border and he was quite excited about it. Jackson smiled at him and then looked out of the window at the fields and rivers flashing past. The sky was getting dark and snowflakes were beginning to descend, settling in patches on the landscape. Jackson was looking forward to seeing his mother again and meeting Campbell the ski-instructor! Going by the information that Hazel had given him so far, it looked as if she was living in his house in Tunnoch Bridge!
"Did you say we have to change at Perth?" Aaron asked.
"Yeah, that's right, this train terminates at Edinburgh, then we get another train to Perth, then another to Tunnoch Bridge."
"What a palaver!" Aaron ferreted around in his holdall and fished out a map. As he pulled it out, another piece of paper came with it and fell out, "I didn't know that was in there!"
"What's that?" Jackson enquired.
"It's the paperwork about the apprenticeships; I must have picked it up with the map."
Jackson took the paper and looked at the information, "Hey!" he gasped in surprise, "One of the addresses on this list is Tunnoch Bridge! That's where we're headed!"
"So what?" Aaron did not see why Jackson was mentioning it, "It's not as if I can serve an apprenticeship in two weeks flat, is it?"
"I know that, you div! I just thought it was a bit of a coincidence, that's all!"
The train slowed to a halt outside Berwick-upon-Tweed and stood still for ages. An announcement came over the address system, "Ladies and gentlemen, we would like to apologise for this delay. There are some adverse weather conditions up ahead and it is causing a little disruption on the line. We will be underway again as soon as possible. Complimentary hot or cold drinks are available from the trolley. Thank you for travelling with Great Central Rail today!"
"Travelling!" Aaron wore his trademark sneer, "That's what they call it, is it? Standing still for hours on end, more like!"
"A bit of an exaggeration!" Jackson corrected his boyfriend; he obviously had a lot more patience, "It's only been about twenty minutes!"
However, Aaron's comment about 'hours on end' proved to be prophetic, as the train started and stopped for the rest of their journey. By the time their train crawled slowly into Waverley Station in Edinburgh, it was close to midnight and the weather had taken a turn for the worse; the snow was quite deep on the ground outside. Fortunately, as they alighted from their carriage, they were protected by the vast, overall roof of the station. They made their way to the information point to check on the departure of their next train, but saw that they had missed the last one.
"Oh great!" Jackson said in frustration, "What are we gonna do now?"
"Let's ask him!" Aaron had spotted a uniformed member of the station staff and headed in his direction.
"I'm sorry, gentlemen," the middle-aged man informed them, "But the last train to Perth left a while ago!"
"When's the next one?" Jackson asked.
"Tomorrow morning, I'm afraid! But, if you jump aboard the Caledonian Sleeper which is about to leave from platform five; that will get you to Perth."
"But we don't want a bed!" Aaron exclaimed.
The man chuckled, "There is also seating accommodation available on the train! Your tickets will be valid for a seat as it's our fault that you have been delayed. It's the only option, unless you wait until tomorrow morning!"
Aaron and Jackson hurried to catch the sleeper. They found an all-seat carriage and settled down. It was obviously going to be a long night!
"Hazel will be wondering where we are!" Aaron said.
"It's OK; I called her on the mobile!" Jackson replied.
"When did you do that?"
"When we were hanging about on the other train."
"I didn't see you using your phone!"
"I did it when I went to the toilet."
"I wondered what took you so long," Aaron smirked, "I thought you'd got lucky! You hear about these things going on in toilets!"
"As if!" Jackson grinned cheekily at his lover, "What do you take me for?"
Aaron could never resist teasing Jackson, "A div!" he said, which earned him a dig in the ribs!
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They eventually reached Tunnoch Bridge, hours later. Having phoned ahead, Hazel and Campbell were waiting for them in Campbell's BMW.
Campbell was a very friendly guy. He was tall, athletic, with sandy-coloured hair and blue eyes. Aaron happened to notice the sticker on the back window of the BMW, 'Glenside Motors'. After they were all seated and underway, Aaron commented on the sticker, "Did you buy this car from Glenside Motors?" he asked Campbell.
"Aye, that's correct!" Campbell replied, "Do you know it?"
"Not really, I've seen the name on a list of companies looking to take on an apprentice!"
"That's funny!" Campbell chuckled, "I was talking to my cousin Angus yesterday, he runs the dealership; and he was saying how difficult it is to find apprentices these days; most young people leave for the big city to find work."
"Aaron here is a mechanic," Jackson said, "He's looking for an apprenticeship so that he can get some qualifications!"
"Have a word with Angus," Campbell suggested, "I'll ask him for you, if you like!"
"I think it's a bit far for Aaron to travel!" Hazel interjected.
"That's the trouble," Aaron said, wistfully, "I can't find a vacant place near home."
"Why not move up here to do your apprenticeship?" Campbell asked.
"Nah!" Aaron replied, he gripped Jackson's hand as they sat in the back seat, "I couldn't leave Jackson back in Yorkshire!"
"There is an alternative," Campbell had another bright idea, "You're a bit of a handyman, aren't you Jackson?"
"Well, yeah," Jackson wondered where the conversation was going, "Why do you ask?"
"If Aaron could get an apprenticeship in Tunnoch Bridge and, if you both don't mind coming to live here, there's a maintenance man leaving the ski centre in a month's time; it could be right up your street!" Campbell said.
Aaron and Jackson looked at each other with shocked expressions!
"I think Jackson's quite happy where he is, aren't you love?" Hazel twisted round in her seat to look at her son.
"Well, yeah! But I'll think about Campbell's suggestion. No harm in thinking about it, is there?" Jackson looked at Aaron again; a plan was forming in his mind.
During their stay, Campbell took them to the nearby Tunnoch Lodge Ski Centre and Aaron had the chance to witness Hazel making her wobbly way down one of the slopes on her skies! She seemed to be loving it, although she needed a fair bit of guidance from Campbell to help her to stay upright! Aaron found it hilarious, but he chickened out when Jackson challenged him to try it himself!
Also, during their time in Scotland, Campbell introduced Jackson to the ski centre manager, who thought that Jackson could be the ideal replacement for the outgoing maintenance manager. Aaron was also introduced to Angus Macduff at Glenside Motors and Angus was impressed with Aaron's knowledge and capabilities.
When they were nearing the end of their stay, Aaron and Jackson were in bed, chatting about their possibilities.
"Well, do you want to start at Glenside Motors?" Jackson asked.
"I would like to, but I can't ask you to up sticks, pack in your job and move up here!" Aaron was adamant that Jackson should not change his life on his behalf, "I'd like to leave Emmerdale behind, but I'm still worried about my Mum!" Aaron frowned, "Will she be OK?"
"I'm sure she'll be fine!" Jackson sought to allay Aaron's fears, "Like I said, she's tough; and you'd only be a phone call away! You've got to think about your own life and what's best for you!"
"But, you've got a good job with Declan, do you really want to chuck that away?"
"I like the look of the job at the ski centre!" Jackson was being sincere, "This is a lovely place to live and it will be a fresh start; plus, you'll be able to get your qualifications!"
"You'd do that for me?" Aaron looked into Jackson's beautiful warm brown eyes.
"Of course I would! I love you and I would do anything for you!" Jackson said, softly.
Aaron had never been so overcome with emotion before; he kissed Jackson for the longest time.
Jackson gazed into the blue eyes that had captured his heart, "As long as you're sure, as long as you think you'll have everything you'll need here, I say we should do it!"
Aaron kissed Jackson again, "You are all I need!" he sighed.