CHAPTER 55 of 65

I DO NOT OWN EMMERDALE OR IT'S CHARACTERS, THEY ALL BELONG TO ITV1

A/N:THANKS for all your kind reviews... Shawny/faggy; OF COURSE I will try and please everybody with a happy ending...I'm trying to lengthen the last few chapters...a sort of sorry for abandoning you all...Lucy: thanks, but there is no where else for the story to go, sometimes you just know, as a writer, to stop...MIND YOU, if anyone else wants to continue a new sequel to this, then be my guest...I'll gladly waiver my rights to any non-Emmerdale characters...someone else might even do it some justice, new writer, fresh ideas and all that, anyone interested PM me...xx

Jackson Walsh entered little Jack's bedroom, the lad had skipped school the day before, due to a hangover, but using the excuse of a bad tummy.

But today Jackson was adament that his son go back to school, Jack poked his little head out of the covers, " DOoo I have to go to school...my head still hurts..." he whinged, Jackson sat on the bed and raised his eye browes, " is it still banging yah!", the lad nodded, with a little sad face, " the light hurt yah eyes does it..." cooed Jackson, Jack shook his head back at him, "Ohhhh my poor little soldier...looks like its ANOTHER day off school then..." little Jack snuggled under the covers, as Jackson made for the door, he turned back to him, before leaving, "..and I BETTER phone them dog people NOT to come round today...", little Jack was flying out the bed and grabbing his hand in an instant!, " dadddy...noooooo...I want my doggie...pleaaassse!", the lad was jumping up and down in his pjs, Jackson grinned at him, "THAT was the quickest recovery i've ever seen..."

Jack pushed out his bottom lip sheepishly, " COME ON...get yah self down stairs for breakfast..." told Jackson with a cheeky smile.

Downstairs, Aaron had burned three pieces of toast already, Jackson sniffed the air as he came down the stairs, "YOU trying to burn the place down now!", Aaron turned from the grill, "DON'T tempt me...Declan won't have anything to sale then a..."

Jackson shook his head at him, then looked up to the ceiling, "AARON!...you can't go taking the battery OUT of the smoke alarm!", Aaron successfully then pulled out some unburnt toast, and started to butter it on the side, crumbs going everywhere, " I HAD TOO!, stop yah moaning will yah, I were GONNA put em back!"

Jackson was already doing that himself, " YOU shouldn't be tekking them OUT in the first place...DO I have to remind yah why!", Aaron was then sat at the table pigging out on his toast, Jackson looked on, pulling his eyebrowes together, "ERRRRR...WHERE'S mine!"

Aaron nodded his head towards the counter, " IN the breadbin...", Jackson shook his head in disbelief, and went to put some more bread under the grill.

Aaron turned, as he licked the butter off his fingers, " So...is Jack alright today...he puked up 3 times yesterday...", Jackson glanced at him, " well he's bouncing UP and DOWN like jumping bean today...should have seen the recovery HE made, when I went and mentioned the DOG man not stopping by..."

Jack was then down the stairs, and climbing up on the chair to speak to Aaron, "Uncle Aaron the dog man's stopping by with me pup!", Aaron raised his eyebrowes, "don't think he's bringing the dog round mate...he's just coming to see IF we've got a good home for it...", he stood, and went to Jackson's side at the counter, " JUST like when them busybodies come round to do the same for Jack...but then again..." he rubbed his chin, " we might NOT have a home by then..." he hissed with some sarcasim.

Jackson pulled a glare at him, " I'M ON to it alright!...I'm going to meet Declan for a pint lunchtime..." he informed.

Jackson then joined his son at the table, he shared his toast with him, " NOW then little man...this is my angry face...NO more nicking other peoples pints...do you here me...OR...NO more treats...no more going into the pub...and no more shandies...YOU'LL be sticking to yah pop!"

Jack pulled a face, " I like beeeer!"

Jackson nodded at him, as he ate his toast, " SO do I...but you'll be waiting till yah 18 until you get yah NEXT one if you do that again!...so...WHAT is it you are NOT going to be doing again..."

Jackson put his hand to his ear, waiting for an answer, " I not nick anymore beer in the pub..." Jack said with a sad little face, Jackson smiled at him, " Good boy!"

Aaron rolled his eyes at the counter, " THAT'S HIM told..." he said with sarcasim, but before Jackson could say anything, his mobile jingled to life, he snapped it up, and answered it, "J WALSH builders...SPEAKING..." he stood and raised his eyebrowes at Aaron mouthing dog man, " yes...what...SHIT, yah joking...sorry, didn't mean that...okay...thanks for telling mah...errrrrrr can I ring yeah back...cheers..." he ended the call, and nodded for Aaron to go into the lounge, Jack was happily reading his comic at the table, finishing his toast.

Aaron waved out his hand, " SO what's all the secrecy about then..."

Jackson lowered his voice, " THAT was the rescue centre..."

Aaron shook his head, " durrrrr...I gathered that!"

"Flaming pups died!..." Jackson hissed, making sure Jack was still in the kitchen oblivious.

Aaron's eyes widened, " WHAT...why, how...did THEY say..."

"IT was ill yesterday...they called the vet and said it had SOME kinda virus...when they went to feed the thing this morning...it were stiff as a board!"

Aaron pursed his lips together, unimpressed, " Nicely put...SO whatyah gonna be doing now...HE'S gonna wanna why the man's not come round..." he told, thumbing in the direction of Jack.

Jackson hadn't a clue yet, " maybe i'll call round there this afternoon...SEE if there's one like just it...Jack won't know the difference will he..." he said, trying to get reassurance from Aaron.

Aaron shook his head at him, " WHAT...you can DO that if it were a goldfish...but it's a dog!...COURSE he'll know...I'LL know!"

Jackson could see Aaron was abit mad over it all, he shrugged his shoulders at him, "SO...have YOU any better ideas then...because if you HAVE...you better let spill!" he hissed,

Aaron rubbed his cheek in thought, he turned away and smirked...there WAS something...maybe NOW was the time, he turned, blue eyes focusing on Jackson's deep brown ones, " I HAVE actually...GOT an idea that is...", Jackson stared at him, his facial expression telling him to get on with it!

"Remember THAT other dog...the big one...the one that looked like...", Jackson waved his arm at him dismissively, "Ohhhh..No no no...IT'S TOO BIG Aaron!"

Aaron stepped forward, " BUT it won't hurt Jack...it won't...I saw what was like, I know it's not a pup, but it's not a young dog either...it's old and just wants a bit of TLC..."

Jackson was staring at him, shaking his head, " AND It's gonna get THAT from Jack...Jack'll wear the thing out Aaron, with he's running round...IF it's an old dog AS you say...it's just gonna be wanting some piece and quiet, won't it!",

Aaron slapped his head, in frustration at him, " ohhh you'll such a div at times...WE can offer it a loving home, can't we...well, until we get thrown out, that is...BUT that's all that dog needs, trust me I know...I know about dogs me..."

Jackson raised his gaze at him, in surprize, " errrrrr...WHAT!...on the account of you having owned like, ONE dog!"

Aaron looked up, pointing to himself, " excuse me...I SAID I know...Paddy's had plenty over in that Vets...AND me uncle Zac's had plenty up at his place...so, errrrr...YEAH I know!"

Jackson slapped his own head, "I really NEED me head testing for saying this...BECAUSE I think it's going AGAINST me better judgement...okay do it...sort it..." he chucked Aaron his phone, " speak to them...lets get this Clyde 2 hound over here!", Aaron was beaming like a cheshire cat, as he returned the call, "you WON'T regret this...JACK'LL love it..."

Jackson went into the kitchen to get Jack ready for school, " He'll certainly WANNA be knowing why his pup's all grown up, THAT'S for sure, " he hissed in sarcasim, "RIGHT YOU...let's be having yah...AND...JOY... you're gonna be seeing yah mum tonight..."

At lunchtime, Jackson pulled up his Van outside the Woolpack, the rain lashing down, as he ducked inside the pubs open doors.

Inside, Declan was waiting up at the bar for him, Chas came to serve, giving Declan the evil eye, " YOU should be ashamed of yahself...kicking my Aaron and Jackson out on the streets...what about that little boy...making him homeless...DON'T you know what that little lads been through...DO yah!"

Jackson waved his hand at Chas, " Chas...it's fine" he told her gently, Chas shook her head, "NO!...it's NOT Jackson...", Declan turned to Jackson, " shall we go discuss this over there in private..." he gave Chas a glare.

Declan went and sat down, Chas served Jackson his pint, " I WOULDN'T be trusting anything HE says to yah!...he's a slippery snake if you ASK me" she warned him, Jackson took a much needed sup of his beer, " I'm sorting it...trust me...", he said, winked at her, and then went to join Declan over at the table.

Declan waited until Jackson sat before saying, " MOTHER in laws huh...who'd have them!" he jested, trying to break the ice, Jackson broke into a smile, " yeah...they can be a pain in the butt..." his smile then faded thinly, " BUT then again...I MAY have to play NICE to her seeing since SHE'LL be OUR only option around here, when you chuck us out!"

Declan leaned forward to him, both of them were aware of Chas's evils at them, from over at the bar "look...YOU'VE signed a 6 month lease...you've had 3 months...YOU'VE got three more to go...I don't have to do that...if you have read the small print, you would know, I could have you two out tomorrow...but seeing since you'll a mate..."

Jackson downed his pint, and looked up at him, " BEING mates with you STICKS in me throat...but I've got a family to look out for...so" he held out his hand, "THREE more months it is...", Declan shook on it, " I am sorry...but business is business Jackson...you'll a man of the world...you should know"

Jackson stood up, " nah...I don't...I'm just a simple family man,with a simple job, wanting to look out for his family...however ODD some folk may think it look...so no...cheers for the pint...but" he tossed Declan a fiver, " I ALWAYS pay my way...", he then stormed out, Declan snatched up the 5 pound note and went over to the bar, Chas was standing there smiling at him, pleased of how Jackson had treated him, " I heard Nicola poured a pint over your head yester-day...and now you've LOST yah mate...NOT your week, IS IT chuck..."

Outside, Jackson was pleased it had stopped raining, just as he crossed the pubs forecourt to his van, he noticed Aaron shaking a blokes hand, him then jumping into a van, and it pulled away...on the side of the van it read, Harrogate dog rescue centre.

Jackson hurried over, Aaron was beaming a big smile at him, " THAT was the dogman...HE'S JUST said our place's okay...WE can pick up Clyde on Saturday...there's STILL some paperwork to do, but..."

Jackson smiled at him, "fine...WE'LL sort it later...BUT...I don't want Jack left alone with it, till I'm happy, alright!" Aaron pulled a sigh, " Yeah...fine!"

"I MEAN it Aaron...AND it's NOT gonna be called Clyde either...we are gonna let Jack name it...alright!" told Jackson, Aaron sighed again at him, then noticed Declan leaving the pub, "So did you sort it out..."

"WE'VE 3 months...then he's selling...hopefully it'll be ALL 3 of us moving out by then" told Jackson, Aaron shrugged, " I still wanna go kick his head in..."

Jackson glared at him, " Aaron!...behave!...I won't be late tonight...because TALKING of dogs...we have to drop Jack off to Sarah this evening..."

Aaron shook his head, "Bet she'll be bragging WHAT a good solicitor she's got to yah!"

"SHE can bragg all she wants AARON...I've GOT just as much chance of winning as her!"

That evening Jackson pulled the van up outside the semi-detached, Sarah and her bulldog mother Sheila were waiting up on the driveway, Jackson jumped out the van with Jack, "There you go Jack...have a good time..." he said with some sarcasim aimed at Sarah, Sarah watched as Sheila took Jack inside, then she turned to Jackson, " SO...7th July then...MY legal team have been instructed, AS I'm sure YOU have yours..."

Jackson nodded at her, "yep..."

Sarah nodded toward Aaron, who remained sitting in the van, " IT'S amazing what you find OUT about folk too...like you MARRYING a right physco!"

Jackson glared at her, " HE HIT ME ONCE...and THAT was a long time ago...", Sarah smuggley smiled at him, " yes, but he's NOT exactly THE role model for my Jack to follow is it...TO BE A THUG like him!"

Jackson raised his eyebrowes, " what...as appose to Jeff nearly KILLING him!"

Sarah bit her lip, " LEAVE HIM out of this...he's NOT apart of our life anymore...and NEVER will...Jack needs me and MY mother...no one else...so GET used to it...because it's SO gonna happen..." she then turned on her heel and walked up the drive.

Jackson stormed back into the Van, slamming the door shut, he slammed his hand onto the wheel in frustration, " I JUST wanna go strangle HER eith me bare hands!"

Aaron turned to him, " YOU hate violence remember...anyway what would Jack think of yah if you did..."

Jackson laughed out loud, " AS IF that would happen, anyhow I'm SURE she's indestructable...SOMETIMES I just wish I never met her...that's all...life would have been SO much easier..."

Aaron placed his hand on Jackson's knee, " IF you never...then you two wouldn't of...well, you wouldn't have Jack now, would you..."

Jackson half smiled at him, thinking about his beautiful boy, " NO...I wouldn't...IGNORE ME...I'm just being a div...let's go get to this pub yeah...", Aaron's phone then jingled, he glanced at it...then turned it off, Jackson raised his eyebrowes at him, " IT can wait..."Aaron told, as Jackson started the engine.

Meanwhile, Tom pocketed his phone, he was at Club 21, he made his way through the busy bar until he came to where he needed to be...facing Matt snogging someother bloke...he had suspected Matt seeing another bloke for a couple of weeks now...all those late nights...Tom was having no more of it...he came forward, " SO...THIS is working LATE is it..." he snapped at him.

Matt looked up to Tom, Ryan who was in Matt's grasp turned and eyed Tom up and down, "I suppose THIS scank is the boyfriend..."

Tom glared at the lad, " SCANK...I think that's YOU mate!...Matt will you tell him!"

Matt came forward, "Tom mate...things just weren't working out between us were they...time to move on...WE'VE had some fun...haven't we..."

Tom shook his head in disbelief, " BUT...WE booked a holiday!", Matt nodded toward Ryan, "yeah, me and him...never said I'd be taking YOU did I..."

Tom swallowed hard, " So...I'm dumped then...", Ryan smirked at him, " you've been dumped for weeks man, you just never knew it...", Tom went for Ryan, but Matt got in between the pair, " hey...NO fighting over me...I know it's differcult NOT to, but hey, you can't be THIS good looking and not be having that kinda trouble!" he smirked.

Ryan turned to Tom, " just DO ONE...take the shame...plenty of fish and all that..." he then led Matt away toward the bar, Tom followed them, and grabbed Ryan's arm, " allright then...HAVE HIM...but HE wants AARON...NOT you...he's only with me to get to him...HE FAILED so ..." it was Tom's turn to be smirking now, "... he's taken up with second best!", Tom, pleased with himself walked off, Matt came forward, " HE'S talking crap...HE always does, why do you think I looked elsewhere...now let me get you a beer..."

Tom was standing at the bar, he glared over to Matt and Ryan, laughing...laughing at him...WHY was it THEY ALL THOUGHT HE WAS A JOKE...Tom dropped a few tabs into his drink to take the pressure off...

...he glared over at them again...and was having dark thoughts...he has sick of EVERYONE thinking he were a joke...

...maybe now it was time to finally change that...

TBC...

PLEASE review...THEY ARE ALL WELCOME!... ..let me know, whether you love it or just loathe it! xx