The winter chill had settled on the village with the first smattering of snow lying on the road, but it was nothing compared to the chill in the hearts of two very unhappy men living in Emmerdale, Jackson had returned to his studies but the happy, chatty man that everyone liked had been replaced by a brooding one that hardly ever spoke and had shown no enthusiasm for the course work or High Farm Barn he hadn't been near the site since the scaffolding had gone up, by now the roof should have been stripped back but the other students didn't know how to approach the builder, they'd tried previously and received a tongue lashing for their efforts, so now talk of the barn and work were avoided if Jackson was within earshot, there were rumours circulating that his relationship with Aaron had broken down and that they had separated but once again no one dare mention it in case Jackson's anger resurfaced
The builder struggled to even know what day of the week it was, he wasn't living, he was just existing he continued to breath, his heart still beat but his reason for living now wanted nothing to do with him and he had no one to blame but himself, he'd taken those photo's and looked at them, really looked at them, he saw Aaron of course, but remembered that the top he was wearing he only ever wore when out with him and his watch, why hadn't he seen these before storming out?, because he was too quick to think the worst of Aaron and he'd regret that everyday for the rest of his life
Walking into Sunshine Cottage, Jackson heard voices and for a second he hoped it would be Aaron, but then he could hear laughter and it was definitely female, he considered just going to his room and had his foot on the bottom stair when he heard
"Is that You Jackson?"
He didn't respond but went and stood in the doorway, sitting with Bean on her lap was Emma the reporter who'd interviewed him a few weeks earlier and she was laughing at some of Beans latest tricks, he'd found his foot recently and now spent a great deal of time trying to get it in his mouth, Anna stood when she saw him
"Emma is interviewing us, well Me about the Restaurant", she smiled "I'm just going to make a drink, do you fancy one?, you go in and keep Emma company while I stick the kettle on" she disappeared out of the door, seconds later running water filling the kettle could be heard
Emma sat with Bean now happily chewing on his soft shoe which he'd pulled off his foot, he saw Jackson and kicked out happy to see his Uncle
"Hey Baby" Jackson cooed as he lifted his Godson up, he nuzzled into his neck and breathed in the lovely scent of newly bathed baby and talcum powder
Emma was looking at Jackson, he looked awful, not the happy, healthy man she'd interviewed just a short time ago
"I did some digging after I went back to the office after I'd interviewed you, all our calls are logged so I went back through them the call suggesting I come here and that you now lived in the village originated from a firm of solicitors in Leeds, Curtis Long and Bosomworth, have you heard of them?"
Jackson knew his face was giving it away, he felt all the blood drain out, his head started to swim, that's the firm that Brett now worked for, it had to be him, he said that he wanted him back, everything that had happened was down to Brett, well not everything if Jackson hadn't been so stupid he wouldn't have lost Aaron
"I can see that you have" the pretty reporter had watched the play of emotions that ran across the builders face "Can I ask you something Jackson? " she continued "Is there anything I can help you with?, off the record" she smiled at the builder
Even knowing what he did the builder couldn't believe that Brett would stoop so low as to manipulate a situation with photo's especially as Jackson now knew without a doubt those photo's had been tampered with, he felt giddy with relief, Aaron had been telling the truth all along, he'd been such a fool, he'd allowed the solicitor to undermine his relationship with the mechanic, but never again, if he ever got Aaron back he'd never doubt him again, he shouldn't have doubted him now
"Yeah you can actually" Jackson looked at the reporter "Will you be at the opening of the Restaurant later next week?"
"I will, Anna has just invited Me" the reporter laughed
"She should be an Italian Mama, she just needs to feed people" Jackson smiled
Emma looked closely at the builder, something had happened while they'd been talking, he gone from looking like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders to now standing smiling at her, the chink of tea cups announcing that Anna was coming back in, Jackson turned as she entered the room, kissed her on the cheek and winked, Anna was left opened mouthed as Jackson left the room taking Bean with him
"I'm taking My Godson out for a walk"
Aaron was sat near the duck pond, it was freezing but he didn't want to go inside yet, he'd have to put up with the busybodies talking about him and the knowing looks, oh how he wanted to wipe those looks of their faces but he wouldn't instead he'll just spend the evening in his room, missing Jackson, the sound of a baby giggling in delight had the mechanic whipping his head round, he expected to see either Anna or Ben with Bean, but it was Jackson that was standing there
Jackson had a feeling that he'd find Aaron here, it was like an invisible cord connecting the two and even with everything they'd been through this couldn't be broken, he knew he had a hell of a lot of making up to do to the mechanic he just hoped he could find the words
"Can I sit down?"
"Free country" the mechanic muttered but also budged up on the bench facing the pond
The builder put his hands up to his mouth and blew warm air on them, his teeth were chattering, Aaron looked cold as well, the only one that was warm was Bean he was enjoying the fresh air, his cheeks bright red he chattered away in his own language making the mechanic smile
The men sat in silence for a few minutes, Jackson trying to find the words to say to Aaron praying that this time he'd get it right