Chapter 3

It had been five days since Cain and Jackson had lied to Aaron. To thier surprise, after the visit from Adam, Aaron never mentioned it again. He hadn't even asked about a funeral. His family were secretly hoping that Aaron had come to terms with things, and after the initial shock, he had started to see how much better his life would be without Ed in it.

Chas and Cain made thier way into the busy hospital and found Aaron sitting on the edge of the bed in his room. He was being discharged today and Chas couldn't wait to get him home. Back to normality, back to safety.

"Bet you can't wait to get out of here eh kid?" Chas smiled

"I'm not gonna miss this place one bit. Can't wait to get back to normal"

"Don't be getting your hopes up Aaron. The nurse has already filled us in. Two weeks of complete rest, no strenuous activities and definately no alcohol. Your stitches haven't fully healed yet and you don't want to split them open and end off back in here. I've made up a sofa bed. You'll be sleeping on there. Not risking you climbing the stairs and doing more damage to your leg. Two weeks of bedrest. No buts, no arguments."

"Aw Mum come on! I've been lying in bed doing nothing for two weeks already! Don't make me do it again! Look I promise I'll take it easy, I'll rest up, but please, don't make me stay in bed for another two weeks! I'll go mental!"

"Maybe he's right, Chas" Cain piped up

"Who asked you?"

"You know what Aaron's like! You might aswell give him a bell to ring and put on a maid's uniform. I know you're scared Chas, but he's not daft. I'm sure he's capable of taking it easy without lying in bed all day. He needs to move about Chas or he'll end off with flipping rigamortis or something"

"I expected your support in this Cain."

"And you have it. I'll do whatever I can to help, but you can't wrap him up in cotton wool."

Chas sighed and nodded "Fine. But you better be bloody careful!"

Aaron stood up and to her surprise, pulled Chas into a hug "You know I'll be alright! Thanks though. I know you mean well. You're just so...annoying!" Aaron smiled.

"Come on kid, Let's get you out of here!" Cain smiled, picking Aaron's holdall up off the floor.

eeeeee

The drive home was a silent one. Aaron was staring out of the window at the passing trees and fields, wondering what the reaction would be like when he got home. No doubt people in the village will have heard by now about Ed, Maybe even heard it was Ed who put him there in the first place and he couldn't face thier sympathies and thier sorrys.

Before long Cain had pulled up outside the Woolpack. Aaron gently eased himself out of the car and was immediatley greeted by Pearl.

"Aaron love! Oh it's so good to see you!" She smiled, gently hugging him "How are you?"

"A bit sore and tired but othewrwise I'm fine."

"Well you just make sure you take it easy. Now that you're back I can make that Welcome Home cake for you."

"Pearl don't go to any trouble for me..."

"Not at all, Love. Got that young Jackanory working on my house and I'm making him a one for his trouble anyway."

Aaron laughed "Let me guess..Lemon Drizzle?"

Pearl smiled and nodded her head. "Oh you know, I wish you two hadn't split up. You were so good together."

"Alright Pearl that's enough. He's got to rest." Cain intervened

"Cain..I've been cooped up for 24 hours a day for two weeks. It's good to be out in the air anyway."

"Shall I tell him you're back Aaron?"

"Don't think he'll be bothered to be honest."

"Don't be silly. He's hardly stopped talking about you. Anyway. I'll go and get started on that cake. Take care love."

"Yeah, you too Pearl." Aaron smiled. "I wish we hadn't either" Aaron whispered, watching Pearl retreat back to her house to tell Jackson the good news.