Face to Face

Part 43

They'd all warned him to keep away from Carl King, so he hadn't gone looking for him but then he knew their paths would cross at some point and he'd been eagerly awaiting that moment to come. It was three days now since his mam had knocked on their door with the news Carl had cheated on her and he still hadn't seen him. Five minutes ago he'd found out why, Carl had gone on a run to Spain and wouldn't be back for days. Scarlett had told him he'd gone so as to give Chas some space to think but as far as he was concerned he'd gone because he was a coward because he didn't want to face the fallout. He hadn't seen Eve either, the whole village knew about the affair now and she was hiding indoors, avoiding the flack she had coming, another coward. His mam on the other hand was carrying on as normal, holding her head up high and putting on a brave face. He was proud of her, proud of the way she'd bounced back, but then she always did, no matter what. He didn't like the fact she was still at theirs though, not when she could so easily be at his uncle Zak's. Zak wouldn't mind, it wouldn't be the first time she'd stayed at Wishing Well cottage. Lisa would make her welcome... but maybe not as welcome as Paddy was making her feel!

The two of them were getting on a little too well for his liking. He'd prefer it if they were arguing, at each other's throats. That he could live with, but as it was he knew something was going to happen between them. If he thought for one minute it would last, that it would turn out to be 'a happy ever after', he'd be all for it, but he didn't, he knew his mother too well, he knew it would end in heartache, she'd end up breaking Paddy's heart again... and his too in the process.

Lunch break over he was heading back to work from the cafe, his mind turning to other things, to the most important thing...person in his life, Jackson. They'd spent the last few nights apart and he was missing him badly. With Hazel staying at his flat Jackson felt he had to be there with her. He understood that and any other time he'd have stayed there with him but right now he felt he had to be at the Smithy, he didn't trust the two other occupants to behave in his absence. Jackson thought he was taking things a little too far but he didn't know them like he did.

He wished his mam was more sensible, more responsible... more like Hazel!

They were going out for a meal in Hazel's honour tonight, just to the Woolpack, somewhere quiet and the atmosphere warm. It had been Paddy's idea; he'd thought it a good way to make her feel welcome, a part of things. It meant her staying over which was fine by him because that meant Jackson would be sharing his bed again.

The afternoon had dragged by even though he'd had plenty of work to keep him busy. He was just so eager to see Jackson, to spend some time with him, even if it was in the company of others. He'd have him all to himself eventually though, and he knew that would be well worth waiting for. That thought had put a smile on his face and it had stayed there as he'd made his way up the hill home. But once through the front door it had disappeared, wiped off his face by the sound of raucous laughter, his mother's unmistakable cackle filled the air. He'd stepped into the kitchen finding her and Paddy sat at the table, a daft grin on the older man's face. He looked happy they both did, they looked so comfortable together... but it wasn't right, it wasn't just two friends having a laugh, it was more than that... it was a failed relationship slowly being rekindled. Why could no one else see that?

He'd chatted with the two of them for a few minutes, had tried to keep the irritation he felt towards them both out of his voice. Then he'd made his way upstairs, took a shower, and readied himself for their night out. He'd sat on his bed waiting for Jackson and Hazel to arrive, intent on keeping out of both Paddy and his mam's way, he knew he'd only end up saying something he shouldn't if left alone with either of them. He didn't want his concern for Paddy to spoil their night, he was going to have to push it to the back of his mind, at least until the morning, he'd tackle Paddy about it then.

The night had gone well, things between Hazel and his mam had been a little frosty at first but once they'd had a couple of drinks they'd dropped their defences and were soon getting along, Paddy was sat between them, obviously enjoying the attention paid him by both women.

With the three oldies getting on so well Jackson had suggested the two of them sneak off, certain they wouldn't be missed, not for a while anyway. He'd not needed any persuading and they'd gone back to the Smithy and up to his room. And the minute his bedroom door shut behind him he'd forgotten all about his mam and Paddy.

He'd woken up early, needing the loo. There wasn't a sound anywhere and he'd believed himself to be the only one awake. But as he'd opened his bedroom door he'd realised he wasn't. Across the landing, coming out of Paddy's bedroom was his scantily clad mother!

He'd been right about them, knew they'd end up in bed, end up sleeping together. He knew it would mean something to Paddy but not to her.

She'd seen him now, her eyes widening with surprise, her mouth opening ready to explain herself, but he didn't want to hear it. Instead she was having to listen to him, to the venom he was spitting her way, to the names he was calling her.

TBC