Chapter Text
Aaron turned the key in the lock, then stepped inside and held the door open to allow Hazel to walk through.
“Hello!” he called out into the house. “Rob, Liv, you home?!” With no reply he proceeded to close the door behind Hazel. When it didn’t shut properly he put his shoulder to it and rammed it into the door frame which seemed to do the trick. “Sorry. The door needs replacing.” He explained and then said under his breath “Just like everything else in this damb place.” He composed himself and led Hazel through to where a rather sorry looking set of table and chairs stood. “Mind the paint cans.”
“Doing a spot of decorating are we?”
“No. I wish. Pretty much the whole house needs plastering before we can even begin to think about colour schemes. No the paint tins are to catch all the drips, although frankly I’m not sure why we bother. When it rains you might as well be outside!” Hazel laughed and sat down on one of the four wooden chairs. “Brew?”
“Yes please love.”
“I’m home!” hollered Robert from the front door which was just out of view from where Aaron and Hazel were.
They heard him slam the door and Aaron looked at Hazel and whispered, “Wait for it….”
Then another slam and Rob cursing at the door, “Oh for god’s sake. Bloody thing.”
Aaron smiled at Hazel and then shouted “Try kicking the bottom!” One more loud bang and then Rob emerged round the corner carrying two full bags of groceries.
“Do you think we could try filing it down or something because I swear one of these days it won’t open at all and then our monster of a house will actually be keeping us prisoner?” He directed this at Aaron and then immediately turned to Hazel. “Hi Hazel.”
“Hiya.” She returned. Aaron passed Hazel a mug of tea and then, after Robert had put the shopping bags down on the kitchen side, he kissed him and put the kettle on again knowing his fiancé would be in dire need of a brew.
“Is she home yet?” Rob asked.
“What Liv? No.”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” So the three of them started chatting about anything and everything with Hazel and Aaron sat at the table whilst Rob busily prepared dinner in their shell of a kitchen.
About an hour later they heard the front door click open and then shut again.
“How do you make that door shut so easily?” Robert asked Liv as she came into the room and threw her rucksack down onto the floor.
“I don’t know. Just push it I guess. Who’s this?” Liv asked gesturing to Hazel.
“Liv this is Hazel, Jackson’s mum. Hazel this is my terror of a sister, Liv.” Aaron introduced the pair.
“Oh come on. You love me really.” Liv said batting her eyelids and doing her best ‘cute’ impression at Aaron. She turned to Hazel, “Nice to meet you.” Hazel assumed by Liv’s lack of additional questions as to who she was that it meant that Liv knew about Jackson. It surprised her that Aaron had obviously not only told Robert about her son but also Liv. Hazel smiled at Aaron for this thought. “So what’s for dinner then?” questioned Liv.
“Is lasagne alright with Madame?” Rob joked.
Putting on her best posh voice Liv returned “Yes thank you Robert darling.”. This made all of them laugh. Hazel really was proud of Aaron and at that moment she couldn’t have been happier for him.
After dinner Liv made her excuses to leave the table as Aaron cleared away their plates.
“Thank you so much for this evening. Both of you.” Hazel said as she rose from her chair and began to put her coat back on.
“Won’t you stay for a while?”
“You’re more than welcome.” Robert added.
“No. I should be getting to the B&B. I feel that my bed is calling.”
“Will we see you in the morning?”
“No. I must catch an early train back to York.”
“I can drive you back if you like.” Aaron offered. “I’m not busy or anything.”
“No love. I’m quite alright on the train.” Robert stood from his chair and walked around the table to Hazel.
“Thank you for coming. If you ever feel like dropping by again then…” Hazel nodded. “Maybe you could come back when we’ve finally got this mess looking respectable.” He gestured to the house as he spoke.
“It was very nice to meet you Robert.”
“You too.”
“Bye then.”
“Bye. Aaron you’d better show her to the door just in case.” Aaron smirked in agreement.
When they reached the door Aaron put his arms around Hazel for the third time that day.
“Thanks for coming today Hazel. And thanks for earlier.” Hazel pulled back to look at Aaron.
“It was nothing. You know that sister of yours is a great girl.”
“Yeah I know. Not quite sure how when she’s being raised by me in this place.”
“And that Robert Sugden is definitely a keeper.”
“Yeah. I know that too.”
“Bye Aaron. I’ll see ya.”
“Yeah, see ya.” And with that Hazel started off down the path away from the house. “Hazel!” Aaron called out. She turned back to him at a distance. “I’ll always remember.”
“Me too.”