Chapter Text
A Friend In Need
His ribs felt like there were several blades between each one every time he tried to move and the slightest hint of a cough was enough to make him wince. It did manage to take his mind off other things, like whether he should remove his ring now that he had let Aaron go. Was it not daft to still wear a ring symbolising something he had ripped asunder especially when he had said he was now stepping aside so that Aaron could be happy.
He looked at the figures and smiled. Home James was going well and at least it was something to throw himself into. Jimmy was no where to be seen but given that he was now enemy number one of the Dingle clan that may actually be a blessing. He heard a car crunch the gravel and looked out, in two minds as to whether he wanted to see Aaron’s or not. They had not talked since Christmas Day but there had been a brief acknowledgement in the pub as friends do of course. He looked outside and saw his ex-husband, the ‘ex’ still stung, and his uncle come towards the door.
‘Hey, didn’t expect to see you on a bank holiday’
‘Hey’, Aaron looked uneasy.
‘I’ve a bit to do but can bring it to Vic’s if I’m in the way’
‘No, how are you, on the mend?’
‘Yeah, not too bad thanks, but I’m on strict notice to take it easy’
‘From the doctor’, Aaron felt bad the minute he had said it.
‘Yeah and Vic and Dianne’
‘Well, you definitely look better than you did last time anyway’
‘Cheers’
There was a silence.
‘Ok, are we finished what ever the flaming hell that was so?, Cain was asking his nephew.
‘I am being civil Cain’
Robert looked at them, their dynamic always bemused him. Aaron would walk on hot coals for his uncle and Cain would move mountains for Aaron. Yet in ways he could not imagine two people more different.
‘We need a chat’
Robert had an involuntary release of bile in his mouth and looked at Aaron hoping for an explanation.
‘I said I’d do the talking Cain’
‘Well start then’.
Aaron pulled over a chair and started. Robert listened and tried in vain not to break out into a cold sweat.
‘Are you mad? You are on licence, you do know what that means?’
“Yes, yes I do. Look if you can’t help, we will find someone else’
‘Ok, There’s no other way’
‘No’, Cain was definite.
‘Ok, there’s one lad, owes me and I can trust him, we all can, I’ll call him’.
‘Can you do it quick?’
‘Yeah, this minute’
Aaron had said little or nothing. He felt bad bringing Robert into this but he had said that that he would be the best friend he ever had and although he did not want to admit it he would trust Robert with his life if not his heart.
‘He’s in. The ship leaves at three so there can’t really be delays your end.’
‘Thanks Rob’, Aaron spoke softly and sincerely.
‘Who’s providing the cover’
‘What?’, Aaron looked at Cain.
‘I was thinking of that’
‘I will’, Robert volunteered.
‘How exactly?’
‘Ummm, ok, right I think I’ve got it. Yeah could work. Cain you can give me your phone and I’ll go to Zac’s and have it downloading a film to be watched. Aaron we need to make it look like you’re here working a voicemail to me maybe from the office phone’
‘I won’t be here Robert, I’ll be breaking me best mate out of a prison can, I mean you were never good at scheming’
‘That’s why we’ll use this ’and he grabbed the Dictaphone from the drawer.
‘That sounds pretty mardy, well done’, Robert smiled.
‘I’ve had practice when it comes to you’, Aaron said but could not resist a smile either.
‘The cops will check it with you’.
‘Yeah, Cain they will and I will make out to be massively annoyed that Aaron has involved me.’
‘Ok, you two won’t be able to be seen together much for a while if we don not want them wondering why two lads who piss each other off are suddenly bessie mates’
Robert and Aaron shared a glance and just nodded.
‘We’re done here, lets go’
‘You’re welcome Cain’
‘I’ll say thanks when he’s in the container and gone’
They walked out.
Robert pinched his nose close to his eyes with his fingers, so much for no more scheming he thought. The door opened.
‘Aaron, you forget something’
‘No, well he thinks I did, I want to say thanks’
‘No worries’
‘It…it was my idea to come to you…did I…did I do wrong’
Robert looked at him and could see what he was going through. It took every ounce of strength he had not to go and hug him.
‘No Aaron, I’m glad to help’
‘Thanks, I…I better head…Cain is getting impatient’
‘Good luck’
Robert looked at his ring as the door closed. There was very little Aaron Dingle would not be able to get him to do, that’s what friends are for.
Cain drove towards the village.
‘He came through’
‘Yeah, yeah he did, I felt he would’
‘Yeah me too’
Aaron looked at his uncle carefully.
‘I know what he is feeling now, alright?’
‘Don’t start’
‘I’m not, all I’m saying is I know but I don’t have time to go through that now, just…just be there if he needs you too alright’
‘I will’