Chapter Text
“Alright mum” called Aaron as he reached the bar.
“Yeah, not too bad love. Pint?”
“Cheers, yeah.” Vic emerged from the kitchen drying her hands on a cloth. “Oi, Vic. I just had the strangest message off your Adam.”
“Oh yeah?” she humoured him although the lack of enthusiasm in her voice made it clear she really couldn’t care less. Aaron didn’t pick up on this however and continued.
“Yeah. Says he’s found something that belongs to me and he’s bringing it here now. But he wouldn’t tell me what it was and he was being all weird.”
“He’s always weird” Chas interjected “besides your always losing stuff it’s probably just your phone or summat.”Adam burst through the door of the Woolpack at that exact second, wearing a face that plainly said ‘smug’.
“Eh up. Look what I found.” And with that he stepped aside to reveal a woman who Aaron hadn’t spoken to, let alone seen, in over five years.
“Hello love. I hope I’m not intruding it’s just I was in York visiting a friend and I said to myself, I said “Hazel you should go and see that son of yours, you can’t put it off for ever you know” so that’s what I did. I bumped into Adam by the graveyard he told me you was here and well…I couldn’t resist a peek at what you’ve become.” She looked Aaron up and down, moving closer to him on his bar stool. “Maybe I shouldn’t have bothered after all.” She matched her comment with a look of disappointment. Then suddenly she burst into a smile. “I’m joking love. Come here.” Hazel wrapped both arms around him and much to Chas and every other onlooker’s surprise, Aaron didn’t object. He just hugged her back tightly with a bright smile on his face and added over her shoulder…
“It’s good to see you Hazel. Really good.”
He pulled back from her slowly and they took a moment to take each other in. Although he could see a few extra greys on her head and she sported a fresh tan (from one of her latest travels no doubt), she hadn’t changed at all. She still had a smile to light up the dullest of rooms and she could definitely still talk for England. “Can I get you a drink? Red wine right?”
“I’m surprised you remember my alcoholic preferences.”
“I remember everything….” He tailed off, a look of melancholy appearing on his face. Hazel placed an understanding hand on his back.
“Me too love.” There was a pause only broken by Chas placing a glass of wine in front of Hazel. “Thanks Chas.”
“Why don’t you two go into that free booth and have a proper catch up?” Chas suggested, to which Aaron replied with an unsure look. “Oh go on. I promise I won’t eavesdrop.” With that he smiled at her and led Hazel over to the other side of the pub.
“So your mum still works behind the bar then?”
“She co-owns the pub with Charity. So how have you been?” Aaron quickly tried to change the subject of conversation from his family before he was forced to embarrass himself.
“Not too bad. After I left I did some more travelling. Met a nice bloke actually, in Ibiza.” Aaron raised an eyebrow in approval. “I went there….to the place you and him went….you know before...everything.” He nodded. “It was nice. Bloody hot in August, but nice.” Aaron sniggered. “We travelled together for a while – me and Mateo. Didn’t last too long though. As you know I can be something of an acquired taste!” Aaron smiled. “How about you? What’ve you been up to? Not getting in trouble I hope.” He just looked at her and then down at the table. “Oh Aaron. What did you do?”
“I promise you it’s not all bad. It’s just….after you left….well, Adam got himself in a spot of bother. Big trouble actually. What with his dad having just died he was in no fit state to serve time….”Hazel looked at him sternly, obviously seeing where this was going. “I took the rap for him…and then legged it to France…”
“You did what!”
“I know it was stupid but he’s me best mate and I was still pretty messed up.”
“I know that after Jackson you were……well finding it hard but…”
“I know. Believe me I know.” They just stared at each other until Aaron spoke again. “I was out there for a couple of years until I heard that Adam was getting involved in some really dodgy stuff and like hell was I gonna let him ruin it all after I’d risked everything for him. So I came back. Well to cut a long story short, the truth came out and I was free. Everything’s good now anyway. Me and him own a business together so as I said it’s not all bad.”
“What’s the business?”
“Scrapyard.”
“Well I always knew you’d never end up in a glamorous job.” She joked making Aaron smirk. “Is that all?”
“Not exactly, no.”
A grave expression consumed Aaron’s face. It wasn’t something he wanted to dwell on but how could he tell her everything else about his new life and leave this out. Despite him wanting to forget it ever happened, he couldn’t deny that it was a huge part of what had gone on in her absence and anyway what was one more person knowing? “Last year, my dad was put in prison and killed himself after he was found guilty for sexually abusing me when I was a kid.” He let the silence between them lie as it sunk in.
“My god, Aaron, I am so sorry.” Hazel extended her hand across the table and touched his fingertips with her own.
“Yeah. It was a long time ago. One good thing did come out of it though.”
“Oh yeah?”
“My little sister. Liv. Olivia. I hadn’t seen her since I was fifteen. Her and her mum had to be found as part of the court case. She lives with me now. She’s a bit of a handful. Her mum was struggling to cope so I took her in.”
“Well if she’s anything like you were, I bet she’s an absolute nightmare.” They shared a laugh. “You’ve turned into a Paddy – taking in a difficult teenager. Actually how is Paddy?”
“He’s good yeah. Him and Rhona aren’t together any more though.” Hazel gave a questioning look. “It’s a long story.” Aaron supplied.
“There is one more big thing that’s happened actually. I’m enga…..”
“Sorry to interrupt. What time are you gonna get home only Liv’s gone to some horsey thing with Gabby and I didn’t know when to cook so….?”
“I was just talking about you. Or about to anyway. Hazel, meet Robert my fiancé. Rob, this is Hazel, Jackson’s mum.”
“It’s nice to meet you Hazel. Aaron told me some about you. You’re the one who travels the world right..?” Hazel was clearly shocked and smiled brightly at Robert who Aaron must like, no love, immensely to have put a ring on his finger and who had also just referred to her as ‘the one who travels’ rather than ‘the one with the dead son’.
“That’s right love. It’s great to meet ya.” He nodded in reply. “Wow. Aaron getting married. I never thought I’d see the day.”
“Neither did I!” Rob joked.
“Why don’t you grab a pint and join us?” Aaron suggested.
“I’d love to but I’ve got that meeting that Nicola’s forcing me to go to. Are you free for dinner Hazel? You could eat with us in our mess of a home if you’re willing?”
“Yeah I’d love to. I can easily book a room at the B&B for tonight and I’m sure that if your immaculate suit is anything to go by then your house isn’t a mess at all.”
“No it really is a wreck. We just bought it and we’ve not managed to get much done about the fire damage yet because ‘Mr. DIY’ over here won’t “waste” money on getting some workers in.”
“Oh I don’t mind love. I’m sure I’ve eaten in worse places.”
“Great see you later then. Wish me luck.”
“Goodluck!” Aaron called after Robert.
“Muppet!” Rob returned “Love you.”
“Go, you’ll be late.” Aaron smiled broadly as he spoke.
“Alright I’m going, I’m going.” Robert said as he walked out of the door of the Woolpack and disappeared out of view. Aaron continued to grin after him.
“You really love him don’t you?” Aaron turned to Hazel.
“Yeah. Yeah, I really do.”