Are We Out of The Woods Yet?

Part 2

"What did he want then?" Chas pressed that evening.

"Nothin'" Aaron shrugged.

"Are you not having tea? W...where are you going now?"

"Out."

"A...Aaron!" Chas watched Aaron exit, next she heard the slam of the back entrance door.

"Urgh" She ran a hand, hard through her hair. "Why is he so angry all of the time?!"

"Everythin' alright?" Cain appeared in the sitting room.

"Oh yeah great! You know just Aaron rushing off somewhere as usual. I just...I don't understand Cain! What made him so unhappy? I mean things 'ave happened in the past but...that was the past!"

"I 'er I saw 'im leave. You don't think 'e's gone to Sugden's do ya?" Chas' eyes widened then closed.

"You're probably right. Why can't that man learn how to stay away when he's not wanted?"

"Well...it looks like Aaron does want him."

"He keeps telling meh no mum we're just mates!" She imitated her son's voice. Cain smirked. "Why d'ya keep pesterin meh...what?" Chas noticed Cain's reaction.

"Nothin' it's just...you two really need to talk. I mean properly without any nosy sods interrupting."

"Ha! Fat chance of that happenin'! As soon as I say anything Aaron starts having a go at me for asking!"

"Look, ask Diane for a day off. Then spend the day with Aaron...And no before you say anthin', he won't rush off. Just...make sure he knows it's important. He loves ya Chas. 'e does." Chas nodded slowly, zoned out in thought.

"Yeah...alright. I'll ask Diane in a bit." She thanked Cain and they both left the sitting room.

Later that evening...

Adam shuffled out of the cold into the warmth of his home, swinging the front door shut hastily. "Can't wait for summer, sick of the bloody cold." He muttered to himself, entering the main room. "Oh. You're here." Robert peered up from the sofa,

"Yeah, well I'm kind of living here at the moment." He shrugged.

"Yeah uh about that how much longer are you planning on stayin' 'cause..." The front door opened again. This time Vic entered.

"Alright love?" She greeted Adam, spotting him.

"Yeah, fine." Adam said in response, although keeping his stare on Robert. Robert could feel Adam's dislike bearing down on him. He furrowed his eyebrows questioningly.

"Oh hiya Robert, I didn't realise you'd be home." Both men now turned their attention to Vic.

"Yeah, you happy?" Robert stood up and smoothed past Adam to then pull his sister into a hug. Wow this wasn't Robert, Vic thought straight away. Not that she minded his actually rather soft hug.

"Of course I am Robert." Vic laughed fondly, leaning back from him and taking hold of his arms gently. Vic looked up into his eyes, searching them.

"What?" Robert smirked, a little uneasily.

"You just don't really do hugs do ya?" Vic said carefully, shrugging awkwardly. She didn't want to hurt him she knew he was very capable of loving. He loved her. He loved Aaron, she was absolutely certain of that. It was just rare for him to be...so affectionate.

"Yeah that's kind of my thing mate." Adam still wore a very obvious scowl on his face.

"Oh yeah?" Robert judged Adam with his eyes. "Can't hug my own sister now 'cause her precious husband is 'ere?" Adam's eyebrows raised at Robert's rising tone, Vic gulped. The silence was too silent for the next two minutes.