"I had a great weekend actually" Dec retorted defiantly,before walking off to get on with his work.

Dec knew that that was likely to rile Nick up even more,but he had already made Dec's life a living hell,so what did he have to lose?

He was in no doubt that Nick had been completely surprised to see Dec at work,no doubt having preferred it if he'd died in that field and no one would ever have been the wiser as to Nick's involvement in the situation.

Dec was getting a slight feeling of pleasure though,imagining how annoyed Nick must be by the fact he was there at work on Monday morning,willing and able to do his job.

Luckily,Nick was extremely busy that day,so left Dec alone for the most part,which Dec was incredibly relieved about.

"DEC" Ant called out from his office as Dec walked past at the end of the day,ready to make his way home.

"Yeah?" Dec smiled cheerfully,totally ignoring Nick,until his bully spoke up.

"Hi Dec" Nick grinned "sorry we haven't got to chat much today,been a bit of a crazy day"

Dec glared at him,but Ant was still totally oblivious to anything that was going on as he rummaged through his desk drawer.

"Got this for you" Ant announced as he pulled a box out of the drawer and passed it to Dec.

"A mobile phone?" Dec asked surprised.

"Yeah" Ant nodded "you definitely need it after your shenanigans this weekend"

"Yeah" Nick laughed "Ant told me how you went for a walkabout after I'd safely dropped you home on Friday,silly boy"

"Aren't I just?" Dec replied sarcastically,not looking at Nick "you didn't have to do this Ant"

"I think I did actually" Ant joked "seems like you can't be left alone for any long period of time"

"That's really patronising" Dec snapped,shocking Ant with his abruptness.

"I'm sorry Dec" Ant quickly replied "I was joking,I didn't mean to offend you"

"Now now you two" Nick grinned "let's not fall out,we're one big happy family here remember?"

"Yeah,we are" Ant nodded "you ok Dec?"

"Er...yeah" Dec replied "sorry Ant,I didn't mean to snap at you,it's really nice of you,thank you"

"Anyway" Ant smiled "it's pay as you go,so you'll be paying for it,I've put some money on it,but once it's run out,it's down to you to keep it topped up"

Ant was quickly realising how much being independent and doing things for himself was hugely important to Dec and as much as Ant wanted and was able to pay for everything,he had to resist doing so,which he knew would be better for Dec in the long run.

"Thank you Ant" Dec smiled "I really do appreciate this"

"No problem mate" Ant replied "and I've already put my number in,so you'll be able to get hold of me anytime day or night"

"Ok,great" Dec nodded "I'll see you tomorrow"

"Bye Dec" Ant beamed.

"Bye Declan" Nick called out in an over exaggerated way,as Dec left the office "have a great evening"

Dec spent most of the evening playing with his phone,toying with the idea of adding his estranged familys numbers,although he knew it was unlikely he'd remember them,he also wanted to add Ali's too as eventually he wanted to be able to see his daughter again,but he couldn't remember that offhand either.

Eventually he set the phone down on the bedside table to charge and turned the television on,but he couldn't concentrate on anything.

Nick was still taking up most of his thoughts,but he had to admit that today hadn't been that bad.

Apart from the occasional glare and Nick's fake cheerfulness in front of Ant,it had been bearable and Dec had just been left to get on with his job and if it stayed like that,with Nick mostly leaving him alone,Dec might actually settle and be happy there.

But of course Nick had other plans and he wasn't willing to let Dec off the hook that easily.

When Dec arrived at the office the next morning,he went straight into the toilets to wash his hands.

There was no sign of Ant yet and Dec mused to himself that he'd actually arrived at work before his workaholic friend.

"That's a first" he giggled to himself.

Dec was becoming slightly obsessive about cleanliness now he was off the streets and as he'd walked to work as usual,he really hadn't done anything to get dirty,no journeys on the grubby tube network or anything like that.

But he wasn't doing anyone any harm,so he could wash his hands as often as he liked if he chose to.

He was gently humming to himself as he did so and glancing in the mirror to check the cold wind outside hadn't left his hair too unkempt.

He let out an obvious sigh as Nick entered the toilets,but did his best to ignore him,but of course Nick wasn't having any of that.

"Ah,Declan" Nick growled as he sidled up next to him,also admiring his reflection in the mirror "how are we today?"

"I'm fine Nick" Dec replied and started to make his way to the door.

"Leaving so soon?" Nick snarled,as he stood in Dec's way,blocking his exit.

"Er...yeah" Dec nodded "I've got work to do"

"But I thought it would be nice for us to have a little chat" Nick said menacingly "hardly got a chance to talk to you yesterday"

"I've got nothing to say to you Nick" Dec stated "now can you please get out of my way"

"Oh,but I've got a lot to say to you" Nick sneered "like the fact you're STILL taking advantage of Ant's kind nature"

"I AM NOT" Dec shouted "and I'm pretty fed up of you making out that I am"

"Oh yeah?" Nick retorted "what would you call it then?"

"I call it a friend helping another friend out" Dec stated.

"And what does that helpful friend get in return?" Nick asked.

"A decent and loyal friendship" Dec stated proudly "something you obviously know nothing about"

"On the contrary" Nick grinned "I know everything about friendship,which is why I'm looking out for Ant and not letting a loser like you have your way"

"Have my way?" Dec frowned "I've not asked for any of this,but I will appreciate what Ant has done for me until my dying day and I'm proud to call Ant my friend,what have you got to be proud of eh?"

Dec was getting more and more angry and was refusing to be silenced any longer.

"I'm proud that I'm looking out for Ant" Nick replied "and will never let a little runt like you do anything untoward to him"

"As if I would" Dec sighed "You're a nasty,vile bully and one day you'll get your comeuppance and Ant and everyone else will see you for exactly what you are"

"You know what?" Nick said slyly "the word bully is used way too often these days,I doubt any minor disagreements we might have in the future will be seen as me bullying you"

"Minor disagreements?" Dec asked shocked "you've made my life hell since the first day I started here,maybe I should just come clean and tell Ant everything"

"Go ahead" Nick shrugged "who do you think he'll believe?His long term friend and business partner or a piece of shit he scraped off the streets?"

"I AM NOT A PIECE OF SHIT" Dec shouted angrily,pushing Nick backwards towards the door.

It took Nick by surprise,but as he was so much taller and bigger built than Dec,he just laughed it off.

"Ooh,little girl getting all feisty is she?" Nick mocked.

"Fuck off" Dec snapped "I'm gonna tell Ant everything"

"Oh yeah?Like what?" Nick laughed.

"Like everything you've said to me since I started here" Dec mused "how nasty you've been,how you tripped me up when I was carrying that tray and..."

"Go on then" Nick cut in "tell him how useless you are,that you can't even stay in your own flat after a couple of drinks"

"You know that's not true" Dec retorted angrily "you spiked my drinks and dumped me in a field to freeze to death"

Nick smirked at Dec defiantly and got up close to his face with their noses almost touching.

"Prove it" he sneered.

"I will somehow" Dec replied,with his voice now beginning to quiver and he was inwardly giving himself a good telling off as crying was the last thing he wanted to be doing at this precise moment.

"It's your word against mine" Nick shrugged "so bring it on"

"YOU COULD HAVE KILLED ME" Dec shouted.

"Ah,what a shame" Nick grinned.

"You're not normal" Dec stated "who does that?"

"Ok,I admit it" Nick grinned "I did spike your drinks and dump you in a field and I'd do it over and over again if it meant getting you away from Ant"

Dec stared at Nick in silence for what seemed like an eternity.

Even though he knew Nick was as guilty as sin,his admission still shocked him.

"You could have killed me" Dec repeated and he couldn't hold the tears back any longer and sobbed into his hands.

Just when he thought Nick couldn't be any more cruel,he took his phone out of his pocket and took a picture of the distraught Declan.

"That's a good one for the album" Nick announced sarcastically.

Dec still couldn't believe he was being treated like this,he hadn't even been treated this badly when he was homeless and he was beginning to think that even Ali wasn't as horrible as Nick,although he did think they might make the perfect pairing.

As Dec sobbed and Nick continued to taunt him,they were both startled by the sound of a door unlocking.

Neither of them had taken any notice of the cubicles in the toilets,obviously thinking they were empty.

It was a pretty long line as the toilets served several of the offices,so neither Dec or Nick noticed that the cubicle at the very far end had been shut the entire time.

The two enemies turned away from each other to face the door as it slowly opened.

They both stared open mouthed as a very angry looking man stepped out and stared at them.

Dec and Nick both spoke the mans name in unison,totally shocked that their argument had been overheard by someone.

"ANT!"