Dec had a wonderful couple of days staying with Ant,who also enjoyed the company.

Ant was reluctant to admit it,but he did often feel lonely,he liked being in a relationship,but it just wasn't meant to be at this moment in time,so enjoyed having Dec around and at least he also had his work to throw himself into.

But for those couple of days,he managed to do whatever work he needed to do from home,choosing to get to know Dec better,insisting that Dec didn't go into work either.

"This is delicious Ant,thank you" Dec beamed as he tucked into the chilli con carne that Ant had prepared for him that evening.

"It's pretty easy to make" Ant replied "I can teach you sometime"

"Good luck with that" Dec laughed "Mam always said even the dog wouldn't eat what I made"

Ant smiled sympathetically at Dec,he always sensed a tinge of sadness whenever he mentioned his family,which wasn't often.

Ant never really pushed Dec for information on his family,knowing he'd open up if and when he was ready,but on this occasion,the mood somehow seemed to be just right.

"It must be so hard?" Ant asked gently.

"What?" Dec replied casually.

"You know" Ant smiled "being estranged from your family,I can't begin to imagine how that must feel"

"Don't know" Dec shrugged "it's my own stupid fault"

"Is it?" Ant frowned.

"Yeah" Dec nodded "I chose Ali over them,so I guess I'm getting what I deserve"

"Rubbish" Ant snapped.

"What?" Dec asked surprised.

"It's total bullshit that you deserve to be estranged from your family" Ant stated "you obviously love and miss them and I don't doubt that they're feeling the same"

"You don't know them" Dec shrugged.

"Maybe not" Ant replied "but you do and you probably know how they'll react"

"To what" Dec asked confused.

"To you getting in touch" Ant smiled.

"What?" Dec asked shocked "I can't"

"Why not?" Ant kept on gently nudging Dec in the right direction.

"Because of what I did" Dec said sadly "I doubt they'd want to see me"

"They must be really horrible people then?" Ant frowned.

"Of course they're not" Dec snapped "they're the best family ever"

"There you go then" Ant smiled "don't you think they'll welcome you back with open arms?"

"I don't know" Dec looked down sadly at his half eaten plate of food "it's just..."

"It's what Dec?" Ant probed "you know you can tell me anything don't you?I won't judge"

"It's not that" Dec sighed "it's just that I feel ashamed...you know?"

"Not really" Ant replied seriously "what have you got to feel ashamed about?"

"For choosing Ali over them" Dec repeated "for the arguments...the things I said,I said some horrible things in the heat of the moment"

"We all do that sometimes" Ant smiled.

"I bet you don't" Dec observed "you're too nice"

"Oh yeah?" Ant laughed "did you not see how angry I got with Nick?"

"That was different" Dec grinned.

"Oh,I've had some blazing rows with my sister" Ant mused "we weren't always as close as we are now and we've both said some awful things when we've argued,but it's all water under the bridge now,nothing is impossible Declan"

"Maybe" Dec agreed,although he wasn't entirely convinced.

"What do you want Dec?" Ant continued as he finished off his last mouthful of food.

"What do you mean?" Dec replied.

"From life?" Ant smiled "I don't doubt that you won't want to be doing odd jobs in our office forever,so what do you want to be doing?with work?home?family?all of it?"

Ant looked at Dec expectantly,awaiting his reply.

"I've not really thought about it" Dec shrugged "the last few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind,with you,the job,the flat,Nick...I can't quite get my head around it all just yet"

"Fair enough" Ant smiled "but it's something to think about"

"Yeah" Dec nodded,looking deep in thought for a moment "I suppose I do want some things"

"Like what?" Ant encouraged "like another driving job?"

"No" Dec laughed "I didn't mind doing that,it always gave me some space away from what was going on at home,but I've always had a dream"

"Oh yeah?" Ant asked curiously "what's that?"

"You'll probably just laugh at me" Dec frowned.

"Of course I won't" Ant smiled "tell me?"

"Well" Dec giggled shyly "I've always wanted to work with animals"

"Why would I laugh at that?" Ant smiled "I love animals,you mean like a vet?"

"God no" Dec quickly replied "I couldn't cope with dealing with sick and injured animals and putting them to sleep,I'd probably just spend the time in floods of tears...not very professional"

"What then?" Ant asked.

"I've always wanted to set up my own rehoming shelter" Dec grinned "for dogs,cats and maybe rabbits,but it's an impossible dream"

"Nothing is impossible Declan" Ant beamed.

"Well,being realistic" Dec stated "that's unlikely to ever happen,but as I still want to work with animals,I'd maybe like to set up a business as a dog walker"

"Well,that's definitely not impossible" Ant grinned,repeating what seemed to be his favourite phrase "I think you should go for it"

"It would take a while to set it all up" Dec frowned "and I'm only just starting to get back on my feet,but it's something to aim for"

"And I'll support you every step of the way" Ant nodded.

"Thanks" Dec smiled "I want to try and save a bit of my wages first,so there's no hurry"

"Sounds like a plan" Ant smiled "what else?"

"Isla" Dec said sadly.

"Your daughter?" Ant asked,although he already knew the answer to that question.

"Yeah" Dec nodded "I miss her so much and I'm so scared that she won't even remember me if I eventually get to see her again"

"That must be so hard" Ant replied sympathetically "but you're her dad,you have rights"

"Yeah" Dec sighed "wouldn't even know where to start with all that stuff"

"I can help you" Ant offered "I am a lawyer after all"

"That's not your field though" Dec pointed out.

"Doesn't matter" Ant shrugged "I can still advise you"

"Talking about all this stuff" Dec frowned "it all just seems a bit too much...work,family,Isla...it's all a bit...you know?"

"Overwhelming?" Ant smiled.

"Yeah,overwhelming" Dec replied.

"There's no hurry with any of it Dec" Ant smiled "it's just some things to aim for,if and when you're ready,but it's your life and totally up to you how you live it,I'm sorry if I seem like I'm pressuring you"

"Not at all" Dec beamed "I'm grateful for your input and you'll be the first to know when I am ready"

"Good" Ant smiled and started clearing up the dinner things.

The next few weeks went swimmingly for Dec.

He was now completely settled in his job and flat and managing to save a little bit of his wages every week and Nick was now a distant memory.

He was now the one who was worrying about Ant,rather than the other way round as Ant had finally admitted how lonely he often felt during one of Dec's many sleepovers at Ant's house and that was one of the reasons why he threw himself into his work so much.

So Dec made it his mission to spend as much of his free time with Ant as possible,at least until he hopefully found himself a new girlfriend.

Dec was very conscious of the fact he shouldn't overstay his welcome or impose himself on Ant when he may just be needing some time to himself,but Ant did genuinely seem delighted to be spending time with Dec.

They were becoming very close friends which both of them were very happy about,they just bounced off each other,got each other's sense of humour and thrived on the banter between them.

"How come we've never talked about where we come from?" Dec noted one day.

"Dunno" Ant shrugged "didn't think it was that important and I think I've lost most of my accent as I've been in London so long"

"Oh,you reckon do ya?" Dec laughed "you're obviously a geordie through and through"

"Ha" Ant laughed "didn't think it was that noticable now,it is with you though"

"Yep" Dec grinned "and proud of it"

"Me too" Ant smiled "do you get to go home..."

Ant's question immediately tailed off when he realised he was putting his foot in his mouth,of course Dec didn't go home much,he was estranged from his family and was penniless until quite recently.

"Sorry" Ant muttered sheepishly.

"Hey,it's ok" Dec smiled "I used to go back quite a lot before the big fall out,how about you?"

"Yeah,I go quite often" Ant nodded "well,as much as work permits,maybe every two or three months,I wish it was more though"

"Yeah" Dec sighed,now deep in thought.

"What is it Declan?" Ant asked concerned.

"Oh,nothing" Dec replied sadly.

"Well,it's obviously something" Ant pointed out "you know I'm here if you want to talk right?"

"I just miss them" Dec suddenly blurted out.

"Oh Dec" Ant sighed "do you think it might be time?"

"For what?" Dec asked curiously.

"To get back in touch" Ant stated.

"I'm not sure I can bring myself to" Dec frowned "what if they reject me?turn me away?I don't think I could bear that"

"Well" Ant smiled "if they're as amazing as you say they are,I think that's very unlikely,maybe it's time to swallow your pride and hold out an olive branch,what have you got to lose?"

"Nothing I guess" Dec shrugged "I'm just scared.

"I know" Ant replied sympathetically "and I totally get that,but if you don't make the first move,it could be months or years before you ever see any of them ever again,maybe the rest of your life,I'm sure that's not what you want is it?"

"No" Dec whispered "but I don't have any of their phone numbers anymore"

"Well,that's just an excuse isn't it?" Ant mused "you might not have their numbers,but I'm sure you remember where they live?at least your Mam's address"

"She might have moved" Dec was clutching at straws now.

"Stop with the excuses" Ant laughed "how long has she lived there?"

"Since the 1950s" Dec mumbled.

"Since the 50s?" Ant burst out laughing "in the same house?so she's unlikely to have moved in the last few months then is she?"

"Guess not" Dec sighed,knowing he was fighting a losing battle.

The truth was he desperately wanted to see his family and especially his mother and apologise to them all,but he was so terrified of their reaction.

"I tell you what" Ant smiled "I'm thinking about visiting my Mam in a couple of weeks,I'm driving up,so why don't you come with me?"

"Really?" Dec asked surprised.

"Yeah" Ant nodded.

"It's time for you to fix things with your family!"