"Come on Ant,don't be shy" Anne urged "you can sit here next to our Declan" she patted the back of the seat she that she wanted him to sit in.

"Thanks" Ant smiled as he took his place between Dec and Eammon.

He couldn't believe what he was seeing in front of him on the extendable dining table.There was probably at least five times as much food as his family had eaten at their Christmas dinner and Ant was looking forward to tucking in so much that he could already feel his anxiety starting to dwindle.

The table was crammed full of every kind of deliciousness imaginable.Not one type of meat but three,roast chicken,beef and lamb and even a nut roast for the vegetarian phase that Cam was currently going through,which Anne was pretty sure would be over and done with by this time next week,but for now she was happy to go along with it.The floral table cloths were adorned with bowls of steaming roast potatoes,mashed potatoes,Yorkshire puddings and various vegetables as well as generous jugs of gravy.

"Wow" Ant stated as he admired what was laid out in front of him "this looks lovely Mrs Donn....I mean Anne"

Fonsey laughed at Ants amazed expression.

"Don't think we eat like this all the time son,this is only on Sundays and everyone contributes"

That made sense to Ant now,Decs siblings either worked or their other halves did,so if everyone put something in,then of course it would be more affordable.That was such a great idea.

"We all buy something towards the dinner every week" Dec informed Ant.

"Guess what I buy?"

"Umm dunno" Ant replied "the Yorkshire puddings?"

"Nope,I buy the vegetables" Dec announced proudly "that's my job,today i got peas,carrots and parsnips"

"And he's very good at it too" Moyra laughed.

"Tuck in everybody" Fonsey ordered "help yourself Ant"

Ant was now realising he had probably been worrying about nothing and started to enjoy the delicious meal,having only put a small amount on his plate as he didn't want to look too greedy.

"A growing boy like you needs more than that Ant" Anne smiled as she took over his portion control and piled more food onto his plate.

"Thanks" Ant was enjoying listening to the banter around the table,smiling over at the kids sitting at their separate little table,at least it took the emphasis off of him,but sadly not for long.

"So Ant" Martin stated "Decky here tells us you're an actor too?you met on the set of Byker Grove right?"

"Yeah we did" Ant shyly replied.

"How do you like it so far?" Pat joined in.

"Yeah it's good,pays the bills like"

"What?" Dermott was surprised "why is someone your age worrying about paying bills?"

"Well" Ant shuffled uncomfortably in his chair,the scrutiny meaning he wasn't enjoying his food so much now "I have to help me Mam like,Dad up and left us a few years back.It's hard for her being a single parent"

"Oh sorry Ant,i didn't mean to pry" Dermott sighed apologetically.

"It's ok" Ant replied politely,although this was what he had been dreading,he hoped he'd just be hanging out with Dec and having a nice bit of dinner without getting the third degree from everyone,but apparently that wasn't to be the case.

"Must be hard for you and your Mam?" Anne sympathised.

"Yeah it can be at times,but we get by" Ant was showing more interest in the slab of beef he was attempting to cut through than the conversation,Anne certainly liked her meat well done.

By now Dec was sensing Ants discomfort and attempted to bring the conversation back to acting.

"Me and Ant are going to be having a fair few scenes together" he told everyone "apparently our characters are going to become best friends"

"Oh good" Anne smiled "that'll be nice for you both,working together more"

"So is this your first adventure into television?" Fonsey enquired "like our Declan here?although he nearly got the part in Geordie racer,broke his little heart when he missed out it did"

"Dad" Dec groaned "why do you have to bring that up?that was ages ago,I'm over it now"

Ant observed the exchange between father and son.

"Err no actually,I did something else a while back"

"Really?" Dec was surprised,Ant had never mentioned anything about any other acting jobs.

"It was nothing special,wasn't actually an acting job" Ant insisted "just did something for a kids programme"

"Really?" Dec repeated "Which one?"

"Why don't you?" Ant stated.

"No way" Dec excitedly replied "I love 'why don't you?' What did you do on it?"

"I made sweet fried eggs" Ant grimaced at the memory "that was one of the things"

"No way?that was you?" Dec was now laughing hysterically,drawing everyone elses attention to him,none of them really sure what he was laughing at,having never watched the programme.

"I just watched a repeat of that episode the other day,no way was it you!" He grinned.

"I'm afraid it was" Ant replied,not quite sure what to make of Decs reaction.

"That's brilliant,I never recognised you" Dec was still laughing "sweet fried eggs,that's too funny.How many times have you made them?"

"Just that once for the programme" Ant smiled,now finding Decs giggles rather infectious,he could see the funny side too,even though he'd already taken alot of stick for it at school,he wasnt totally devoid of a sense of humour after all.

"Alright Declan" Anne shook her head at her son "how about you get on with eating your dinner and let Ant do the same"

Ant was thankful for her intervention and for the fact the focus of conversation around the table had now moved on to other things.

So the boys emersed themselves into talk of their beloved Newcastle United once again,as well as their favourite bands,no one else taking any notice of either of them anymore for which Ant was incredibly grateful.

Once he had eaten the generous serving of food,Ant thought that was the best roast dinner he'd ever had,although he would never tell his Mam that.His eyes almost popped out of his head when Anne and Patricia went to the kitchen and returned with three desserts.

Dec giggled at Ants incredulous expression "Pat's responsible for bringing pudding,she always brings something great"

"So Ant,we've got lemon meringue pie,cheesecake or apple pie,what would you like?" Anne smiled.

"Umm" Ant really wanted a bit of each but he'd never have admitted that "apple pie please"

"Good choice" Dec whispered.

Ant stared at the huge portion Anne had dished up as she smothered it in hot custard.

"Enjoy" Anne said as she moved on to serve everyone else.

Ant certainly did enjoy it,afterwards he felt like he wouldn't need to eat again for at least a week as he rubbed his bulging belly.

Once dinner had finished Ant stood up and started piling the plates up neatly.

"No you don't young man" Anne scolded "you're not here to work,you're our guest,I won't have you doing any of that stuff under my roof" she threw a tea towel in Decs direction which landed with a slap in his face.

"Nice shot Mam" Martin laughed.

"Decky,you can help while Ant relaxes,it's about time you started pulling your weight around here.Ant feel free to go back upstairs if you want to"

Dec frowned as he gripped the tea towel,he wasn't sure he liked this new side to his Mams character,she never made him help,she always spoiled him,doing everything thing for him,that was the side he liked,maybe she was just showing off in front of Ant,but showing off was also his job,not his mothers.

"Ok thanks,I'll do that" Ant was grateful for the offer especially as Decs young niece had taken a bit of a shine to him.As much as he liked kids,he just didn't have the energy or inclination to entertain a little one at that precise moment.He got up off of the sofa and gently pushed the young child away and made his way back upstairs to Decs room,smiling at his mate as he glanced at Dec in the kitchen,up to his elbows in soapy washing up water.

"I'll see you in a bit Dec" Ant smiled.

"Yeah I'll be up when Mam quits with being a slave driver" he had insisted on washing up instead of drying so he'd be finished sooner.

"Declan" Anne snapped "that's enough of that or next week you'll be laying and clearing the table and drying up too"

Dec groaned,not daring to risk the fact that his Mam may have been serious with her threat.

As Ant waited patiently upstairs for Dec to finish his chores,he noticed his CD collection and happily browsed through it for the twenty minutes it took Dec to complete his chores.

"Wanna listen to some music?" Dec asked as he noticed Ants interest as he entered the room.

"Yeah ok" Ant smiled,pulling out an oasis CD "how about this one?"

After Dec had placed the CD in the player and turned the volume up,both boys stood up,it took all of ten seconds for Anne to shout up the stairs.

"DECLAN,TURN THAT RACKET DOWN,WE CAN'T HEAR OURSELVES TALK"

Dec rolled his eyes at the parent like expression before doing as he was told.

He glanced over at Ant with a huge grin on his face.

"Why are you smirking at me like a Cheshire cat?" Ant asked.

"Sweet fried eggs!" Dec stated and collapsed into a state of uncontrollable giggles onto the bed.

"Alright,I get it,you think it's hilarious" Ant elbowed Dec playfully in his side "now let's move on shall we?"

They spent a couple of hours listening to music and chatting,mainly about Newcastle United again and work,but soon it was time for Ant to leave, having promised his mother he would be home by a certain time.

Fonsey insisted on driving Ant home and Dec went along for the ride.

"Thank you so much for having me" Ant thanked Anne gratefully as he stood at the door.

"You're very welcome" Anne replied while handing a large Tupperware container over "here,take some some cheesecake home for your Mam and sister,we've got loads leftover,Pat bought three of them"

"Thank you" Ant blushed as Anne unexpectedly hugged him.

"Very affectionate our Mam" Dec laughed as they made their way to the car.

After that,Ant and Dec started to hang out more,really beginning to enjoy each others company.Unfortunately it wasn't as often as both of them would have liked,mainly due to Ants commitments at home,but at least when they were working they could make the most of the time together between shooting scenes.

Dec accepted now that his first impressions of Ant couldn't have been further from the truth,Ant really was a great guy and he really liked spending time with him.He enjoyed getting to know him,his Mam and sister and when time permitted,they would occasionally have dinner at each others houses.There was never anything as grand on offer as when Ant went over to Decs house that Sunday,but of course,Dec didn't expect there to be either.Ant was usually doing the cooking,so it was always pretty simple food,but Dec didn't mind,he was more than happy with beans or cheese on toast.

Dec loved socialising with anyone at any time and any place,it didn't matter whether it was a huge party or just a couple of friends going to a cafe,or spending time with people just listening to music and chatting,but there was one occasion he was especially looking forward to.

A family christening was coming up the following weekend and now that he was sixteen,maybe there might,just might be a small chance he could get away with having a little drink.

If only he'd thought that through properly!