Dec was worried.

Ant had been gone for almost two hours now.

He was only supposed to have gone for a short walk,maybe twenty minutes like Dec had suggested,so where the hell was he?

Dec knew he was probably being ridiculous,Ant had reached middle age without Dec having to babysit for him after all,but he couldn't help it.

"Hi Dec" Dec was suddenly startled out of his skin when Ant entered his hotel room where Dec was still waiting.

"Where have you been?" Dec demanded to know "I've been worried sick"

"Alright Mam" Ant laughed "I've been for a walk,like you told me to"

"For two bloody hours?" Dec said,in a slightly angry voice.

"Dec,calm down" Ant sighed "it's nice that you worry about me,but there's really no need"

"Thought you were gonna text me when you were on your way back?" Dec frowned.

"Oh yeah,sorry,I forgot" Ant replied sheepishly.

"I tried calling you" Dec stated.

"Did you?" Ant took his phone out of his pocket and noticed three missed calls from Dec "I guess I didn't hear it,all the hustle and bustle,you know?"

"I guess" Dec sighed.

"Are we good?" Ant smiled,while placing a friendly hand on Dec's back.

"Yeah" Dec nodded,knowing there wasn't any point in staying annoyed at Ant "where did you go anyway?"

"Down to the quayside" Ant replied "got talking to some old fella and his dog"

"Oh yeah?" Dec grinned "what did the dog have to say?"

"Very funny" Ant beamed "was a lovely dog though,a collie called Biscuit"

"That's cute" Dec smiled.

"Yeah" Ant nodded "I'd love to have a dog"

"Why don't you get one then?" Dec asked "let me guess...work?"

"Yeah" Ant frowned "wouldn't be fair on the dog if I'm never there"

"More reason to work less then" Dec shrugged.

Ant made himself comfortable on the bed.

"Well,that's a good point" Ant stated "the old guy,Frank was really interesting,told me a lot about his life,his struggles and everything and about how he'd do things differently if he had his time over,one thing he said really struck a chord with me"

"Oh yeah?" Dec asked interested "what was that?"

"He said that nobody ever looks back at their life and wishes they'd worked more" Ant replied.

"He sounds very wise" Dec nodded.

"Yeah" Ant agreed "I guess people wish they'd travelled more,spent more time with their kids,maybe even chosen a different career,but never that"

Dec listened intently to Ant's words,glad he was opening up again,but what he said next totally took Dec by surprise.

"So I've made a decision" Ant beamed.

"Really?" Dec asked curiously "what's that?"

"I'm going to take a career break" Ant announced proudly.

"Wow" Dec replied "for how long?"

"Not sure" Ant frowned "but six months at least"

"You can do that in your job?" Dec asked.

"Course I can" Ant smiled "it's my company,I'll just find someone to hold the fort while I'm off,then once I'm ready,I'll go back"

"Well,if you're sure?" Dec asked,slightly concerned that Ant had been pushed into something that might not be in his best interests.

"Stop worrying Dec" Ant smiled "and thank you for today,who would have thought that a quick chat and evening stroll would have helped me make such a monumental decision?maybe I won't even go back to work,not to that job anyway"

"What?" Dec asked shocked "Ant please don't make any rash decisions"

"It'll be fine Declan" Ant laughed "I can afford not to work,so why shouldn't I do something fun for a while?"

"Like what?" Dec mused.

"Travel" Dec announced "it's been years since I had a holiday"

"On your own?" Dec asked surprised.

"No,not on my own" Ant grinned "you'll be coming with me"

"Er what?" Dec said.

"You're coming with me" Ant repeated "and I won't take no for an answer"

"Where to?" Dec asked "not sure I can afford a holiday just yet,I haven't been working that long"

"Well,obviously I'll be paying" Ant frowned "and don't you dare say I don't have to,I know I don't have to,but I want to and I'm going to"

Dec knew there was no point in arguing with Ant and his new found enthusiasm for life was actually infectious,Dec was happy for him,but just hoped it would all go to plan and he wouldn't regret his decision.

"Ok" Dec smiled "that would be amazing"

"I'll have a think about where we can go" Ant grinned "so many amazing places to choose from,where's your favourite holiday destination?"

"Umm...Blackpool" Dec muttered.

"Blackpool?" Ant laughed raucously "I think we can do better than that"

Ant paused for a moment,a sudden thought entering his head.

"Wait a minute" he frowned "you have been abroad before haven't you?"

Dec shook his head,feeling slightly embarrassed.

"Mam and Dad could never afford it growing up" he sighed "taking a family of nine abroad would be pretty expensive"

"Yeah,I get that" Ant nodded "but what about with your mates,ex girlfriends,Ali?"

"Just didn't happen" Dec shrugged "mostly because of money"

"So you've never got pissed with your pals and danced the night away in Ibiza?" Ant asked "you know?when you were younger,chatting up the girls and all that?"

"No" Dec laughed "and you can do all that at home anyway"

"Can't guarantee the weather though" Ant pointed out.

"True" Dec agreed "but it is what it is"

"That's settled then" Ant grinned "I'm gonna book somewhere gloriously sunny and beautiful"

"Er...I don't have a passport" Dec frowned.

"Well,that's not a problem is it?" Ant smiled "we'll get you one,it's not like we're going abroad tomorrow"

"Wouldn't put it past you" Dec quipped.

Dec looked at Ant for a moment,he had to admit that this was probably the happiest that Dec had ever seen his friend and if a career break was what it took,then Dec was completely on board with it.

"This Frank has had quite an effect on you" Dec noted.

"Yeah" Ant smiled "it's not just him though,I've thought about what you've said too and even Mam came out with some stuff today,if so many people are concerned for me,then maybe it is time to take a step back and reevaluate things"

"I'm glad if it will make you happier" Dec replied.

"Might even do some voluntary work" Ant grinned.

"Steady now" Dec laughed "what kind of voluntary work?"

"Don't know yet" Ant shrugged "there's always plenty of choice though and you can do it too"

"Oh can I?" Dec joked,not surprised that he would be dragged into whatever Ant had planned "one step at a time eh?"

"Yeah" Ant nodded "I'm excited for it though"

"Good" Dec smiled "anyway,I'd probably better be having an early night,meeting Mam and Pat tomorrow"

"Where are you going?" Ant enquired.

"No idea yet" Dec replied "I guess we'll sort all that out in the morning,to be honest,I'm surprised I haven't had a million texts and calls from my brother's and sister's now Mam has no doubt told them that I'm back"

"She probably told them to give you some space" Ant suggested.

"Yeah,that's very likely" Dec nodded "I made it very clear I would be overwhelmed very easily by it all"

"Well,thanks for today Dec" Ant smiled.

"I should be thanking you Ant" Dec pointed out.

He held out his arms and the two men embraced warmly,both totally appreciative for what the other had done for them.

"Goodnight Ant" Dec beamed as he made his way to his room through the adjoining door "sleep well"

"You too Declan"

Ant and Dec both went to sleep dreaming of their changing lives,Ant imagining how different things would be now he was putting work on a back burner for a while and Dec knowing he would be welcomed back into his family's loving arms.

He was still nervous about meeting Pat the next day,he adored his big sister and Anne had tried to reassure him that she would be so happy to see him,nevertheless,he still had worries.

Ant did his best to make him see that he was worrying about nothing and how well it had gone with his Mam the previous day,so why should it be any different today with Pat?

"Where are you guys meeting then?" Ant asked,as Dec made himself comfortable on his bed yet again.

"They're coming here" Dec announced.

"Oh really?" Ant asked surprised "how come?"

"Just spoke to Mam" Dec replied "apparently everyone is desperate to see me"

"That's nice" Ant beamed.

"Yeah" Dec nodded "but as I said,I'm not quite ready for all that yet,so rather than risking everyone turning up at Mam's or having any public displays of emotion in a restaurant or something,we decided we would have the most privacy here"

"That makes sense" Ant nodded "I'll make myself scarce then"

"You don't have to do that" Dec smiled "I've got my own room,we'll probably have lunch here in the hotel restaurant then just relax"

"It's fine Dec" Ant replied "I'm taking Mam and Sarha out anyway,so you might as well make use of both rooms"

"Where are you going?" Dec frowned "I kinda hoped you'd hang around in case I need you"

"Why would you need me?" Ant laughed "it's your mam and sister"

"Dunno" Dec shrugged "you've just always been such a great support when I've needed you,what if I need you today and you're not here?"

"Dec" Ant replied seriously "you're sounding slightly needy,all you're doing is spending time with some of your family,it'll be great,you don't need me sitting twiddling my thumbs just in case,that's ridiculous"

"I guess" Dec sighed "are you going to be out all day?"

"Maybe" Ant nodded "think we're gonna go to Whitley Bay,not been there for years,have some fish and chips down by the seafront"

"Oh,I know" Dec stated "how about me,Mam and Pat come too?"

"No Dec" Ant laughed "that would be silly,just stop worrying and enjoy the day and if you're really desperate,I'm just a phone call away"

"Ok" Dec sighed,admitting defeat "have a good time then"

"I will" Ant smiled "you too,oh and make sure you charge any expenses to me"

Ant got himself ready for the day and left to pick up his mother and sister.

That just left Dec to wait...and wait.

Anne and Pat were arriving at 11am,but it had only just gone 9 o'clock,so he tried to distract himself by watching tele.

He ordered a full English from room service,but he was too nervous to stomach it and it mainly went untouched on the plate.

He didn't even know why he was so nervous,he just was.

But all those nerves dissolved into an invisible puddle when he opened his hotel door and saw his beloved sister standing there,immediately falling into each other's arms.

That told Dec that everything would be ok!