A/N: This fic is slightly AU. In the sense that there is an OC in this story that I have created. This is set after the finale, most of the story will remain the same, except three things Alice's mum hasn't died, Rowan doesn't make it through the accident and Dupe dying, even after all this time I refuse to accept he died, and I really want him in this story, he's fun to write.
T/W: Generally this is rated T, but parts of it will be M. So please read with caution. Trigger Warning for Abuse, Descriptions of Abuse and Self-Harm/Suicide. You've been warned.
Danny looked out of the window. A taxi had pulled up outside Leopard's Den, he knew that they were not expecting any guests today, and Dupe and Caroline were on holiday, and Rosie and Dylan were on their honeymoon, so he headed outside to see who was there.
A young boy was the first person to get out of the taxi, Danny thought he looked about two years old. He wore a fisherman's style hat, cargo shorts and a blue t-shirt, he carried a stuffed giraffe and squinted as the bright sun assaulted his eyes. If he hadn't had known where his son Robert was and had only had a quick glance at the boy, he may have easily got the two children mixed up.
The boy was followed by a young woman, his best guess was that she was around 20 years old, she had short black hair and wore a red check shirt with jean shorts, she grabbed a large suitcase out of the boot of the car, paid the driver and looked towards Danny.
...
"Can I help you?" Danny asked walking down the stairs towards them.
"I don't know" she replied, with a strong Scottish accent, Danny noticed her blue eyes, she was related to Alice in some way, that was for sure. "I'm looking for Alice Collins, sorry Trevanion, have I got the right place?"
"Erm, yes, I'm Danny, Alice's husband. Can I ask what this is about?" He asked, confused.
"Yeah, erm, it's complicated, but let's just say it's family stuff. I really need to talk to Alice".
There was a hint of anxiety to her words, Danny detected this and was concerned. "Sorry, I'll go get her, you better come in, I'll get your bag," he told her, picking up the suitcase.
"I'll go get her, sorry, come in. I'll get your bag" Danny told her, picking up the suitcase.
The young woman took the boys hand and followed Danny inside.
"Alice!" Danny shouted as they stepped inside "You here?"
Alice stepped out of the bedroom door "Could you keep it down Danny, I've just got Bobby down..." Alice stopped midsentence, her eyes spotting the younger woman. She shut the bedroom door. "Lucy? What are you doing here?"
"Hi, erm, Alice, we need to talk" The woman, Lucy told her.
"Mummy" The young boy tugged Lucy's hand, he spoke with a childlike lisp "Is that Auntie Alice?"
"Mummy? Auntie?" Alice quizzed "Looks like we really do need to talk"
"We do, about a lot of things, but to cut a long story short, this is Alex, I guess there would be better ways to introduce you, but he's your nephew. Look, I really need to talk to you"
"Okay, Okay. Come in the office" Alice said slightly alarmed at Lucy's tone of voice. "Erm, Danny, will you watch Alex, maybe get him something to eat?"
"Sure, anything in particular?" Danny asked
"He's not fussy. Just no nuts, please. He's allergic" Lucy instructed.
And with that Alice and Lucy went into the office.