The movie, Love Actually, is one of Richard Curtis's finest stories and movies by far. I loved all the characters so much that I decided to expand the story of Daniel and Carol a.k.a. Claudia Schiffer and their journeys through love loss, love found and the journey in between which gives the human spirit a fighting chance at love, actually. These wonderful characters belong wholly to Richard Curtis, which I kindly thank him. Enjoy!

January 6 - 8pm

Daniel and Sam's house

London

Daniel is sitting at his computer and looking at a blank screen. That is how life feels so far. A step son to raise who is in love, and ungodly fate if the love is unrequited. The loss of his spouse, darling Joanna and curiously enough meeting Carol. Daniel sighs and hears Sam beating on his drums upstairs.

"Sam!" Daniel bellows. The drums stop and Daniel hears Sam's bedroom door open and hears a shuffling of feet down the stairs.

"Yes?" Sam asks quietly. "How do you expect me to get any work done if you continue to pound on those bloody drums all night?" Daniel was a bit put out. "Daniel are you ok?" Sam asked.

As usual, Daniel couldn't help but admire Sam's intuition to ask the wrong question at the right moment. The wrong question because Sam was right at the surface of Daniel's broken heart and Daniel couldn't handle that particular moment especially in front of his step son. Daniel had tears running down his face as he looked at a picture of his beloved wife thinking why does such a thing happen at such a young age? Daniel kept thinking over and over again. It was driving him bloody insane.

As Karen put it "No one will want to shag you if you are crying all the time"

"I feel like a real sissy! Bugger it" Daniel said. Wiping his eyes. Sam laughed and replied "Dad, you can't be a sissy if you want to attract Claudia Schiffer" They both laughed. Daniel gave Sam a bear hug and threw him over his shoulder and said "let's have some ice cream"

Later that night when Daniel had gone to bed and thinking about what Sam had said about Claudia Schiffer, Daniel immediately thought of Carol and her winsome face. God, those eyes of hers. They are bloody fantastic. Get a grip Daniel thought as his body responded to wicked thoughts of Carol. Christ, she is a mother and her son Tommy is Sam's mate at school. I am a pervert. I will never get shagged again and sod it, I am suppose to be a grieving widower. But in the still of the night, Daniel smiled and had more deviant thoughts about Claudia and Carol.

January 6 - 10pm

Carol and Tommy's house

London

Carol just looked up and saw the clock. Almost 10 and Tommy isn't in bed! Crikey! Carol goes down stairs calling "Tommy." No answer.

"Tommy, there you are!" Standing in the lounge doing air guitar was Tommy with no idea I am watching him. "Tommy" Carol waved her hands to gain his attention. Her son whirled around and stepped on Carol's toe.

"Ouch" Carol yelped. "Mum, sorry!" he said and continued his air guitar. Carol pointed to her watch and Tommy got the hint and headed up to bed still gyrating to U2 up the stairs. Carol remembered being Tommy's age and listening to grunge bands all day and thanking God she never had to be age 12 again. Bloody awful at that age being the tallest girl in school with braces and most popular wallflower.

Carol stopped in front of the mirror looking at her image. Hmm. I am not bad for 35. A few more wrinkles but still firm and lithe. Yoga was the best thing for keeping my body in prime condition she thought. Carol recalled some of the ladies from yoga talking about how yoga has improved their sex lives. What sex life? Carol thought bemused. Carol turned pink thinking for some reason about Daniel and how many positions she and he could...she broke off her thoughts. Bloody Christ. What could she possibly be thinking? Daniel, poor man, just lost his wife! But there was a definite connection when we met at the Christmas pageant. I know so. Daniel just stared at me and murmured the name Karen. I gently reminded him my name was Carol and he appeared embarrassed. Wonder what that was about? Maybe I will ring him in the morning and ask him! He was the first man in a long time who was actually taller than me.

Feeling more confidant than she had in a couple years since her divorce, Carol fell asleep with a slight smile on her face. Little did she know at that moment, Daniel was having a dream about Carol.

January 7 - 2am

Daniel and Sam's house

London

Daniel woke up suddenly and sweating. He had a erotic dream about Carol. It was so real he thought. Running his hands through is hair, he got out of bed and padded downstairs and paced with confusing thoughts. I feel so guilty having feelings for another woman other than Joanna. Bollocks! I am an Arse. Berating himself Daniel dragged himself back to bed and tossed and turned until drifting off into a deep sleep.

January 7 - 7am

Daniel and Sam's house

London

Daniel woke up feeling worn out. I need to start the day he thought and trudged downstairs to make some strong coffee. Sam was supposed to be up by now. Daniel started the coffee and head back upstairs to retrieve his step son.

Sam was curled up in a small bundle in his blankets. Daniel shook Sam gently.

"Time to get up Sam. Come on now you don't want to be late for school" Sam moaned and rolled over. Daniel sighed. Sam is not a morning person. Another attempt at waking Sam. "Come on, get your Arse out of that bed" Daniel said with more authority. Sam opened one an eye and looked at Daniel. "Aww Daniel, I am a musician and we get to sleep all day" Sam was cheeky. "You won't be a musician for long without your drum set" Sam jumped out of the bed and headed for the loo.

Daniel smiled. He was making progress he thought. Joanna would be proud of both of them. The thought of Joanna made Daniel pause with guilt feelings about Carol again. I know Joanna had joked about Daniel meeting Claudia Schiffer one day, after she was gone. It is that same frightening feeling he had when he ran into Carol in the hallway at Sam's school. He thought she was Claudia in person. Bloody hell I don't have time to think about this again. He rushed off to get Sam to school on time.

The phone rang, it was Karen. "Daniel, its Karen. Sorry I haven't rang sooner, but I have been a little preoccupied" "Everything ok?" Karen's voice was a bit odd he thought. "Just the usual chaos, but I am fine. Harry is out of town for a couple of weeks and the kids are being unruly. Same old same old." Karen didn't seem her usual self Daniel thought. "Daniel, the reason I called was wondering if I could pop around later for a bit of chat? I would like to get a man's perspective on something" She finished.

"Of course, anything you need" Daniel replied. "Ok thanks I will see you in a bit and oh and one more than" 'Yes" Daniel said. "Are you being manly or being a sissy? Karen teased him. Daniel said "Bugger off" Karen laughed and rang off.

Daniel pondered the phone call and the ringing of the phone brought him out of his reverie. "Hello, is that you again Karen?" Daniel said jokingly. "No. Its Carol" she sounded a but perplexed. "Oh Christ, sorry about that I was just chatting with Karen. You remember her, Bernie's Mum?" Daniel was rambling. "Oh yes, I know Karen and Harry. Lovely couple" There was an awkward pause. "So Carol I have meant to ring you and ask you for coffee or tea if you like" Daniel stammered. His palms sweating. Damn he thought. "That is a coincidence Daniel. I was about to ask you the same thing" The both laughed and chatted a bit more. The agreed to meet on Friday morning to meet at a local café and walk along the Thames.

Carol was relieved to know that "Karen" was part of the couple Karen and Harry. She went about her errands with a smile on her face looking forward to Friday.

Daniel thought he should try to attempt some push ups. He did 10 and was winded. Bollocks! I will do more tomorrow he vowed. I need to get back into shape he felt so old. Daniel headed for a shower before Karen arrived.

Karen arrived about 11 and they sat at the kitchen table. Karen looked tired Daniel thought.

"Karen what is it?" Daniel was direct. "Oh God, Daniel. I have been holding something in for the longest while not knowing what to do!" Karen started crying. Daniel felt helpless not sure what is wrong. "Harry bought a gold necklace for Mia" Karen explained. "Mia, his new assistant?" Daniel felt a surge of protectiveness toward his friend. "Yes" was all Karen said. "Does Harry know that you know?" "Yes, I asked him about it straightaway at the Christmas Pageant. "Well what did Harry say?" Daniel guessed. "He simply said he was a classic fool and I told him he made me and the life I lead foolish too. I really don't know what to do Daniel" Karen wiped her nose. "I don't know if my marriage is ending or if there is any hope. I am relieved that Harry is gone so I can sort my feelings. Bloody Mia gets a gold necklace and I get sad CD of Joni Mitchell" Karen said disgustingly. Daniel could see her struggle for composure and added "Karen no one will want to shag you if you are crying all the time" Karen was laughing and crying at the same time. She soon realized that was the same line she used on Daniel shortly after Joanna's funeral. "Christ Daniel. We are both a mess" Daniel hugged Karen and poured them both some strong coffee.

Daniel advised Karen "not to do anything drastic until you sort your feelings out" Karen looked at Daniel and thought he was a wise man and dear friend. Karen winked her thanks and headed home.

Daniel reflected that the Christmas Pageant was a pivotal point for both of them.

January 10 - 10:15 am

Café Espresso on the Thames

London

Daniel kept looking out the café window waiting to see the form of Carol walking towards him. He was nervousness observed the petite lady behind the counter. The bloke probably has a blind date. Lots of blind dates meet up here she thought. He is tall and good looking Perpetua looked him up and down. Daniel was clueless. Well maybe I might have a go at him if his date didn't show. Perpetua smirked and waited on the next customer.

Carol was running late. The cabby had gotten lost. Of all days, she has to get muddled up with a cabby with no sense of direction. Blast him. I am fifteen minutes late. The cabby finally made it to the entrance of the café. Carol hurried into the café only to be stopped in her tracks. Daniel had a rather attractive woman fawning all over him. What the? Carol peered at the other woman as Daniel stammered "Carol". Perpetua brazenly wrote her number down and gave to Daniel and sauntered off back behind the counter.

Carol had learned long ago not to make too many assumptions. But by the sheepish look on Daniel's face he was rather embarrassed. But that woman! What a tart. Carol threw a menacing glance toward Perpetua.

"Daniel friend of yours?" Carol smiled warmly. "No, I don't know her. She works here" Daniel felt like a complete moron. "Daniel, relax. I am not upset. Rather surprised at her devotion to her work" Carol winked which eased Daniel's mind.

Daniel suggested she order. He couldn't wait to get away from Perpetua and complete disaster. But quite un-expectantly, Daniel grabbed Carol's hand and headed out the door. Perpetua called out to them for Carol's drink, but they were gone. Who is going to pay for this drink Perpetua scowled.

Both of them were giggling like two kids as the ran down the walk along the Thames and finally out of breathe, stopped to watch a rowing team race by.

"Daniel, why did you bolt like that?" Carol had rosie cheeks from the cool weather. "Well, that girl positively frightened me, if I am to be honest" Daniel grabbed his sides trying to catch his breathe. Carol laughed at his honest remark. "I am not used to women who are that forward" More like that young he thought not wanting to show is age in front of Carol. "Was she that bad then?" Carol looked at him quizzically. "I prefer women who are just like you" Daniel admitted rather surprising then both. Daniel grabbed her hand and continued their leisurely walk avoiding further personal conversation.

After sometime walking, Carol broke the silence. "So Daniel how are you coping lately?" she asked with concern. "Well I am doing alright. Karen has helped a lot and meeting you.."Daniel trailed off. Carol squeezed Daniels' hand as if to say "I understand".Daniel swung Carol around as they stood facing each other. "You have the most fantastic eyes" Daniel said staring as if seeing her for the very first time. Carol blushed under his scrutiny. "Daniel, I.." Carol halted trying to think of something to say. "Thanks" was all she could manage. Daniel kissed her forehead. The moment was magic.