Set on June 26th. The reveal and aftermath never happened. Danielle is still keeping her secret, Archie knows nothing and Ronnie is none the wiser. Danielle and Ronnie have barely spoken since the abortion. Danielle has gone back into her shell after being abandoned once again by Ronnie and Ronnie can't face being around Danielle after she let her down. The abortion brought back too much pain.
The streets of Albert Square were dark, it was only evening but already there were groups of lads on the corners downing cider and wandering around aimlessly looking for their fun for the night.
Stacey and Danielle were finishing downing their eighth shots at the Vic. After everything that had happened, Stacey was treating Danielle to what she called a well deserved night out.
Stacey: Come on then birthday girl! Lets get you to R&R's and get some more drinks down you. Can't have you remembering your twentieth!
Stacey flicked the '20' badge she had bought for Danielle that was now pinned to her chest for emphasis.
Danielle: Thanks Stace. Right, bring on the club!
The girls stumble out of the Vic into the chill of the evening. Stacey was desperate to show Danielle a good night after everything. Going to R&R's was risky but Danielle had been much more relaxed recently about Ronnie. There were still the odd moments where Stacey had to look away for fear of gagging or even just telling Ronnie herself, when Danielle would just stare and moon over Ronnie. But Danielle seemed to Stacey to be moving on.
Danielle was nervous heading to R&R. Even with the alcohol numbing her slightly, she was always nervous around Ronnie. She had made an effort to hide it as much as she could. She even tried to not care, but it was impossible. Ronnie was her mum and no matter what happened between them she just wanted Ronnie to love her.
The two girls laughed and joked together as they walked into the club. It was a Friday night and packed.
Danielle: Right I'll get the first round in. You start looking for guys we can get to get the rest of the drinks in.
Stacey laughed as Danielle walked away. She had already had more alcohol that she was used to and swayed slightly as she made her way to the bar.
Behind the bar Ronnie and Dawn were serving drinks. The usual cover hadn't been able to make it so Ronnie had to work the shift and tonight it was the last thing she wanted to do. All she wanted was to be alone, to remember her daughter in peace.
Danielle leant heavily on the bar.
Danielle: Four tequila shots please.
Dawn was busy with a group of lads across the other side of the bar. Ronnie moved forwards and started pouring the shots.
Ronnie: £8 Danielle.
Danielle: Yeah, here, thanks.
She passed the money over to Ronnie and refused to meet her eyes, she couldn't bear to. Not tonight. She dared a quick glance up only to find Ronnie had already moved away and was serving someone else already.
Stacey had managed to find a very drunken group of guys out celebrating their university graduations and burning off the remainder of their student loans on drinks. She lost count of how much they had drunk but started to notice when Danielle couldn't stand on her own any more. She was being helped by one of the lads and they were making their way to the bar.
Danielle was practically draped over the bar in an inebriated effort to stay on her feet. Adam, the lad was behind her pressing himself against her. His hands wandered aimlessly around her stomach and chest, his smug grin unmissable.
Adam: Oi. Six shots of whatever's strongest yeah?
Ronnie looked over at the pair. Danielle's eyes were closing as she lay on the bar and every few seconds she slid slightly backwards before Adam pushed her forwards once again. Ronnie couldn't help the protective urge that came over her, she had been through an abortion with Danielle and she had always seemed so sensible, so quiet and 'good'. Seeing her practically paralytic and being obviously groped by some hormonal post adolescent made Ronnie uncomfortable. Part of her just wanted to drag Danielle back to the Slaters' and stop her doing anything stupid.
Ronnie: Don't you think she's had enough?
Ronnie reached forwards and lifted Danielle's chin. Danielle simply pulled her head aimlessly to the side without even managing or bothering to open her eyes and responded with an incoherent groan.
Ronnie: Danielle?
Adam: Look lady, she can have as many drinks as she wants yeah? She's the birthday girl!
Adam grabbed Danielle's badge to point it out to Ronnie. In doing so he made sure to grab Danielle's breast and smirked to himself.
Ronnie: She's twenty? Today?
Ronnie was shocked. Just seeing somebody with Amy's birthday, her exact birthday, it was too hard. It was like a kick in the guts to Ronnie. She was looking at everything her Amy could have been and never would be. She forgot about Danielle and numbly placed the shots on the bar, taking Adam's money.
After Adam had somehow managed to pour the shots into Danielle they were pressed together on the dance floor, his hands covering Danielle's backside and slowly moving up under her dress, his mouth pressed up in a messy and seemingly endless kiss against hers.
Stacey: Right Dan, time to go.
Stacey had had enough of trying to fend off the other blokes and when she had looked around to find Danielle had realised that things had gone way too far.
Ronnie was watching from behind the bar. The shock was finally beginning to wear off and she couldn't help feeling a bit queasy as she watch Danielle get practically molested. It wasn't right for any girl to be taken advantage of, but especially not Danielle, not with everything she had been through lately.
Danielle: No, m'not goin'.
Adam: Doesn't look like she wants to go. I'll take care of her don't worry.
Stacey: Yeah I know exactly how you'll take care of her and it ain't happening.
Adam nodded to his friends and one of the larger of the group came over and tried to kiss Stacey. It took a long time for Stacey to be able to prise him off her. Adam had already taken Danielle half way to the door to leave.
Stacey: Look get off my mate and I won't have to kick your nuts in yeah?
Danielle: No, I'm dancing. I like Alex.
Adam: It's Adam. But not to worry babe, you can call me anything you like.
Ronnie stepped out from behind the bar. This was all getting out of hand.
Ronnie: Well how about she calls you a taxi and you leave?
Adam: She's old enough to choose for herself. What are you, her mother?