Unlocking the Slater's front door, Danielle took in the scent of her home, in some odd way it comforted her, she felt safe in the arms of the Slater's and loved their company. "Who is it?!" Stacey shouted from the living room causing Danielle to jump. She didn't think anyone would be up at this time but this was Stacey Slater she was thinking about. Hoping she wasn't drunk. Danielle placed her rucksack next to the coat hanger and made her way in to the living room. "Hello" She grinned towards her best friend who was rubbing her eyes in tiredness. "Dan!" Stacey beamed and a mysterious source of energy rushed through Stacey's body as she jumped onto Danielle! "Woah, had a bit to drink Stace?!" Stacey laughed. "No! Just missed you that's all! …. Dan have you just got back this minute?" Stacey knew this wasn't the right time to ask but she knew Danielle would be annoyed with her if she told her later. Danielle's face scrunched in confusion. "Um .. yeah?" Stacey sighed. "I mean …..this is the first place you came right?" Danielle nodded and sat next to Stacey on the sofa. "Stace what's wrong? You're confusing me" Stacey started to play with her hands as she sat uncomfortably. "It's just…. Ronnie was over here wanting to see you." "Did she say why?" Danielle had pushed herself closer to Stacey to engage in the conversation. "No, but come on Dan, it can't be that important." Danielle sighed and slump back on the sofa. After a minute of the awkward silence it was Danielle who fired up the conversation again. "She was crying …" Danielle dipped her head, she wasn't prepared for Stacey's sarcasm. "Crying … you serious?" Danielle nodded. Her words were like a whisper now, still keeping her head low. "Yeah, crying. And do you know what Stace? I wanted to go up to her so badly and say everything was going to be alright." "But you didn't." Stacey finished her sentence whilst wrapping an arm around her best friend. "I don't want to be rejected again Stace, I have had enough of it to last a life time." Although Stacey's mind was yelling at her to just sort it all out with Ronnie, she knew that by saying this to Danielle would only whirl up an argument, something she just wasn't in the mood for at the present time. Pulling her arm away from Danielle, Stacey began to stand up. "Come on Dan, get to bed, make a fresh start in the morning." Stacey held up her hand for Danielle to grab hold of in which she did. After pulling her up, Stacey followed by Danielle walked out of the living room. "Come on, I'll give ya a hand with your bags." Stacey smiled as she grabbed hold of Danielle's rucksack, she did it more elegantly then Danielle as if it was as light as a feather. Danielle shook her head at how strong Stacey was as she picked up the lighter bags next to the door. Placing them next to her bed, it wasn't long until both Danielle and Stacey were asleep in what they like to call their home.
The morning sun was starting to burst through the blinds in Ronnie's flat. She didn't quite make her bedroom after raiding the minute mart for booze to drown her sorrows. Slowly lifting her head from the armchair of the sofa, her head began to pound vigorously. "So much for starting fresh." She muttered to herself as she struggled to get up from the sofa. Slowly moving over to the kitchen sink she sighed loudly at the sight of vodka bottles stacked along the windowsill. One by one she tipped the contents down the sink. Today would be her brand new start. She'd had enough of arguing and today is the day she was going to hold her white flag up. Her stomach wasn't quite up for the out of date yoghurt in the fridge. Swinging the fridge door back behind her she decided that a shower would be the best option. To start the day fresh.
Over at the Slater's house only one of the two got a decent nights sleep. For Danielle it had been a long, mind boggling night. Flicking on the kettle in the kitchen she began to scratch at her forehead, almost as if she was scratching away her thoughts. She hated herself for being such a caring person and of all people to Ronnie. "Is there enough water in there for two?" Stacey croaked whilst making her way down to the table. Danielle weakly nodded and turned round to face Stacey as she tugged at her dressing gown. "Woah, Dan it looks like you haven't slept a wink." "That's because I haven't." She moaned whilst taking a seat next to Stacey. "Ronnie?" Stacey asked. Just the one word always made Danielle's ears pick up. "Got it in one… I just… I haven't ever seen her like that before Stace… I thought she was a woman who liked to suffer in silence on her own…" She slapped her forehead. "I HATE IT THAT I CARE SO MUCH. It gets to me. Physically and mentally." Stacey placed an arm on Danielle's shoulder. Although Stacey had probably said this time and time again she knew it would make sense. "It's because she's your mum Dan. Your bound to feel this way about her. If you just talk to her." Stacey began to badger on again automatically making Danielle annoyed. She was set on telling Ronnie in her own time. She didn't need anybody especially Stacey to tell her what to do and when. The morning grogginess got into her causing her mood swings to go A wall. "Don't tell me what to do Stacey! You CAN'T understand what I'm going through!" Danielle slammed her fists onto the table whilst standing up to face the kettle. "NO I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR GOING THROUGH DAN SO TALK TO SOMEONE. AND FORGET ABOUT MY TEA I'LL GO CAF." With that, Stacey barged out of the kitchen leaving guilt to trickle through Danielle's body. "Looks like its going to be an ordinary day in Walford." Danielle scowled whilst pouring the boiling water into a cup of tea.