Alice sat dozing on the chair by Charlotte's bed. She had barely managed to get any shut eye at all thanks to those damn hospital chairs! You'd think they'd introduce something a bit more comfy considering their purpose!

Charlotte was doing really well, she was off the ventilator and breathing fine by herself which was a relief. The doctor had been to look at her stitches and said they were looking good too. So she was physically doing well, 'out of the danger zone.' But she still hadn't woken up. It was completely normal they had told Alice, she'd suffered a traumatic experience and the mind needed time to recover.

"When will she wake up?" she'd asked.

"It's impossible to say really could be days, weeks, months even. However, she's young which is to her advantage it's why her wounds are healing well too..." Doctor Fleming told her.

Alice remembered how when Charlotte was younger she'd never been without healing scabs on her knees. Yet, even though they had always healed quick it wasn't long before she'd fell again and added new ones.

God, she didn't think she'd cope if Charlie stayed like this for months.

"...so my feeling, and my hope, is that Charlotte will wake up soon but even when she does wake up, after her ordeal, there could still be problems with memories, dreams and so on."

Alice knew that from her own experience and she hadn't even been attacked. Danny, too, had told her about his run in with Hobe and the affect it had had on him and Charlotte's was even worse than that! All they could do was hope and make sure they were there to support her.

She was woken by the door opening and the cry of "Mum!" as Danny walked in pushing Robert's pram.

"Hello my baby." She lifted him up hugging him tight and kissing Danny in greeting.

"How is she?" he asked moving to the side of Charlie's bed and kissing her forehead.

"Better. Hopefully she'll wake up soon." They sat beside each other, Robert on Alice's knee falling asleep again. "How's the wee man been?"

"He woke up a couple of times last night, just crying, but he seemed in a better mood this morning. Could do with a sleep though." Alice manoeuvred him gently allowing Robert to get comfy. Danny smiled at him. "How are you? You look tired."

She laughed, "You're not looking too hot yourself Mr Trevanion," Danny's face still had that concerned look. "I'm fine Danny."

Robert was now fast asleep, "Lie his pram back and I'll lie him in." He opened his eyes as Alice lay him down she stroked his cheek and his eyes grew heavy again.

She sat back beside Danny this time leaning into his chest as he wrapped an arm round her.

"How's everyone at home?"

"Fine." He said rather quickly. Alice pulled back, looked at him questioningly, he tried not to flinch from her penetrating gaze. "Ed said he'd sort the hospital and I told Rosie I'd call her later about coming up. Caroline and Nomsa were wanting to come to and Fatani said he'd manage without Liv at the bar so she could visit."

"What about Dupe?" Alice asked noticing how he had seemed to deliberately not mention him.

Danny's jaw clenched, for Alice, a tell tale sign something was up with her husband.

"Danny?"

"What about him?" He asked angrily

She looked confused, "How is he? Is he coming up?"

"I don't care. And I told him he's not welcome."

Alice stood up abruptly, "You did what?" she whispered harshly conscious of the fact Robbie was still sleeping.

"He left her." Danny whispered back incredulously.

Alice shook her head a look of disbelief. "Phone him now. What have you said to him?"

"What! Alice it's his fault-"

"It is not Daniel Trevanion. I can't believe you, do you think Charlotte's thinking that? Huh?"

His anger was building again. "If it wasn't for him she wouldn't be in that position."

"Charlotte means the world to Dupe. You know it, I know it, everyone knows it. All the kids do Rosie, Evan, Olivia and Robert too. He'd risk his life for any one of us and if it hadn't been for him Charlie would not be here and that's a fact." Danny looked away, his stubborn jaw still set. "Call him."

"No." Alice had a flashback to what Caroline had said about Danny after his dad came back with them from London "He's a very proud man."

She sat back beside him, "Please Danny." He still refused to look at her. She exhaled. "Fine but it's between you and him. I want him here."

No reply from Danny. Eventually after feeling his face just about burning off as Alice looked at him he nodded. She smiled though still not completely satisfied.

An awkward silence fell. Alice leaned on Danny's shoulder she hated not talking to him. Danny exhaled, Alice was right he was angry at Dupe not her. Though, he was still surprised by how she felt. He wrapped his arms around her again she looked up at him, her tired blue eyes still looking gorgeous as always. He leaned in and kissed her soft lips passionately. She responded.

She wasn't going to argue with him the two of them always had trouble when it came to a difference of opinion and she needed him too much at a time like this to fight with him. She just hoped he'd swallow his pride. For the sake of his friendship.

"I think this is the only time we've kissed without a disgusted 'ugh' from Charlie" He said.

Alice smiled sadly and looked at her daughter, "And I've never wanted to hear one so much in my life." Danny nodded.

"She's going to be fine."

"I know she is." They had to stay positive.