The next morning was grey and miserable,the clouds holding rain and the sun was no where to be seen. Danielle had rushed around the flat trying to get herself ready for work,she skipped breakfast and rushed out of the door leaving Ronnie. Although her mother had said that she needn't work on the stall and that she could have a job at the club,Danielle needed to escape sometimes. Being with Stacey was like a breath of fresh air,someone to talk to and get away from all the fuss and attention. Danielle loved the fact that Stacey didnt treat her differently,she wasn't careful with her words around her which made her feel more normal. Sitting down with a warm cup of tea Danielle watched the world go by,the pair knew they would hardly make any money today so another night out clubbing was out of the question.
Stacey watched as her friend drifted in to a daydream,sometimes she couldn't work out what she was really thinking. Keeping another one of Danielle's secrets seemed like the worst thing to do,although she couldn't march over and tell Ronnie because Danielle would never forgive her. Watching her mum over the years go through ups and downs because of medication scared Stacey,she wondered if Danielle had any real proper problems. Fiddling with the clothes on the rail she turned to her,"Did you speak to Ronnie last night?" Stacey asked.
Danielle snapped her head back from her daydream and turned to Stacey,"No,well I did but not about that. I told her all about Paul" she cringed as she said his name,she took a sip of tea.
"Paul,you told her that he was the dad?" Stacey frowned,surprised that Danielle had the guts to tell her mother something so private,she knew having a one night stand with Paul was something she regretted. "How did she take it?" she asked.
Danielle sighed walking around closer to her friend,"Actually she was ok with it,she was shocked more than anything" she explained looking up at the Vic as the curtain twitched slightly.
"Well I spoke to Paul when you went home,right cocky git thinks he is something dont he?" Stacey grunted rearranging clothes that Danielle had put out,anything to distract herself from thinking about a long miserable day ahead.
Danielle felt herself tense up,her shoulders stiffening,"What did you say?" she asked quickly her voice full of fear and panic.
"I told him where to go,and I told him not to go near ya,you dont need people like him Dan he is a complete waste of time!" Stacey snapped taking her money belt off. "Im gonna get a bacon sandwich,watch the stall will ya" she smiled walking towards the cafe.
* *
Ronnie showered and tidied up the flat,she was surprised how much of Danielle's stuff was now lying around the house. It was like a dream come true,she had longed to see her daughters clothes and bits and pieces here there and everywhere. After their chat about Paul last night Ronnie was even more determined to protect her child,for her age Danielle still seemed quite naive compared to Stacey. Of course Ronnie loved this,the fact that Danielle still needed protecting and mothering. Hearing her phone vibrate she strolled over to the kitchen table hoping the text was from her daughter,she sighed as she saw Roxy's name. "Feel like hell,how much did I drink last night? Come over soon,Amy wants to see you! Roxy x" Ronnie smiled at her sisters hangover,surely she would be used to it by now she thought. Sliding the phone down and tossing it into her handbag,she grabbed her coat,took one last look at the now tidy flat and walked out of the door.
Walking across the square she breathed in deeply appreciating the fresh air around her,life was worth living now,every single second. Ronnie stopped and felt her heart flutter as she watched Danielle serve and mingle with the customers,she looked so natural chatting away and being friendly that Ronnie didnt want to disturb her. She knew that she couldn't suffocate her daughter and be by her side all the time,even though all she wanted to do was be with her. Opening the pub doors she smiled at Tracey cleaning the bar down,the pub was quiet only a couple sitting together in the corner quietly talking to eachother. Ronnie walked up the stairs and smiled as she heard Peggy rant about the smell of sick in the bathroom.
"Morning" Ronnie grinned pushing the living room door open,she glanced at Peggy sitting in the arm chair whilst Roxy bounced Amy on her knee.
Peggy frowned,"Did you get her in this state last night? When you left I had to put her to bed,and the smell in the bathroom!" she shook her head.
Roxy turned around sarcastically rolling her eyes,"Im sorry alright,i guess I cant drink as much as I used too" she smiled as Amy grabbed a handful of her hair.
Ronnie watched as Peggy marched out of the living room and shut the door behind her,"You look rough,must be one hangover" she smiled taking her coat off and putting her bag down.
Roxy nodded and yawned,"I haven't been sick like that in ages,i swear it was like a greeny yellow colour ergh it was disgusting Ron" she explained shuddering.
Ronnie scrunched her nose up and made her way over to the window,"Thanks for that,ive just had breakfast" she replied moving the curtain and looking straight over at Stacey's stall. Danielle's smile filled her with love,she loved her more than anything in the world.
"Hows Danielle,she was acting abit weird last night..everything alright?" Roxy asked watching her big sister stare out of the window in a world of her own. "Ronnie?" she called hoping to catch her attention.
Ronnie turned around pleased that Danielle hadn't caught her staring,"Oh,yeah shes fine,just tired I think" she replied not wanting to go into detail about Paul,it was none of Roxy's business and she would never betray her daughter like that.
Roxy grinned,"Well we have to have another night out like that,just think when Amy is old enough we can all go out together,yes we can!" she gasped at Amy holding her high above her head whilst she giggled.
Ronnie watched the sweet scene,sometimes it was hard to believe that party girl Roxy had turned so motherly,she was so good with Amy. Roxy devoted herself to Amy,she was a great mum and although Jack being the father wasn't ideal,Ronnie barely cared anymore. Danielle was now the entire world to her,she didnt need Jack Branning to make her happy.
* *
"Your hot then your cold,your yes then your no,your in and your out,your up then your down" Danielle tapped her foot along to the beat of the song on the radio,she couldn't help but get lost in the lyrics that were so much like Ronnie. Her mothers behavior had changed dramatically since knowing the truth. With her back turned to the Vic,she and Stacey were busy trying to make some plans for the weekend,with hardly any money they were limited on where to go and what to do.
"We could go down town I suppose,but we need to make some money Dan these new clothes aint selling!" Stacey moaned running a hand through her hair trying her hardest not to notice Bradley and Max walking into the Minute Mart.
Danielle picked up some new stock and held it to the side,"Im not being funny Stace but I dont think Mo would wear some of this stuff" she laughed at the bright yellow jumper,causing Stacey to giggle and snatch it off her.
"Yeah well I wanna order some more of them leather jackets,im sure Ian could do with a new one he practically lives in it" Stacey laughed turning to Danielle now in a daydream again. "Oi,what is with you today your here one minute and then your zoned out" she frowned trying to understand.
Danielle shook her head free from her thoughts,"Sorry just thinking" she smiled sweetly placing her hands in her coat pockets for some warmth.
"You know you really need to tell Ronnie" Stacey nagged rolling her eyes at another important secret she was keeping for Danielle's sake.
"Tell me what?" Ronnie said softly scanning through the clothes rail trying to find something decent.
The pair turned around with both their hearts pounding in their chest at the thought of being caught out,Danielle could feel her knees shaking with nerves and fear. "I..i was just..saying about..i ..i think I should move in properly" Danielle replied quickly stalling over her words trying to think of something quickly.
Ronnie grinned with tears in her eyes,for weeks all she longed for was Danielle to move in permanently,it was like a promise that she was going to stay around forever. "Oh babe that is so great! Im so happy,i will go and get your stuff from the Slaters!" Ronnie beamed pulling Danielle in for a hug,wrapping her arms tightly around her.
Stacey's eyes were wide as she watched Ronnie nearly squash Danielle in a rib crushing hug,"Yeah Uncle Charlie will let you in" she said breaking up the little scene.
Ronnie ran a hand down Danielle's face and walked towards the Slaters house,with her head held high and the smile on her face,Ronnie Mitchell looked like she just won the lottery.
Danielle turned to Stacey with an awkward expression on her face,she hadn't meant to lie but she couldn't tell the truth. Rubbing at her face she sighed feeling a headache coming on.
"Great another lie,and now your moving in when your not even ready!" Stacey shook her head busing herself with a customer.
