Archie spun around at Ronnie's confidently calm response to see Roxy standing by the door leading in from the Vic.

A conclusion had been reached in Danielle's mind. She was getting out of here the first chance she got, regardless of what atmosphere she would meet downstairs; her only priority was to get out of the pub. If Archie had been successful in his manipulation, then she would leave for Telford asap. But if Ronnie did still believe her, then she would have to prove it. Danielle had no intentions of running the risk of letting Ronnie in only to be rejected again. No, if Ronnie wanted her that much, she'd have to show it. Danielle wanted to know without doubt exactly who Veronica Mitchell really was, she needed to know what to expect from her, to see a consistent role, before she could even consider giving her mum the key to her heart.

Roxy had her arms folded and wore a stern expression, "Get out." She looked her father in the eye as she spoke, there was not a flicker of doubt or compassion in her voice, nothing for Archie to hold onto, nothing to manipulate.

Archie stood stock still "Roxy, darling, this is all just a big misunder..."

Roxy sliced through his feeble excuse, "Get out. I never want to see or hear from you ever again" the power in her voice was strong and unyielding. How could she ever have allowed him to treat Ronnie this way? To manipulate and destroy her big sister's life like this? It was unforgivable. Ronnie had always looked after her, but now it was Roxy's turn, the repulsion she felt for Archie more than enabled her to rise to the challenge.

Archie took a step towards his youngest daughter. How could this be happening? Roxy had always been his daddy's girl, she had always adored him, how could he have lost her love and devotion?

At her father's latest move, Roxy flipped, "Did you not hear me? Am I not making myself clear enough? Get out! Go as far away from here as possible and don't ever come back!" Roxy was now roaring her words at a broken Archie. "Now!" Roxy screamed. Archie realised his number was up, he had lost and so slowly he turned from his daughter and left defeated through the back door.

As soon as the door closed behind her father, Roxy's eyes filled with tears as her hand raised rubbing her forehead and pushing her hair back. Her anger had subsided now and turned into total disbelief and gut wrenching guilt, how could she have been so stupid? So gullible? Ronnie had always been so guarded and cold, now it all made sense. Having a father like that was bound to result in some sort of emotional backlash. Roxy had always thought it was her sister's fault for being so harsh towards Archie, that it was her grudge against him, against the past and all the regrets it held that had forced Ronnie into the person she had become. But it was her dad, his cruel treatment of her once sweet natured sister had ruined Ronnie, transformed her sister's loving heart into a block of ice. Roxy doubted whether she would ever be able to find the words to show her big sister just how sorry she was, how deeply she wished she could go back and save Ronnie from the agony she had endured, alone, over the last 20 years.

Ronnie had remained frozen to the spot throughout her sister's outburst, she was afraid to even move, she had never seen Roxy like this before, not once. It reminded Ronnie of herself, maybe she wasn't as bad as Archie had always made out, maybe that was the effect he had on everyone when his true colours were revealed.

Roxy noticed Ronnie's eyes on her and tore her stare away from the door to look at her sister, she felt too ashamed to quite meet with her eyes. Why couldn't she have just believed her big sister? Ronnie always looked out for her, picked up the pieces, she should have known, she should have seen the Archie that Ronnie had suffered. "I'm so sorry, Ronnie"

Roxy's voice was quiet, too quiet for Ronnie to stand. She knew this must have destroyed her little sister, and so stepped forward taking Roxy's face into her hands. "Rox? Hey, it's ok..." the mothering nature once again kicked in as she tried to soothe her little sister, "Please look at me Roxy, please?" Ronnie gave a small reassuring smile as Roxy's eyes raised to meet with her own. "I'm sorry; I know how much you loved him."

Roxy gave a small head tilt and shrugged her shoulders as she spoke, "Doesn't matter now, right? ... I'll never forgive him for what he's done to you, and Danielle" Ronnie's head snapped towards the stairs, her heart leap at the mention of her daughter. Roxy smiled at the thought of having her sister back, the real Ronnie, not the one everyone else saw, the Ronnie who she knew Danielle would revive.

Thanks for the reviews, please keep them coming :D As long as people are still enjoying this story I will continue. I have another chapter pretty much ready so that will be posted soon. Please still keep telling me what you like, want to see from the story etc... cos I really want to improve :D Hope you've enjoyed so far.

P.S: Ronnie and Danielle interaction coming very soon ;D