After Danny disappeared into the garden Alice remained stood frozen to the spot. Her heart was pounding hard, the night was silent. There was an air of anticipation around her. The night changed and suddenly a bright sunny day materialised in front of her eyes. A young Peter eyes alight with fun stood opposite her.
"Freak alert!" he told her. "He's here, let's play a joke."
She closed her eyes and covered them with shaking hands. "Not here Peter, not now, please!" she whispered heart aching.
"Help him Alice." a voice beseeched to her.
She lowered her hands and opened her eyes slowly. Peter stood there in the dark, her mouth fell open. "Peter?" she gasped.
"He needs you, he'll never admit it but he does…..you need him too."
Her heart pounded. She blinked…..and the vision disappeared.
God she was really losing it, see visions of her dead friend. She really needed some sleep….she turned to leave, what about Danny? Could she leave him in that garden? She knew what he was going through, she endured it every night, her subconscious making it more vivid and terrifying as time wore on. She couldn't leave him there like that! Against her better judgement she walked towards the house. She felt her hands begin to sweat, the last time she'd been here was ten years prior. God this shouldn't be so hard! This was just a house, it couldn't hurt her! She thought angrily. Yeah but the memories it evoked could drive you mad! a small voice retorted. Still she carried on walking until a house came into view, it was all different. It was overgrown and full of weeds. Messy, it had never been like this before. The sight reminded her of how everything had changed and it saddened her. She walked through the gate, down the path and through the back gate into the back yard.
"Danny?" she called softly, it felt wrong disturbing the night. It was cold and still, almost like a cemetery. She shook her head as images of a ghostly Peter danced into her mind.
All remained silent.
"Danny?" she repeated, hopefully he was here coz no way was she going into the house. She simply wasn't that strong! She used her phone to illuminate the space, it wasn't very bright but would have to do. She saw a hunched figure sat at the base of a tree. His head was down, she could tell by his posture that he was being tortured inside. Compassion filled her, this was why she didn't drink. It made the memories she had spent half of life trying to forget harder to escape from. They were easier to control when she was sober.
She went to him knelt down in front of him and placed her hand on his knee.
He swallowed thickly. "I had no idea they lived here, this is a family estate. I was surprised you didn't click." his voice hoarse.
"I'm sorry." she whispered.
She sounded so much like the young girl he used to know when she said that, he flashed back to the cave, her apologising as the water level rose. He flinched.
She sat closer and put her hand on his head until he rose it. "You want to talk about it?"
"What is there to talk about?" he covered his eyes. "He's dead! And we're alive!" again he remembered how still Peter had lain under the rubble, how he panicked, how he dug his dead brother out, how he was zero help. Why couldn't he help? He should have saved him!
"I didn't know that your mum and dad still owned this house." she began interrupting his internal tirade.
Danny looked at her, her blue eyes full of sympathy.
"I don't think…." he began.
"Go on." she urged.
He exhaled, not wanting to fight. He was so tired! "Mum and dad didn't sell it, obviously. As soon as I was old enough they signed ownership over to me. I've ignored it. I don't know what to do with it. Sell it, rent it, demolish it maybe. Living here isn't an option!"
Alice took his hand in hers and held it. "What his parents had did was harsh. They couldn't decide what to do with the house so they placed the burden of it on their sons shoulders.
Danny felt the warmth from her hands seep into his cold skin and found himself clutching her hand return. "What would you do Alice?" he asked softly.
She thought for a little bit, knowing this answer meant a lot to him.
Danny sat waiting for her reply, he waited so long he didn't expect her to answer but finally she began to speak.
"Me? I'd sell."
She saw his eyebrows lower.
"This house is meant for family Danny. For people who love each other, for people who want to fill this place with happiness and kids. For brothers and sisters and their friends. For kids to climb these trees and drop water bombs on their older brother when he's trying to impress a new girlfriend….badly can I add."
Danny felt a small smile form as he remembered Peters laughter…..then he remembered what he said and the screams in the cave and the dark mood returned.
"What happened to Peter was a tragedy…." she felt the breath in her expel in a rush and squeezed his hand. "What happened to all of us was the worst thing that could ever happened to two young people, we had to find a way to live on and pick up the pieces after. It's affected out whole life after." she paused considering her next words. "The only thing we can do is try to move past it. We'll never move on fully, and we'll never forget him. We can make him proud of us though, right?"
The moment was intense as they looked at each other. She grabbed his other hand and held it as tight as the first. "If this place is hurting you then let it go. Peter is a happy memory, not one that can make up feel you like that." she added softly.
"We? Us?" he croaked full of emotion.
She nodded. "Peter is still a big part of my life, there won't be a time where he won't be."
He hung his head again.
Seeing him like this was tearing her apart, she put her arm around him impulsively. He remained still so she moved in closer and wrapped the other around him as well. He was cold she realised and squeezed him tighter.
Danny sat shocked, Alice was hugging him, after some silent arguing as to whether it was wise to get close to her again he found himself hugging her back. Alice out her face on his shoulder and held him.
Danny surprisingly found solace in her hold. They remained like this for so long, so still, nothing intruding on the moment. Truth be told neither had felt so much comfort, so much normalcy before and they were loath to relinquish it. Eventually it came to a mutual ending and as they pulled away rather than feeling awkward they smiled at each other, wide genuine smiles.
"Thank you." he murmured.
"You're welcome." her voice husky.
"You're right Alice." he began before he could change his mind. "This place needs a family. I've held on to it because of the memories it holds but it's past time. I need to let it go. It isn't making me happy, or helping to feel good about Peter."
She simply nodded.
"Since I'm off tomorrow I think I'll come over then, sort it out and cut the grass." he told himself absently.
"I'm off tomorrow as well if you want a spare pair of hands." came out impulsively. Then she realised what she said, looking for reasons to spend time with him.
He shook his head. "Don't waste your day off here with me. You already see me all day at work."
"I don't mind. I don't have anything better to do, to be honest."
"Ok, I'll bring breakfast then." he stood up and extended his hand to get up. She looked at it and placed her in it hesitantly. He pulled her to standing and they began a slow trek back to her car. She looked at him in profile and he looked so sad, so dejected, so alone that it broke her heart. She was gonna regret asking this but…"You know if you don't want to be alone tonight I have a really comfy sofa."
He shook his hand in front of his chest. "That's fine, I don't want to impose."
"Trust me if I didn't want you there then I wouldn't ask."
He considered it as they continued to walk. "Can we stop off at mine first so I can get some clothes to change and sleep in, I don't think you will have anything that fits me, although it will probably look better on me than you."
"Ha ha."
"Told you I look good in everything."
She smiled. "So this is proven then? You look good in woman's clothes?"
He coughed "Well no but…."
"You said it." she laughed lowly.
The sound sent heat straight through him, he forgot the bad memories and found himself laughing at her.
"Don't worry I'll keep your secret…..for a price." she told him seriously.
"We'll discuss what later then?" he hinted.
She grinned wickedly. "I am going to own you."
A man could only be so lucky! He thought impulsively.
They climbed in her car and chatted as they went, they arrived at his flat. "I'll wait here."
"Come up." he told her gesturing her to follow.
She followed him and they walked up the stairs. They walked into his place and they found a nearly empty apartment. It had all the relevancy furniture but it lacked a personal touch, there were no photos, nothing to indicate that he lived here. It looked very impersonal, sterile, unlived in. A show home almost.
"I spend a lot of time out." he elaborated at her look.
She nodded in reply.
He walked into his bedroom, as the door opened the scent of him leaked from there and engulfed her. The scent was so potent she felt light headed for a moment. She had a thought for a fraction of a second that maybe she was getting in over her head but brushed it off just as quick.
"It's not much fun living alone." he added almost as an afterthought, his voice carrying from the room.
She murmured an agreement, so low he probably didn't hear it.
He left the room suddenly carrying a holdall.
"Got everything you need?" she gestured to the large bag.
He shook his head. "The kitchen sink won't fit." his face serious.
"I'm sure mine will suffice."
"I'm only joking this is just three changes of clothes."
"Three?"
"Pyjamas, tomorrows clothes and good stuff incase I need to go somewhere straight from mums."
He locked up and they left his apartment and headed once again for the car.
"You hungry?" she asked.
"Yeah actually." he was almost completely sober now.
"Think we'll find a takeaway open at almost 3am?" she asked. "Suppose I could cruise around for a bit."
They tossed his bag in the back and once again she began to drive.
"So Alice what you been up to in the last ten years?"
She shrugged and concentrated on the road. "Well I finished school, went to college then University."
"And boys?" he hinted.
She grinned. "There were lots of boys in between."
"Anyone serious?"
She frowned. "Not really, I'm more of a love em and leave kind of girl." she was silent. "I missed you."
"I missed you too." he admitted. "More than I would even tell myself."
"So you?" she asked.
"Well we emigrated to America, school was harder over there. Their syllabus was so much different to over here and I ended up behind in remedial classes. I was the English kid who was thick, they didn't say it as politely as that though. The bullies loved me, I learned how to fight or I'd get beat up on a daily basis. I somehow graduated, had to work my ass off, then went to college. As soon as I could I came over here for University."
"Sounds like you haven't had it easy." she murmured.
He looked at the dash board. "I was the new English kid, the one who was different. In high school difference doesn't necessary mean good. One thing though the girl loved my accent, especially if I put on a upper class Londoner."
"Anyone serious for you?"
"I thought so but they didn't work out, they seemed to need to be fixed if you know what I mean."
"Huh?"
"Well, and don't take this the way it sounds but girls with issues kind of gravitate towards me. As soon as those issues are dealt with they leave." he shrugged. "I'm just not cut out for relationships I guess. Anyway like I said posh London accent equals plenty of making out!" steering back into neutral territory.
"You picked up that Americanism, you said it earlier too."
He nodded smiling.
They finally found a pizza shop.
"What do you want? Its on me."
"I'll share what your having."
"I meant it literally, you will eat it off my body."
She made a face. "You're weird!"
He blew her a kiss.
She made a cross with her fingers.
He walked into the shop and ordered the food. She walked in ten minutes later. "A woman will starve waiting for you."
"Sorry." I said contritely. "Am I neglecting you?"
"Yes!"
He brought a can from behind his back. "I bought you Fanta fruit twist, am I forgiven?" he handed it over.
She was grinning, she hadn't smiled so much in her life as she had tonight. "I haven't drank that in years." she nodded. "You're forgiven."
"Now I know the way into your heart." he cautioned and picked up the food, headed back to the car. She saw the look on his face as he drove. "Don't be touching that pizza until we're home!" she warned. "You have a hungry look in your eyes."
"But I'm starving!" he moaned. "That place we ate at barely feeds you, the waiter had more food on his sleeve then I had on my plate! Nouvelle cuisine sucks!"
"I am hungry too, and if that pizza disappears before we get home you'll be sleeping in the garden!"
He made a face at her and she made one back. "We're nearly there, just hold on."
He grunted. "I'm wasting away!" was muttered.
"Just like Peter, he had zero patience too. He wanted everything yesterday."
He nodded. "And he was a swine when he didn't get his way."
"Tell me about it." she agreed.
A/N awww they are slowly getting closer and cuter and it carries on over the next few chapters...but do they start opening up? and what secrets are they keeping? We know alice is keeping some, but what about Danny? Keep reading to find out x