Danny took a deep breath as he locked the door. This was his first day at his new job and to say he felt nervous was an understatement. Not only nerves, but he also felt a sadness, he knew he'd just be treating pampered kitties and fat dogs... no lions, no giraffes, no zebras... just plain pets.
It had been his African experience that had got him the job, but it didn't make him feel any better. Nothing did, only calling Leopards Den, talking to Alice... hopefully that would change though. He was off to see Evan and Olivia today!
At Leopards Den, Alice and Rosie were hard at work on a pair of vultures who had been eating stones.
"They'll never survive if they carry on like this." Rosie commented as Alice put one back into the large cage. Alice nodded her approval of the statement.
"Nope but I really can't think of much else to do with them." Alice sighed.
"I'll ring dad later." Rosie commented. "He might have some ideas?"
"Yeh maybe... damn that reminds me I've to follow these bloody instructions." Alice pulled them out of her pocket.
Rosie laughed but deep down she was deep in thought. Her dad never did that, not for just anyone anyway... which meant Alice must be someone to him. Ok, she'd just confused the hell out of herself but she knew what she meant. She watched as Alice took the other vulture away, smiling blissfully. Alice was one of the nicest people she had ever met, not her dad's usual type, but somehow... completely perfect for him and Rosie hadn't ever said that about anyone. She knew there was a spark between them, and both had to like each other. Who phoned one another and acted like the best of friends after one meeting and a few phone calls if they didn't like one another?
"Rosie?" Alice interrupted her thoughts. "Are you coming?"
"Oh yeh, hold on I'll get out of these." Rosie smiled quickly.
"Danny's notes say it's for two of us so hurry up!" Alice grinned.
"You mean...?" Rosie asked in shock.
"Yes I want you to come." Alice admitted, blushing slightly.
"Thanks Alice, that means a lot." Rosie smiled as they walked out of the hospital.
Alice smiled at her as both said their goodbyes and clambered into the Jeep.
"Ok, you read, I drive." Alice smiled handing Rosie the instructions.
"Go to the school and take an immediate right." Rosie smiled.
"Here goes." Alice said as she started the Jeep and followed the first instruction.
Danny wiped his brow as he finished for the day... god, he hated this job already. A know it all assistant, lazy boss and overly flirty secretary. Kill me now, he though as he began his journey to Olivia and Evan's house.
He knocked on the door as he arrived, he hadn't seen them since... he stopped momentarily and composed himself.
"DANNY!" Evan shouted as Olivia also squealed from behind him. He laughed as he engulfed the pair in a gigantic hug.
Danny closed his eyes tightly. God he'd missed the pair of them so much. He held them for as long as he could before standing up, he was suddenly engrossed in a number of conversations and all too soon he was telling them about Alice.
"Yeh got a new vet!" Danny smiled. "She's called Alice, Scottish, has a daughter, Charlotte too. She's an amazing vet and a lovely woman too. You guys would love her." I know I could... do... could? He thought.
"I'm glad you found someone good to take over the hospital... mum would want that to be kept going." Evan smiled softly.
"Yeh and Alice is so understanding of that...I mean I was so worried about, you know... finding someone new, wondering if they'd understand, but she understood perfectly." Danny expanded.
Olivia smiled awkwardly, confused by Danny's sudden passion. She shook the thought from her mind, he wouldn't do that, it's too soon!
"Well, Danny, you gonna take us for a pizza or what?" Evan asked cheekily.
"Go on, get your coats on." Danny smiled agreeing.
They ran off and their dad walked forward.
"Danny." He nodded.
"Hello." Danny replied.
"You don't have to carry on with these two you know."
"Pardon?"
"You know, you can drop em, you don't have to love them now."
"How can you say that? Of course I love them, I love them as my own... they aren't a liability, their family." Danny spat, their dad looked at him coldly but quickly the two men stopped their glares as Evan and Olivia came bounding in with excitement. Danny left with a cold glare before smiling happily and ushering them to the pizzeria.
"Your dad is so sweet." Alice smiled as they arrived at the Beauty spa. Rosie grinned as she saw that sparkle in Alice's eyes. Both clambered out the Jeep and handed in some form of number. They automatically knew what it was and led the way, Rosie and Alice were impressed to say the least by the service... they could get used to this.
Danny sighed as he opened the door to his small flat. He'd had the most amazing time with Evan and Olivia but now he was alone again. He thought about ringing Leopards Den but decided against it, he was sure they'd be catching on that he liked Alice a little more than a friend. And it seemed a bit freaky really... Phone calls, few hours together... hardly relationship material.
Suddenly his phone rang and he recognised the number immediately. He grinned and answered the phone joyfully.
"Dad you old romantic eh?"
He laughed as he heard the lifting accent of his daughter Rosie.
"What you on about?" Danny asked.
"Alice's birthday present." Rosie hinted, "So when you coming back to Africa to tell her?"
"Tell her what?" Danny defended himself, his voice slightly high pitched.
"Tell her you fancy the pants off her, get together with her..." Rosie began
"You're being ridiculous Rosie, this is irrational!" Danny exclaimed.
"Is it?" Rosie asked. "1st comes love, 2nd comes marriage, 3rd comes a baby in a golden carriage."
"ROSIE!" Danny shouted.
"Don't lose your temper dad, it's so obvious..." Rosie argued.
"Rosie please... stop it." Danny pleaded. Rosie laughed and finally relented as she began to ask him questions about the vulture.
"Alice has done all I would think of, in fact she's come up with more." Danny admitted. "Sorry Rosie."
"It's ok... I knew she'd come up with everything..." Rosie let her voice trail off. "Anyway, Alice wants to talk to you to thank you... Dad, please just come home... We all miss you, and I know Alice would like it too."
"Alice?" Danny asked before he could stop himself.
"Yes." Rosie finished. "Bye dad... think about it."
"Bye Rosie, love you." Danny waited for a while until he heard Alice's voice.
"Hey Danny." Alice's voice sounded light and soft.
"Hey Alice, like your day?"
"Yes! Thank you SO much, no one's ever done anything like that for me before." Alice admitted.
"Your welcome." Danny smiled.
Their conversation continued on it's usual course until Alice had to go. Danny placed the phone back down and began to reflect on Rosie's words.