Danny walked her to the hospital entrance before they said their goodbyes. Clara let go of his hand reluctantly and made her way in, purposefully going through A&E so she could see Greg and Hayley, even if her Gran was on the ward now. She went through to the staffroom and was thankful that Greg was actually in there - he normally went on his break around this time. She walked in slowly until he spotted her and stood up, "I thought you might show up," he said once he'd finished his mouthful of food. "Come here you," he told her and she suddenly rushed over to hug him tight. "Your Gran was doing really well when she left here love, she seems strong."
"So was Mum…" Clara mumbled, trying hard not to cry. "Dad's gonna be in bits, I don't think I can do it again," she refused to let go, he was safe.
"You don't have to Clara, you're his child - not the other way around. He should be supporting you - that's how this works," he told her.
"But it's not, not for me, not anymore. I thought things were getting better, then I tried to get him to go to Mum's grave with me and he refused. He still won't apologise for leaving me there all day. I got home on Saturday and have barely spoken to him since. I can't deal with him anymore, I don't know how to!"
Greg let her hug him and did his best to keep her calm. "Let me take you up, I know where she is."
"I know this hospital better than I know my school," she pointed out.
"Yep, but that doesn't mean you should go alone so come on, upstairs," he smiled, grabbing his work fleece and following her out of the room. They made their way upstairs and Greg led her to where her Gran was. She saw her Dad sat beside the bed with her and froze slightly, but she was soon spotted.
"Clara!" her Gran's familiar and comforting voice sounded from what had seemingly become a silent ward. She smiled for her, going over. "Ooo it's that nice nurse from downstairs," she spotted Greg and Clara rolled her eyes.
"Always the flirt Gran," she chuckled, leaning down to hug her carefully and quickly. "Thanks Greg," she turned back to him, "I'll find you if I need you, promise."
"Alright, you know where I am," he smiled and left them to it.
Clara sat the other side of the bed to her Dad, holding her Gran's hand. The silence between them felt awkward, but neither Clara nor Dave knew what to say. In the end it was her Gran that broke it.
"Alright, what's going on?" she asked. "I thought things were getting better between you two?" Clara shrugged, not looking up. "Excuse me young lady - attitude."
"Right yeah, attitude," she rolled her eyes at the irony.
"Clara!" Her Gran sounded shocked. Clara let go of her hand and stood up.
"10 minutes. That's all we could manage," Clara stood up, looking straight at her Dad. She then turned to her Gran. "You want answers? Ask him," she pointed at her Dad, "I need some air," she left the room.
Clara's Gran turned to Dave with concern in her eyes. "All of this has been since she went missing that day isn't it? What really happened?"
Dave knew there was no getting out of this now, "she… she wanted to go to Ellie's grave."
"And? What's bad about that?" she asked.
"I can't go there, I just can't, but she won't accept that," he told her. "She went on her own and she wouldn't come home."
"David Oswald! If I wasn't strapped down I'd sit up and hit you right now!" she almost shouted, "that's your daughter, she lost her Mum far too young and she's struggling to deal with that. You've sent her away to a boarding school which, granted, seems to be doing her some good, but when she comes home she needs you! I know this isn't easy for you Dave, but your lack of concern for your daughter is shocking. You left her there all day? You told us all she was missing, but you knew where she was?! You need to get off your own high horse and think about what Ellie would say right now. Go and find your daughter Dave, god knows she shouldn't be alone right now."
"Mum-" he started.
"I don't want to hear it, go!" she did shout now. Dave stood up a little shocked and left to go and find Clara.
#-#-#-#
Her heart was pounding but she wasn't sure if she was angry or upset. Either way she ran to the café where Danny had set himself up. He spotted her come in and stood up, going over to her and taking her to the sofa he was sat on. "What's happened? Calm your breathing down, deep breaths," he told her, rubbing her back. "Is it your Gran?" he asked but Clara shook her head.
"Dad, things were so awkward and I didn't deal well then Gran got at me for my attitude but I couldn't handle it so I had to leave," she spoke as she managed to settle her breathing down.
Danny sighed softly, "oh love, I'm sorry," he kissed her head. "I'll get you a drink, you be okay for a minute?" she nodded and let him go, leaning back on the sofa. She pulled out her phone and saw that her Dad had tried to phone. Swiping the notification off his screen she put the phone down on the table. Danny appeared back just after, putting the tea down for her. "How are you feeling?"
"Dad tried to phone," she kept looking at the phone on the table. Just as she said it her phone screen flashed on again as he text her. "I'm too scared to read it."
"Want me to look?" he asked. Clara nodded, unlocking her phone and handing it to him. Danny opened the text. "Ah… he's coming here. Said he's looking for you, tried everywhere in the hospital, gonna try here because you came here when your Mum was in hospital…" Clara looked up at him in panic, "it's okay - now definitely isn't the time for you having to explain me. You stay here, I'll go and sit across the other side of the room. I won't be far away."
"No, I'll go, you've got all your work here," she grabbed the tea which was thankfully in a to go cup. Danny handed her the phone back and Clara stood up, walking over to another table and sitting down, staring at the wall. She was just in time when Dave walked in.
"Thank goodness," he walked over to the table. "Why didn't you answer?" Clara looked up at him, "right, stupid question," he sighed and sat down opposite her. "I'm sorry Clara, I've really let you down recently. I told your Gran what happened and she gave me a right telling off and reminded me of something very very important: your Mum would never have wanted this. I've been ridiculously selfish and not put you first which is exactly what I should have been doing. What I did during half term was unforgivable and I should never have left you there. I think sometimes… sometimes I forget you're still a child. You're so much like your mother, so grown up for your age, I've taken that for granted. That's going to change - now. I'm gonna be your Dad again, properly this time, it's not going to be as easy done as it is said, but I'm going to try my hardest." He finished, taking her hand across the table and squeezing it gently.
"We just need to work together Dad, that's the only way to get through this," she told him, using her spare hand to wipe spare tears. "Being away at school is good for both of us, but we need to make the most of the holidays, and right now we just need to support Gran - us fighting is hardly gonna help her right now," she told him and Dave nodded in agreement. "You take this," she pushed the tea across the table to him, "I'm just gonna get one for myself and I'll meet you outside?"
"Deal," he smiled and they both stood up. Dave took the cup and left the café, allowing Clara to go over to Danny who was already at the counter.
"Some people would consider this borderline stalking," she whispered in his ear, making him jump. "Luckily I'm not some people," she chuckled.
The barista handed over the tea to Danny who passed it straight over to her, "you're far from some people," he smiled. "That went well though, your Gran clearly made him see sense."
"That woman is a miracle worker, I don't know what we'd do without her," she smiled, "thank you for being here, you really don't have to stay."
"I'm getting a lot done, it's pretty nice in here. Now go, before he asks questions," he grinned. Clara looked around quickly before leaning in and kissing him quickly, smiling and running off before he could say anything else.
When they walked back into her Gran's room together she had a smug grin on her face. Dave and Clara looked at each other, rolling their eyes at each other before going and sitting back down. "Dave love, could you go and find out if they have a surgery time yet?" she asked him as he sat back down.
"Sure Mum, you alright?" he asked, concerned.
"Of course, just wondering," she replied and Dave nodded, standing back up and leaving his tea on the table while he went out. As soon as he was out of earshot, she turned to Clara. "So then, give me all the school gossip."
Clara chuckled, shaking her head, "really nothing exciting. I just get on and work to be honest. Jess and Faye are fab, they keep me grounded," she smiled.
"There's something else though, I know you, and your Dad said you'd disappeared somewhere today - you never disappear anywhere," Clara went to open her mouth, "I know full well your two friends don't live around here," she added.
Busted. "Gran it's really nothing, just someone wanted some help with maths work-" she started.
"I don't believe you. There's a boy isn't there? I can see that look in your eyes-" Clara was grateful for her Dad walking back in at that moment, stopping her Gran in her tracks.
"They say you're next on the list, but they also said they told you that Mum," he said questioningly.
"Oh so they did, ah well, nice little trip out for you dear," she replied and Clara couldn't help but giggle a little. "You two sorted things out then?"
"Yeah, we have a plan," Clara smiled, "we're gonna be fine. We all are." She took her Gran's hand again and squeezed it.
They chatted among themselves for a while, but an hour or so later and it was time for the op. "You don't have to wait loves, I'm gonna be gone for a couple of hours."
"It's fine Gran, we're gonna pop out for dinner and we'll be back before you are. We're family, we stick together," Clara smiled, standing with her Dad as the porters came to take her to theatre. Both Dave and Clara quickly gave her a hug and kiss before she disappeared.
Dave looked back to his daughter once she was gone and spotted her uncertainty, "hey, this isn't like your Mum, it's a simple operation to fix her hip. What do you fancy for dinner then?"
"There's that pizza place next to the café? Not too far and good pizza," Clara grinned.
"Ahhh you know me well," Dave chuckled, "come on then young lady - let's go Italian!" he tried to put on the accent which made Clara chuckle even more, shaking her head.
They ordered their food and sat at the table together, something they hadn't done in years. "So what shall we do this holiday then? 3 weeks to fill!"
"You're gonna be working a lot of that," Clara pointed out, "and I have lots of work to do."
"Alright cheeky, but we still have weekends and the bank holidays," he told her. "Anything you really want to do?"
"I don't know, just time together? We can go places or stay home, I don't mind," she smiled.
"I'll see if I can think of some surprises then eh?" Dave replied and Clara nodded. "One question - where were you today? How did you get to the hospital so quick?"
"I… have a friend, from school, they don't live too far away," not technically a lie, "they called me this morning, asked if I could help with their maths work. Sorry, I should have left a note, we got chatting, I didn't really want to be at home…" Clara tried to explain as honestly as she could without giving the whole truth away.
Dave nodded, thankfully being understanding, "hey, I'm glad to hear you've found someone local - that's good."
Clara figured now was as good a time as any to try her luck, "we might study together a bit over the holiday, would it be okay if I stayed there a couple of nights? During the week obviously, the weekends are our time. There's just a lot of work and we bounce off each other pretty well," Clara told him - still not lying.
"As long as it's okay with her parents?" Clara almost winced when he said 'her'.
"Yeah, they spoke about it when I was there earlier - they have a spare room I can use so it's no problem and they can drive me home when needed, but it's walkable." It was all worked out, this could easily work without him having to find out about Danny.
"Then it's no problem. I can be pretty convinced all is okay if you're telling me about it and not having a panic attack," he smiled, "I'm happy for you love."
"It's good, feels like I've got some sort of normal life. They know what to do if I have an attack too, so you don't need to worry about that," she told her Dad.
"Worrying duly forgotten," he winked as they sat back to allow the food to be put down in front of them. "You're coping well with this, with your Gran."
Clara nodded, "things are getting better. School has been better, much fewer attacks at school, the support I have is amazing Dad. You did a good thing sending me there, it was the right thing."
"I'm not sure I had the best reasons for sending you there," he spoke honestly.
Clara shrugged, "I know, but the results were good so don't feel bad about it. I have friends, I'm making progress and so are you. I've got friends that support me, teachers that actually understand and everything I need to get through this thing. I'm determined Dad, it's gonna be fine." Dave smiled and they both started eating, knowing time was pressing on.
When they'd finished Clara stood up, "I might go and get tea from the café to take back, did you want some?"
"Sounds great, I'll pay here while you go. Meet you outside?" Clara nodded and stood up and made her way next door.
Danny stood up, but she jogged over, "don't panic, all is good. I just spoke to Dad, he asked where I was earlier so I kinda spun a semi-truth and said I have a friend who lives nearby and their parents are happy for me to stay so we can study."
"Well, that's not a lie," he grinned, "nicely done. How did you escape here?"
"Ah - I'm meant to be buying tea, should probably do that," she realised.
"With all the money you don't have on you?" Danny asked, "failed plan I think," he chuckled. "Don't worry I've got you, come on." They walked over to the counter and ordered the teas.
"You really should go home now, Gran will be out of theatre soon but if everything's okay we won't be able to stay much longer. You need to have food, I'm fine now, I'll be home soon," Clara told him while they waited.
"Will your Dad be working tomorrow?" Danny asked and Clara nodded.
"If Gran's recovering okay he can't really take more time off. We'll visit after he's finished," she told him. "Reckon I could come back to yours tonight? I'm doing okay but I really don't fancy being alone."
Danny put an arm around her, "of course you can," he told her, moving to take the teas from the barista and handing them to her. "I'll go home now, speak to Mum and Dad and get it sorted. Keep me updated on everything?"
"Course, see you later then," she kissed him gently. "Thank you, I'll pay you back for all the tea."
"Don't be stupid, my treat," he smiled and let her go, starting to pack up his stuff.
Clara and Dave made their way back over to the hospital and back upstairs to the ward with perfect timing as her Gran was being returned to the ward. Clara rushed to her side. "The operation went really well and your Mum seems very determined so I suspect we will have her home before the end of the week all being well. The physio team will be here first thing as will the occupational therapist, if you want to be here-"
"Oh doc don't get Dave involved he'll only fuss," Clara chuckled when her Gran perked up, "I'm off perfectly sound mind I can answer my own questions."
"I think that's me told," the surgeon responded, "we can take you through anything when you visit anyway."
"Thank you for your work, fully appreciated," Dave shook the surgeon's hand before returning to her side. "You don't half know how to show me up mother!"
"Happily proving my sanity," she replied. "Good dinner?"
"Lovely thanks Gran, we should all go out when you're feeling better," Clara spoke up.
"Sounds wonderful, been awhile since I've treated my favourite family members."
"We're your only family members - nice try," Clara grinned.
They were able to have a laugh and none of them could remember the last time they'd been like this, but neither did they really want to think about that. Visiting hours were over before they knew it and both Clara and Dave said their goodbyes before leaving. Once they were in the car Clara decided to ask the question.
"Could I walk over to my friend's house? We were going to study tomorrow and-" she didn't even finish before he responded.
"No problem love, I can drop you over now if you want?" he suggested but Clara shook her head.
"I need to collect my folders, it's no problem to walk over Dad honestly, but thank you," she smiled.
When they got back home she went upstairs to grab her stuff together, chucking some clothes and PJs in with her school stuff. She'd text Danny to say she'd be leaving soon so didn't want to take too long. Once everything was in her bag she jogged downstairs to find her Dad. "I'll meet you at the hospital tomorrow night?"
"Course, I'll text you when I leave work. Have a good day love," he hugged her and Clara smiled, enjoying what may have been the first time he'd initiated a hug aside from when she'd been ill.
Eventually she gave in and separated, "you too Dad. Sleep well," he smiled and Clara grabbed her door key off the side and left.
Danny had started to walk towards her and met her pretty much half way. They both wrapped their arms around each other tightly, sharing in a brief kiss. "Hey beautiful, how's your Gran?"
"Sleeping, but okay. The op went well and they reckon she could be home before the end of the week," Clara smiled. "Are your parents okay with me staying?"
"More than, I think they're warming to you already," Danny moved to her side, keeping an arm around her and starting to walk to his.
When they arrived Clara was almost immediately presented with tea as they sat down in the living room. Danny's Mum came in and sat adjacent to them once she'd handed the mugs over. "How's your Gran doing love?"
"Okay, the operation went really well. She's always smiling anyway, always trying to look after the rest of us even from her hospital bed," she replied, sipping the tea.
"Danny said you're close to her," his Mum told her.
Clara nodded, putting the mug down on the table in front of her. "Gran got me through a lot of this when Dad couldn't, she did her best. She thinks she didn't do enough, but I know that's not true."
"Sounds like a wonderful woman, I'm glad she's alright. Do you need anything else now?"
"Oh no, I'm okay thank you. Honestly just letting me stay is more than enough considering you've known me for less than a day," Clara smiled politely.
"I've never heard Danny speak so fondly of anyone, we could never refuse," she replied honestly. "I'll leave you two to it."
Once she'd gone Danny flicked the TV on and sat back with her. Clara rested into him, sighing contentedly, "what would I do without you?"
"A wonderful job I'm sure," Danny smiled, kissing her head, "but we're a good team. Speaking of which, I have a proposition for you."
"Oh yeah?" Clara looked up, raising an eyebrow at him.
"We're going away in the summer, just down to Weymouth for 10 days. I was going to ask Mum if you could come, but I wanted to ask you first - not sure how you feel about that," he asked.
Clara bit her lip slightly as she thought it through, "honestly? The idea scares me. I've never been away without my Mum, but… maybe it's worth it. There's enough time to get used to the idea, and I trust you. Only if your parents are okay with it though, I really don't want to intrude."
"I'll ask, and I'll make sure you can research where we're going so you know," he smiled, "you deserve the break."
"I guess it would be nice," she smiled and sat back. "Thank you for everything, I genuinely don't know what I'd do without you."