Clara and Danny were destined to be together, right?

Secrets

Clara turned up to work early as always, she liked to make sure she had enough time to grab a coffee before she started. A Monday morning without a coffee in her hand could only end in disaster. She headed out of the staff room, coffee in one hand, laptop in the other. She turned to look behind her, her mind distracted. It was then that she walked straight into something. After turning back round she noticed that it was the new maths teacher, Danny. She also noticed that she had spilt half of her coffee down his shirt.

"Oh my gosh I am so sorry!" He laughed a little and bent down to pick up the paper that both of them had dropped, half of which was now covered in brown stains. They stood back up and she sighed. "I am honestly so so sorry. Look at your shirt. God." He shook his head.

"No no it's okay, don't worry. Accidents happen. Let me give you a hand." He took her laptop and her folders off of her and followed her to her room where he placed them on her desk.

"Thank you." They stood for a second considering what to do. "What are you going to do with that?" She motioned towards his stained shirt.

"Well, between you and me, I'm a bit of a grandad and like to bring more than one shirt to work with me. So I'll pop and change." She laughed.

"Why on earth do you do that?!" He shrugged.

"Never know what's going to happen. I might walk into a lovely lady carrying a cup of coffee." They both laughed.

"Come to think of it, that's really not a bad idea. But I am sorry, again." He shook his head.

"It's fine honestly." The bell sounded interrupting their conversation. "I best run and change before form time. I'll see you around?" She nodded and smiled. She sat down sighed.

"Well done Clara. Well done." She shook her head at herself.

Over the next few days they seemed to keep bumping into each other. Neither of them were complaining, they'd gotten friendly and they had a lot in common too. Not to mention that Clara had a slight crush on him. She knew it sounded childish but she couldn't help it. That afternoon she was tidying up her classroom when she knocked a whole pile of textbooks off of her desk. She swore under breath and bent down to pick them up. Danny poked his head in a second later.

"Are you alright? I heard a loud bang?" She motioned towards the books on the floor and nodded.

"Oh yeah I'm good, if a little clumsy." He smiled and entered to help her.

"We've got to stop meeting like this." They both giggled.

"I guess we've not had the best luck so far but hey, no one's been hospitalised yet. That's a start." He laughed and placed the last of the books on the shelf for her. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now, I'm not sure I even know your first name yet?" He said as he sat on the edge of one of the tables. She smiled at him.

"I don't believe you do. It's Clara."

"Clara Oswald, like something from a fairytale." She rolled her eyes.

"Hence why I hate it." He laughed.

"Aw I like it. It suits you."

"Thank you, I'm glad about that. What's yours then?"

"Danny, Danny Pink."

"Not quite as good as James Bond." They both laughed. "But, it suits you too." He smiled.

"How long have you been at Coal Hill for then?" She thought for a second.

"Coming up for four years now. Bloody hell that sounds like such a long time." He laughed. "I love it here though. It's a nice atmosphere." He nodded.

"Yeah, I like it."

"You've settled in okay?" He nodded.

"I have yeah. As you said, it's a nice atmosphere. The people are nice, the kids are good too."

"Where were you before then? Local?" He shook his head.

"No, I've just moved from up north. Up in Lancaster."

"Oh really?! How come you moved?" He hesitated for a second. Should he tell her the truth now? No, not the right time.

"I fancied a change." She laughed.

"That's a bloomin big change." He nodded and smiled.

"A fresh start. That's what I needed."

"Fair enough. We all need that eventually. You ready to go?" She started to collect up her stuff as he nodded.

A few mornings later they arrived at school at the same time.

"Morning." She smiled.

"Morning." He smiled back but then paused.

"Is something wrong?" He shook his head.

"No no, not at all. I was just thinking... Would you like to come for a drink with me? Or a meal? I don't mind, you can choose. I mean we can-" She laughed and stopped him.

"I'd love to Danny. A meal would be perfect." He took a deep breath and smiled.

"Great. That sounds just great. Friday?" She nodded.

"Sounds good to me."

"I'll book, but the location is staying a surprise." She frowned.

"Hmm, mysterious." He laughed.

"I think you'll love it though." They both smiled.

Friday arrived and they were both so nervous. They wanted this to go well, it felt like there was so much at stake. Clara found herself almost running home so that she had time to choose the perfect outfit. She changed slowly and did her makeup to match the dress. After changing her mind numerous times she looked in the mirror and nodded in approval. It was then that she noticed she had an hour to kill before her taxi arrived.

Her doorbell rang so she ran to open it. Danny was stood there looking extremely handsome. He handed her some flowers and smiled at her.

"You look amazing." She blushed slightly.

"Thank you. Have you brought a spare shirt with you tonight as well?" She winked making him laugh.

"I'm not anticipating any accidents tonight so I refrained." She smiled as he led her out to the taxi.

They arrived at the restaurant, one that Clara had never seen before. It was pretty, really pretty. Trees draped above the path and the entrance was slightly hidden by flowers.

"How have I never been here before?" He smiled.

"Most people haven't. It's not well known, but I love it." He opened the door to let her in and then they were led to their table.

They ordered their drinks and ate their meal. Conversation flowed throughout the whole time. Clara could feel herself liking him more and more every second. She hadn't felt like that in years. Danny felt the same. They'd had way too much to drink but the feeling couldn't be mistaken. They got back in the taxi and drove to Clara's house. He got out of the car to see her off but she stopped him.

"Thank you for tonight. I've really enjoyed myself." He smiled and took hold of her hand.

"You're welcome. I've enjoyed myself too. I'd like to do this again?" She nodded.

"Me too." He smiled again and leant slightly closer to her. She did the same. Their lips met softly. After a second they pulled apart and Clara picked up his hand. "Are you coming inside?" She grinned. He smiled back awkwardly.

"I- I won't. Not tonight. I'm sorry. I want to do this properly. I really like you and I don't want anything that may happen later on tonight to spoil that." She nodded and allowed him to kiss her on the cheek.

"Okay, thank you again. I'll see you on Monday." He nodded and headed back into the taxi. Before going inside she stood and watched him leave. She frowned a little. As much as she hated it she didn't quite believe what he had said. Maybe he was genuine and he did really want to make sure their relationship worked. Or did he have something to hide?

Clara arrived at work on Monday with a skip in her step. She felt so good after her date with Danny and, frankly, she couldn't wait to see him again. She walked through the school and checked his classroom. She frowned when his stuff was nowhere to be seen. She looked in the staff room and sighed. After putting her things down she went to make a cup of coffee.

"No Mr Pink today?" She mentioned to one of the other maths teachers.

"No, he rang in sick." Clara smiled and nodded. She couldn't help but worry a touch. She pulled out her phone.

'Heard you're not in today. Are you okay?x'

She messaged him quickly.

Sat on his sofa with the tv playing in the background he received the message. He sighed as he read it. He shouldn't lie to her, he knew that. But something within him wouldn't let the truth be told. He liked her, he really liked her, he couldn't let things get in the way of that.

'I must have caught a bug, thought it would be best to stay away today. I'm okay, I'll be in tomorrow x'

He sighed after pressing send. Oh what a mess he had gotten himself into already.

A week passed and the weekend was definitely long awaited. Clara walked into Danny's room and smiled as he lined up all of the tables and chairs.

"Perfectionist." He laughed a little and smiled back at her.

"Nothing wrong with that. Tidy classroom, tidy mind." She laughed. "I like to think it improves student productivity but after being here for a month now, I really don't think it does." She laughed again.

"You're trying. That's more than most." He walked up to her and frowned.

"Who do you mean in particular?" She sighed and shook her head.

"Oh no no don't worry. It's just been a bad day that's all." He nodded.

"Want to talk about it?" She shook her head again.

"I won't bore you with the stresses of being head of English." He smiled.

"Okay, well is there anything I can do to make your day better?" She nodded and grinned at him.

"You can come back to mine, as planned. And let me cook for you?"

"That sounds perfect." He kissed her cheek and they grabbed their things.

Clara drove them back to hers. She slung her bags down on the sofa as Danny followed her into the kitchen.

"Nice place." She smiled.

"Thank you. Cozy I think." He nodded. "Drink?" He nodded again.

"Yes please." She grabbed a bottle of wine to which he laughed a little. "Bit early isn't it?"

"It's five o clock and it's been a long week! Why not?" He shrugged and took his glass.

"Good point. I'll let you off." She grinned. "So what are you cooking?"

"Umm good question." She walked over and looked in the fridge. "Ooo stir fry?" He nodded.

"Sounds good. Want a hand?"

"You may help if you would like to. You can show me your expert cooking skills." He laughed.

"You'll be waiting a while then."

They got on with the cooking and then sat down to eat.

"This is really good." She nodded in agreement.

"It is. I'm proud of us." They both laughed. They continued the evening immersed in chatter. It didn't stop until Danny heard his phone vibrating. He rummaged through his stuff to find it and eventually pulled it out of his pocket. He looked at the screen and his eyes widened.

"I am so sorry, but I need to take this." She smiled and nodded.

"Go for it, it's fine!" He stood up and walked out to the hallway. Clara listened intently. It was none of her business but she couldn't help herself.

"Hi, what's happened?!... Is she alright?!... Umm okay, right... No that's fine... I'll be there as soon as I can." He sighed and walked back into the kitchen.

"What's going on?" He paused. He had to tell her. He had to.

"I really need to go home. I'm so so sorry. This sounds really bad." She frowned but stood up next to him.

"Don't worry about it. What's happened?" He paused again.

"I- I think it might be better done in person." Despite being hugely confused Clara nodded.

"I'll give you a lift." He felt his heart rate rise.

"Oh no you don't have to!" She shook her head.

"It'll be quicker than a taxi and I've had less to drink than you." He sighed and nodded at her.

"Okay, thank you."

She drove him back, they sat in silence the whole way. Danny could feel his heart thumping. This could change everything. He should have told her outright but, for some reason, he never could. Why had he kept it from her? Before he could think anymore, they were at his house. He got out of the car quickly, followed by Clara. She could tell something was wrong, she wasn't going to just leave him. The door was soon opened by a young woman holding a small child. Clara frowned. Danny immediately took the crying child off of the woman and comforted her. He looked at the cut on her head and checked that nothing else was wrong.

"I'm so sorry, she just toppled over and managed to hit her head on the table." Danny shook her head.

"No no don't worry, accidents happen. You get yourself home now. Thank you for tonight." She nodded, grabbed her stuff and left. Clara was stood a few metres from the front door, she hadn't moved since the door originally opened.

"Danny what's going on?" He walked towards her.

"Clara... This is Esme, my daughter." Her eyes widened with shock. "I'm so sorry, I should have told you. I know that. I just- I was worried about what you'd think." Clara said nothing. She didn't know what to say. They'd been together for a month now and he hadn't mentioned the fact that he had a daughter once. She couldn't quite believe her eyes. Esme began to whimper some more so he rocked her softly. He looked back at the cut on her head and sighed. "I think we need to get you to hospital monkey." He looked over to his car and then shook his head. "I can't drive, I've had too much to drink." He cursed under his breath. "Would you be able to take us? I know this is a big ask, and you have every right to say no, but I'm desperate." She thought for a second and then nodded. No matter how she felt, that little girl needed to get to the hospital. She couldn't deny them of that.

They got there quickly and Danny ran to reception immediately.

"Hi, my daughter, she's hit her head." The receptionist nodded and called a doctor. They were seen reasonably quickly. Less than ten minutes after they were led to a side room. Esme was checked over and a few stitches were put in the cut on her head but she was given the all clear, much to Danny's relief. She was allowed home that evening although Danny was on strict instructions to bring her straight back if he noticed anything out of the ordinary.

He emerged from the room with Esme in his arms and sighed a little when he saw Clara still sat where he had left her a couple of hours ago.

"You could have gone home you know?" She shook her head.

"And how were you planning to get home? You don't even have any money on you for a taxi." He shrugged in agreement. "And anyway, I couldn't leave you." He smiled gently. He was glad she had stayed. Really glad. Although he was slightly concerned about where he stood. Had she thought about the situation and forgiven him? Or was it not that simple? "Come on, lets get back." Danny nodded and smiled at Esme sleeping soundly in his arms.

They parked up on his drive and sat in the car for a second, neither of them wanting to speak first.

"Come inside?" She looked at him. "Please? I owe you an explanation, give me the chance to do at least that?" She nodded. Danny laid Esme under a blanket on the sofa and then joined Clara on the sofa opposite.

"Why didn't you tell me Danny?" He sighed.

"I was so scared about what you'd think... I like you, I like you a lot. The way I feel about you right now is a feeling I haven't felt about anyone in ages. I didn't want to spoil that." She didn't say anything for a second. "It's pathetic I know. But I just couldn't bring myself to say it." She sighed.

"Danny she's your daughter. No matter what I would have thought or what I think now you should have told me." He nodded.

"I know. I know that. I'm so sorry." He put his head in his hands. She sat forwards a little.

"How old is she?" He watched her sleeping happily.

"Two and a half. She's my little princess. I don't know what I'd do without her to be honest."

"She's gorgeous." Danny smiled gently. "What happened? To her mum, I mean." Now he looked at her and sat back.

"I made so many mistakes. So many." He paused for a second to reconfigure his words. "I married young, too young really. We met at work, we clicked straight away and it all kinda went from there. We didn't really think it through. It was fair enough us getting on well at work and when we went out but when she moved in with me we realised that we were completely different people. We clashed. We made the mutual decision to separate as it was for the best really. But then Maria found out that she was pregnant with Esme. That obviously changed everything. Things got complicated in terms of deciding what to do when Esme was born and the divorce arrangements. We got on well as a family for the first few months but then it all crumbled. Maria moved out, we filed the divorce and I've not had any contact with her since. I understand her not speaking to me but it shocked me when she wanted nothing to do with Esme either. But there was nothing I could do. And somehow I'm still here now. We've done alright really. It's been tough but we've managed." Clara held his hand gently and sighed. "You're not angry?" She shook her head.

"No. You could have told me though. But I can see why you didn't, you clearly meant well. I forgive you." He smiled at her. "And after all, she's absolutely gorgeous, you should be proud of what you've done for her."

"You, Clara Oswald, make me extremely happy. Thank you for understanding." She smiled.

"How could I not?" They both looked to Esme who was sleeping soundly. They then looked back at each other. Clara leant in slowly and Danny did the same. They kissed gently, giggling in each other's arms.

"Stay here this weekend? Get to know Esme a little better?" She hesitated but then nodded.

"I'd love to." They kissed again.

Clara awoke to an empty bed the next morning. She sat up and then smiled, hearing Danny playing with Esme downstairs. She borrowed his dressing gown and then headed out of the room. Danny looked up as she entered the kitchen.

"Esme look! This is daddy's friend, Clara. Are you going to say hello?" Clara smiled at the little girl grinning up at her and crouched by her side.

"Hello! What have you got there?! That looks good!" Clara motioned towards her breakfast and Esme was more than happy to share. Danny watched them happily as he flicked on the kettle.

Danny began to make dinner that evening, however, Esme had others ideas. She wriggled and cried in his arms. He sighed and put down what he was doing so that he could hold her with two hands.

"Esme, sweetie-" Clara stood up from the kitchen table and took her off of him.

"Should we go and find what we can watch on the tv?!" She smiled a little and relaxed in Clara's arms. Danny smiled and blew a kiss to her as they walked out of the room. Clara switched on the first children's channel she saw and noticed Esme had laid down to watch it. After a while, she moved over to lay on Clara's lap. Soon enough she was asleep. Danny poked his head in and couldn't help but grin at the sight.

"You're stuck there now." He said quietly. She laughed a little.

"I can think of worse things." She smiled down at Esme and then looked back to the tv.

As Danny walked back into the kitchen he noticed how content he felt. For so long things had been difficult, he'd struggled to cope with work and looking after Esme on his own. Since meeting Clara he'd been happier and more relaxed. He still couldn't believe how understanding she had been of his situation. Now that he could see Esme loved her so much it lifted a weight off of his shoulders. Maybe things would turn out okay in the end? Even if things were tough for him, as long as they worked out for Esme he didn't mind at all.

Thank you for reading! I am so sorry for the inconsistent upload days/times, I'm so busy so I'm writing when I can!x