Chapter 26 'Plan'
"Good to see you Danielle" Charlie smiled upon opening the front door to see Ronnie and Danielle. Danielle returned the smile, seeing Charlie again made her feel more at ease. He was always so kind and caring towards her.
"Come through" Charlie added, allowing room for Ronnie and Danielle to pass. "Thanks" Ronnie smiled as she passed by still holding Danielle's hand. They entered the living room where they were greeted by Jean, "Hello Danielle" she said in her usual happy tone, "Hello Jean" Danielle smiled, already feeling more at ease at all the familiar faces. Danielle and Ronnie sat down on the sofa that Charlie had gestured to.
"Stacey will be down in a minute, can I get you two a drink?" Charlie asked, Ronnie shook her head, "No thanks I'm fine" she looked at Danielle who then spoke "Yeah I'll have some tea please" she grinned knowing unable to remember the amount of times Charlie had made her a drink. Once Charlie had left the room, Stacey entered. "Hello Dan" She said relieved that Charlie was there to greet her, she always took too much time getting ready. "Hey Stace" Danielle said, she didn't notice her walk in. Stacey gave a short smile to acknowledge Ronnie's presence.
Stacey took a seat next to Danielle on the sofa. "So, how are you finding your new home?" Jean asked Danielle, "Oh, yeah. It's brilliant." Danielle laughed, until she realised what she had said, "not that I don't miss living with you of course" she smiled nervously. Jean laughed and shook he head. "We're happy for you! Aren't we Stacey" Stacey nodded silently in response. "I'm sure you're taking good care of her too" Jean said to Ronnie, who smiled back, then looked back to Danielle. "Yeah, best flatmate I've ever had" she laughed; Danielle felt herself blush slightly but laughed with Ronnie to try and hide it.
Charlie entered again, "There you go" he said placing a cup of warm tea on the table, "Thanks" Danielle said looking at the perfect beverage in front of her, not too much milk, just how she liked it. Charlie then took a seat. "So Danielle, how's the new life?" he asked, Danielle sat up straight, "It's great, It's just amazing you know, how much my life has changed" she said still unable to explain how great her life had become. Charlie gave a short sigh of relief, "I'm really happy for you Danielle" He said, only then to look at Ronnie. "I'm happy for you too. Must be great having Danielle live with you" Ronnie nodded, "Yeah, she's prefect" Ronnie smiled, Danielle felt somewhat embarrassed, although it felt good. I'm going to go back on the Stall soon" Danielle mentioned, "Oh that will be nice" Jean said, she looked over at Stacey, "You looking forward to that Stace?" Stacey snapped out of what seemed like a daze, "Yeah, I am. Great to have some good company again" she laughed Danielle smiled then drank some of the hot tea, she instantly warmed up inside. She gave a short sigh afterwards tasting the sweet beverage.
An hour had passed; Danielle and Stacey had been talking about happenings going on around the square, while Ronnie had been telling Charlie and Jean about what had happened in the hospital. Eventually Ronnie glanced at the clock, "Well, I think it's time we were off" she said to Charlie and Jean, "Ready Danielle?" Ronnie asked as she stood up, Danielle turned round from Stacey and smiled "Sure" Charlie stood up too, as did Danielle and Stacey. "Nice seeing you again Dan" Stacey said happily pulling her friend in to a hug. "Thank you, it's been great" Ronnie said, surprised that she enjoyed the evening as much as she did. Danielle walked up to Ronnie's side, "Thanks" she said looking between Charlie and Jean, "Our pleasure" Jean smiled, Charlie nodded, "You take care of her" he smiled at Ronnie, Danielle blushed again. Charlie walked with Ronnie and Danielle to the door, "Feel free to come whenever you like" he added before opening the door. "Thank you" Danielle said once more and walked out the door, Ronnie smiled at him once more before following Danielle. Charlie gently shut the door behind them.
"Well then, what now?" Danielle asked not knowing what to do. "Well, whatever you want to do" Ronnie said, taking Danielle's hand once more. "A walk" Danielle said quietly, "I just want to have a nice long walk" Ronnie let out a short laugh, "Sure, a nice long walk" She said, thinking about the idea for a few seconds. "Sounds good to me" with that said Danielle and Ronnie headed off down the market. Not knowing where they were going.
Although they didn't know, Archie was watching them. He sighed to himself, not many people had noticed him yet, he had just been kicked out the Vic by his youngest daughter, seeing Danielle with Ronnie only made him even more angry, she shouldn't be there, she should be dead. He watched them as they slowly walked down the market. He took his phone out his pocket; he scrolled through his contact list and waited for an answer. "Hey mate, yeah, it's me...everything set?...good...ok, I'll let you know when...Bye" Archie placed his phone back in his pocket and smiled, everything was falling in to place. Everything was going to go to plan.