The week passed. Clara spent most of her time between Danny's and the hospital with her Dad generally at work during the day. As expected, Clara's Gran did return home after the weekend. As the doctors had said she shouldn't be alone, she'd temporarily moved into Dave's house which meant that Clara had to be home during the day for her. Waking up at home was slightly strange, but despite her Dad telling her she didn't need to help her Gran, that he could get help in, she was determined to do her bit.

She made her way downstairs on Tuesday morning to find her Gran sat on the sofa with a mug of tea. "Morning Gran, are you okay?"

"Perfectly thank you love, you want a tea?" she asked.

"Oh don't worry I'll sort it, you know you're meant to be resting," Clara grinned. "Do you want anything to eat? I'm gonna put some crumpets on."

"Sounds wonderful," her Gran replied and Clara nodded, going into the kitchen. She shut the door, pulling her phone out and dialling Danny's number.

"Morning beautiful, how're you doing?" Danny asked her.

Clara switched the grill on flicked the kettle on as she replied, "alright, I miss you though," she told him.

"Second that, my parents have forced me to go help at the café today, I'd much rather be working with your clever brain," he replied.

"Oh not me, just my brain," Clara chuckled, pouring the water for her tea.

Danny rolled his eyes even though she couldn't see, "yep, that's all I need for this project."

"Cheeky sod," she complained, "luckily for you I trust you not to mean that. So when you being forced to the outside?"

"Half an hour. I managed to wangle a late start so I'm cycling down in a bit. You got much in store today?"

The grill clicked up to temperature and she put the crumpets in, "not a lot really, just reading and helping Gran out, oh and telling her off if she tries to do too much."

Danny chuckled, "I'd love to see that, but sadly I will be handing out sandwiches, tea and cake."

"Mmm I could do with sandwiches, tea and cake. I'll have to make do with tea and crumpets for now," Clara told him. "Speaking of which, I need to go. Speak to you later?"

They hung up and Clara finished off the breakfast for her and Gran, taking it through. "Ahh smells wonderful, thank you love." Clara smiled and sat down on the sofa with her. "So, who were you talking to?"

She tried not to look surprised, sometimes Clara forgot just how impressive her Gran's hearing was. "Just a friend," she shrugged, sipping at her tea.

"Oh really?" she asked, "the same friend you've spent most of the week with?" Clara didn't really know where she was going with this, but nodded as she ate.

"We work well together, it's been really productive," she replied.

"What's their name?" her Gran asked and she was beginning to run of of ways to get out of this.

"Dan...Danielle," she backed out at the last second and quickly stood up, "I'm just gonna grab my medication," Clara rushed back into the kitchen and called Danny back - he wouldn't have quite left yet.

"Hey you, missing me already?" he answered cheekily and Clara couldn't help but smile a little.

"Yes, but no, my Gran is asking me so many questions about you, I think she knows…" she started, but suddenly felt her breathing going. "Oh gosh, Danny I think…"

"Clara?" he realised what was happening, and when he heard the phone drop to the floor he knew exactly what had happened.

Danny raced around on his bike to her house and ran up to the door, it only took a minute at full speed. He realised if he knocked on the door it would take her Gran far too long to get to the door so he took a deep breath and opened the door, going inside. "Hey! Get out!" her Gran quickly shouted as he ran in.

"Clara, she's collapsed," he got out, "I can't explain," he told her and went straight through to the kitchen where she was just coming out of the seizure. He knelt down beside her and took her in his arms gently, checking her over quickly for any signs of injury. Her Gran had made it to the kitchen again now.

"How is she?" she asked, looking panicked.

Danny brushed her hair back carefully before looking up from the floor, "alright I think, should come round in a second. Are you okay there? You should sit down."

"I'm fine, is she coming round? Clara?" Danny immediately looked back down to her and saw her eyes flicking open. She looked around, spotting her Gran first.

"You shouldn't be standing there… sit down…" Clara spoke quietly, "Dad'll be mad if you damage your hip."

"You go and sit down," Danny told her, "I'll bring Clara through."

Despite her concerns, her Gran did relent and walk through to the lounge as she realised Clara clearly trusted whoever this was. "Thank you," Clara told him as she sat up slowly.

"I'm sorry for coming, I know you didn't want your family to know but I couldn't leave you here," he stood up, helping her stand when she was able.

"It's okay," she leant into him, "I got myself worked up, it was my own fault," she sighed. Danny pushed her back slightly so he could look straight into her eyes.

"This is never your fault, don't say that," he told her sternly, "come on, I think we have some explaining to do." Danny took her hand, squeezing it gently before letting it go but supporting her back to the sofa where he sat with her.

"I guess this is Danielle then?" Clara's Gran perked up and Clara immediately went bright red as Danny laughed a little.

"Danielle eh? That's a new one," Danny replied, "Close, I'm Danny, I go to Clara's school," he told her. "It's lovely to meet you, despite the circumstances."

"Grace," Clara's Gran replied, introducing herself. "So have you kissed yet?"

Danny didn't get a chance to respond before Clara interrupted, "GRAN!" she shook her head, putting it in her hands.

"What? Not many 'friends' would rush round here in minutes and just barge into the house like that. He's definitely your boyfriend," she smirked at them and Danny chuckled.

"She's good," he responded, "very good actually. Busted."

Clara sighed, sitting back up, "alright you got us," she could still feel she was blushing like mad.

"I don't know why you're so worried Clara, he's obviously a lovely boy," her Gran was curious.

"I just… Dad doesn't need this right now, please don't tell him," Clara spoke honestly, she really didn't want her Dad to know when they were just getting things back together.

Grace nodded, "alright, deal done, but only if you answer my question." Clara sighed, she wasn't going to give up.

"Yes, we have," she replied, "happy?"

"Very, you're a lovely couple," she chuckled, "go on go on, you don't have to stay here." Clara opened her mouth to protest, "I'll call you if I need you."

"I'll be down to make lunch," Clara told her, "anything you need-"

"I'll call. Go!" her Gran told her and Danny stood up, pulling Clara up. She relented and left the room, going up to hers.

"I'm sorry," Clara sighed, "she's just… very keen for me to get back to normal."

"No kidding," Danny chuckled, "but don't apologise, she's great. Are you really that worried about telling your Dad?"

"Yes, trust me, it's not a good idea," she lay down on the bed and Danny soon joined her. "Didn't sleep much last night, it was weird being alone."

"My bed felt very empty," Danny kissed her head gently, "sleep now if you like." Clara wasn't going to be asked twice and soon settled down.

#-#-#-#

There was shouting, it was close, it was-

"GET AWAY FROM MY DAUGHTER!" when she opened her eyes she saw her Dad physically pulling Danny off her bed.

"Dad!" she sat up.

"Don't think you're out of trouble young lady, you know the rules of this house!"

"Sir I appreciate this is a shock but honestly there's-" Danny didn't get to finish.

"Get out! Now!" Dave almost hurled him at the door.

Clara tried to go after him but was stopped in her tracks, "Dad let me go!"

"No. Rules are rules, you're too young for all this you should be focussing on your studies! Both of you should!"

Danny looked straight at Clara, telling her without speaking that it would be okay. Clara nodded at him and Danny apologised, turned around and left.

Dave looked to Clara now, anger evident in his face. She couldn't even work out why he was home, had something happened? "Please, for the love of all that is good tell me that isn't your 'friend' from last week?" Clara looked down. "You lied to me!"

"No, I didn't, I never specified a gender Dad," she replied, immediately regretting it.

"Don't get cheeky with me young lady. You're grounded, you're not going anywhere for the rest of this holiday without my say so! I didn't leave work early for this, I really expected better of you. Now I'm going to take your Gran for her physio," Clara immediately cursed herself for forgetting that, "you're not to go anywhere, and that boy isn't coming in this house again. Got it? Phone?" Clara nodded and handed her phone over, too scared that if she opened her mouth again she'd start crying and that just wouldn't help anyone right now. "Good, see you later." And with that, he left.

She held it together until her Dad left the house with her Gran and immediately fell down crying on her bed. This was exactly what she was scared of happening, she just knew her Dad wouldn't cope with this - he wouldn't understand. There was no arguing with him now, she had to find a way of dealing with this. Clara lay down on the bed, crying until she ran out of tears and eventually fell asleep.

When she woke up it had got dark outside, she must have been out for a while. Opening her door slowly, she noticed that her Dad was working in his study - probably making up for the time he had to take off. Thankfully that meant she was able to sneak downstairs where her Gran was sat back on the sofa watching the TV. She walked in slowly, not knowing what to say.

"Oh love… I'm sorry, I tried to talk him round but he's not listening," her Gran sounded genuinely concerned. Clara sat down beside her, leaning gently against her shoulder on her good side.

"I knew he would be like this, it's one step too far. We were just getting back on track…" Clara spoke while trying to hold back tears. "I should have remembered about your appointment."

"You've done nothing wrong Clara, and between us we will make him see that," her Gran kissed her head softly.

Clara sat up, shaking her head, "no, just leave it Gran. Forget about it for now, please just forget about it."

Grace sighed but nodded. It hurt her so much to see her Granddaughter in pain. Clara rested her head back down and sat with her, vaguely watching whatever was on the TV but her mind was going haywire. She knew she needed to calm herself down because it would only cause her more problems if she didn't.

When Dave came back down Clara stood up. "No hold on," Dave started but she kept walking.

"I'm tired, I'm going to bed," she replied but he stopped her at the door.

"You haven't eaten yet."

"I'm not hungry, I just need to sleep."

"You slept all afternoon Clara, stop trying to avoid me."

Clara sighed and turned to face him, "see, not avoiding you. It's late, I didn't sleep last night and you know how messed up I get when I'm emotional."

"Clara don't use that as an excuse now," he started, reaching out to her.

Clara took a step back and shook her head, "you don't get to say that. You do NOT get to say that!" She caught a glance of her Gran looking concerned at her.

"Well it's beginning to sound like it," he replied sternly and Clara shook her head which was beginning to throb. She grabbed her forehead. "Just leave me alone!" she replied and ran upstairs. She ran into her room and almost jumped when she saw Danny. He reached behind her and shut the door, holding a finger to her lips before she spoke and then pulling her close when it occurred to her what had happened.

Danny rubbed her back gently, kissing her head, "I heard the shouting," he whispered, "are you okay?"

"My head… throbbing…" she managed to get out.

He carefully led her over to the bed and sat her down, "just relax, you're gonna be okay. It's all gonna be okay." Clara leant against him, not letting go.

"I miss my Mum," she cried. "I can't stand it anymore, I miss my family, we used to be so happy." Danny held her and watched her. "You make it bearable. Thank you."

"I'm always here, whatever anyone says or tries to do," he told her. Clara looked up to him and kissed him softly. Danny let his hand fall through her hair so his arms rested around her.

When they broke for air Clara sighed gently, resting her forehead against his, "I love you, but you need to go. You have to go. Dad took my phone so I can't call you…"

At that sentence Danny reached into his pocket and pulled out a small phone, "it's just a cheap one, but it's topped up and has my number in it. It'll do for calls and texts. We'll get through this okay? It'll be fine, but you're right - I should go. I'll see you soon." Clara nodded and kissed him again. "I'm not gonna risk the front door again," he made his way to the window, opening it. "Love you," he climbed out and disappeared down. Once she was sure he was safely away, Clara went and lay down on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

#-#-#-#

The rest of the week became a routine. Clara would wake up and look after her Gran during the day, studying or reading in spare moments. She kept the spare phone in the drawer in her room to make sure it wasn't spotted, but it was used regularly. She spoke to her Dad when needed, but he just wouldn't listen to her.

By the time the weekend came around Clara was beginning to lose patience. Her Dad was home and working on his laptop in the living room. Grace was beginning to move around herself and Clara had spent all morning in her room. She looked at the clock and mentally worked something out before opening her window and climbing out.

She didn't go to Danny's, that would be a step too far, but she instead walked round to the hospital - a trip she hadn't made alone in a while. It was lunchtime so she knew someone would be in the staffroom and sure enough when she knocked on the door Greg opened it to her having spotted her already.

"What're you doing here little miss?" he asked as Clara walked in. "It's the weekend!"

"Dad's being an arse," she replied. "I can't stand it at home."

Clara sat down on the sofa next to him, sighing. Greg picked his lunch back up off the table and sat back, "what's happened?"

"He found out about Danny, it's nothing bad but he can't handle it. He's grounded me and banned me from seeing him. He's what's been keeping me going Greg! I've been stuck in the house all week and we are barely talking. It's driving me crazy."

"You mean you weren't already?" Clara rolled her eyes and hit him gently, smiling slightly. "There we go, now we've got that smile back - who's Danny?" Greg asked.

Clara instantly cursed herself for telling someone else, but she could trust Greg. "I need you to keep this to yourself, promise me?" He nodded, "he's… my boyfriend I guess. But more importantly he gets me better than anyone since Mum died. I've never had an attack because of him, but he's basically saved my life twice. He knows how to calm me down and I didn't even think it was possible. He looks after me and in return I look after him. He's been in with the wrong crowd for too long, let his schoolwork drop and he regrets it, so I'm helping him. We're a good match."

"It certainly sounds like he cares for you," Greg replied, "so why has your Dad reacted like that?"

Clara shrugged, "I don't think he can handle it. I wasn't going to tell him, we were just getting things right and I knew he wouldn't cope. It was an accident, him finding out, I forgot he was coming home... "

"Is that why it's all such a big secret then?" he asked and Clara shook her head. "Oh? Do spill?"

She went to speak but the staffroom door opened and one of the consultants walked in, "Gary - oh hi Clara - sorry to interrupt and I know it's your lunch break but we've got a paediatric emergency coming in and I've got no spare nurses."

"Got it. I'll be right there." The consultant left and he looked back to Clara, "the gossip and resounding advice will have to wait. You can wait here." Clara nodded. "I'll be back as soon as I can, promise." When he'd left Clara sat back, turning the TV on and trying her best to distract herself.

#-#-#-#

Danny was surprised to get a knock at the door. His parents were at work and he wasn't expecting anyone. Nevertheless he went to the door and looked through the peep hole, shocked at the resulting view. He stepped back and opened the door. "Jackie what are you doing here?" he asked, and then realised she was struggling to breathe. "Okay, explanation later, we need to get you to the hospital." Danny grabbed his phone and called the ambulance.

When they arrived at the hospital he followed them through but had to wait outside the room as they took her in. Her breathing was still quite bad and they needed to get it under control. "Hi, my name's Greg. Can you tell us more about what happened?" Greg came out of the room when they'd started the treatment, leaving the doctors in there.

"I don't really know, she lives about 90 minutes from here, we go to the same school, um, we're going out. I wasn't expecting her today, she doesn't normally visit in the holidays, she just turned up at the door. I know she suffers from asthma…" Danny did his best to explain.

Greg nodded at the information, "we have a nebuliser running through again, it seems to be improving things." Both of them looked round when the door to the room opened again and one of the doctors came out.

"She's asking for you," he said to Danny, "you can go in now, she's much improved for the moment. We just need to run some tests to make sure there's nothing sinister going on."

Danny thanked him and went inside the room, followed by Greg who went over to do obs. "Sorry," Jackie spoke as she pulled the oxygen mask off her face.

"It's alright, it's just a shock that you're here," he replied, sitting down on the chair by the bed. "The hospital are calling the home by the way."

"Why did you tell them that?!" she asked a little angrily.

"They asked where you lived, I was hardly going to lie," he shrugged. "Why are you here Jackie?"

"It's good to see you too," she replied. Danny rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"You know that's not what I meant," he replied, "you didn't even text to say you were coming."

"Phone died and my charger broke. I was bored, thought I'd pay you a visit," she shrugged.

"I'm guessing you didn't tell anyone?" She shrugged again. "For goodness sake Jackie you can't do that!"

"Exactly when did you turn into Mr Goodie two shoes?" Jackie asked and Danny shook his head. "Sorry, could you get me some water? The nebuliser makes your mouth really dry."

Danny nodded, "sure, I'll find something to eat too," he told her before walking out.

#-#-#-#

Clara had been sat in there a while when she realised she hadn't eaten yet today and she was actually quite hungry. She had some change in her bag so she stood up and went off towards the vending machine.

"Clara?" she heard Danny's voice behind her as she was about to put the money in and turned around. He was looking a little shocked, almost worried.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, "because it definitely wasn't to see me." She watched Danny's mind working. "Don't lie to me."

"Jackie's here," he replied honestly. "She turned up at my house this morning and she was having a really bad asthma attack. I didn't really have much choice but to get here here. She's fine, but I'm kinda stuck now. How come you're here? Did something happen?"

"I just needed to get out, went out the window. I'll be back before he notices, I've done it plenty of times before," she shrugged. They both went silent for a moment before Clara finally relented and went to hug him. "Good job I didn't decide to come to yours then eh?"

"Definitely," he chuckled, holding her. "How're you feeling?"

"I don't even know, I don't know what to think anymore," she sighed. Danny kissed her head and rubbed her back.

"I'm guessing that's Danny then?" Clara jumped back and looked around. Greg was stood there and he soon realised who Danny was. "Oh…"

"What?" Clara asked, but then she realised - Jackie must have been the paediatric emergency. "Oh, right, that's what I needed to tell you."

"So you know?" she nodded, "I'm… confused."

"Danny and Jackie were together before I started," Clara began, but Danny took over - he wanted Greg to know he was serious.

"I got together with Jackie because it was sort of expected. She's the 'popular girl' and I'm the sporty guy. I thought it was what I wanted, but Clara proved that wrong. It was never my intention to string anyone along, but this works out the best for everyone." Greg didn't look convinced.

Clara took over now, "he's right. Jackie… well, she doesn't like me, and she has a lot of influence. It's easier this way, for both of us. You have to believe us."

"You know I trust you, I just worry about you getting hurt again," Greg spoke honestly and Clara smiled.

"This is the way to not be hurt," she replied, "I promise."

"Alright, secret duly kept, but considering you were only meant to be getting food and water you probably shouldn't be much longer," Greg told Danny who nodded. "I'll go and say there's a problem with the vending machine," he winked and left.

Clara turned back to Danny, "you get back. I'll be fine, I need to get home soon anyway before I'm found out." Danny nodded, "I love you, and even if I don't see you during the holidays, I'll see you in 2 weeks."

"We can still text, whatever happens you can still contact me whenever you need me," he replied and kissed her softly. "I love you, everything is going to be fine."

"Yeah…" she started, "it will be."