Clara returned home and things were better, genuinely better. Over the next couple of days there were small conversations about Danny - small, but her Dad was generally the one starting them. He asked questions about him, what he'd done, why she'd gone there. Clara kept her answers brief, it wasn't the time for in depth conversations yet. It was 3 days in when he suddenly came out with something she wasn't expecting.
"You should invite Danny over for dinner tonight, there's going to be plenty," he told her as they were going downstairs. Clara was still a little unsteady on her feet so stairs were difficult on her own.
She was shocked at the question, almost stopping where she was but resisting as she probably would've fallen down if she stopped. "Um… yeah, sure, I'll call him in a bit I guess. Are you taking Gran to physio this morning?"
"I am, you know the rules?" Clara nodded, they had compromised after all, she'd make do with a phone call if he was allowed round later.
"I'm good from here," she told him when they got to the kitchen, "see you later."
Clara organised her breakfast and listened as her Dad and Gran left before she pulled out her phone and dialled Danny's number. "Hey you, how you doing?" he answered and Clara smiled, sitting down on the sofa and relaxing back.
"Good, loads better actually. Things are so much better at home to be honest, Dad's been asking about you a bit. He um… he actually invited you round for dinner tonight actually," Clara told Danny.
His response was just as shocked as hers had been, "really?"
"Yeah, I've no idea what he's cooking but apparently there'll be plenty. I… wouldn't expect much from the cooking though," she chuckled a little, "if you want to come that is?"
"Course I'll come, need to prove to your Dad I'm not a monster after all," he added a little roar at the end, making her laugh again. "Missed that laugh," Danny told her and just listened as she chuckled that little bit more. Clara sounded so free when she laughed, it was something that reminded him of the real Clara, not the one her Dad or other kids wanted her to be. The girl who was stronger than everyone saw, braver than they believed and smarter than anyone ever expected. Danny couldn't help but be blown away by her whenever she showed that side, which was most of the time when she was with him.
"You still there?" Clara asked and Danny realised she'd been talking while he'd been thinking. "Oi, daydreamer."
"Sorry, sorry I was just thinking about something. What time shall I come over?" he asked.
Clara's temptation to tell him to come over now was strong, but she had to keep to her father's wishes if this was going to work. "I'll have to text you later, need to check with Dad."
Danny caught the tinge of sadness in her voice, "are you okay?"
"Just fed up with being stuck in the house to be honest. I can't go out without supervision and Dad's busy with work and Gran. Weird because a few months ago I never wanted to leave, I blame you for making me bored," she smiled.
Danny rolled his eyes "since when was it my fault?"
"Since you turned me into a half normal human being again, how very dare you," she replied. "In all seriousness, I do really need to get outside so I'm gonna go to the garden and I need both hands. Call you back?"
"Sounds great, speak soon, be careful." Danny hung up and that allowed Clara to slip her phone in her pocket and push herself up. No sooner had she done so the doorbell rang and so instead of heading to the backdoor Clara made her way steadily to the front door, grabbing the key from the side and unlocking it.
In a complete surprise, Greg and Hayley were stood at the door. "Well hello stranger, we got fed up of waiting for you to tell us how you are so we came to you instead!" Greg told her. "Up and about then? Was expecting your Dad to answer."
Clara was a little shocked, but happy to see them nonetheless. "Dad's with Gran at physio, you can come in if you want - he likes you guys," she smiled and moved out of the way so they could come in.
"Oh yeah, how's the whole boyfriend thing going?" Hayley asked while Clara shut the door.
"He's… struggling with it. Dad I mean, but he's trying to understand now at least. Asking a few questions, and Danny's coming for dinner tonight so hopefully that will help, he'll finally see him for who he is and not this kid who's trying to corrupt his daughter." Clara made her way back into the lounge and they followed, "do you want tea or coffee?"
Hayley put her bag down and gave Clara a look, "I'll sort it. I'm sure I can find everything and I'm also pretty sure you're on supervised movement am I right?" She looked a little sheepish, "never try and kid a doctor, you should know that by now Miss Oswald." Clara chuckled and nodded, sitting down on the sofa next to where Gary had already made himself comfortable, something that amused her a little.
"Have you two just left work?" she asked him when she saw he was attempting to suppress a yawn. "You should be in bed why are you here?!"
"The free coffee," he pointed out and smiled. Clara rolled her eyes and hit him gently, "okay so we were worried."
"You do this for all your patients then?"
"Only the special ones," he winked playfully and looked up when Hayley came back in with the mugs. "Oooo you're a star."
"We wanted to talk to you about something too," Hayley joined in as she sat down in the chair adjacent to them. "Greg and I-"
"- have been together for ages and are engaged. I spotted the ring and I'm far from stupid," Clara chuckled at their obvious shock. "Seriously why has it taken you 8 months to tell me?"
"You've known the whole time?!" Hayley responded, almost dropping her tea and having to put it down on the table. "How?"
"You are so not subtle," Clara grinned and sipped her own tea, watching the looks between them as they tried to work out where they'd gone wrong. "I don't know why you didn't want to tell me, what would I have against it?"
"Well we just thought…" Greg began but he seemed nervous.
"We didn't want to unsettle anything else for you," Hayley told her. Clara smiled at them both, they cared so much for two people that had put up with some real rubbish from her. "Neither of us were sure how you'd take it and then everything with the school happened and there never quite seemed to be the right time."
"Well I'm glad you've told me now, that ring is stunning. Have you decided on a date yet?"
"Next July, Greg over there booked it as part of the engagement! My home church for the ceremony and a wonderful hotel in the country after," Clara could see her eyes light up just talking about it. She saw something in her that reminded her how she felt when thinking about Danny, another reminder that theirs was far from a teenage love affair. "Anyway, I wanted to ask you something. I was hoping you might be one of my bridesmaids."
Clara was shocked, "why me?" she asked, a little confused "I'm just the girl that pops up all the time with more problems."
"Oh Clara you are so much more than that. Don't you see? You're like a little sister to us both, we couldn't not have you involved. My sister is going to be maid of honour and I have a couple of other friends I am going to ask aswell. I'll make sure I can introduce you to them and as many others as I can before the day to make it easier for you as well. Your Dad is welcome to be there and you can have a plus one," she winked cheekily making Clara blush. "So will you?"
"Yes of course," Clara smiled and Hayley moved to hug her.
"I am definitely taking you dress shopping by the way, my sister is all bit clueless," she chuckled. "Thank you."
"Thank you for asking," Clara smiled.
"I don't mean to break this up, but your phone fell out of your pocket and it's rung about 5 times," Greg handed it to Clara who looked at the screen.
"Oh damn…" she said when she took the phone from him and quickly heard a knock at the door. "Oops. That's Danny, I'd just got off the phone to him when you arrived and said I'd ring him back when I'd got to the garden. He probably thinks I'm sprawled on the floor," Clara pushed herself up and walked to the door, opening it. "I'm so sorry, I completely forgot," she told him. "You worry too much you know?"
"I think I have every right to," he hugged her, "I'm glad you're okay. What happened?"
"Greg and Hayley came, they're in the living room. I'll have to fill you in later, Dad will be back soon. Are you okay? Hold on…" she left him at the door and went in, finding a bottle of water in the fridge and taking it out, "here. I'm sorry," she kissed him gently and he held close to her.
"Don't ever do that to me again," he chuckled softly. "I'll see you later then." Clara kissed him again, rubbing his back softly before stepping back. She rolled her eyes when Greg wolf whistled from the living room, obviously spying on them.
"Sorry about him, see you later," she smiled, reluctantly shutting the door and turned back round into the living room. "Really Greg?"
Greg just smiled back at her and Clara shook her head, "you guys are sweet, he really cares about you." Clara nodded, smiling as she sat back down. "How are you doing really then? Gave us all a good scare."
"I know, it wasn't great. I'm getting there though, walking is nearly back to normal. Mentally it's been… interesting, but I think I'm getting there. Dad's actually been amazing the last few days, we're really getting somewhere now. He's actually letting me talk and explain how I'm feeling for the first time since Mum died, it's nice." Greg and Hayley were good, they didn't give her the sympathetic look that almost everyone else would when she mentioned her Mum, instead they looked genuinely happy for her that things were getting better. "I don't know how I'd have got to this point without you both, thank you," she told them.
The door opened a few moments later and her Dad walked in with her Gran, who was also walking better now. Clara pushed herself up off the sofa and walked towards them, "hey Gran, are you okay? How'd it go?"
"Wonderful thank you, aren't you meant to be resting dear? Oooo do we have visitors?" she asked, spotting Greg on the sofa.
"I'm soooo done with resting, but I have been. This is Greg and Hayley, they've looked after me at the hospital… a lot," Clara moved to let her Dad and Gran in the room.
"Oh yes I remember you both, you've known Clara a while right?" Dave asked, assisting her Gran down to her chair.
Clara joined Greg back on the sofa, letting them reply for themselves. "Yeah, you've got a good one here," Greg told her Dad.
"Greg and Hayley are engaged, that's why they came round," Clara told her family. "Hayley asked me to be bridesmaid at the wedding."
"Don't worry, I got everything covered to make sure she feels comfortable on the day," Hayley told Dave, spotting his concern. Clara gave him a look to tell him it was okay, relaxing Dave enough to smile. "We'll do details another time."
"Well that sounds wonderful, thank you," Dave replied. Clara could see her Gran smiling at her, probably already plotting how many different photos she could take of her in a bridesmaids dress. "Can we get you anything?"
"Oh no we'd better get going, came straight from an overrunning night shift so probably should get some sleep before the next one starts. We'll leave you guys to it," Hayley stood up and Greg followed. Clara pushed herself up so she could hug them both before they left, making sure to see them out. Dave followed her and Clara chuckled at him when she noticed he was stood behind her after she shut the door.
Dave looked confused at her laughter, "you're getting overprotective again Dad," she told him. "It's fine," she hugged him. There was a moment where he froze and Clara realised they hadn't really hugged for a long time, but a few seconds later he wrapped his arms around her almost protectively. "I love you lots Dad."
"Love you too kid," he kissed the top of her head gently and Clara felt herself remembering the many times he used to do just the same thing. "Did you call Danny?"
"Yeah, I just need to text him when to come over that's all," she stepped back.
"Say half 4?" Clara nodded.
Dave smiled and they started to go back over, "could we go outside? I've been stuck in here for days and I know you need to work, we don't have to be long-"
"Course we can, I'll just sort your Gran some lunch and we could have a walk down to the café in the park, it's not far but we can sit outside," he told her.
Clara looked between him and her Gran, "oh don't you worry about me love, we all know I'll be having a nap," she chuckled. "Go on, you two enjoy yourselves."
"That'd be great Dad," she smiled. Dave nodded and went off to the kitchen to sort lunch for his Mum while Clara sat back on the sofa for a moment. "Did your physio go okay Gran?"
"Wonderful thank you, my nice young man is back from his holiday," she grinned and Clara rolled her eyes. Her Gran's physio was a 24 year old man called Ollie who she kept flirting with at appointments and both Clara and her Dad couldn't help but laugh. "He's rather tanned now."
"And did you listen to what he said or just study his skin?" she asked sternly.
"Yes yes I'm a good girl, exercises noted, homework will be done," her Gran assured her, "but only once I've had food and a nap."
"Sounds like a deal," Clara smiled, "we'll both be back on our feet before Dad knows it."
"Oh yes, giving him the runaround of course," she replied and they both started laughing as Dave reappeared with sandwiches and tea.
"What're you two laughing at?" Dave asked, only making them laugh harder. "Oh dear gosh they're ganging up on me," he spoke into the room. "Are you coming or not?"
Clara nodded, still grinning when she stood up. "Come on Dad, best get going before Gran is chasing you round the living room." Dave looked very confused but Clara didn't elaborate and just pushed him gently towards the front door. "See you later!"
The fresh air was more pleasant than she had expected and Clara enjoyed the walk down. It was a lovely day, fresh from the rain of the night before and bright as the sun just about broke through the clouds. Something made her take more notice of this than she ever had. Her mind kept tuning in on bird calls or the sound of a dog barking in the distance. It was silly little things really, but she just found herself ultrasensitive to it all. The walk took a lot longer than it would have normally, but her Dad was there to steady her when she felt uneasy. When they arrived at the cafe Clara sat down at a table outside while her Dad went in to get food. She pulled her phone out and snapped a picture to send to Danny.
Look who got out. Dad says half 4 by the way x she sent it along with the picture. The reply was almost instant.
Guess who's the other side of the lake with his younger cousins! I'll stay away. See you later xx
Clara looked up and managed to spot him across the way in his favourite red jumper, smiling when she could just about see he was being chased around by his cousin.
"You alright?" Clara jumped at her Dad's voice but smiled as he handed her a mug of tea. "You were miles away. Food will be out soon."
Dave sat down and Clara readjusted herself in the chair, "was just enjoying the view. Forgot how much I love it here."
"We used to come all the time when you were younger," he told her and Clara nodded.
"We played football over there," she pointed, "I remember. So many good memories."
"I have a question," Dave started, changing the conversation, "what should I cook tonight?"
"I knew it! I knew you hadn't organised anything," she grinned.
"Well… no, but I will," he replied.
"Dad, do you want me to cook?" Clara replied.
"You are meant to be resting," he pointed out.
"I'll be fine, there's hardly much moving about involved. I could get Danny over to help me?" she suggested, a little unsure how it would go down.
"Well, if you're sure?" Dave said, clearly a little unsure but at least he was going with it. Clara nodded, "okay, call him over whenever."
"We will stay in the kitchen, promise," she grinned and Dave smiled back. The food arrived just then so they sat back to let the waitress put the plates down. They both thanked her and started eating. "This is good, thanks Dad."
They ate in relative silence, just enjoying the view and the food. Clara looked down when her phone vibrated on the table and spotted a message from Danny.
The kids wanted food, we're on our way to the cafe. Practice your surprised face…
She quickly locked the screen, "bloody PPI," she complained to put her Dad off the scent. He chuckled and they continued eating. Clara saw Danny out of the corner of her eye but didn't react when he walked by into the building, dragged by the two little girls in front of him. Instead it was his Mum that reacted.
"Clara!" she smiled and went over, only then spotting her Dad. "Ah um…"
"It's fine, he knows. Hi Faith," she smiled, "Dad this is Danny's Mum."
Dave turned around to look behind and smiled, although Clara could see he was still getting used to this. "Lovely to meet you, I'm Dave."
"Likewise. I'm Faith, this is my sister Paula. Danny's already been dragged inside by his cousins, I can get him-"
"No no it's fine I'll see him later," Clara quickly told her. "You should get on, it was nice to see you," she smiled politely. Faith gave her a questionable look and Clara nodded in the direction of the café to tell her to speak to Danny if she had any questions.
"You too love, enjoy your afternoon," Faith finished off before heading inside. Clara looked back and her Dad sat back around.
"She seems nice," Dave responded, sipping at his tea.
Clara nodded, "she is, both his parents are but his Mum especially so, she's trying really hard to work out how to deal with me. When I collapsed before, Faith and Jerome blamed themselves. It wasn't their fault, they weren't to know, but Danny said his Mum has asked loads since then, wants to know what to do and stuff. They care, it's nice," she smiled.
"They cared when I didn't," Dave said, not really asking.
"No that's not what I meant-" Clara went to argue but Dave leant over, taking her hand across the table.
"It's true though, and that's okay, we're getting through it together now. I'm glad you had someone," he told her, squeezing her hand. "You'll always be my beautiful girl." Clara hid her head in her spare hand, feeling herself getting a little emotional. "You alright?"
"Yeah," she gathered herself and sat back up, "sorry, I'm okay. Can we have a walk around the lake before we go?"
Dave nodded and they stood up. Clara supported herself to get out and then slipped an arm into her Dad's as they walked. There were a lot of memories in this place and Clara could picture her Mum picking her up, spinning her around, chasing her round the park. She could see her Mum and Dad stood at the corner of the play park watching while she ran around without a care in the world. Dave could see her smiling at happy times and enjoyed seeing her so relaxed, it'd been so long. It was helping him too, he knew that. In fact Dave hadn't realised quite how much seeing Clara happy did help him until now.
"What time is Danny joining us then?" he asked.
"Oh, I said half 3 if that's okay?" Dave nodded, smiling. "Thanks, you'll have time to work. We'll keep the door open so Gran can see us."
"Sounds like a plan to me, I'm expecting something wonderful for dinner," he chuckled.
"Oh you'll get it," she replied, "we should get back, I need to check what we've got."
They walked back and it wasn't long before Danny arrived at the door. Clara let him in, her Dad already working. Knowing he was upstairs she kissed him gently before shutting the door behind him. "We're on dinner duty and I need your help, we have the weirdest mixture of ingredients here and this is your remit."
"Lead the way," Danny grinned, saying hi to her Gran on the way through. He had a look through the cupboards to work out what he was doing. Clara sat at the breakfast bar, watching him pick things out as his head started working out the recipe. "You enjoying yourself there?"
"Absolutely, you make it look effortless and I still haven't worked out what you're planning on cooking," she chuckled. Danny stopped what he was doing and turned around, going over and leaning on the other side of the bar. "What's that look for?"
"Nothing, you just look cute there," he smiled, kissing her nose, "you gonna help me now?" Clara shrugged. "Cheeky sod, come on you." Danny helped her down and they started to work together on dinner.
It was fun, more fun than Clara had actually expected. They laughed, joked around and almost danced about the kitchen as they cooked. Clara occasionally spotted her Gran chuckling at them in the living room, but she didn't care. When it was nearly ready she called up to her Dad before turning back to Danny. "Moment of truth," she told him, taking a deep breath.
"Hey, it's gonna be fine okay? I'll put on my ultimate charm," he reassured her. Clara smiled, leaning into him for a moment until they heard his study door open and the footsteps down the stairs. Clara stood up, going back over to the stove and stirring the food while Danny checked on the oven. Despite all her Dad's comments Clara knew this evening could still go either way and they were about to find out which.