Routine started to emerge for Clara which helped her a little. Since her talk with Louise she had been more open with the staff, especially in her one to one sessions. It started to help, she felt a little more positive with everything, but there were still struggles to get over. Today however was something she'd been looking forward to for a week. Her Dad was finally being allowed to come and visit her from hospital. She'd got up early and got dressed, finishing off the letter she'd started the night before. One of the staff, Joe, had spoken to her the night before about it and suggested she write down everything she wanted to say to him so she'd decided to make it a letter and Louise was going to give it to him before she went in as the thought of explaining everything was too difficult.
"How's it going?" Louise popped her head around the door.
"Just finished…" she looked up. "I'm scared."
"Hey, it's your Dad, he's not going to judge you he just wants to know how you're doing. He's on his way now so he'll be just on time. You promise me you'll go and eat if I go and talk to him?"
Clara nodded, "I promise, I can't let him down," she told Louise and stood up, heading to the canteen.
It was about half an hour later when Louise came to get her, "you okay?" she asked.
"Honestly?"
"Always," Louise replied.
"No, I'm scared, but I don't know why," she sighed, putting her head in her hands.
Louise put her hand on her Clara's shoulder, "well your Dad has read the letter now so you can go in and speak to him. It'll be fine, he's your Dad. Do you want me there?"
"Um, can you be just outside?" she asked and Louise agreed so they headed off.
She opened the door slowly and walked in to where her Dad was sat in his chair. The moment she saw him Clara ran over, knelt down and hugged him, feeling tears go down her face. Dave returned the hug, kissing the top her head. "Love you sweetheart." They stayed like this for a few moments before Clara calmed down and moved back a little.
"How is your physio going?" she asked, grabbing a chair and sitting beside him.
"Good, really good actually, they reckon I'm ahead of schedule so I'll be out before you know it," he smiled and took her hand. "That's not why I'm here though, this is about you. You're here to get help and I want to be here for now. I read your letter, how you spoke to Louise about looking after your Gran and me," he started.
Clara sat up, "I didn't mind," she quickly told him, "you don't have to feel bad."
"But I do sweetheart, I let it get out of control. I should have been looking after you but I didn't for a long time. That changes right now. I know I'm going to need help too but let me worry about that, you need to think about yourself now. Louise explained to me everything they're doing for you, is it helping?" he squeezed her hand gently and reassuringly.
"It is I think. They won't ever be able to stop me from fitting but they might be able to stop some of the things that cause it," she explained. "I miss home and school though, it's not the same here."
It hurt him to see his little girl so upset, but Dave saw it as the wake up call he needed. "It's important that you get the help though, you'll be home before you know it."
"I'm missing so much school. I mean I'm doing some work here but it doesn't feel like enough."
"Clara Oswald you could pass any exam with your eyes shut. Stop worrying and focus on your health okay? There's only half a term of school left really so you know you probably won't be back this year. Look forward, you'll be going back into school next year a new woman." Dave beckoned her to move closer so she did, leaning into him. "I love you," he kissed her head, "and I'm here for you now." Clara didn't reply, she knew he was right. Instead she lay with him for a while, just taking in being with her Dad.
They let him stay longer than a normal visit but he had to go back for physio and Clara had therapy and school sessions. They hugged and Dave promised he'd visit again as soon as possible. Clara watched him leave, keeping a brave face on until he left. Louise came back in and was slightly surprised when Clara suddenly hugged her, crying. "Hey, what's happened?"
"It's just the closest I've ever felt to my Dad since my Mum died…" she stood back. "I'm sorry."
"No it's alright love, don't be sorry. I'm glad things are working out with your Dad, and you know that's the first time you've really told me your Mum died, it also meant you're remembering more about your relationship with your Dad," Louise pointed out.
"I suppose yeah… it's good…" she looked out of the window. "I know it's likely I won't be going back to school this year, but do you think I could visit in the last week? I want to say goodbye before the holidays, but not here."
Louise walked over, "we'll have to see how you're doing, but day visits aren't out of the question."
"That's a target then, I like to have a deadline," she explained and began to calm down. "Better get on with it."
#-#-#-#
Dave came every Monday, her Gran most weeks on Wednesday and Danny on Saturday. They understood the brief visits from her family helped. Finally the day she'd been working towards had arrived. "You're already up?" Louise walked in at half 7.
"You're in early?" Clara responded, trying not to sound too sarcastic.
"Cheeky," Louise smiled. "Wanted to make sure you were up and alright to go."
"You know there's other staff here? I barely see any of them. How come?" she asked while packing her bag.
Louise sat down, "honestly?"
"No I want you to make up some bizarre story about me looking like your child,"
"Alright you really are in a good mood today aren't you? Okay, because Hayley told me about you. I mean, not the medical stuff obviously but she told me how long she's been seeing you in the hospital, how sometimes you just pop in, how you've got their shift patterns memorised and most importantly how you're going to be her maid of honour. Hayley and I have known each other for a long time and it's clear she cares about you and I guess now I do too…"
Just as she finished Clara turned around, "really?"
"Yes, really. You're very different to most of the patients I've had. Anyway, we need to go get you breakfast before we go. I'll be around all day remember, but I'm not going to follow you. If you need to leave any lessons that's fine and-"
Louise was interrupted as she spoke, "we've been through this 10 times. I know my memory is rubbish at the moment but I've got it, honestly. Come on then, breakfast."
About an hour later they arrived at the school. Louise gave her a low down which Clara listened to politely before rushing off to find her friends who didn't know she was visiting. After a quick knock she entered their room to a shriek. "Oh my gosh!" "Clara!" They both ran over to her and hugged her. "You look so much better," Jess smiled as they stood back. "Are you out now?"
Clara shook her head, "no, but they said I could come today to say goodbye for the summer. It was a good target to aim for. I'm here all day though." They questioned her about why she would come for lessons but they weren't really complaining.
Faye changed the subject, "so how is it going? Is it okay in there?"
Sitting down on the bed she explained what she had to do there, "it's helping, it's what I needed. You guys are amazing support and I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me, but this was always going to happen sometimes I can see that now."
They both hugged her, "you're amazing you know that?" Faye told her, "but we can't sit here we have to get to lessons. You coming?"
"Yep, time to surprise Danny," Clara jumped up.
Jess stood up, looking a little confused, "you haven't told him? Wasn't he there on Saturday?"
"Yeah, kept it a secret," she grinned and they walked off to their first lesson.
They arrived before Danny and Clara sat down in her usual spot where Paula was already waiting to question her about her about if she was okay and how things were going - she was definitely going to be overprotective today. Danny arrived a couple of minutes later and Clara watched him out of the corner of her eye as he didn't notice her at first, chatting to someone else before he walked to his usual seat. As he turned around he saw her, "Clara?"
Standing up from her chair she smiled at him, "don't look so shocked, I'm not a ghost or anything," she chuckled a little at his shocked face and guided him to his seat. "They let me out for the day to see everyone before term ends, we agreed the date a few weeks ago so I had a goal… are you okay?"
"Yes, sorry," Danny shook himself out of his daze, "just wasn't expecting this. I've missed you sitting there."
"Well for one day and one day only, I'm back," she winked at him.
"You're in a very good mood today, much better than Saturday, are you really okay in there?"
Danny looked concerned and Clara looked confused, "why wouldn't I be? They're helping me. Danny I'm just glad to see everyone outside of that same room that's all. Things are going well, I promise," she smiled again and sat back as their science teacher came in.
When break came around they were chatting with Faye, Jess, Matt and Lee for a bit before Danny whispered asking if they could chat. Clara nodded and walked with him a little further along the field. "Is Paula following you everywhere today?" he asked and they both glanced over to where she was - far enough not to hear their conversation but with a constant eye on Clara.
"Pretty much, Louise is around too just incase. I'm not discharged yet, kinda like day release from prison," she shrugged. "What did you want to talk about?"
"Something's not right today, look I know you want to be perfect and fine for all of us but I know you. You might be able to fool them but you can't fool me," Danny sighed, "I can't just ignore it."
"I can, I need to. I just want to be happy for one day. It's okay there, they're helping me, but it's a constant reminder of what happened. I'm fighting Danny. Seeing you, my Dad and Gran all the time helps me to get through it and that's getting me through. Louise is amazing too, and there's a couple of girls there that I can talk to there too, they've been there quite a while so they know how it works. It is okay there, but I just need to be happy today that's all. Look, why don't we have this conversation just before I go? I've got till 5 so meet you after lessons in my little room?" Clara got it out before he could argue, being totally honest.
"Alright, whatever helps," he smiled and hugged her, kissing her quickly as the bell went. "Best get to maths, come on."
#-#-#-#
The rest of the day passed as normal and Clara was grateful for that. The 5 of them hung out at lunch and the last couple of lessons passed in a flash. The last was history which she didn't share with Danny so afterwards she persuaded Paula she was going to see him alone and eventually went up to her room where Danny was already waiting. "Sorry, took an age to persuade Paula to let me go somewhere alone. I am kinda breaking the rules… but I needed to see you."
"You looked tired," he commented as she sat down on the bed beside him.
Clara leant into him, nodding, "it's tiring being asked so many questions all day. Are you okay?"
"Course, just worried about you," he kissed her head, "talk to me."
"I miss everyone here, well, not everyone but you and the girls and Lee and Matt are cool too. Plus the amount of work I've missed is ridiculous," she sighed. "But it's also reminded me why I'm there."
Danny nodded, "it'll be weird not having you round the corner when I'm at home"
"It's already weird not seeing you everyday," she could feel herself tear up. "I miss you so much."
She lay down and Danny went with her. "I know, I miss you too, but like you say it's important," he gently kissed her. "I'll still come and visit, I spoke to Mum about it. Mum and Dad both want to come and see you if that's okay?"
"Yeah sure," she replied fairy quietly. "I miss them too…"
Looking down Danny could see she'd dropped off and looked at the time, he could let her sleep for a while.
About half an hour later there was a knock on the door. Clara didn't stir so he managed to leave her on the bed while he went and opened the door. He was quite surprised at who was outside.
"Hiding with your girlfriend are we? You know her minder is searching for her? She's in so much trouble," Jackie smirked at him.
"Go away Jackie, this is none of your business," he went to shut the door but Jackie put her foot in.
"Why would you want to be with a nutcase anyway?" she questioned. "Honestly sometimes I think you must be mad too."
"You know what I don't really care what you think, so if you could kindly-" he started to speak but Jackie caught him and pushed into the room.
Before he could stop her she was kicking the side of the bed, "oi sleepyhead you're wanted out there," she practically shouted.
"Jackie get out!" Danny shouted at her and tried to pull her back as Clara woke up suddenly in shock, moving away from Jackie on the bed and trying to keep calm.
"I'm just proving my point really, I mean look she's crazy," she gestured at Clara on the bed. He tried to get passed Jackie to Clara but she blocked him. Anger brewed up inside as they began to fight it. "You deserve better than this!"
Disbelief rolled over Danny's face. "You think that YOU are better?!" Danny screamed, "look at yourself! Grow the hell up!"
He slapped her, it was a snap decision. It worked, she moved and he could get to Clara, but only as one of their fairly new teachers, Mr Daniels, walked by. "Daniel Pink get out here now!" he shouted, but Danny didn't move. Clara was panicking and he needed to calm her down before she had a seizure. Jackie turned on the victim act and started whining to Mr Daniels but Danny wasn't listening, nor did he pay attention to what he was saying, as all the commotion was only upsetting Clara more.
"Just get out!" he shouted over at the other two.
"Excuse me?!" Mr Daniels couldn't quite believe what he was hearing. "What even is this place?!"
"Please be quiet! You're going to make things worse," he dropped his voice as Clara clung tighter. "I love you," he whispered in her ear.
"I can't make it stop," she whispered back.
Suddenly Danny jumped off the bed over her and knelt down by the side, "you're going to be fine."
"Are you even listening to me?" their teacher asked but Danny ignored him, that was until Clara started fitting. Now he turned around, but only a little to keep his eye on her. "Are you happy now?!"
"What the hell is going on?!" their teacher replied but was quickly interrupted by the arrival of Paula and Louise.
Paula ran in first, "Jackie, my office now! If you're not there when I get back there will be significant consequences. Go!" Once she'd gone she looked the other way, "you stay there, because you need to see what you've just done." Mr Daniels stood back in shock and watched on. "How long Danny?"
He checked his watch, "2 minutes 32 seconds. Don't ask me what happened, I'll tell you after," he kept watching Clara.
Louise stepped in now, "I need to know what caused this, she shouldn't have been out of our sight."
"Is that really your main concern right now?! Some stupid selfish idiots. That's what caused this." Danny glared at Mr Daniels as he finished speaking but not for long. "She's settling…" he checked his watch again. "We're good," he took her hand again and kissed it gently. "You're safe."
At this point Mr Daniels spoke up again. "I'm sorry is nobody else seeing what I'm seeing? 2 pupils in a small room together-"
"Why don't you go to my office too Harry?! I'll see you there," Paula shouted at him and he couldn't argue, so he left. "I'm sorry Danny, I never thought this-"
"It's not your fault Miss. You've always done good by her," he stroked her hair gently as she came round. "Hey sleepyhead, I'm sorry I couldn't stop it…"
"Shut up, if I had a pound for everytime you apologised after a seizure I'd be rich by now. It's not your fault," she smiled gently. "You know I held it off for longer though?"
He nodded, sitting back up on the bed so she could lean on him again, "you did, you're making amazing progress. You should get back now, you need to rest." Clara shook her head as she slowly drifted off against him again. "I'll carry her out, she won't want to walk now… if that's okay?" They all agreed and soon enough Clara was in the car heading back, with Danny making a promise to email Louise about what happened. He watched until the car was out of sight and then sat down on the steps. "I let her down Miss, I shouldn't have let that happen."
"How many times do I have to keep reminding you that you're still young? You did your best. Now go on, go and see your mates they'll cheer you up. Don't worry about Jackie, I'll have strong words," she let him go having already got the low down as the car was leaving.
Once Danny was well gone she was quick to get upstairs to her office where thankfully both guilty parties were still there. Jackie went to open her mouth but Paula was never going to let that happen before she spoke. "Don't even think about it. You've been causing trouble for Clara from the moment she arrived but this?! This is ridiculous!"
"I don't have a mum and I'm not a nutcase am I?" she shucked in air through her teeth.
Paula didn't waste time in making eye contact. "You didn't watch your Mum die. You haven't been through half of what she has been through. You haven't developed a serious condition which is irritated by stress. You are a very lucky girl but you act like a spoilt brat. Danny is gone, he's decided his side and you need to get over that and not take it out on someone like that! Get out of my sight, you haven't heard the end of this."
Jackie stormed out, now it was Harry's turn. "I really don't understand why you would let them-"
"Did you not see what just happened in there? Clara has been through a lot and Danny is one of the few people she has been able to confide in and help her. They're sensible kids, and it's serious between them. Pay attention when she's back, you'll see what I mean. But for goodness sake when a child looks so scared do not shout at them! I know you're new to this game but some common sense would be nice… and if you want to read Clara's file I'll give you the edited version anytime you like. Now you can go too, I have some fallout paperwork to do and a phone call or two to make. Goodnight Harry," she sat down, not watching as he left and then putting her head in her hands, trying to process all that had happened.