Rosie pulled up outside the hospital. She didn't stop to gather her thoughts, she knew that would only give her time to change her mind.

"Dad!"

"He's away out Rosie, he had a call out in the bush." called Alice emerging from the office, she could see Robbie asleep in his stroller.

"Oh," Rosie hadn't banked on a delay and now she felt her previous courage start to desert her.

Alice noticed, "Anything I can help you with?"

"Well, I was actually wanting to tell you something, both of you."

"Go ahead...unless you want to wait on your dad." But Rosie shook her head.

"Me and Dylan..." she took a deep breath and forced herself to look directly at her step mum. "We're moving to Johannesburg." Rosie couldn't judge Alice's reaction. She didn't seem angry which was a bonus. Yet, she didn't seem overly joyous either. "Say something!"

Alice went to speak but all form of speech seemed to have left her. Rosie exhaled and, in panic, set off trying to explain.

"There's better career prospects for Dylan there. Not to mention better housing. Bigger, cheaper. We've already bought a house. It's so much easier for us financially especially if we eventually you know want to start a family. Plus I don't know if I want to be a large animal vet. What's wrong with cats and dogs? I want to try it. I know you and dad will want me to stay. But I don't care we're..."

"Rosie. Rosie!" Alice stopped her rant, smiling. Rosie took a shaky breath waiting for Alice to speak. "I'm so happy for you. The both of you." And she pulled Rosie in for a tight hug.

"Really?" Rosie whispered.

"Of course! I remember being your age and wanting to see the big cities. Escape from home."

"It's not escaping."

"I know Rosie. I'm kidding. But in all seriousness it sounds like a great opportunity for you and therefore you have to grab it."

"So you think it's the right thing to do?"

Alice could see Rosie was seeking reassurance. It was a huge step for her to move away from home again especially as that was when her first marriage had all fell apart. "It definitely is, and Rosie you're always welcome here. So if you go and it doesn't go the way you want for the pair of you. Just come back."

"Thanks Alice."

"That's what I'm here." And they hugged again.

"What about dad? How do you think he'll take it?"

Alice laughed, "I'll deal with him, don't worry."

Rosie smiled though not as half as confidently as Alice.

"Dupe?" Danny radioed as he neared the place Dupe had told him to come to.

"By the water, Trevanion. Quickly!"

Danny halted the jeep and picked up his gun. Woah. He felt a wave of dizziness. "You're fine," he muttered to himself. "Come on...You're fine!" Taking deep breaths. He set off. He saw Dupe crouched behind some small trees. "What's the problem?" he hissed crouching beside him.

"Zebra nasty gash on his...Danny, you look awful!"

"You're not too hot yourself, thanks Dupe." He wittily replied, already getting the tranquilliser gun ready.

"Very funny, but seriously you ok Danny?"

"Are we going to sort this zebra?" Danny asked impatiently.

"Yeah man go." Dupe stayed quiet till Danny had shot, then started again. "You'd tell us man if-"

"Can you grab my box Dupe thanks."

Danny set to work dealing with the animal's leg. Dupe didn't get the chance to say two words to him till they were back at their trucks. "So?" Dupe enquired.

"So what?" Danny said dismantling the tranquilliser gun.

"About what I was saying before, have you seen a doctor."

"Dupe! Leave it." snapped Danny. "I went this morning. I wish everyone would stop telling me how awful I'm looking and just leave me be."

"Everyone's just worried, man"

"Why! I said I'm fine now can we leave it." He jumped in the front of the truck and Dupe felt dismissed. He walked to his own grumbling about trying to show concern. Danny exhaled and let him drive away. His outburst at Dupe had left him feeling exhausted...so exhausted in fact...

Dupe pulled up outside the house and slamming the truck door stormed into the house. "Dupe? What's up?"

"What's up with Trevanion, Alice?"

"He doesn't seem right."

"He went to the doctor and he said he was fine,"

"Hmmm." Was all Dupe said thinking back a few years to his heart attack. How he'd kept it from Caroline, Liv and the rest of the family.

"Where is he anyway?"

"I dunno he was behind me I think."

Alice tried not to panic. Danny was fine. He'd be home soon for goodness sake! "I'll try the radio." Dupe followed her. "Danny?"

No reply.

"Maybe he's driving, woman."

"He always answers...Danny? You ok?"

"MUM!" it was Robert.

Dupe could see the concern in Alice's eyes along with her torn between her son's cries and finding her husband.

"See to the boy. I'll get Trevanion." Alice but her bottom lip and nodded.

"Find him Dupe, please."

He left the house and drove back the way he'd just come 15 minutes before. Danny' truck hadn't moved Dupe could see the back of it as he pulled up. "DANNY!"

Nothing.

Dupe ran to the jeep. Danny lay slumped across the steering wheel. "Danny!" He leaned over feeling for a pulse. It was there he was, thank god, alive his breathing was weak though. Dupe fumbled for the radio. "Someone! Come in! Leopard's Den!"

"Dupe?"

"Alice call for the helicopter, to where we treated the zebra!"

"What! Where's Danny-"

"ALICE, NOW!"

Dupe ran his hands through his hair. Not knowing what to do.

"Dupe, I've called they're on their way. I'm coming to you."

Alice chucked the radio away. Calling to Nomsa as she sprinted from the house. "Nomsa! Keep an eye on Robbie." And off she went.

"What's wrong with you Danny?" She asked mentally. Tears spilling.

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