This chapter i think was purely to introduce a problem to test R/Ds unity, this chapter does lead somewhere even if its not very clear i promise! I have tried maintain the original tension intended but in order to move the story along i have trid to speed up the process however dont worry it will still hopefully linger on!
"Ron you sure you don't want paying back for any of this? I mean I understand the splurge on Danielle, but me?" asked a overly chuffed Roxy as this was the first time in a really long time she had seen her sister like this, so happy and hopeful just seeing her joke around made Roxy feel young again, like she and her sister were back to how they used to be.
The fact she actually had 19 year old niece was enough to make Roxy laugh in irony, she felt so old, the whole afternoon of shopping had flown passed but she did seem to agree with what Ronnie had said before they left the hospital. There was a definite un nerving tension between Ronnie and Danielle for most of the day , like for the two of them to be able to talk was the hardest thing imaginable, was it supposed to be like this she asked herself glumly. Turning her attention to how they were both behaving now, appeared slightly more comforting to Roxy as they as mother and daughter seemed to be warming to each other more and more, gelling together at last, it was as if neither wanted to make a bad impression so instead both held one another at an arms length. Small compliments on each others hair, make up and clothes were made, the occasional pointing out of similarities they shared and neither most definitely not talking about the past. How long could small talk last Roxy wondered. Right now Ron seemed at ease her hand, placed lightly on Danielle's thigh as they both made fun of the man who served them lunch, and Danielle looked at her mother in pure amazement as if she was this idol that only she could see. Roxy watched on in the front seat in complete happiness but as the entered the square she knew only too well that there was one problem the pair would have to face inevitably soon, the issue that was now living at Janine's flat, directly opposite the Vic. It was just as if a giant rain cloud burst over a scene you'd have seen in Bambi and Roxy resented her father so much that and for hurting her sister like this for so long.
"Now then Danielle" stated a rather adamant sounding Roxanne "I don't think I know your sleeping arrangements do I ? I mean now I'm an established aunt, I feel I have a duty to over see these certain aspects of your life". Danielle replied in a very similar matter of factly tone "Well funny enough I'm not entirely sure myself my ever so caring aunty".
Ronnie made sure to send a very thankful glance in her sisters direction at this, as this was a question that had been brewing within her for quite sometime now, but she certainly didn't want herself to appear to pushy or controlling in her ever so delicate daughters eyes. Her glance then was directed to Danielle who was obviously weighing up where she would now be living, Ronnie herself did not mind where Danielle would stay she would rather she live somewhere accessible to her but did not entirely mind at all, as long as if it wasn't anywhere near Archie.
"Well if it's alright with you two I think I'm going to head back to the Slater's they've been great and Stacey is practically my family after all" she lightly jokedand it was only after saying this Danielle was only able to fully appreciate how much was actually going well for her, in her whole life she couldn't remember a time where she felt this wanted by everyone around her. It was heaven, a true a moment a to store in her head forever.
"That fine with me, and listen Danielle I'd like you to have this - ok" and with that Ronnie unpicked her spare flat key from her key ring and placed it neatly in Danielle's pink soft hand "Whenever you feel like it ok, I mean it its our flat now even if you really cant be bothered to cook tea and just need someone to make you some" Ronnie trailed off beginning to imagine their future, it may take some time yet, but there still is that ray of hope yet she thought.
"Or your absolutely bladdered after a night out and need a place to crash, where you know someone will chuck a pan of water of you in the morning yea" added Roxy teasingly "Pull over here Charlie please" she chimed in quickly again.
And while Roxy sorted out the cab fair Ronnie gave Danielle the once over on the pavement just outside the Vic "You'll be okay until tonight then yea, of course you will, look after the key then and be careful with the stitches - the doctor did say to sleep on your side for the next few nights an-" Ronnie realised she was babbling and paused to actually glance at Danielle's reaction, it was definitely positive, she was smiling. Thank god thought Ronnie I thought I'd have over done it there "Il try to stop myself alright but-" And just then time stopped, Danielle became invisible and it was almost as sirens were blazing in her head and Ronnie simply froze.
An old stiff hand was now perched on her right shoulder cementing Ronnie still to the ground and then voice of who's hand belonged too spoke in that all too familiar tone "Ronnie thank god she's alive I'd have thought she would've died the speed that car hit her, mind you know one thought to inform me what hospital she was referred too but no worries, V your little girls back in your arms…" Archie trailed off and with that Ronnie's sirens had burst within her, she turned around and pointed directly at her father a sinister look dawned across her face and all the blood had now drained from it "You! You stay away from me and most importantly my daughter! You sick, sick man! You come within one centimetre of me or Danielle the speed my bike hits you, it will kill you!"
"Ronnie he's not worth it-" Roxy had violently forced her way between them and was now staring directly at Ronnie "Take Danielle away Ron, Il make sure he gets the message".