Charlotte's POV
I don't get how anyone could be so mean. Dupe - he's great, like a granddad to me, but… he's hurt my mum so much and Danny too! He's hurt us all, and it makes me angry, really angry.
Liv's angry too, she's fuming. Her and mum get on now, they get on really good. I like Liv, she's cool.
"Come on Charlie, let's go see how Danny and your mum are." She smiled, I nodded. They usually stayed in the animal hospital when they were upset, but sometimes they did go other places.
We walked in but we found they weren't there, that was weird… we'd seen them go down here.
"Strange…" Liv muttered, we walked back outside to see one of the Jeeps missing. "Ah," Liv added. "I'd say they've gone to… where do they go again when they want to be together?"
"Copy - where mums giraffe lives." I smiled.
"Oh yeh!" Liv grinned, "Well we'll see about them two later, maybe we should see how Gran is, and Nomsa."
"Good plan." I smiled, realising no one had consulted Nomsa on her feelings.
Alice's POV
Danny and I were stood watching over the bush. The copy meant a lot to both of us, it held memories both good and bad, and it was the place we got together. We nearly always came here in times like this, or just for some alone time. It was nicer to come here than have the constant interruptions we'd face at Leopards Den.
Danny's arms were wrapped around me from behind, his cheek brushed mine as he put his head over my shoulder. I was leant back into him slightly.
"It'll be okay Alice." He whispered.
"I know." I replied quietly.
"Nothing will come between us again." He murmured, referring obviously to our short break up.
"I won't let it." I replied, turning in his arms to face him, I wrapped my arms around his back.
"Neither will I." He replied, he smiled before kissing me gently. I sighed as we pulled away, Danny could make any situation better.
Olivia's POV
So Danny and Alice have done one to their copy, Gran's nowhere to be found, Nomsa insists she's fine but really everyone can tell she is not and Dupe…. He's just… in the bad books. I can't bare to speak to him.
I can't blame Danny and Alice for wanting to go out, and get away from here. I've never really seen Danny so angry or Alice so upset. I mean Alice actually cried… she doesn't cry in front of people, and she certainly doesn't break down in front of them. She might not of broken down literally, but really she had, emotionally she was breaking and the only reason she walked away was to hide that fact. She doesn't like giving people the satisfaction that they've upset her, Alice has one image, but underneath she's completely different. Alice's appears to be tough, strong, fiery and spirited, and she is! But underneath she's also got her weaknesses and her harsh outer exterior does not reflect the true highly emotional Alice which I have to admit only Danny truly sees. Alice is caring, she's passionate about this place, the family, Danny. Alice is actually a pretty amazing woman, if given the chance to show herself - I should have given her that chance before I did.
But it's not good dwelling on the past. We need a plan of action. Danny and Alice are unlikely to be back for a while, and Charlotte's decided to go and do her homework. In fact, I should probably do mine but, well… family is more important. That is when I had a brainstorm, but it was a brain storm that I wasn't to keen on… but could it help? Could it in the long run save Leopards Den, and this family? I sighed, throw yourself into family life Liv.
I walked off to find Dupe… right now I was punching myself, kicking myself internally, screaming get a grip, but I had to forget my own feelings and work for this family. I soon found him going about his business like it was all normal.
"Dupe." I started, deep breath Liv I told myself.
"Liv?" He asked, "Listen I'm sorry."
"Save it Dupe, listen, I don't know why I'm doing this, or saying this, well I do, I'm hoping it'll help save this family and Leopards Den. What you've done is unforgivable and do not think I'm happy or forgiving you! This is purely for the family, but I want to help you try and make things better. And Don't argue, you don't get the choice about the help or trying to make things better! After what you said to Alice and the way you angered Danny it's the least you can do."
He nodded slowly, "I'll talk to later?" He changed the statement into a question.
"Yes." I replied before walking off, I decided to go and tell Charlie about my idea… and hope she agrees.
Danny's POV
Alice felt better now, and that made me feel better. I'm not saying she wasn't still upset, because she was deeply, we both were, but she felt better and she had calmed down. We were driving back to Leopards Den leisurely, I had one hand on the wheel the other wrapped around Alice's shoulder as we drove happily down the road. We soon arrived at Leopards Den to see Olivia walking towards the Jeep. Charlotte was tagging along.
"You okay?" Liv asked us as we both climbed out.
"Erm… well we're better." Alice replied honestly, "Thanks"
"No probs, listen, I've had a bit of an idea, it's a bit far-fetched but…" Liv began, oh god!
"She's gonna help Dupe!" Charlotte chipped in.
"WHAT?" I squeaked, Alice rested her hand in my back jeans pocket, I think it was a sign to shut up!
"Well, maybe if I help him ,I mean I don't forgive him neither am I happy with him, but it might save this place and the family."
"If you think it's worth a shot, you go for it." Alice said gently. I saw her look down at Charlotte, who seemed a bit left out, Liv said she didn't want Charlie to get hurt.
"I'm gonna go start plans." Liv said walking off, Alice stopped Charlotte.
"Charlie come here." She smiled gently.
"Mum?" Charlotte asked.
"Don't you worry about a thing okay… let Liv sort Dupe out, you can sort us out." Alice giggled, Charlotte laughed, honoured at the inclusion. I smiled fondly and proudly at the pair. Alice sometimes doubted her ability as a mother but she was amazing, not many people would have noticed that sense of exclusion but Alice gave her a sense of inclusion instead. She's amazing, and her bond with Charlie is wow!
"You need sorting out." Charlotte giggled.
"Oi cheeky chops!" I laughed as she ran off. I smiled before taking Alice into my arms once more.
"She's great." I smiled, "Just like her mother."
"She's better than her mother!" Alice laughed.
"I think you're both amazing." I replied, it must have been the right thing to do say, as Alice rewarded me with a tender kiss.
Ahh! This has taken me hours cos ive been distracted by forum hehe!
xx
