Danny's POV
It was a while before Alice and I had calmed down enough to walk outside. She'd quickly reapplied her make-up and I'd finally regained my usual breathing pattern. I looked up at Alice who was walking towards me, she held out her hand and I took it happily standing up, as I reached my full height I took her forehand and kissed it gently.
"Aww you old romantic." Alice giggled childishly. I leant down and hugged her, wrapping my long arms around her, she automatically responded, as we happily stood in one another's arms for sometime, swaying every now and then, occasionally I would press a kiss into Alice's neck, as she would return the favour, before giving me a breath-taking smile.
"Come on." She whispered, reluctantly pulling away. "We have things to do."
"You're right." I sighed, grabbing her hands, "I'm gonna ring Evan and Rosie."
"Okay." She whispered, squeezing my hands, "I'll go…"
I didn't let her finish.
"No Alice please… don't." My voice was breaking already. "What I mean is, is, I sort of need you, I can't do it without you." Alice seemed like she was about to protest or say something but I decided to make an addition, no matter how humorous held a pint of truth. "Besides, if you're not there kicking my ass, I'll probably wimp out."
"Oright then!" She agreed, "Come on you."
I took her hand once more and walked out happily, as we walked into the kitchen, Caroline smiled.
"Where've you two been?" She asked, in her usual elegant manner, Charlotte looked up from her homework and smiled briefly before putting her head back into her maths.
"Just talking." Alice smiled, quickly covering for us. "We're just gonna go in the study, we need to make some important phone calls."
"You won't be disturbed." Caroline smiled, she obviously understood, I quickly remembered Caroline.
"Um, Caroline, could I, well we, speak to you later?" Alice squeezed my hand, I didn't really know if it was pride or comfort or a bit of both but it was a positive squeeze.
"Of course." She replied smiling. "You won't be disturbed."
"Thank you." Alice replied as we walked off as I prepared to ring Evan… It wasn't going to be easy, but with Alice sat beside me, and the phone on loudspeaker so we could both talk, I'd do it.
Liv's POV
Dupe was so clumsy at times, as if he left the radio on full whack! We nearly got caught, thank god for that rut!
"Fatani reckons he has something." Dupe whispered.
"What?" I asked.
"He said get down there." Dupe replied.
"Let's go, he best have something good." I spat.
Dupe shrugged his shoulders as we sneaked away… hoping Fatani held the key to the locked door. We had to save Leopards Den. I don't know if anyone has actually noticed another reason we have to save it, except me. My mum's grave was on Leopards Den.
It was my main reason for wanting to save it… I had to still have something of her, this place and Jana felt like the only things left. I mean, yeh, I have her belongings, Danny gave me the marriage ring she had worn, and I suppose I had Danny. But Danny is with Alice, and as much as I love Alice now, seeing Danny with her doesn't exactly make me feel close to mum. Fatani best have something good!
Alice's POV
Evan answered, we'd just finished saying hi and all the usual stuff, but now it was time to cut the small talk and get on to what could be a hard and emotional telephone conversation. I felt sort of like an intruder, I mean, I never knew Sarah, but at the end of the day, Danny needed me with him, he wanted me there, and Danny's wish was my command, I'd support him through everything. He always said he owed his survival to me, he always said I got him through Sarah's death. I sighed, and squeezed Danny's hand, I was sat on his knee, and his arms were wrapped around my waist… we were both staring at the phone.
"Evan, there's something you need to know." I began for Danny, who seemed to be struggling.
"What is it?" He replied, he was so cheery and upbeat, it hurt to think he wouldn't feel this way in a few minutes.
"Evan, Leopards Den… it's…it's in danger." Danny's voice was breaking, I quickly took over.
"The thing is Evan, Dupe got drunk, and although he didn't mean to… he lost his share of Leopards Den which is slightly bigger than Danny's to a manipulative guy called Vern, he signed papers and everything. We're trying our best Evan but…" My voice trailed off as Danny picked up.
"Evan, I…" Danny paused and looked down.
"Go on Danny." Evan's voice was quiet, choked.
"I know, that your mum's resting place is on Leopards Den, and erm…" Danny stopped and wiped his eyes.
I remained quiet, but stroked Danny's knees.
"Danny?" Evan asked, Danny remained silent trying to compose himself. "Danny?" Evan repeated.
"Give him a minute Evan." I said quietly, as I tried to sooth Danny.
"Danny, it's okay.. I understand… and I won't hate you if you don't manage to save it. But you know what Danny…" Danny looked up at the phone, it was like he expected to see Evan right there. "I have full faith in you, and I'm gonna come straight over. Just… just try, please." Evan's voice finally broke.
"I will… I promise." Danny replied. "But you have to understand, I'm sorry…"
"It's fine Danny, see you and Alice soon… take care of each other, and Alice…" I looked up as I heard my name.
"Yeh?" I asked.
"Keep Danny smiling." He said. "I have to go, love you guys!"
"I will. Bye Evan." I replied.
"We love you too, bye." Danny added, and with that the phone clicked off. Danny still had tears spurting from his eyes.
"Thanks Alice."
"No problemo, you up to ringing Rosie?" I asked, stroking his slight stubble gently.
"I have to." He replied.
"Want me here still?" I questioned, wondering if he'd rather be alone for his daughter.
"Yes." Danny replied kissing me. "I need you. I'm… I'm gonna be honest to Rosie… she can take it." he sighed looking towards the floor in what seemed like disgust with himself.
"Danny." I softly whispered. "Look at me." I pleaded, as he raised his eyes to mine. "It's not your fault okay? And it isn't heartless… stay strong."
"I'm sorry, I will." He answered, squeezing me tightly, as he pulled me back into him, my back was connected with his chest. "You're the best."
"No you are." I argued, as I tapped Rosie's number into the phone. I knew it off by heart, just as I knew Evan's too. Danny and I spoke to them both quite a lot.
"Hello." Rosie's voice greeted us, we both sat up.
"Hey Rosie." Danny smiled. I added my own hi.
"Hey Dad, Alice!" Rosie's happiness came through the phone. She was fantastic, I really liked Rosie.
"Hey, listen Rosie, there's something you need to know." Danny began.
"What's up?" Rosie asked obviously picking up on Danny's negativity.
"Leopards Den is at risk Rosie, we might lose it…" Danny went quiet.
"What, how?" Rosie asked alarmed.
"Dupe." I answered as Danny remained as quiet as a mouse. "Gambling and drinking!" I began to tell her the story.
"Oh my God! I can't believe it." Rosie paused. "Are you two okay?"
"Well… we're just getting by… but we are pretty upset." I admitted.
Rosie remembered at that moment what Danny had forgotten.
"Dad, are you, you know upset about Sarah." She seemed tentative about using his late wife's name.
"Rosie… what I'm about to say… well it erm…" Danny began.
"Rosie, it might upset you." I finished "But hear him out." Hoping she picked up on my secret message of give him reassurance.
"Okay." Rosie replied simply.
"Rosie… I completely and utterly forgot about it… didn't even occur to me, Alice brought it up. I feel terrible, I'm so heartless. I haven't told Evan or Liv this, I don't think I should but… yer know… I just feel so bad, to you all."
There was a deadly silence. Danny had stopped, Rosie had stopped, I had stopped… I had to carry this on.
"Rosie?" I asked awaiting her reply…
