Alice's POV

'A word'… the words that brought fear to anyone's body and mind, more so when Anders DuPlessis spoke those terrifying words. It meant one of two things, a, we would not agree, or b, it was serenity combined with stupidity. In actual fact, more often than not it was both.

"Okay…" Danny mumbled, a confused and rather sceptical look upon his face.

"We went to go see Vern…" Dupe began. I rolled my eyes as Danny performed an equally exasperated manoeuvre.

"Wait…" Liv said as we both went to speak, well I say speak, more like shout and complain.

We both nodded and sat back as Liv handed us some documents.

"We had this on Vern." I began to read the documents quickly with Danny. Animal ban? But he has animals, I immediately saw red as did Danny… and tax evasion too? Wow, but where were they going with this? Surely involving the police would be a stupid thing to do.

"Okay, but…" Danny was cut off by Liv.

"We went over and showed him these and threatened him, thinking it would you know sort this business out about Leopards Den, but well…" She seemed to stop and shudder. It must have been something bad as she once again turned sheep white, I looked at Dupe who's eyes were fixed on Caroline. "the plan backfired." She finished strongly.

"So what now? I mean, thanks for the honesty, but where do we come into this?" I asked, as Danny nodded.

"He offered a compromise." Dupe explained, he picked up the cards. "A card game, our choice of game and man. Seven PM tomorrow night, his place."

"No way." Danny exclaimed shaking his head. "No more games! You do not go Dupe!"

"Danny this is our chance!" Liv shrieked.

"Yes, and what's his side of the deal?" Danny added, ah, I knew where he was going. We had more to lose?

"We leave if he wins." Dupe mumbled quietly.

"No chance." Danny growled. "I'm sorry Dupe but no!"

"Alice! You have to make him see sense!" Liv looked to me as Danny stormed off

"I'm sorry but, he is right, I mean, we have no one who can play for us, and it seems a bit risky."

"Life is about risks." Dupe added, as I walked after Danny.

I sighed on my way… they did have a point I suppose. I mean either way we are going to lose Leopards Den. We can't get the money and there's only so much everyone can take. Maybe they did have a point…. But Danny had a better point… at least the other way we have time to get ourselves sorted.

Charlotte's POV

I'd just heard the idea. A game? A man? Win Leopards Den back? Why weren't mum and Danny interested?

I looked around my room. It was perfect really. Not to big, but not to small, and it was decorated just how I wanted it. It had all my stuff, perfectly arranged in little sequences. The room wasn't exactly tidy, the odd bits and bats cluttered the floor, and mum was always on at me to tidy it up… but I never did - afterall you should see her room! It has stuff everywhere!

I wandered outside to see Dupe and Liv talking. Everyone was beginning to gather around for dinner. My favourite tonight - Nomsa's south African roast! Yum!

"Let Alice have a go." I heard Dupe say to Liv. "I mean, he's our best chance."

"Yeh but he's also no gambler Dupe!" Liv argued, they both stopped as I sat down.

"Hey Charlie." Liv smiled.

"Hi." I mumbled, wishing they'd carry on, I'm not a kid!

Danny's POV

More gambling? Oh so intelligent! I mean, Dupe, I expect it of, but Liv? That reminds me, I need a word with Liv about schoolwork!

"Danny…" I was immediately calmed by Alice's gentle Scottish voice. "Alice." I replied, turning round as we reached the fountain.

"You okay?" She asked, looking into my eyes.

"Yeh, it's just, you know, it seems a bit stupid really." I put my arm over her shoulder as we looked out to the African bush, I felt one of her arms snake around my waist as the other held my hand. "Gambling again… Leopards Den shouldn't even be in this position."

"I know, although I think we should think about it Danny properly. We have til around 6.35pm tomorrow, as it takes 25 minutes to get to Vern's. Let's just think about it." She replied, looking up at me. "Everyone's under enough stress as it is."

"Yeh, it feels stupid thinking about it."

"I know, but we need to think is it really that stupid? I don't support the idea, and I think it's ridiculous but maybe it's a stupid idea that seems to lack serenity that will save this place."

"You're right Alice, okay, we'll think about it." I smiled, she kissed me gently before turning round, as we noticed everyone gather on the veranda for dinner.

"Come on." I whispered taking her hand, "Dinner awaits!"

"Yes! Best not keep em waiting!" Alice laughed as we began to walk up to the veranda towards a family that seemed further apart than ever, the tension in the air so strong, my grip tightened on Alice's hand involuntarily. I sighed as I had a sudden realisation, it hit me like a high speed train ploughing through my chest that, this tension only needed a naked flame to set it alight, and it was going to happen, it was just a ticking time bomb in the every day course of life.

A/N - Dadaa!

This would be a longer, but dads work computers - failures!

Anyway ! Will Danny and Alice decide to gamble, or will they find another way?

I would reveal, but that would just kill the story! So you'll fair have to wait for my next update - should be tonight though! Yey!

xx