Clara woke up in Danny's bed, but he wasn't there. She looked around and spotted him appearing from the bathroom completely dressed and ready for the day.
"Good morning sleepyhead," he smiled. "Sorry, I didn't want to go digging for your keys so I just bought you in here, I took the floor." Clara looked at him a little confused. "You fell asleep on me, didn't seem to be keen on waking up so I carried you back – that sofa didn't look so comfortable."
"Right and the floor was?" She sat up, swinging her legs out, "are you okay?" Clara inspected him to which he just giggled.
"I'm absolutely fine! Relax will you? And please go get ready I'm not covering for you again," he grinned and Clara went to leave, but quickly paused and jogged back to him, stealing a kiss before leaving silently, a smile on her face.
They sat apart at the meeting as they had done all week, they didn't want to arouse any suspicions. It wasn't easy; both of them would share glances or little smiles throughout. Most people didn't notice, Frankie clearly had and they were both quick to run out at the end to avoid her questions.
After breakfast they met up with the group who were happily chatting away about the day's activities. The main excitement was about the morning they were spending white water rafting on the local river. Clara herself was not actually looking forward to this one very much, the idea of being thrown about on water not really appealing to her, but Danny was quick to assure her it would all be fine. They walked over, none of the teens seeming to question anything which they were grateful for.
"You will be fine, I promise you. I'll go first and prove as such if it makes you feel better," he told her as they approached the river.
"Because you're a big brave man?" Clara grinned and walked forward to join some of the campers as the made it to the river. Waiting there was a rather handsome young chap who was obviously their instructor for the morning. Clara looked around to Danny and raised her eyebrows, he looked a little less impressed but she just smirked. "Hi, you must be Harry?" she asked, stretching out a hand which he shook.
"Clara?" she nodded
"And that's Danny. I'm sure this lot will introduce themselves as they go," she smiled and he returned the favour.
"Excellent, let's get started! Who's going first?" Harry asked. Toby, Pierce, Alice and Jonah stuck their hands up and Danny walked over to join them. "Gotcha, you guys come with me and the rest of you stay down here – it's a better view. I'll be back soon, there's another instructor waiting at the top." Harry smiled at Clara before taking the others up to the top.
"Oh my gosh he totally fancies you!" Courtney grinned at Clara and the others were quick to respond. "Hey you should totally go for it, he's hot."
"As much as I appreciate your relationship advice Courtney I think I'll pass, I'm here in a professional capacity," she replied.
"Oh come on, you're only saying that because of Mr Tristen, it's been ages now and you deserve someone just as cute." Clara bit her lip at the mention of Tom's name, holding back any sign of emotion.
"I suggest you keep that to yourself for your own sake," she snapped at her. Courtney seemed to get the message at that point and shut up; Clara had to turn away from the group to gather herself. It was stupid, just the mention of his name was enough to set her off and she was showing weakness she couldn't afford to show. Eventually she pulled herself together enough to turn around, finding 4 slightly nervous looking teenagers shuffling awkwardly.
"Right, let's forget the last 5 minutes and prepare to watch the others race down a river," she said enthusiastically. That seemed to work as they rushed to sit down on the river bank and started chatting away. Harry reappeared at that moment, walking over to Clara.
"Are they all terrified then?" she asked.
"Oh the campers are fine, but I'm pretty sure Danny is bricking it more than he'll let on," he grinned, "it's always the male leaders. They like to act all brave but in reality they're usually the most nervous ones out there." Clara laughed, she wasn't too surprised.
"Fair enough, I'm sure he'll be alright. How long you been doing this?"
"About 3 years now, it's great fun. How long have you been a teacher?" he asked to Clara's surprise, "I can smell teachers a mile off. You give yourselves away far too easily when compared to the other camp leaders we get here."
"Oh yeah, how's that then?"
"Well for a start you're all about 'professional distance' with the kids. Then there's your tone of voice, very different with me than it is with them. Then there's the way you dress…" he went to continue but Clara interrupted him.
"Danny told you didn't he?" she called him out. He paused for a moment before grinning.
"Little bit yeah, but you still haven't answered my question," Harry pointed out and Clara shrugged before answering. They chatted for a little while before the noise from further up the river suggested they were on their way and soon enough in site. Guided down by the other instructed they seemed to be moving at an alarming rate compared to what she expected, but none the less they were all still upright and did seem to be having a great time.
Eventually they all appeared and climbed out of the boat on to the side, smiling and laughing about their experience on the river and comparing how wet they'd all managed to get. Danny walked over to Harry and Clara, interrupting their conversation which had become rather friendly. He tapped Clara on the shoulder and she turned round, immediately laughing.
"What?!" Danny asked, completely confused.
"Nothing, nothing honestly you had to be there. You look um… damp?" she replied.
"Little bit, it's great though honestly you'll love it," he told her, still half eyeing Harry up as he tried to work out what was going on.
"Well we'd better take you lot up now hadn't we, we'll let them dry off," Harry told her and Clara smiled and quickly gathered her group up, heading up the hill to get ready. Harry took them through all the safety things before getting them in life jackets and getting in the boat one by one. "Ready?" he asked the group. They all cheered, then he looked at Clara who nodded, far from ready but knowing there was no going back now. They started moving, the boat gathering momentum as the kids paddled down. Clara watched on, specifically watching Courtney as she started to move around in the boat.
"Courtney, calm it!" she shouted at her as she looked like she was about to stand up in the boat. "Courtney Woods sit down!" Clara could only watch as she ignored her completely and stood up, immediately losing balance and falling in to the rapid flowing river. Everyone froze for a split second which felt more like an hour. Harry just looked shocked and seemed to be racking his brain for a solution, but Clara didn't waste time thinking. She quickly made everyone rearrange to balance out the boat before climbing out herself. They were about half way down and the other group had run up the river having seen what had happened. Clara managed to wade through to where Courtney was clinging on to a rock, screaming for help. "Alright I'm nearly with you, just keep holding on for me, you're doing great," she tried to reassure her, almost shouting the phrase due to the noise of the water around them.
"Clara be careful!" Danny shouted, already angry that Harry seemed to be doing nothing.
"I'm fine," she shouted back without turning round and then spoke to Harry "guide them down! Now!" that shocked him back in to reality and he did as told. Clara made it over to Courtney who was now struggling to keep her head above the fast flowing rapid. She reached forward to take her hand but an unexpected blast of water suddenly knocked her off her feet.
"Miss!" Courtney shouted at her as she was suddenly pushed back and her head was hit seemingly very hard on the rock nearest to her, immediately knocking her out.
"Courtney!" Danny shouted from the river's edge to get her attention. He was already taking his jacket off. "Get hold of her, you know how," he told her – she did know how, they'd all done their lifesaver badge at swimming. Courtney seemed to panic for a moment before managing to reach over and grab Clara to keep her afloat and her head above water. Danny had already jumped in, making his way over – he seemed to know exactly how to walk through this water. "Is she breathing?" he asked, but she just looked down in panic. "Courtney! Is she breathing?" he asked again and Courtney eventually nodded. "Good, well done," he told her as he reached her. "We're gonna get back together okay? Just follow my lead."
Danny guided Courtney back as he took Clara and carried her back through the water. Before they knew it they'd made it on to dry land and were greeted by a crowd of campers and the 2 instructors. He pushed them back, giving himself space. Clara's breathing was becoming more and more laboured now.
"Call an ambulance," he looked up to Harry who stood there stunned, "you've done nothing else helpful today will you please just do this!" That pushed him in to action and he grabbed his phone from the side and dialled 999. "George can you please check Courtney over," he instructed the other leader, "she's in shock and probably very cold," once that was dealt with he turned his attention back to Clara who he'd already placed in the recovery position. He suddenly noticed her breathing had stopped and he quickly turned her on her back, giving her rescue breaths. After the 3rd she suddenly coughed, turning on to her side to cough up the water and breathing deeply. Danny sighed with relief and supported her a little, moving her hair away from her face.
The ambulance arrived in 5 minutes, the paramedics running up the hill to them. Danny stood up to move away but Clara wouldn't let go of the hand she was holding and eventually he realised he would have to stay. The paramedics were fine to move around him, getting Clara on oxygen as her SATs were still a little low and her breathing slightly laboured. Danny instructed Harry and George to take the campers back except Courtney who was sat in a foil blanket in the back of the ambulance. He called Frankie, filling her in as best he could before they put Clara on the trolley and took her in to hospital.
Danny paced the room anxiously as he waited for news. They'd taken her straight for a CT scan and then in to the resus area and he'd been asked to wait in the relatives room. He hated it, not knowing what was going on, not knowing if she was still conscious, still alive… "no," he whispered to himself, shaking that thought off. She would be fine, of course she would. He'd told her this would all be fine, he's said it would be fun. This wasn't fun, this was the complete opposite of fun.
It seemed like hours before anyone came in, but eventually the door opened and Danny rushed over to the rather young looking doctor.
"She's absolutely fine. The blow to her head knocked her out, but there's no sign of any trauma. Clara's a very lucky woman, and she's also asking for you. I'll show you where we've moved her to," the doctor smiled and Danny nodded, finally breathing out. "We'll keep her in overnight for observation, but if that's all fine then we'll let her go in the morning." The doctor led him out to a small room that seemed a little out the way before leaving him to go in.
Danny made his way into her side room cautiously, not entirely sure how she was going to react to him considering he'd been the one to tell her it would be fine. She looked pale on the bed but otherwise she seemed okay. Clara lay on her side, presumably to avoid lying on her bruised head.
"Is Courtney okay?" she asked as he appeared in her eye line. Danny suddenly found himself laughing, much to Clara's confusion. "What? Is she okay?"
"A little shocked but yes, she's fine. Sorry, it's just only you could be thinking about that above your own health," he smiled gently and sat down in the chair beside her bed. She reached out with one hand which he took. "I'm just relieved you're okay, I was so worried I…" Clara pulled his hand up to her lips and kissed it gently to shut him up.
"You saved my life, and I can't thank you enough for that. It's thanks to you that I'm okay, things would be much worse otherwise. Thank you for staying, it means a lot," she told him honestly, her voice breaking a little at the end.
"Hey, don't you be getting all soppy and emotional on me now Miss Oswald, you've already left me with 8 teenagers to handle alone," he said straightfaced, but chuckled when she started to look worried.
"I'll be back tomorrow, honestly I feel fine," she told him, looking about ready to sit up but he made sure to stop her.
"There is no way you can be jumping around in a swimming pool tomorrow and I'm pretty sure the doctors will agree with me on that. You should really be going home…" he was quickly interrupted at this point.
"No chance, you're not making me leave! I'll sit on the pool side if you like I can lie there without doing much but I refuse to go home. The rest of the week isn't too taxing anyway, please just tell Frankie we'll work it out. I can't go home," she spoke honestly and he suddenly understood. He used his thumb to wipe away tears and quickly sat back, deciding this really wasn't the moment to be getting too close.
"Why did you jump in after Courtney? Why didn't you let the professionals go?" he asked, needing to know.
"Because the so called professionals were doing sod all about it," she told him. Danny nodded, "it was instinctive, I didn't really think. Just habit."
"Oh so you make a habit of jumping in to dangerous situations and saving people then?" Danny commented sarcastically.
"Used to," Clara replied almost under her breath. When Danny clearly hadn't heard her she spoke up a bit, "I don't try to." Not a lie, just not quite the truth. "Besides you basically did the same," she pointed at him in his borrowed hospital scrubs. "Attractive by the way."
"Thanks. And I know I did, but I've been trained for this, I'm pretty sure I don't remember the jumping in to fast flowing river option on the PGCE course," Danny leaned over now and grabbed the jug of water by her bed, pouring some for her.
"You obviously went to the wrong university," she replied.
"Your sense of humour is still intact I see, that's good to know. Now I should really leave you to rest Clara," he went to stand up but she refused to let go of her hand.
"Please don't go, not yet, it feels less like I'm stuck in a hospital bed when you're here," she told him. "Not a big hospital fan really." Danny nodded, understanding.
"Alright, I'll stay till you drop off but I really shouldn't be away too long." Clara smiled softly, shutting her eyes. Danny watched on. Her smile was something so completely special, and she seemed so peaceful now with her eyes closed. He could still hear her gasps for breath from earlier, the moment he realised she'd stopped, he didn't want to leave either, too afraid she might disappear. It was stupid, but she was just as fragile as he was and Danny knew how that felt. Maybe, just maybe they could help each other now. That would need more thinking about.