I'm enjoying writing this on the side of Earthly Wonders, it's nice to have something different.
The first morning at work came faster than expected. The rest of the holidays were spent mostly working on the sofa or at least trying to – they were both easily distracted. Clara had woken early, putting some finishing touches to her lesson plans and glancing over at Danny as he slept peacefully. It was around 6 when he started to wake. Clara put her laptop to one side and slipped back down to lie beside him, kissing him gently.
"Good morning sleepyhead," she spoke quietly and laughed as she pulled her on top of him. "Cheeky, we need to get up!"
"Mmm just a few minutes," he kissed her softly, wrapping his arms around her. "You're beautiful you know that?"
"Flattery will get you everywhere, but I have a staff meeting in exactly an hour and 54 minutes," she grinned and pushed herself off him to climb out of bed.
"It takes a grand total of 6 minutes to get to work, why on earth do you need to be up already?" Danny asked, putting on an upset face and turning on his side to look at her.
"I have a lot to organise, I want to get in early," she told him, "I love you, but I have to go shower." Danny grabbed her pillow and threw it at her. "You're such a child sometimes you know that?" Clara chuckled and threw it back before disappearing in to the bathroom.
They drove in separately, deciding that Danny should be allowed to make his own impression. He walked in while she was making tea and they smiled briefly at each other before breaking eye contact – pretending not to know each other was going to be more difficult than they'd imagined.
"Danny it's lovely to have you with us," George Harrod was the head of maths and Clara and he rarely got on. "Looks like Miss Oswald has the kettle going I'm sure she'll make us a couple of coffees with her impressive new skills," he directed towards her and she gave him a slightly sarcastic smile back, grabbing a couple more mugs.
"You don't appear to get on?" Danny asked George, "something I should know about her?" Clara had to bite her lip to stop herself from laughing, sorting herself out before going over with their coffees.
"Oh don't worry…" Clara started, looking to him for his name given that she wasn't mean to know it.
"Danny, Danny Pink, new maths teacher," she raised her eyebrows, "yes alright I've heard all the name jokes before."
"Well Mr Pink, don't worry, I tend to keep a good distance from the maths department. I'll leave you both to it," she grabbed her tea quickly before disappearing off to her meeting.
By the time the rest of the staff appeared in her room Clara was completely organised for her lesson which made her a little more relaxed. Adrian arrived first which she had fully expected, questioning her on Danny but she quickly shut him up when more staff arrived – he knew the plan. Everyone sat down and she went through the serious stuff before going for the catch up began.
"I hope you don't mind me saying, you seem much happier this term Clara," Harry commented and she smiled a little at him.
"Thanks Harry, I've had a very relaxing summer as I hope you all have. New year new start and all that," she stood up.
"Hey has anyone seen the new maths teacher?" Helen asked, looking at Beth and Clara, "he's kinda hot," she grinned.
"Can't say I noticed," Clara shrugged and moved her chair back behind the desk. "Probably married for all we know anyway," she started moving papers on her desk awkwardly.
"Oh gosh I didn't think he must be in Tom's room I'm sorry Clara," she apologised and Clara looked down, it was something she'd been trying to keep out of her mind. There was an awkward silence in the room but she quickly shook her head and looked up.
"Don't worry about it, it's been 8 months – we all have to move on. Speaking of which, time to get going if we want to be ready for an invasion of teenagers in the next 10 minutes," she sat down and started getting the register up on her laptop, ignoring the slightly sympathetic looks she was getting from them all now. "Have a good day, you know where I am if you need anything," she told them as they left. Once everyone was gone she finally pulled out her phone to see the text she'd felt come in a few minutes ago, smiling at Danny's name on the screen.
'How'd your first meeting go then boss? Xx'
'Oh it was alright, you've certainly caused a stir among the female members of my staff ;) xx' Clara replied, relaxing back now she was prepared.
'Should I be scared?' Danny text back quite quickly.
'Only of me, I can be incredibly protective.'
'Well I look forward to seeing that, but for now I must resist. Meet at the park at lunch?' he replied just as the bell went so Clara had to text fast.
'See you there x' she quickly threw her phone in to the drawer as the door opened and her year 8 tutor group all ran in.
The morning was eventful, but everything went to plan and she was very grateful for her detailed lesson plans given that her mind was otherwise rather all over the place. There was talk all over the place about 'the new maths teacher', especially from her year 11 girls and it was difficult for her to keep a straight face during the conversations. Break time she stayed out of the way, not really sure what to do with herself given there was currently a lack of marking, but it was easier than the bustle of the staffroom which still seemed a little daunting. Thankfully lunchtime finally arrived and Clara grabbed her bag to go, only stopped by Adrian appearing at the door and raising his eyebrows.
"Someone's keen," he grinned, "you know Danny is the talk of the school don't you?"
"Yeah I had noticed, thankfully he's already mine," Clara smirked and moved by him to leave her room, "if anyone asks I'm meeting my Dad. See you later," she slipped away and made it to the park where Danny was already sat on a bench waiting for her. As soon as she reached him and sat down they kissed each other gently and Clara sighed with relief. "This morning has been absolute torture, everyone's talking about you and I have to act completely oblivious it's a nightmare. I also kind of miss wearing my ring…" she leant her head on his shoulder.
"I know love, but thank you for doing this it's been good to get to know everyone," he kissed her head softly, "I love you so much," Danny kissed her head. "How are you doing being back?"
"Oh not so bad, the sympathetic looks are slowly lessening, it's getting easier. Knowing you're here is so helpful you have no idea," she smiled and kissed him. "I guess we should find food?"
"Already on it," Danny reached down and picked a bag up from the floor with sandwiches in. "Is this okay? I feel like I'm still learning your favourites."
"You're doing a fabulous job," Clara took the packet from him and opened it, "you don't think we're moving too fast do you?" Her mind had been running wild all morning, thought of Tom and her family as well as wondering how everyone might react when the news broke.
"Of course not, you know this engagement can be as long as we need it to be, there's no rush. I know it's quick, but you're beautiful and I love you and I do want everyone to know that." He smiled and kissed her once more, "I do love doing that."
"Mmm me too, but we should wait. You need to settle in first and if I'm honest, I could do without all the questions that are bound to spring from the news," Danny nodded, taking another bite of his sandwich, "I also secretly quite like all the secrecy."
"Fair enough, we'll go for the naughty teenager act," he chuckled and Clara raised her eyebrows but didn't reply.
Lunch ended before they were ready and they ended up practically running back, chuckling as they separated around the corner from school and she legged it to make it in time for her lesson, getting to her room just as the bell went and throwing her bag down.
Thankfully nobody seemed to notice her slight lack of breathe and general tiredness and the rest of the afternoon went smoothly. At the end of the day Clara stayed back, tidying her room as the corridors quickly quietened, leaving only staff in the area. She was organising books in the cupboard when the door shut behind her and she spun around to see Danny standing there, grinning.
"Cheeky sod, you made me jump," he laughed at her reaction and hugged her.
"I am sorry, you look knackered are you alright?" Clara took a step back and gave him a shocked look.
"Way to make a girl feel better Mr Pink, I'm fine thank you. How was your first day?" Clara asked, returning to finish sorting out her textbooks.
"Wonderful, it's a brilliant school, everyone has been so welcoming and the kids weren't too bad either actually. I missed you though," he gently spun her around and kissed her, "I mean I've pretty much seen you every day for almost 6 weeks, it's hard," Clara nodded and kissed him again, a little deeper.
"In the cupboard, what were we saying about naughty teenagers?" she chuckled between kisses, slipping her arms around him. They stayed like that for a minute or so before jumping back when the door opened.
"I had a feeling you'd be in here," Adrian smirked at their shocked faces, "Clara Oswald you do surprise me."
"Adrian you nearly gave me a heart attack don't do that!" She gently hit him, sighing a little as she calmed her breathing.
"You should probably be a little more subtle if you want to hide this from the whole school, but it was rather amusing seeing you both jump back so thanks for that entertainment. You coming to the pub tonight?" Adrian asked, Clara sighed. "Come on, you haven't been out with everyone in ages they'll love to see you there."
"I've been invited too you know," Danny told her, "I was going to speak to you."
"Mmm I suppose I should show my face. Alright I'll give you a lift Adrian, meet me out front in 10?" he nodded and left, getting the message. "Can we progress to friends tonight? I'm not sure I can stand ignoring you all evening," she smiled and kissed him.
"We probably can't do this though…" he returned the favour, holding her close.
"That's slightly disappointing," she chuckled softly.
"I still need to tidy up, fancy giving me a quick hand?" he asked and Clara quickly stopped, shaking her head.
"I need to meet Adrian, I'll see you there?" she pulled back and opened the door to the cupboard, walking out and grabbing her bag before heading off, leaving a very confused Danny behind.
When Danny arrived in the pub Clara was sat between Adrian and a woman he vaguely recalled worked with her – maybe Beth? She'd definitely flirted with him in the staffroom earlier, much to his own amusement.
"Oh come on there must be something that's cheered you up, have you met someone?" Beth was asking Clara who rolled her eyes. Danny watched for a moment before being tapped on the shoulder by another maths teacher, Paul, who offered him a drink and then joined the others at the table conveniently opposite Beth and Clara who was currently trying to change the conversation from her mysterious summer.
"Danny this is half of our slightly odd English department. Clara just made head of department, still not too important to come for a drink it seems" Paul pointed toward her, "have you met?" Clara broke out of her conversation and looked around.
"You made coffee this morning right?" Danny asked and she had to stop herself from laughing, "I never got a chance to thank you." Damn he was making this difficult.
"Oh it's alright; I just needed to get out of there, I'm afraid George and I are not the best of friends. How'd your first day go then?" She asked, sipping at her drink.
"Oh not bad, staff are pretty decent, kids are enthusiastic. You enjoying being HoD?" Danny asked. Beth leant to one side, whispering something to Helen.
"Bossing this lot about? Yeah it's fabulous. I can do things like…" she turned to face Beth, "ask what these two are talking about behind my back?" they both suddenly looked shocked and a little embarrassed, denying all knowledge. "Mhm sure, come on let's discuss this while we get another round in," she rolled her eyes and stood up, going over with them. "So?"
"Oh it's nothing, he just seems lovely and… well, definitely hot. Didn't seem to be down for the flirting earlier though, maybe after a drink," Beth chuckled and started picking up the drinks.
"I think she's a little jealous he's paying attention to you," Helen told her.
"Yeah well, that's hardly my first thought right now. I'm finally getting back in to the swing of things, I'll start with work and take it from there. Can you grab the last few glasses?" Clara asked and walked over, sitting back down. "Mr Pink, quick question on behalf of my colleagues – single? Married? Girlfriend? … boyfriend?" she asked, ignoring Beth's glares.
"Oh you know, just focussing on work," Danny replied vaguely, "what about you?" Clara winced a little, knowing the question was necessary but still a little painful. Everyone else had gone silent at the question, but she saw a little opportunity and stood up, walking away to go outside. "Did I say something wrong…?" he asked.
"Uh, Clara's fiancé died 8 months ago. You're technically his replacement…" Paul explained to him. "Up until the summer she was barely speaking to anyone, it's been good to see her smile."
"I do hope I haven't messed that up… best go and apologise," he stood up, "won't be long." Danny made his way out, finding Clara stood outside staring in to the distance. He put a hand on her shoulder but she shook her head. "I'm sorry; I just thought it would be the normal thing to ask given that situation, I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I didn't realise that I was teaching in his room." Clara turned around, looking at him and wiping her eyes a little.
"I didn't want you to know, I thought it would pass over and I'd be okay with it, but I haven't been in there since that day." Clara sighed and touched his hand subtly. "It's not your fault, honestly. I've been getting questions all day about why I'm so much happier and it's been driving me just a little mad." Danny took her hand and squeezed it gently.
"Go home, I'll make my excuses in about 20 minutes and follow you. Order something good in for dinner and we'll relax on the sofa – sounds much more appealing than this right now." Clara nodded and looked around quickly before kissing him. "I love you Clara Oswald, now disappear before someone catches us," he winked and let go of her, disappearing inside.
"Is she okay?" Beth asked, looking genuinely concerned although getting rather close to him in the process.
"She's gone home I think, I said my peace. Adrian you're friends with her right?" he looked over there and he nodded, "she might need a friend."
"On it, thanks, I'll see you all later," he announced before disappearing. Danny quickly pulled out his phone to thank Adrian for covering before sitting back down for a few minutes.
Clara decided to cook instead of ordering to take her mind off things, quickly putting a meal together and sticking it in the oven, jumping a little when the door knocked. She jogged over, looking through the peep hole and rolling her eyes, opening it and leaving it for Adrian to come in before going back to the kitchen.
"Danny won't be long, thought I'd check up on you?" Adrian shut the door and followed her through. "Can't have been easy for you today, you don't have to pretend to me," he forced her to take a seat.
"I love Danny, a lot, but he asked me to go and help him tidy his room and I ran. It's still there, still raw. I feel bad for getting upset about it." Adrian shook his head and hugged her quickly.
"You are fully entitled to be upset and Danny understands that as much as any of us do. We all care and worry about you and it's still very soon after. Are you sure you're doing the right thing hiding this from everyone?" he asked.
"Yes, believe it or not I'm kind of enjoying all the secrecy. I know it's all a little weird and goodness knows what everyone will say when all is revealed but right now I'm just happy in my own little world at home, it keeps all my problems in one place," she smiled and looked up to him. "You're a pretty damn good friend you know that?" Clara told him.
"Well I'm glad you think so, I do try. Just don't let yourself get overwhelmed Clara, promise me?" Adrian's face was one of concern and Clara knew what he was talking about.
"I won't I promise, I've got everyone I need around me, anyone else is purely a bonus," she jumped down from the stool and went over to the oven. "You staying?" Clara asked as the front door opened and Danny arrived back. She opened the oven briefly to check on dinner before shutting it again.
"I think I'd better leave you two to it," he winked, "have a good night. Bye Danny," he added before leaving. Danny walked over, wrapping his arms around her from behind.
"Beth bought me another drink you know, and gave me her number," he chuckled, kissing her neck.
"Well aren't you the lucky one, she's a very lovely girl," Clara grinned, moving to look up at him.
"I'm sure, but I think I'll stick with you," he smiled and they kissed gently. "I love you, but I am absolutely starving…" she chuckled against his lips as he winged. "What, I am?"
"They do say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Go on, crack open the wine I'll bring dinner out in a few minutes," she pushed him back and laughed as he walked out.
Once dinner was finished they both kicked back with wine and the TV on. Clara lay against him, sighing gently. She hadn't stopped thinking about what happened, hard as she tried, it was still playing on her mind. Danny knew it too, he'd been keeping a close eye on her and barely letting her go to the loo alone, not that she really minded today.
"Danny?" she broke the silence that had fallen for a little while. He looked away from the TV to her. "Thank you for being here," she told him, "thank you for making me myself again, I owe you so much," Danny laughed. "What?!"
"You have no idea what you've done for me; you owe me nothing Clara Oswald." Danny kissed her head softly, "I'm shattered. Bed?" She nodded and they both stood up, heading up – together.