A New Christmas.
Part 1.
Clara had finished work for the day and collapsed on the sofa at home, sighing a little. The term was over, she should probably be excited for Christmas but quite frankly she was shattered. Just as she shut her eyes for a moment her phone rang. She groaned a little, leaning forward to pick it up from the table, looking at the called ID before answering.
"Hey Dad," she leant back again.
"Hello love, how did your last day go?" he asked.
"1000 hyperactive children running around school? Absolutely fine. What did you really call about?" she asked, knowing him too well.
"I was just wondering what time you were coming tonight, I could do with some prep help…" Clara trained to contain her sigh.
"Isn't Linda helping you?" she asked, possibly a little more bitterly than needed.
"She's got pilates this afternoon, won't be back till 7 and then she'll need to get ready," he informed her.
"Of course she has, not that I've been at work all day," she told him.
"You don't have to…" Dave started.
"No, no I'll be there, sorry I'm just tired but I'm sure I'll wake up once I've had a shower. I can be round in an hour?" he accepted that and they hung up.
Clara made her way round, taking her party outfit separately so as not to muck it up during the preparation. Her Dad let her in, exchanging a quick hug before she hung her dress up and flung her bag under the stairs. Immediately she went through to the kitchen as they started working on food.
"So who is actually coming tonight?" she asked, chopping up peppers.
"Well, family, a few neighbours, a couple of work mates and their families," he replied.
"You have mates?" Clara asked and Dave chuckled, throwing a tomato at her. "Hey, I have a knife," she winked. Dave held his hands up in a mock surrender and Clara laughed, "I've missed spending time with you Dad," she told him.
"You see me loads," he replied, a little confused, but Clara shook her head and put the knife down.
"No, I see you and Linda loads, I haven't spent time with you alone in ages," she pointed out, "so this is nice. Thank you," Clara hugged him. "Right, what's next?"
They spent the next couple of hours prepping before Clara heard the door go as Linda arrived home.
"I think that's my cue to go and get ready, people will be arriving fairly soon," she smiled and left her Dad too it, briefly saying hello to her stepmother as she left the room. Clara managed to spend a good couple of hours getting ready, making sure to avoid the awkward time downstairs as much as possible.
By the time she'd stretched out doing her hair and makeup, there were already a few people in the lounge, many of whom she didn't actually recognise. Dave took great pleasure in introducing her to them all individually. First there was their next door neighbour who had only moved in a few weeks previously. Apparently he was a teacher at one of the private schools and seemed to take great pleasure in pointing out how fantastic his school was compared to the comps like Coal Hill. Neither Clara nor Dave were prepared to tell him where she worked at that point and they quickly moved on, although he assured her Peter was a lovely man really.
As they moved around the room Clara was beginning to feel a little like a child again with her Dad showing her off and more people just kept arriving.
"Dad I really need to go and grab a drink, can you tell my life story without me here for a moment?" she asked and he shrugged, carrying on talking about her nannying years to some colleague or other.
She breathed a sigh of relief as she made her way into the kitchen, pouring a glass of wine and standing by the french doors, staring out across the garden which she still thought was ridiculously huge.
"Oh, sorry am I interrupting?" a voice came from behind her and Clara looked around to see a young guy around her age who had just walked in the room.
"Yes, the garden in the dark is a fascinating sight," she replied sarcastically, smiling. "Just needed to get away from having my life story told for the hundredth time. Sorry, who are you…?" she asked, "and do you want a drink?"
"My Dad works with yours I think? Graham Parkes?" he replied, "and a wine would be great." Clara started to pour before she replied.
"To be honest I've never met my Dad's colleagues before, it's just his first Christmas in the house I think he felt the need to have some big party," she chuckled, "do you have a name then?" she handed the glass over, "I'm pretty sure you know mine, otherwise I'm not sure where you've been for the last hour. What are you doing in here anyway?"
"Danny," he replied, "and I have the same problem as you - Dad keeps going on about my life. Plus my step-mum has spent the whole evening so far glaring at me."
"Danny Parkes," she started,
"Ah, no, not Parkes. I was adopted, we don't share a surname - I never changed it. Anyway, we didn't come in here to share life stories," he chuckled.
"I should probably get back to be fair - I think we need to sort food soon. Nice to meet you," she smiled before going back out to the living room.
Thankfully her Dad seemed to have moved on to Linda now, walking around with her which allowed Clara to mingle herself which was actually much more comfortable. A few people asked about her job, but generally she kept the conversation on everyone else. There was also the odd conversation about how she was still single with a couple of people she had known for a while which was more than a little awkward. She fetched food out occasionally, but was starting to tire of conversation with people her Dad's age and made excuses about drinks again before going back into the kitchen.
"Having fun?" she spotted Danny follow her in, "great party."
"Are you kidding?" she replied, "I spent the day trying to vaguely teach 150 hyperactive teenagers, I could be in bed with the TV on right now, or at least down the pub with my colleagues, but instead I'm here with a bunch of people old enough to be my parents who only seem to care about my career and my love life, or lack of. Oh, and my step-mother has moved on to making sarcastic remarks about me now," she sighed and took another sip of wine. "I have lost track of how many of these I've had, not going to lie."
Danny grinned and put his glass down, "well if it makes you feel any better I've heard the story about how I dug 23 wells in the army at least 6 times now."
"23?!" Clara replied sarcastically.
"I know, shocking," he chuckled, "you want to escape?" Clara placed her glass down now, suddenly very interested.
"Pub?" she asked and Danny grinned. "I'll call a taxi, go grab your coat I'll meet you by the front door in 5."
It was probably the alcohol, that's what Clara told herself, it wasn't like her to just run off but quite frankly this party was incredibly dull and she needed a night of celebration after the end of a long term. They might have only shared a few words but Danny seemed nice enough and he was the only person even close to her age here.
They jumped in the taxi, chuckling a little as they made their way to the pub. It was a relatively quick journey and they spent most of it discussing how long they reckoned it would take for anyone to realise they'd disappeared. Clara knew she was in for a 'you've let your father down' speech from Linda, but she didn't really care right now. They headed into the pub and Danny got the drinks in while Clara found a table.
"You're a star," she replied, sipping at the wine.
"I got a bottle, hope that's alright?" he asked.
"Oh more than. So, you said you were in the army?" she replied.
"Was, I've just left," he replied, "hence the living at home thing, just in the process of finding a place for myself. I assume from your apparent detest towards that house that you don't live there?" Danny asked.
"Oh gosh no, I don't really understand why they moved there if I'm honest, the old house was perfectly fine. I have my flat though so I couldn't say much. As it goes, there are flats available in my building if you're looking locally," she commented, sipping at the wine again.
They continued chatting for a while, chatting and drinking more wine. Clara replaced the bottle when they'd finished and before they knew it that was finished too with both of them more than a little tipsy.
"This is so much better than that damn party," Clara chuckled as she finished up her glass. "Damn we've drunk a lot."
"Well it's Christmas and you've got to the end of a term in one piece - seem a good enough reason to celebrate to me," Danny replied.
"It's a perfect reason," Clara pulled her phone out of her pocket, "oooo 9 missed calls from Dad," she grinned, "think I'll leave him hanging. How many you got?"
"14, I win," he smirked.
Clara rolled her eyes, locking her phone again and putting it down. Only now did she really think about how long they'd been there as she spotted the time on her screen, how long they'd been chatting without even thinking. Alright there had been alcohol involved, but they'd only met that night.
"So what're you doing for Christmas Day then, with your family?" Danny asked, interrupting her train of thought.
"Nah, they're going to Linda's family and… well, let's just say I don't mix in well. Just me in my flat this year, I'll see my Dad boxing day. What about you? Your parents?"
"Nope, they're off on holiday. Me leaving the army wasn't exactly planned so they'd booked the time away before I came back. Not really had a proper Christmas in a while though so I don't feel like I'm missing much," he replied. Clara didn't answer straight away, giving him a slightly sympathetic look. Danny waved a little in front of her eyes after a few seconds. "You look tired, maybe we should get you home, I'll call a cab," he started but she shook her head.
"It's close, I can walk," Clara went to stood up but almost fell over, Danny grabbed her arm quickly and she fell down on the seat beside him, almost in his lap, both of them laughing. "Okay, maybe I can't," she replied. "I'm so sorry I'm not usually this bad…"
"Maybe you need the walk, but I'll walk with you, come on," Danny smiled and stood up, supporting her up.
"How on earth are you so steady?" Clara asked as they walked out.
"I was drinking slower, plus I've had a lot of practice," he chuckled, "I'm guessing you really don't do this very often?" Clara shook her head and giggled, "fair enough. I hope you can remember your way home though, I haven't a clue where you live."
Clara managed to guide him home, fumbling with her keys to get them in the building. Clara insisted on going up the stairs instead of the lift and they just about made it in one piece. She was giggling away as Danny supported her up.
"This way!" she said a little too loud, flinging them around the corner to where her flat was, but she quickly stood up when she saw Linda stood at her door on her phone.
"Got her," she hung up and glared at Clara.
"Where the hell have you been?! Your Dad has been worried sick," she said sternly. Clara sighed and pushed by her to open her flat door, not really wanting to have this conversation in the hall.
"I'm a grown woman Linda, and I was incredibly bored," Clara replied, throwing her keys on the side. "Why exactly are you here?"
"Because your father asked me to," Linda finally followed her into the flat and Danny came in last, not quite sure what to do.
"Out of interest, when did you notice I was gone?" she asked.
"About an hour ago," she replied, "why exactly is that important?"
"Because Danny owes me a fiver now," she grinned. "Well you are welcome to leave now, this is all rather pointless and the sight of you is making me feel rather sick."
"That's probably the alcohol, how could you be so irresponsible? You've disrespected your father!" Clara groaned and turned around from where she was heading.
"Really? This again?" she replied, walking towards her, falling against the wall a little but steadying herself again just before Danny reached her. "You have no right, no right!"
"Don't I? At least I was supporting your father tonight," Linda seemed undeterred by Clara moving towards her.
"I did! And all you did in that time was walk around telling people lies about me!" Her words were slurring a little now as she got angry.
"You're just embarrassing yourself! When will you grow up, get over your mother's death and start acting like your father's daughter!" Linda shouted at her, that was the final straw. Clara clenched her fists and continued to walk closer but Danny caught on, grabbing her back.
"I think you should leave," he replied.
"You wait till I tell your Dad where you've been," she replied.
"Mmm spending the evening with someone my own age I'm sure he'll be very upset, maybe I should tell your husband how awfully you treat your step-daughter" he replied, "goodnight Mrs Oswald." Danny practically forced her out the flat and shut the door, running back to Clara who had slid herself down the wall. "Are you okay?"
"I'm so sorry," she ran a hand through her hair. "You don't have to stay, she's gone now," Clara sighed.
"Don't be stupid, can I get you anything? Tea?" he asked, Clara went to refuse but… she really wanted tea, and she really wanted Danny to stay. He'd defended her, nobody had done that for her in years, she'd had to learn to be strong on her own. Clara stood up as he held out a hand to help her. She tripped as she stood, landing a little too close to him and having to use his shoulders to steady herself. "Clara?"
"Why did you come with me tonight?" she asked, not moving from her position.
Danny considered this for a moment. The honest answer? He'd spotted her the moment they walked in the house, she looked beautiful. His Dad had introduced him to Dave, Dave had apologised that Clara, his daughter, had just gone to get a drink and then continued to discuss something work related. That's when he'd decided to break off and follow her in. Their conversation had been brief, but he couldn't get his mind off her after that. He'd spent the next hour or so watching her walk around and mingle, occasionally grabbing another glass of wine off the table. Dave's wife seemed to keep interrupting her conversations, that didn't make her happy. After a while she'd disappeared back into the kitchen and he decided to take a chance.
That was the truth, but he didn't want to give her the wrong impression.
"We both needed to get out of that party," he replied.
"There was nothing holding you there, I heard your Dad ask you if you wanted to leave a few minutes before we left," Clara pointed out.
"Wait you knew?" he sounded quite surprised at that response, Clara shrugged in response, "okay, you want the truth?" she nodded a little. "I like you, and I'm really rubbish at this sort of thing," Clara chuckled and stood on her tiptoes, kissing him quickly to which he looked a little shocked.
"I think you're doing okay," she told him. "Can we have tea now?" Danny chuckled a little and they went to the kitchen.
Clara woke up in her bed. She didn't remember getting there, but she was definitely there. Even more confusing was the hot cup of tea on her bedside cabinet. Her head was definitely hurting - that much was certain. She managed to sit up, realising she was still in her dress from last night. Picking up the tea she suddenly remembered who must have put that here. Danny hadn't left, at least she didn't remember him leaving. She sipped the tea, it was really good.
"Safe to come in?" the voice came from outside the door. Clara made some sort of noise of acceptance while drinking tea and the door opened, allowing him in. "Morning, lightweight," he grinned. "So how much of last night do you remember then?"
"I remember the party… the pub… you throwing my step-mum out…" she smirked a little, "thanks for that by the way."
"Not a problem, she's a bit of a bitch really isn't she?" Danny walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed. "I hope you don't mind that I stayed, I slept on the sofa, I just didn't want you to be alone last night you seemed a little fragile." Clara smiled, sitting up further and crossing her legs.
"Appreciated. I'm alright though, honestly, thank you for the tea," she thanked him. "Don't you have more important things to do than looking after me?"
"Not especially, so do you remember much after your step-mum left?" Clara knew what he was trying to ask and forced herself not to giggle like a schoolgirl and instead put her tea down, shuffling over to where he was sat.
"There is one thing that's a little hazy in my mind, I think I could do with a reminder…" she leant over, kissing him again. This time Danny was somewhat more ready and able to return the gesture allowing it to prolong before they separated. "Got it. I just have one more question though," Clara said, although suddenly a little scared about what she was going to ask.
"What's that then?" Danny replied, playing with the end of her hair a little.
"Spend Christmas with me? We're both going to be alone after all. It doesn't have to be anything special, I know we've only known each other about 12 hours but nobody should be alone and I like you and that was really nice so…" Danny shut her up by kissing her again.
"That sounds lovely, just as long as I can see you at least once or twice between now and then?" he asked. "We should probably get to know each other a little more."
"I'm a teacher on school holidays, I'm as free as a bird all week," she smiled. "What do you want to know?"
"I want to know if we can get changed…" he chuckled and Clara echoed his response.
"Luckily for you I think I have some stuff that will fit you," he raised an eyebrow, "it's some of my dad's old stuff, I'm not actually sure how it ended up here but I think it'll be okay. It's washed by the way, don't worry," she reassured him, disappearing into another room and grabbing an outfit. "You're welcome to use the shower, I'll get some food on the go."
Clara disappeared into the kitchen, starting to put pancake mix together. She looked back over her shoulder as she heard Danny get in the shower, smiling. It was strange, they hadn't known each other long but every time she looked at him her chest felt funny, her heart fluttered, it was something she'd never felt before. He'd looked after her last night, her, a slightly drunk stranger. He'd defended her against Linda, he really and genuinely cared, it was strange to feel that again.
She was a little distracted for a moment, jumping as her phone rang. She ran through and grabbed it, answering quickly before going back through to the kitchen, holding the phone between her shoulder and her cheek as she started cooking.
"You're alive then?" her Dad's voice came from the other end of the phone.
"I'm so so sorry about last night, but did you really have to send Linda round?" Clara told him, flipping the pancake over.
"I was worried Clara," he replied.
"Not worried enough to come yourself though," she sighed, "look I'm fine, is there anything you need?"
"Clara don't be like that. Linda mentioned Mr Parkes' son was with you?" Dave asked.
"Yes, he looked after me last night. Now if you don't mind I'm a little busy today, have a good journey I'll see you in the New Year," she took the opportunity to hang up, chucking her phone down and carrying on with the breakfast.
"Your Dad?" Danny had appeared behind her, Clara sighed and nodded. "He speaks the world of you, it surprises me a little to see this," Danny leant against the side.
"Linda changed our relationship. Before the party yesterday I went over to help my Dad prepare and she wasn't there, it was like old times again, something I haven't felt with him for years, but it didn't last. He doesn't care like he used to, she's changed him," Clara sighed, piling up one more pancake. "I need to shower, you start eating," she didn't let him reply before leaving.
Danny watched her walk out and smiled a little sadly. There was something more to Clara than he'd seen last night - she was quite vulnerable behind all that pretense. Suddenly he began to wonder if she'd had a decent Christmas for a while, considering options.
He sat down at the table, starting to eat breakfast and planning things in his head. He was determined to get to know her well enough to make this Christmas brilliant for her - something in him had to do that.