Always Comes Back To You…

[Danifan]

Chapter 19

The next morning came with even more good news: I was finally allowed to go home. I was up, dressed and ready to go before Flynn had even reached the end of his sentence. I rang Will first. I thought we should talk about the engagement and how to tell my Mom and Dad. I hoped they’d be happy for me, but after everything that’s happened I wasn’t so sure they’d take the news that well.

‘Knock, Knock, I’ve come to pick up Miss Dani Sutherland, soon to be Mrs Will Smith’ Will said entering the room with a cheeky grin on his face.

‘What makes you think I’m taking your name when we get married?’ I told him playfully.

‘It’s traditional and you’re my woman, you do as I say’ he said jokingly.

‘I’m not a very traditional girl. I was thinking more Dani Sutherland Smith or even better Will Sutherland’

‘Oh yeah. The Sutherland Smiths do have a good ring to it though’ he said as he kissed me.

‘It does doesn’t it?’ I said kissing him again.

‘Come on then soon to be wife let’s get home and you can cook me some dinner’ Will smirked. I playfully hit him in the stomach.

‘I’m no one’s little housewife, if anything I think you should be a house husband’ I told him.

‘Now you’re talking. I quite like the thought of being a kept man’ he said.

‘Come on let’s go’ I said pushing my soon to be house hubby out of the little, stuffy hospital room. I couldn’t wait to get out of there.

‘Car’s open I’ll just put your stuff in the boot’ Will said.

It felt weird being outside, facing the world again. Being in that hospital bed was like being in another world. I’d never really appreciated the sites Summer Bay had but right now they just seemed like some of the best I’d ever seen. I got into the car with Will.

‘Are you ok?’ he asked.

‘Yeah fine. Just feels a bit weird that’s all. It’s not everyday you leave hospital after almost dying’ I took a deep breath. I felt a lump in my throat and felt a little like crying but I couldn’t figure out why.

‘Come here’ Will said pulling me closely and hugging me tightly. ‘Everything’s going to be fine now, I promise’ he said kissing the top of my head.

We drove home to the caravan Park. It felt great just being in familiar surroundings.

‘You who, Dani’ I heard as Colleen practically ran down from her mobile home to greet us.

‘Hay Colleen’ I said with a smile.

‘Terrible news about those evil scoundrels Kane and Gypsy getting away. I mean I always knew that Kane was a bad apple and as for Gypsy, well she’d give a brazen hussy a bad name. Pure evil the pair of them. They ought to be locked up and throw the key at them’

‘Throw the book at them Colleen’ Will said correcting her.

‘Yes, well. At least your home safe and sound. Oooh is that what I think it is’ Colleen said excitedly taking my hand having noticed the ring.

‘Well… erm…’ I said, I wasn’t sure whether to lie or to just tell her.

‘Yeah Colleen. We’re engaged but we haven’t told any one yet so we’d really appreciate it if…’ Will never finished that sentence.

‘Oh I see. How exciting. I won’t tell a soul. Mom’s the word. Discretion is my middle name. It’s a good job you told me this and not that Madge Wilkins, she’s a terrible gossip…’

‘We’d better be going anyway Colleen. Mom and Dad will wonder what’s happened to me’ I told her as diplomatically as possible.

‘Oh ok lovebirds. I know I’ll bake you a cake’ Colleen said giddily running back to her mobile home. I’d never seen Colleen move so fast in my life.

‘We’d better tell Mom and Dad immediately or Colleen will have baked us a wedding cake by this afternoon and made an announcement in the paper’ I said still smiling. I’d forgotten how entertaining Colleen could be.

‘Only if you’re sure’ Will said cautiously.

‘Yeah. Well Max and the twins will be at school now so now’s probably the best time’ I said getting less confidant with the decision the closer we got to the house.

‘Maybe you should tell your Dad, he’s quite scary. He’ll probably break my legs for even thinking of marrying his daughter’ Will said genuinely looking petrified.

‘He’s not that bad. Well not all the time anyway’

We both took a deep breath, then entered the house.

‘Dani, sweetheart what are you doing home’ Mom said jumping up from the kitchen table to give me a big hug.

‘You should have said you were coming home we’d have picked you up from the hospital’ Dad said coming out from the kitchen also giving me a big hug and kiss on the forehead.

‘Well, Will gave me a lift. And we have something we want to say. Can we sit down?’ I said trying to smile but worried about how they’d react.

‘Is everything ok love, I mean they haven’t said anything at the hospital have they?’ Dad said obviously thinking I was about to announce I was dying or something.

‘No, it’s nothing like that Dad’

‘So, what is it then? You’re starting to worry me’ Mom said

‘It’s good news actually. Well I think its good news anyway. Well Will and me, well Will’s asked, Will’s erm…kind of…’ I started to babble. I couldn’t read the expressions on their faces like I’d been able to do so on thousands of occasions so I really was stuck as to what to say to them.

‘Well what is is that I love your daughter very much and…yesterday I asked her to marry me and she said yes’ Will said quietly but confidently.

‘Well, say something… please’ I said anxiously as the room went very quiet and a little uncomfortable

‘Oh sweetheart I’m so pleased for you. If this is what you want then we’ll support you all the way’ Mom said almost filling up with tears.

‘Thanks Mom. Dad?’ I said, I knew he was going to be harder to convince.

‘I’m sorry Will, I’ve nothing against you but it just seems like all you’ve ever done is brought trouble into Dani’s life and she’s been hurt a lot by what you and your ex wife. I don’t want to see that happen again’ Dad said.

‘Dad…’ I said upset knowing full well where he was coming from but still a little frustrated.

‘Sorry Dan but it’s true. He’s broken your heart more times than I care to remember, and if it wasn’t for him you wouldn’t have been stabbed. My daughter’s not going to be second best because Gypsy’s turned out to be some psychotic tart and she’s certainly not going to continue being in the firing line between you and your ex’

‘Rhys…’ Mom said hoping he’d come round.

‘Well it does seem convenient that Gypsy is out of the picture and suddenly not the perfect little wife so he’s come back and chosen Dani. He should have done that in the first place if he truly loved her’ Dad said getting quite worked up’

‘Can I say something’ Will said. ‘I agree with you Mr Sutherland’

‘Will’ I said confused.

‘I know I’ve treated Dani badly, and I know how much I’ve hurt her, but I’ve been given a second chance, one I probably don’t deserve, so I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure it never happens again. She’ll never be second best, she never was. I regret letting Gypsy ruin our relationship and I will never let her hurt Dani again. All I can say is that I truly love your daughter and if you give your blessing I could prove to her and you just how much.’

I was impressed. A part of wanted to cry but I held myself together. Dad was silent. He stood up from the table. He liked quite formidable.

‘Dani is very precious to me and Shell and I won’t stand for anyone hurting her. But you seem to genuinely mean what you say, and for that you have my respect and my blessing’

Dad leant forward and held out his hand for Will to shake.

‘But just remember you hurt my little girl and I’ll hurt you ten times more’ dad said shaking Wills hand tightly.

‘You have nothing to worry about Mr Sutherland. I’m going to make Dani happy’ Will told him.

‘Well this calls for champagne I think. It’s not everyday your eldest daughter announces she’s getting married’ Dad announced quite happily.

‘Thanks dad’ I said jumping up to give him a big hug.

‘Anything for you’ he whispered.

I smiled. I’d always be a daddy’s girl at heart, just the way I liked it.

Half an hour later Dad arrived home with champagne and his five little helpers on their lunch break from school.

‘What exactly’s going on’ Max said

‘Yeah Dad what’s with all the bubbly' Kirsty asked looking more than a bit curious.

‘And how come you’re allowing us to skip school this after noon? You never let us skip school for any reason.' Jade stated.

‘We’re celebrating’ Mom answered as Dad poured the champagne

‘Celebrating what?’ Nick asked ‘And do we get a bit of that Champagne?’

‘No’ Dad said firmly staring right at Nick and Seb.

‘Rhys one glass won’t hurt’ Mom told him.

‘Nice one Mrs S.’ Nick said passing the drinks round

‘We’re here what’s so urgent you couldn’t tell us on the phone boyo’ Irene said entering the house with Noah and Hayley close behind.

‘Well I wanted you here to announce that yesterday Dani did me the honour of agreeing to be my wife’ Will announced holding up my hand to show off the ring.

The rush of excitement in the room was a wonderful sight. Even Dad seemed genuinely pleased for us.

‘That’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time, come here you too’ Irene said hugging both me and Will. ‘I’m so happy for the pair of you’

‘So Dani, who’s going to be your chief bridesmaid, me or Jade?’ Kirsty jokingly asked.

‘You both can’ I said back.

At that moment I was so happy. The man I loved, the people I loved all in one room was just an extraordinary feeling. It felt like all the pain and drama for once had been worth it. Today was a day I’d never forget.

[tamminmad]

Dani Sutherland Smith, hehehehehehehe. Wow that was a good chapter, and she's happy yay.

[Danifan]

Glad you liked it. Will and Dani have a few more problems ahead though...

[Danifan]

Chapter 20

Waking up in a comfortable bed beside the love of my life was something I’d dreamed about as a little girl. The thoughts of being so in love with someone and so happy seemed like a fantasy. Once I’d become a teenager (and just the tiniest bit cynical) I thought there was more chance of me becoming an eco warrior who never washed and lived up a tree than me actually finding Mr Right. But I knew in my heart that Will was ‘the one’.

‘Morning gorgeous’ Will said kissing me.

‘Morning yourself’ I smiled back, enjoying the comfort of a lie in after spending time in the hospital.

‘How are you this morning?’ he said

‘I’m fine. The sooner this bandage is of my stomach the better. I feel like I’m wearing a wholly jumper in bed and it is so not a good look’ I told him.

‘Yeah well you can kiss goodbye to it today’ he said still smiling.

‘Well at least then I can put on some of my normal clothes. I look like a bomb went off in a charity shop’

‘No you don’t. But, saying that the sooner you are back in a bikini the better in my opinion’ he laughed tickling me on the bed

‘Will, you perve. I am a classy young lady, not some play thing for you hormonal little boys’ I said sarcastically putting on a very posh voice.

‘Seriously though. I can’t wait until things are back to normal. Then we can get on with planning the wedding of the century’

‘I like the sound of that’ I said leaning in to give him a kiss.

I decided to get up as no doubt at any moment Mom, or more likely Dad would come up and disturb us. I was very surprised Dad let Will stay over at all, but then again I think yesterday Dad would have let anything happen if it made me happy. He can be sweet like that when he wants to be. Me and Will made our way downstairs to see Mom and Dad.

‘Hey love, sleep well?’ Mom said keeping a close eye on Dad’s reactions.

‘Yeah great’ I told her still a little unsure on how to react in such a situation.

‘How about you Will?’

‘Yeah I slept really well’ he hesitated, probably nervous about how Dad would react to his answer.

‘Good well do you want any breakfast before we go to the hospital?’

‘No Mom I’m fine’ I said.

‘Hey are you sure you don’t want me to come to the hospital with you today, I mean I can cancel the work on the blaxland’ Will said a little worried.

‘No I’ll be fine. You go to work. I’ll have Mom and Dad there anyway’ I said trying to reassure him.

‘Alright if you’re sure, I’d better get down there or Alf will be in a foul mood. Come and see me after the hospital, I might even have a surprise for you’ he said teasingly before kissing me and heading out the door before I could interrogate him about what the surprise could be.

‘That sounds promising’ Dad smirked.

The hospital appointment seemed to take forever. All the waiting around made me nervous, even if I was only there to get the bandages removed. The only thought making it better was my imagination on what Will’s surprise might be. Being an extravagant sort of girl I was thinking along the lines of a lovely new sports car or a trip to the Caribbean for just the two of us. Unlikely I know but a nice fantasy. I needn’t have worried though as I was only in there for all of five minutes having the bandages removed and the scar seemed to have healed quickly. For something that nearly killed me it was a tiny little thing. I was relieved to be out of there though.

‘So you want a lift to the blaxland?’ Dad said outside the hospital.

‘No way. I want to go home first and change out of these daggy clothes. I look like I have no fashion sense at all’ I told him. I was definitely feeling more like my old self.

After almost an hour choosing an outfit that wasn’t too casual but wasn’t over the top glam I headed down to the wharf with excitement. It felt good being in my normal clothes. I felt like me once again. When I arrived at the blaxland I was touched by what I saw. Fairy lights everywhere, rose petals scattered upto and around the boat, a beautiful buffet of food and wine and Will dressed smartly with the biggest grin on his face.

‘Welcome aboard Miss Sutherland’ he said being the perfect gentleman helping me on board.

‘Why thank you captain’ I said smiling and kissed him passionately. I was really touched by the effort that had gone into this surprise which if I was honest was much better than the surprises I’d imagined.

‘I thought we should have a celebration of our own, just you and me’ he said as he sat down and he put his arms around me lovingly.

‘It’s beautiful thank you’

‘Well it’s taken a while for us to get to this moment, and I’ve never been happier, even with all the dramas’ he said.

‘Me neither’ I said kissing him again. It was another perfect moment. I’d been having a few of those recently and this was another to add to the collection.

The evening soon came and our day was almost over. We were dozing in each others arms. The draft of a slight breeze made me shiver but there was more to it than that.

‘Are you cold baby?’ Will said hugging me tighter to keep me warm.

‘Did you hear something?’ I said a little spooked.

‘No why?’

‘I’m probably just being paranoid…’ I said not wanting to spoil the evening.

‘Why whats wrong?’ Will said protectively

‘I don’t know I feel like we’re being watched or something’ I said worrying myself even more.

‘It’s probably Colleen in the bushes spying on us’ Will said jokingly.

‘Will I’m serious, someone’s watching us I can feel it’ I said getting more nervous by the minute.

‘It’s alright don’t worry. Wait here, I’ll go and have a look around Ok?’ Will said reassuringly.

As he was about to get off the boat I felt an overwhelming urge to stop him.

‘Will wait. Stay here, you’re probably right, it’s probably nothing. Just stay and hold me yeah’

Will climbed back firmly on board and we moved inside. I felt safe in Will’s loving arms but I was freaked out all the same. Was I just being paranoid or was someone watching us and if so, who?

[Danifan]

Chapter 21

Yesterday had been an unusual day to say the least. My paranoia was in overdrive. My imagination was going riot thinking Gypsy or even Kane were spying a on me and Will on the boat. It gave me the creeps and kept me up for half the night. Every noise made me jump thinking one or even both had come back to get me. Luckily I had the memory of the last two nights to keep me comfort in my bed this time, but still I was a little freaked out and on edge. And after today it seemed I should trust my instincts a lot more than I do.

My first clue was Jade arriving home. This wasn’t unusual as lets face it she does live there but at half eleven on a school day was slightly weird especially for Jade who wasn’t exactly known for bunking off school and rebelling.

‘Kirst, Kirsty are you here.’ I vaguely heard from upstairs. I came down to hear her on her mobile. ‘Kirsty ring me when you get this message. I’m getting fed up of covering for you; people are getting suspicious about you disappearing. I hope you’re not in trouble. I’ll see you later OK.’ I heard her close the door behind her quietly.

I felt like I’d been kicked in the stomach. I hoped with every part of me that I was wrong but my gut instinct was that Kirsty was at it again; protecting Kane. This time though I wasn’t taking it lying down. I’d had enough of having to be understanding, seeing things from her point of view especially when it got me nowhere. I couldn’t believe how two faced she had been. Lying to our faces and even worse to the police was cruel and incredibly stupid.

As luck would have it, Colleen as observant as ever had no qualms about spilling the beans on seeing Kirsty heading off in the direction of Millers farm, an old abandoned farm that looks on the verge of falling down any minute It was on the other side of the wharf just hidden enough to see the blaxland in full view.

‘It’s in the middle of nowhere, so why she’d want hang around there is anyone’s guess’ she commented. I knew exactly why.

I quickly made my way down there. I wanted to make sure that he’d still be there. I wanted him punished for having the nerve to think he’d get away with trying to ruin my life for a second time and I wanted my own sister to be punished for having the gall to help him escape justice. The farm was no reduced to just a poorly constructed barn that smelt of damp and cow manure. It was not a nice combination. It made me realise why I’d never go and live in the countryside. My heart sank as I heard her voice and my blood boiled as I heard his.

‘I wish I could tell people’ I heard her tell him.

‘Yeah well we won’t be anything to say if your sister doesn’t drop the charges against me. With my record I’ll be put away for sure’

‘I’ll work on Dani. She’ll realise how happy I am and drop the charges, I know she will. And she’ll be happy about the engagement in time. Just leave it to me babe’.

I couldn’t believe it. Not only helping the twisted pervert but marrying him. That was it, if I can’t trust my own sister to stay loyal to me then I don’t really see why she deserves any loyalty in return.

‘I’ll keep my ring in my bag. No one ever checks it anyway. I’ll keep it close to my heart.’ She said sickeningly soppy.

‘You’d better go babe or people will wonder where you’ve got too’

‘I don’t want to go Kane. I want to stay with you’

‘Me too babe, but I need you to help me sort out this trouble first, then we can be together forever’

I was getting impatient. I was either going to explode with rage and confront them both violently or throw up. After what seemed like hours Kirsty finally left the barn. I was tempted to take one of the bits of old timber around the farm and bash his head in with it but then I’d be punished and the satisfaction would be worthless. Instead I made my way back to the diner and made an important phone call.

‘Hello, is this Yabbie Creek police station? Yes well I’m a concerned citizen and happen to know that Kane Philips, the man wanted for attempted murder is hiding out at Millers farm, opposite the wharf’ Don’t ask how I know this just check it out ASAP or you’ll miss your chance at getting your man’ I hung up quickly and smiled to myself. I felt a sense of relief and a release that I’d finally been able to inflict some punishment on someone who nearly destroyed my life.

‘You look very pleased with yourself. That fiancée of yours was it’ Colleen said curiously.

‘Yeah Colleen something like that. Anyway I’d like a big chunk of that gorgeous chocolate mud cake please Colleen, I feel like a treat’

I’d had enough of being the victim. No one was going to walk all over Dani Sutherland again. Not Kane, not Gypsy and especially not Kirsty

[tamminmad]

OOHHHHH those two chapters were great, I hope the cops get Kane for trying to kill Will and Dani.

[Danifan]

Chapter 22

Sitting in the diner eating the chocolate cake, I felt good, better than I had done in years. The thought of Kane finally get what he had been coming to him since that fateful day two years ago was like dream come true. It is true what they say, revenge is sweet, but justice is even sweeter. I was tempted to have another piece of cake I was feeling that good, but two big pieces of chocolate mud cake was like a sign in a small town like Summer Bay that you had something to celebrate. I looked at the time and realised Kirsty would be home from school soon. I know it sounds mean but I wanted to see the look on her face when she found out her precious fiancé had been caught ad is hopefully going to prison for the next few years, see how long ‘true love’ lasts then. As I got up to pay for my cake, Peter Baker came in.

‘Dani, just the person, we have good news’ he said looking quite pleased.

‘Oh yeah’ I said trying not to get my hopes up in case he was going to tell me something completely different to what I wanted to hear.

‘Well we arrested Kane Philips today and although he denies any involvement with the evidence we have against him and the holes in his story he has no chance of wriggling his way out of this one’

Before I could open my mouth Colleen jumped in. She’d obviously been eavesdropping on the conversation.

‘Oh that’s great news Detective Baker. We can now all sleep well in our beds tonight as that little hooligan is locked up. May he never see the light of day again after what he’s done’ she said getting very excited.

While I was pleased, a part of me felt guilty, don’t ask me why. The satisfaction of seeing Kane locked up was strong but Kirsty’s reaction probably wouldn’t be. I left the diner for a walk along the beach. I rang Will; I needed to speak to him before telling the family.

‘Hey, it’s me’

‘Hello. I haven’t seen you all day, is everything alright?’

‘Yeah everything’s fine, well better than fine actually. They’ve arrested Kane’

‘What. That’s great news. You don’t sound as happy about it as you should’

‘Well I tipped them off about where he was’

‘How did you know where he was’

‘Kirsty led me right to him and I called the police. She’s going to freak’

‘So let her. She’s the one in the wrong, not you’

‘Yeah but I could have gotten her into trouble as well’

‘Well that’s just tough isn’t it. We all make our own decisions and we’re all going to have to live with them’ he said very reflectively. ‘Do you want me to come over with you to tell everyone?’

‘No, I’ll be fine. I think Mom and Dad are going to explode when they find out about Kirsty’s involvement. In fact I think I might explode at her. Thanks anyway. I’ll see you later. Love You.

‘I love you too’ Will said and hung up.

Talking to Will really helped. I’d got all fired up again about confronting my treacherous little sister and no amount of her sorry excuses and moaning was going to make me feel bad.

I made my way home to find Mom, Dad, Jade,, Nick, Seb, Max and Kirsty in the living room.

‘Hey love. Good day?’ Dad said as I entered the house.

‘Brilliant day. The police arrested Kane. So what’s for dinner?’ I said flippantly.

‘What, that’s the best news I’ve heard in ages’ Dad said almost as excited as Colleen was at the news.

‘What, they’ve arrested him? They can’t have’ Kirsty said jumping up from the sofa in a blind panic.

‘Well Peter told me, and he should know, he arrested him’ I said, quite enjoying watching her squirm.

‘So where was he?’ Mom asked

‘I think you should ask Kirsty that one’ I said giving her the dirtiest look I could muster.

‘How would I know’ she said, playing the innocent victim like she does so well.

‘Well, I followed you today while you bunked off school to go and visit him at Millers farm. Then coincidently someone made a tip off to the police and Kane got locked up where he belongs’ I said enjoying every minute of this.

‘Please tell me this is some joke. Please tell me you have not been helping that boy after he tried to kill your sister’ Dad said furiously, turning a funny shad of red.

‘He needs me’ she wailed.

‘You’ve gone too far this time Kirsty’ Mom said, quietly furious as well. ‘You could go to prison’

‘Hey maybe you and Kane could share a cell’ Nick said sarcastically from the sofa. Jade hit him in the stomach knowing full well this was not the time for jokes.

‘I won’t go to jail. Dani if you just drop the charges then everything will be fine’ she said, the cheeky cow.

‘I can’t believe you. You don’t even feel bad do you? All your bothered about is your precious boyfriend. Oh sorry I meant fiancé’

‘Fiancé?’ Dad said astonished

‘Show them the ring Kirsty’ she looked horrified and froze. I couldn’t contain my emotions any longer, I was so angry I was almost in tears. In frustration I pulled everything out from her school bag until the ring fell onto the table. I picked it up to show everyone. ‘Here it is the symbol of your love. What’s wrong Kirsty, you’ve gone very quiet’ I shouted at her

‘You think your going to marry him. Over my dead body young lady’ Dad said sitting down at the table with his hands over his head, the frustration building up inside him.

‘You can’t stop us. He loves me and I love him. Why won’t you understand?’ she said, the question firmly aimed at me. ‘You’re my sister you’re supposed to want me to be happy. Do you begrudge me that?’

‘Kirsty I don’t begrudge you anything in the world, the only problem is neither do you and you don’t care who you hurt to get what you want. So yeah marry Kane. Have his babies, be his prison visiting wife. Here you go here’s the ring…’ I chucked it at her.

‘Dani please…’ Mom said trying to calm me down

‘…and keep it close to you and remember it at as a symbol of the sister you lost.’

‘Dani…’ Kirsty yelped in tears.

‘Because you are no sister of mine’ I said storming off upstairs. I went to pack my bags; there was no way I was staying there for a minute longer. Mom and Dad followed.

‘Dani wait a minute, we can sort this out as a family. We need to stick together. Rhys tell her’ Mom said trying to stop me from packing my suitcase.

‘Where are you going to go sweetheart’ he said, he was obviously on my side in all of this.

‘Rhys!’ Mom snapped.

‘I’m going to Will’s. There is no way I’m staying under the same roof as her. All I wanted was my own sister to show me an ounce of the loyalty I show her. She chose him over me, and I’m choosing a life without her over a life with her.’ I said slamming my suitcase shut and marching out of the room and down the stairs.

‘Dani, wait I’ll drive you’ Dad shouted from behind me.

‘Don’t bother. I’ll walk. You’d better see to Jade and Kirsty’ I said then I coldly blanked everyone in the living room and left my house.

The satisfaction had worn off. I was heartbroken that someone I loved would keep on hurting me so badly. I had to see Will. I needed his love, support and loyalty more than ever.

[tamminmad]

Man Kirsty's stupid, I'm glad that Kane is right where he belongs.

[Danifan]

Chapter 23

I walked along the beach to clear my head. I was angry, heartbroken and exhausted all rolled into one. Before we moved to Summer Bay the only reason I’d ever visit the beach was to get a good tan and show off a great new bikini. Now it was a place to escape my problems and sort out my tangled life.

I spent almost an hour sat in on the beach just watching the ocean. It was amazing the calming effect it had on me. While I had no intention of forgiving Kirsty, my initial anger had subsided and replaced by disappointment. Disappointment in her, and disappointment in myself that I’d let the situation get to me once again.

I picked myself up and dusted myself off and made my way over to Will’s. I knew the moment I’d arrived someone had told them what had happened at home as I was greeted at the door with a huge hug from Will and a sympathetic look from Irene and Hayley.

‘Are you ok, love?’ Irene said as I came through the door and Will brought my suitcase in.

‘Yeah, I will be.’ I told her. I felt awkward feeling this emotional around Will’s family.

‘Well you can stay as long as you need to’ Irene said.

I sat down on the sofa next to Hayley.

‘I couldn’t believe it when Nick rang. I mean I thought Kirsty would have more sense than to help him after everything he’s done’

‘So did I, but apparently she loves him and that means stuff the rest of us; after all we’re only her family’ I said willing myself not to get worked up again.

‘Shall we go to get you settled in in my room?’ Will asked sensing I wasn’t up to talking about the situation, not even with close friends.

‘Yeah’ I told him still feeling out of sorts.

Will took my hand and picked up my suit case and took us to his room. He closed the door behind us for privacy. I hugged him. A silent thank you for being there for me. We sat on the bed and he cuddled me gently. I knew I’d found someone I felt comfortable talking about the situation with.

‘So was it as bad as Nick made it sound?’ he said stoking my hair softly.

‘No. It was worse. Just thinking of her helping him makes me feel sick. Like they were laughing at me behind my back and yet she seemed to think I was overreacting or something. The sooner him and Gypsy are locked up the better as I won’t feel safe until they are’ I told him frankly.

Will seemed a little uncomfortable the minute I mentioned Gypsy.

‘Sorry I shouldn’t have brought her up’ I said

‘No it’s fine, you’re right they both deserve to be locked up it’s just that…’ he said looking extremely serious.

‘What. Everything’s alright isn’t it?’ I asked a little worried by Will’s reaction.

‘Yeah. Well, no actually, it’s just…’ Will said anxiously looking for the right words.

‘Will your not making much sense’ I told him.

‘I can’t condemn Kirsty because I’m just as bad’ he announced.

‘How do you mean?’ I said, I was totally confused by the conversation so far.

‘I’m sorry Dan, but Gypsy’s long gone, the police won’t catch her’ he said.

‘What? How do you know?’ I said pulling away from him slightly.

He went silent and looked guiltily at me. I knew then what he was going to say was going to be crushing to hear.

‘I…I… helped her get away. I’m so sorry’ he said quietly looking guiltier than ever.

‘What! Why? Why would you help her? Do you still love her’ I shouted getting up off the bed, the panic inside me coming out.

‘No, I love you, only you. Dani listen…’

‘What, what can you possibly say that’s going to make this sound any better. Did she hold a gun to your head or something?’ I said trying to fathom some sort of explanation on my own.

‘No...But…she threatened you. She threatened to kill you if I didn’t help her. You’ve got to believe me Dani, I did this to protect you not her’ he said trying so hard to calm me down but after this I was as angry at him as I had been at Kirsty.

‘I can’t handle this, not now’ I said picking up my suitcase.

‘Wait you can’t leave. We need to talk about this. I know we can sort this out’ Will pleaded standing in front of the door. I burst into tears.

‘I really want to believe you but I just can’t deal with this at the moment’ I told him. Tears filled up in his eyes.

‘Just stay. Please Dani. I love you. If you don’t believe anything else, please believe that.’ He said taking my hand and held it up to show my engagement ring. ‘We can get over this. We are meant to be together. Don’t let this spoil things for us. Don’t let her come between us again.’ Will said desperately trying to stop me from leaving. I was too upset to think straight. I needed to get away from him, my family and Summer Bay to sort this mess out in my head.

‘Just let me go Will’ I said sternly. He moved out of the way holding his head and I ran out of the room with my case and out of the house in tears.

‘Dani... Dani wait please’ I heard Will call after me but I couldn’t go back, not now.

I had no idea where I was going. Getting away from Summer Bay was the only thing I could do. I needed to be somewhere else far, far away. I had to figure out a way to forgive Will and Kirsty and live with the fear of Gypsy and Kane getting back at me again. There was no way I could figure that out here. I had to call on an old friend to help me figure out what to do next.

[tamminmad]

I had to call on an old friend to help me figure out what to do next.

Another great chapter, I think the old friend is Brodie.