Another Life

Chapter 2 - Danny

I raised my arm to knock on the door, then lost my nerve, scooted around my car and crouched down beside it so I was hidden from sight.

"Oh my God, Skye. What the hell are you doing? You are ridiculous."

Leaning against the side of my car I tried to pull myself together.

"Come on Skye, it will be fine. Just knock on the door, you i***t. What are you doing?"

A loud, authoritative voice boomed into my consciousness:

"What exactly ARE you doing?"

My heart stopped then started palpitating. My face burned red and perspiration trickled from my forehead as I simultaneously tried to sink into the side of my car in embarrassment and clock who had just asked the question. I couldn't see anyone! Admittedly, I only had a very small range of vision from my current position. Hastily I wiped the dribble of sweat from my face and got to my feet.

Standing by the side of the car, a look of amusement on his face was a man who looked eerily familiar to me. I couldn't quite place him or remember his name. Or could I? Forgetting my embarrassment, I shot the sandy haired, blue eyed man a sideways grin.

"Hey Danny."

He raised his eyebrows at me.

"That really doesn't answer my question, Skye. What were you doing hiding behind your car and berating yourself? Slightly peculiar behaviour if you ask me."

I felt a wave of affection watching him trying to keep a straight face. So many memories of this man were flooding into my psyche. Danny when we were teenagers fighting for his freedom and his life. The soft musky smell of him as he pulled me towards him for our first kiss. The feel of his compact but muscular body when he held me. Danny as an adult, more serious and authorative. Setting policies and ruling the land to ensure fairness and equality for all. I raised my brows back at him.

"I don't believe I did ask you."

Danny snorted, looking outraged for a second. Then he grinned and held out his arms.

"Come here, Kiddo."

Forgetting everything else, I ran into his arms and gasped as he hugged me tightly.

"Gods, I've missed you Kiddo."

I hugged back just as hard.

"I don't really think Kiddo is appropriate, Danny. I'm coming up to forty in a couple of years."

Scoffing, he took a step back and looked at me.

"Still look the same, and I'm still older than you, so..."

I stared up at the man in front of me. I realised I had no memory of him in the last ten years.

"Why are we here Danny? We haven't seen each other in a very long time. I don't think this is coincidence and I'm sure this isn't a work trip now."

Danny allowed a grimace to cross his face for a split second before recovering himself.

"Let's go inside Skye. The others are here too, so best to say hello before any explainations."

Without waiting for a response, Danny grabbed my bag from the boot of the car and strode to the front door purposefully.

"Come along, Skye."

I wondered if he was being deliberately annoying by ordering me around. I felt a wave of annoyance watching the back of his self assured head. Then I wondered what the hell I was doing wondering about that when there were so many more pressing things to worry about. Like who the others were or what on earth I was doing here. At least I had the presence of mind this time to keep it an internal monologue and not embarass myself by speaking my mad thoughts. I'm winning, I thought smugly to myself.

Danny whistled shrill and suddenly, making me jump and scaring me out of my mind.

"Skye, come on."

He started patting the thighs of his jeans repeatedly.

"Oh my Gods Danny, I am not your dog, for fecks sake. I thought you were the well mannered one."

His face took on a look of pure outrage.

"I'd actually forgotten just how much you can annoy me. A word of warning. I AM the well mannered one. Now would you please come in?"

He opened the massive wooden front door with an almighty creak and gestured for me to come through. Our eyes met and he winked at me.

"It's OK, Kiddo come on in."

I gave a tiny nod, and stopped through the front door into a beautiful reception hall.