He Dances Too – Daniel 41

For back story go here: Story so far, and definitely this one.]

[Relevant back story links also within text.]

“Are you alright?” asked Daniel, beginning to wonder at the lack of sense coming over the phone. He may well have woken Sandra - although it was mid afternoon - but there was something about her manner or voice or something that was causing a distant alarm bell to ring.

“Fine,” said Sandra. “Am fine.”

The words were slightly slurred and the alarm bell was getting closer.

“Just been sleepy.”

“Do you have anyone with you?” He asked.

“No, no, is just me and am OK, honest.”

“Are you drinking?”

“Have been but not now. Stopped. Yesterday I stopped yesterday.”

“Right and what have you been up to?”

“Honestly? This and that,” said Sandra. “And the other.”

Daniel assessed his options. He got up keeping the phone pressed to his ear as he went into the front room where Daisy sat at the computer. 

“Daddy, Rylan was dancing and everything, have you seen him dancing?”

“No,” said Daniel, “and I need to use the computer.”

“Sure, sure,” said Daisy. “He’s gangly like a giraffe but he has lovely shoes.”

Forgivingly Daniel left the Rylan Clark-Neal video up for his daughter while also pulling out the bespoke messaging app that put him in touch with the team from Together... Apart. He shot a message off to Trinny while still talking to Sandra

– Have you been in touch with Sandra recently? He asked Trinny.

“Have you been in touch with Trinny recently?” he asked Sandra.

“No,” said Sandra. “No one. Trinny’s OK, though. She has a mad Aunt who takes care of her. Have you been introduced? She’s loaded. You’d get on well together.”

– Hasn’t answered her phone in two days or so - came Trinny’s response.

– I’m speaking to her now and I don’t think she’s well.

“Not been introduced to any Aunt, Sandra. Are they close?”

– In what way?

– Think she’s had a lot to drink. Alone.

“Not that close, but let’s say it’s a significant friendship, if you know what I mean.”

“Not really, no. Significant how?”

– Seems confused. Going on about your Aunt. 

“Well,” said Sandra. “Trinny lands on her feet all the time you know? Well, not landing on her own feet, landing on her Aunt’s feet.”

“Ri-ight...”

“And they’re big feet...”

– Oh hell, she doesn’t like my Aunt...

“Big, rich feet”

– Not sure why. What do we need to do?

“Her Aunt is behind everything....”

– Can you go round and see her?

“Needs something, goes to Aunt. Big decision, ask the Aunt…”

– I can’t but I might be able to find someone. Will get back to you in a bit.

“Can I watch him dance again?” whispered Daisy at Daniel.

“Oh, oh is that Daisy?” asked Sandra, as if switching back on again. “How are you Daisy?”

With some trepidation but also hope, Daniel switched his phone to speaker.

“I’m OK thankyou very much,” began Daisy. “My daddy is teaching me now and he’s not bad but he doesn’t know everything. He didn’t know Rylan was soooo talented and doesn’t know what else he can do like act and stuff. I think Rylan’s amazing because he knows so much especially when people are asking questions and he knows all the answers like porridge and special stuff for cleaning windows with signs on saying more points for you. How are you?”

There was a pause.

“Is it true you don’t like the Unicorns any more?” asked Sandra.

“Hmm,” said Daisy, unconvinced. “They can do what they want really.”

“Are they going to save the galaxy still, do you think?”

“Not sure.” said Daisy. “Really I don’t know if they know enough about it to save it. It’s always someone else who comes and does it and sometimes they just stand around as if they did it all But then...”

“Sometimes we need people to show us what’s going on. They might not seem to do anything sometimes but they’re still important. They tell us what’s going on and show us where to look. The Unicorns are beautiful because of how they look but also because of what they do. You should always look out for Unicorns.”

Daisy looked content with this appraisal and promised she’d still be on the look out for them. Especially if they had Mr Sparklehat with them.

– I’ve got hold of Frankie, came Trinny’s text. – She’s going to go round. Just her and no one else.

Daniel breathed a sigh of relief. “Sandra,” he said. “Just stay where you are. There’s someone on their way.”

“It’s OK,” said Sandra. “I’m picking up.”