The first thing Clara noticed when she woke up was that she was feeling warm and utterly comfortable. Still half dreaming she nuzzled her face against the warm chest in front of her and strong arms were pulling her closer, holding her. For a moment Clara was determined to go back to sleep but then a thought crossed her mind. Alex was still sleeping in the guest bedroom. She couldn't remember walking home and or going to sleep in her own bed. Carefully Clara opened her eyes.
John was obviously still asleep – they had fallen asleep on the sofa, holding each other. Her guilty conscience immediately told her to get up, wake John and leave, but she was so comfortable. He was holding her and she hadn't felt so loved and protected in such a long time. It was just cuddling, nothing to feel bad about, Clara told herself as she closed her eyes again. John should be the one to wake up first and Clara was determined to enjoy every second of this until he did.
Suddenly someone cleared their throat. “Do you guys need me to pretend to be asleep for another hour or so?” Donna asked.
Clara opened her eyes again and so did John. He seemed confused for a moment, looking at Clara first, and then at Donna.
“Donna,” he blurted out, immediately letting go off Clara and straightening himself into a sitting position, “You're up!”
“Yes, I am up. I better be. My train leaves in two and a half hours,” she said and casually took a sip from her coffee.
Then suddenly it hit Clara like a sledgehammer. “What time is it?” she asked, panic in her voice.
“11:30,” Donna replied and Clara immediately jumped up, ignoring that she felt slightly dizzy from the suddenly rush of blood.
“I need to go. Alex is gonna be home soon,” she said and quickly rushed to grab her jacket, “Sorry. It was lovely meeting you, Donna. See you!”
She darted across the street and realized in horror that Alex' car was already parked in the driveway. Clara was too late and he would never, ever forgive her for this. Not only had she refused to spend New Year's Eve at the company party with him, she had also lied to him and went to John to celebrate. And to make it worse she was now returning – at noon – in her pyjamas.
Clara opened the front door as quietly as possible so as not to attract his immediate attention and left her jacket at the coat rack before she stepped into the living room. It was empty. Clara quickly moved on to the kitchen and found Alex sitting at the table, quietly drinking a cup of coffee.
“Oh, you're up,” he said and immediately rose from his chair.
He placed a quick kiss on her forehead. “Happy New Year,” he said, his tone of voice eerily friendly.
“Happy New Year to you, too,” Clara said reluctantly and hoped that her confusion didn't show. Why was he being so nice?
“I hope I didn't wake you when I got in?” he asked, “The whole house was quiet, so I assumed you were still asleep.”
“No,” Clara shook her head, utterly relieved now, “You didn't wake me at all.”
Clara had to refrain from sighing in relief. Alex had never noticed her absence at all.
“Listen, I've been thinking,” Alex said suddenly.
“Mh?” she asked, still not entirely over the shock of almost being caught.
“Last night without you, it just didn't feel right. I felt terrible. I know we've had our differences lately, but it's like you said. I'm tired of fighting, too. I want things to go back to normal.”
“So do I,” Clara said weakly.
“But I don't think it's going to be easy. I think we're got so many little problems that are just slowly turning into a big one.”