It was saturday morning. Peter walked out of the bathroom in nothing but a white towel, he was carrying a smaller towel in his hand and was drying his damp hair with it. He could hear Carla in the bedroom pottering about, they were getting ready for Michelle's birthday party and he couldn't help feeling excited, not really about the party, more about being able to dance with Carla. He walked into the bedroom and saw her standing in front of the mirror in a towel doing her make-up. From what he could tell she'd already done her hair and it looked gorgeous as always, long and silky flowing down her back, nothing like Leanne's, Carla was nothing like Leanne. She was more understanding, more caring and considerate and not everything revolved around her. To make things even better she was bloody beautiful.
Carla glanced across the room at Peter, standing there getting dressed, she couldn't help wondering how she'd managed to find a man who was so incredibly perfect, and who so far hadn't turned out to be a psychopath. Liam was the love of her life, after he died she never thought she could love anyone as much as him however Peter had proved her wrong. She loved him just as much, maybe more.
They arrived at the party fashionably late, both looking great of course. Carla was in a plain black, strapless maxi dress which accentuated all her greatest assets. Her hair was down in loose curls and her make-up was subtle, she looked stunning and Peter knew it, he knew he was making every man in the room jealous. He himself was dressed in a smart grey suit, Carla couldn't take her eyes off him, she couldn't wait to get him home that night!
There was a good atmosphere at the party which was what they all needed after the year they'd had, a lot of people turned up and there were no dramas, thankfully. Eventually a slow song came on and everyone went up with their partners, Michelle and Carla danced together, laughing hysterically as they did so knowing what people must be thinking. As the song neared to an end Peter tapped Michelle on the shoulder and said "Mind if I have this dance Michelle" "Yeah course Peter, go ahead" she replied, going off to dance with Maria instead.
Peter pulled Carla in close and breathed in her scent, he leant his head on her shoulder, immediately getting butterflies in his stomach, as he did whenever he was close to her, despite the fact they lived together. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he wrapped his arms around her waist. He wanted to be as close to her as possible, he groped at the skin beneath her dress and planted a kiss on her smooth, flawless cheek. He was never happier than when he was holding her, he never imagined he could ever feel like this for anyone, it was a feeling that he'd never experienced before and one he'd treasure forever.
"This is lovely" Carla pointed out, leaning in to breath in the smell of aftershave which she'd bought him a while back and the slight hint of tobacco. It was always comforting when he held her, it reminded her of how safe he'd made her feel in her time of need after the rape, she never would've got through it without him.
Sean and the other factory workers were watching on as Carla and Peter danced together "I do feel sorry for Leanne for what he did to her, but they do make the most beautiful couple" Sean said, gazing at them from where he was seated with Marcus, Julie, Eileen, Hayley and Sally. "Carla deserves some happiness after what she's been through, it's good that she's found someone who clearly adores her" Sally replied, remembering how badly she'd treated Carla in the months after the rape and instantly feeling guilty. Carla and Peter were turning heads, everybody found it adorable how in love they were. It brought a tear to Michelle's eye to see Carla so happy, it disgusted her that someone could've treated Carla so badly but she knew that Peter would protect her.
The evening was nearing to an end and everyone was drunk, aside from Peter of course, Carla had only had a bit to drink as she knew Peter didn't appreciate her drinking. Carla then got up to do a speech, "I'll make this brief as I don't wanna bore you all with tedious tales of our childhood or ought like that, but I do wanna say how grateful I am to Michelle, she's been like a sister to me and she's really got me through the past few months, I don't know where I'd be without her. She's an amazing person and I love her dearly, I hope you've had a really amazing birthday darlin" They all raised their glasses to Michelle, who by this point was in tears and gave Carla a massive hug. "That was lovely Carla, and now look, you've ruined my make-up!" They both laughed.
Carla and Peter were preparing to leave as they were both shattered so she picked up her glass to finish the last of her drink. Then suddenly everyone turned around to look at the familiar man who had just walked in looking nervous and slightly out of place. Nobody said anything until Stella broke the awkward silence "hiya love, what would you like to drink, I assume that's what you're ere for?" She was oblivious to why everyone was so shocked that this man had walked into the pub, he didn't reply to her, just stared blankly at the faces in the room, one face in particular, Carla's. She was standing across the bar from him, she wasn't making any noise but she had tears streaming down her face, Peter was standing next to her looking just as shocked as her. Michelle was standing behind Carla, she was crying hysterically, as was Maria. "This can't be happening" Michelle shouted. "I must be dreaming, you're dead, YOU'RE DEAD!" Stella had no idea what was going on, she was about to question them when Maria started shouting too "It can't be you, it can't be, Liam?"