She was raging, fuming, livid, whatever you wanted to call it. She was hurting but she didn't know that yet, she couldn't feel her several times broken and mended heart aching inside of her chest, under all the anger and frustration. She'd been so stupid, how could he humiliate her like this? In front of everyone? He had promised her he would never leave her, not ever. She had been to loved up to realise he had form. She had been just as bad in the past so how could she be so hypocritical now? But the shoe was on the other foot and she could never have imagined how much it could hurt, how much she had made people hurt. She had broken Leanne, and Simon when she had an affair with Peter. She knew he was capable of lying, cheating, bigamy, affairs, you name it. Her and Leanne had been friends, best friends, but still she stole her husband. So how could Peter sleeping with Tina be any worse than her sleeping with him? Somehow, to Carla, it was, it was the end of the world.
She rushed out of the pub and toward her flat. Peter followed closely behind, calling her name repeatedly, trying to think up excuses, to wriggle out of what he had done. Through all the thoughts and emotions rushing around inside of her, Carla could barely hear Peter's voice, it sounded like an irritating buzzing in the background. She didn't want to hear it. But then there was a change in the sound of the buzzing. A softer, calmer, younger voice. Simon. The poor kid had been through so much already, how could he ever cope with this? Carla wiped the water from her face but the tears were still visible. She stopped in her tracks. Carla had never been fond of kids, but Simon was growing on her. Simon had never liked Carla but she too had grown on him.
At that moment Tina stormed out of the pub "Don't you dare walk away from me Peter Barlow, you slept with me, you begged me not to leave, I didn't want this, you bought all this on yourself" Carla cried harder and staggered toward her front door, unsteady on her shaky legs. Simon followed not far behind. Peter took a step but Tina grabbed hold of his arm and pulled him back. "Leave her, let her calm down"
As she made it through the door, up the stairs and into the sitting room, Carla collapsed onto the settee, curling herself up into a ball, for safety, security and because she had been out in the rain in no more than a belt for a dress and was trying to get warm. Simon crept in behind her, not wanting to her frighten her away. He sat quietly beside her for a moment, watching her fall apart in front of him. He knew the look in her eye far too well, it was similar to that of Leanne when his dad left her. He knelt up on his knees and wrapped his arms around Carla's neck. She pulled him close, breathing him in, feeling the vulnerability and innocence in the boy. "I'm sorry my dad is such an idiot" she smiled as she stroked his face as he continued "And I'm sorry I never liked you, you're pretty cool you know, way better than Tina"
Simon lay in Carla's arms for some time, both of them in silence. Just knowing there was someone there was some sort of a comfort for them. Simon was first to speak "I love you Carla" she was gobsmacked, she wasn't expecting it at all. "I know you're the third mum I've had now, but you're definitely in my top three favourites! She laughed. "You know what, I never thought I'd say this, but I love you too. Just because your dad has messed everything up doesn't mean I'm about to abandon you alright? We can go for a pizza or to the park every now and again if you like?"
"I'd really like that Carla" he started "please may I stay with you tonight?"
"Of course you can, if you're sure" The boy nodded and rested his head back on Carla's chest. Silence was resumed. But life would never be the same.