Set a year after Carla's rape, when Peter is still fighting his feelings for her and Frank has left Weatherfield after being found not guilty of raping Carla.
Carla opened the doors of underworld and sighed as the cold winter air hit her face, instantly freezing her protruding cheekbones. Carla hadn't been eating properly for a while now, no matter what she did she couldn't seem to shake those nightmares that still haunted her since Franks vicious attack on her in the previous year. Michelle had left for the cruise ship a couple of weeks before to be reunited with ciaran, and no matter how much Carla wanted her to stay she knew Michelle was unhappy and longed to be back in his arms. Carla knew how it felt to pine for someone so much that it physically and mentally hurt, as her strong feelings for Peter Barlow had failed to cease even as time passed. She thought it was a phase, but even though her and Peter had little contact now due to him being unable to trust himself around her, she still hoped that somehow they would get together in the near future.
As she went to lock the doors of the factory a voice bellowed over at her from her left side. "finishing a bit late aint you Mrs Connor?". It was a beaming Tommy Duckworth in his greasy overalls gazing over at her, admiring her tight fitted coat wrapped around her tiny frame. Carla stared over at him slightly surprised at him trying to interact with her, it wasn't as if they spoke regularly, just the occasional hello as they walked past each other on the street. "erm... you could say that, no rest for the wicked though eh" she quipped, smiling falsely as she pondered over what the rest of her night would have in store for her, probably the usual lonely night sat in alone with only a glass of wine for company.
Tommy could tell Carla wanted to rush to get off but he couldn't help but notice over the last few weeks she'd been looking more glum than usual and gathered she could do with some company. "Look Carla, is everything ok? I know you probably wouldn't want to talk to me of all people about it but you just seem like you could use some company" he exclaimed. Carla looked towards the ground slightly awkwardly, confused how someone had seen through her feisty facade and instantly replied "thanks, but i'm fine honestly, i'll see you later".
She avoided eye contact with him and scuttled off but Tommy was having none of it, he didn't want to be pushy just wanted to simply take her out for a drink, he could have done with someone to talk to as well especially as he wasn't getting anywhere with Tina and hadn't had female attention of any variety for a while. "please, just...humour me, I just need to lock up then just a quick drink at the rovers, totally innocent" he pleaded whilst flashing her his sexiest smile. She looked into his eyes for several seconds trying to figure him out, he did seem to be putting in a lot of effort to try to cheer her up, and she couldn't help but notice he looked kinda cute with his ruffled hair and a bit of oil streaked across his cheek. "I tell ya what, if you can make me forget about this day from hell and take my mind off the mess that is my life then maybe i'll buy YOU a drink" Carla said, deciding to give in for she had spent too many nights alone recently and seemed to have a non-existent social life. "excellent, give me a sec to lock up and take off my overalls and we'll head over" Tommy said, whilst grinning, feeling quite proud that he'd managed to get the attention of a beautiful woman, one who usually liked to distance herself from men these days after all she'd been through.
Carla looked over towards the Rovers as she waited, it had been a while since she'd been in there, a while since she'd seen Peter and she just generally had tried to distant herself from Coronation Street after all the bad luck it had given her over the years. She wondered what people would think when her and Tommy walked in and had a drink together, no doubt Norris would pick up on this unlikely pair instantly and set tongues wagging. To be honest, after everything she'd been through she found herself unable to care what people said about her. They didn't know her really, the only one around that area that did was Peter, and he wouldn't even stick by her like he used to anymore so maybe it was time for her to be selfish and do what she wants.
Her deep thought processes were interrupted by a surprisingly well-dressed Tommy, who had obviously gelled his hair and changed, she smiled slightly. "you scrub up alright I suppose Duckworth" she giggled. "hmm well, when I have a gorgeous lady such as yourself on my arm I have to look the part" Tommy said jokingly whilst slyly admiring her beauty. "Calm down dear this isn't a date Tommy love, and on your arm? I'm an able bodied woman not an invalid, I do believe I can lead the way" said Carla softly, playfully indulging in some banter as they headed over to the Rovers.
Tommy ordered a pint and a glass of red as Carla sat down and scooched into a corner of one of the booths. She looked around scanning the room for signs of any of her employees or maybe even Peter, but she barely recognised anyone in the pub. Tommy came over with the drinks and they started to chat. Carla was surprised at how easily the conversation flowed, she had previously thought he was a bit of a lad and perhaps slightly chauvinistic but he was witty, sharp, funny, everything that she was. Carla excused herself as she went to the toilet and had a quick glance at the mirror as she was washing her hands. She couldn't help but notice she looked slightly worn down and applied some blusher and a bit of lip gloss. She was definitely aware she didn't give off that confident sexy glow like she used to many years before but for some reason Tommy was flirting a bit with her and she felt quite flattered considering he was quite a bit younger than her. Her self esteem had definitely plummeted over the last couple of months, yet maybe putting herself out there and getting her confidence back would be the key to her becoming happy again.
Carla headed out of the toilets and sat down at the table, noticing Tommy had got another round of drinks in. She gave him a jokey disapproving smile. "What! Come on you don't mind do you, and you can't tell me you're not having a good time, and how many times have you thought about work eh?" Tommy said knowing he had a point. Carla laughed and glanced up at him sitting opposite at him. "you're right ok you smart arse, perhaps I do have to admit you're not the arsehole I thought you were, so for that, the next round is on me". Tommy chuckled whilst flipping a beer mat off the back of his hand and catching it before it fell back down, "waheeyyy! Get me eh, not just a pretty face either am I "said a rather proud Tommy, whilst winking cheekily at her.
Carla was amused, she had to admit to herself that he was cheering her up and by now her second large glass of red wine was beginning to take effect making her feel tipsy. She realised she hadn't laughed this much in ages, even if it was only at Tommy's cheesy jokes and witty banter and she felt relaxed and at ease for the first time in a while. Just as Carla was almost keeled over in hysterics at something Tommy had said, Peter walked through the door of the Rovers. Carla was having too much fun to notice him, but he certainly noticed her instantly, there was no mistaking that dirty giggle. Peter sat down at a table as Leanne got some drinks in and he couldn't help but just stare over at her, admiring her and assessing the situation. Why was she here with Tommy? What was going on between them? He couldn't help but feel a knot of jealousy twist in his stomach as he realised how hard it was to forget his feelings whenever he was around her. She looked gorgeous as always, and he felt slightly saddened by the fact that she hadn't even noticed him yet.
Carla headed off to the toilet as peter watched her from the corner, he couldn't help but notice she looked slightly drunk with this grin plastered across her face and he really couldn't bear the thought of the night ending in the way it appeared to be heading. Peter told Leanne he was off to the loo and waited momentarily for Carla outside the ladies toilets. Carla opened the door and was surprised to see Peter there only inches away from her face. "Carla can we have a word please in the back" he whispered, Carla followed him warily, intrigued at what could be so important after not hearing from him properly in a few weeks. "i'm sorry i've not been contactable much, how have you been love?". "oh ya know, alright I suppose, was beginning to forgot you exist though" Carla exclaimed in a slightly harsh tone, unable to hide her annoyance at his absence in her life. "well you know I could never forget you exist, I promise from now on I'm just a phone call away". "ye, ye..." Carla whispered whilst looking down to the floor. "hey what's this then, you and Tommy are looking cosy, anything...ya know, going on with you too?" Peter said directly, trying to sound as casual as possible but he knew he was failing miserably. Carla edged closer to him so she was only a few inches away from his face.
She flickered her eyelashes seductively in a way which made Peter stare gormlessly into her eyes, unable to look away from her face. "so what if there is, i'm single, we're just mates and hey, he's a catch" she winked and faced the other direction about to walk back inside. "well..ye course we're mates, just be careful, he's not good enough for you ya know" Peter said glumly. He found it impossibly difficult to hide his jealousy from her, she knew him so well. Carla held his gaze for a while then ushered "well thanks for the concern, but perhaps i'll speak to you tomorrow to fill you in on all the details from tonight then... MATE". And with that she walked away inside, she had thought deep down he did care about her but even if he did he was too cowardly to admit and show her. She sighed and decided she wasn't going to let it affect her, tonight was going to be the start of the return of the old Carla, where she would let her hair down and do whatever she wanted. She was going to put Peter to the back of her mind and have some fun with Tommy, whether that ended back at his place or hers, but she was going to regain that confidence and that she was so famously known for.