Fixing Foundations
Tried to go for something a bit different.. enjoy!
a.n/ Carla and Peter haven't been having an affair, set after the trial.
Characters: Carla, Jack, Michelle, Frank, Peter and Leanne. Possibly some of the factory workers/clients if needs be.
As soon as the door of the Rover opened, Carla felt that familiar feeling of apprehension sinking in once again. She was still getting used to the fact that it could be Frank, ready to taunt her, gloat with Sally that he was a free man, Not Guilty of rape. It still sickened Carla how smug he was, having something up on her, and all she could do was sit back and take it in. It wasn't as if she was completely alone with him in that office everyday, she had Michelle fighting her corner but it still wasn't enough to make her the old feisty Carla, on which she had tried to regain that feistiness, the confidence, but it was failing miserably. Carla felt an urge of relief as it wasn't Frank entering the Rovers, only a tall man, about 35, brandishing a celtic cross tattoo on his muscled arms, and a diagonal scar, about 4cm long on his forehead. He quickly made his way to this bar, ordering a pint. Carla noted how flawless his appearance was, even with his scar he looked incredibly handsome. She admired his celtic cross tattoo, as she loved tattoo's, which was proven when she fell for a certain leather-jacket wearing Bookie. Truth was, Carla couldn't keep waiting for Peter to decide that he wanted to be with Carla, as she knew her feelings were never going to be reciprocated, and that made Carla just want to move on, even with Frank in the picture.
Carla heard the man's harmless banter with Tina, giving her the odd wink or cheeky compliment, and Carla admired his humorous nature. Just as Carla took another glance at the stranger, he happened to turn around and catch her eye. He smiled, before taking his pint and sitting down in the seat opposite Carla.
"Mind if I join you?" The stranger asked, although already in the presence of the raven-haired beauty.
"Why not, eh? And you've already made yourself comfortable.." Carla replied, before he offered his hand to her.
"Jack.. Jack Barlow," He announced, and his hand was shook by a surprised Carla.
"You don't happen to be related to Peter?" she asked, curiously. He did seem to have quite a resemblance to Peter, the same chocolate coloured eyes, and same skin tone.
"Yeah, He's my cousin.. You know him?" Jack quizzed, eager to find out more about his cousin, which he hadn't seen in years.
"Oh me? Yeah, see him around alot. Married to my mate," Carla replied. She pretended not to know Peter that well, even though she knew him like the back of her hand. Way more than she was wiling to admit. After Frank, his presence in her life had disappeared, no longer a source of comfort in which Carla could seek.
"Married, then? To who?"
"Oh Leanne, ex prozzy, but she's OK now."
Carla quickly filled the man in about Peter and the rest of the Barlow clan. Jack seemed surprised to learn that Peter was a bigamist, had a son, and owned a Bookies. When they were kids, Peter hadn't amounted to much. He was just an average kid, with an absent father, and a dead mother. After a while of further conversation, Jack realised that he had taken an interest of Carla, not as friendship, but romance. Carla seemed to reciprocate his feelings, taking quite a shine to the man, relative of the bookie which she had fallen in love with all those months ago. Carla once again noticed the scar on Jack's forehead, which interested her, as to how he got it.
"Oh, was in the army. Not a good idea to be unarmed and approaching a man with a knife, is?" He added.
"You were in the army?" Carla grinned, her like for the former army member increasing, and more apparent to Jack.
"Yup. Three solid years, not including my training."
"Wow.. Would you ever go back?" She said, before taking another sip of her third glass of white wine, which he had insisted he buy her.
"No.. Army's not for me. I reckon I should be one of those entrepreneurs, like Peter," He grinned, knowing that his job options had limited to a shopkeeper, or sales assistant.
"You'd make a good one, an' all," Carla grinned, before hearing the door of the Rovers open once again. She no longer felt the apprehension she had that night, her company encouraging her to forget about the nightmare which she lived in, and to have some fun, to live in the moment. Carla didn't acknowledge the presence until she saw Jack leap up from where he was sitting, and giving whoever it was a hug. Carla turned, and saw Leanne and Peter behind her. "Alright mate?" Jack chirped, obviously happy to see his cousin.
"Jack.. How longs it been?" Peter laughed, knowing that he hadn't been in the presence of Jack since he was about sixteen.
"Twenty years? Long time now see, eh? And who's this lovely lady, may I ask?" Jack grinned, his charming nature apparent to Carla and those around him.
"It's Leanne.. I'm Peter's wife," she smiled, albeit a fake smile. She'd only invited Peter to the pub, in hope of a nice, quiet drink, but they were now stuck with the company of Peter's loud, flirty cousin.
"Nice to meet you," Jack smiled, before sitting down opposite Carla once more.
"You want to join us..? I mean I'm sure you know the gorgeous Carla 'ere, who has kindly accepted my offer of a drink."
"Jack I'm not sure.." Leanne said, trying to hide the fact that neither herself nor Carla would want to pretend to get on, both knowing the exact reason which pulled their friendship apart.
"Eh, come on! Join us for a drink, mate, we need to catch up!" Jack insisted, before giving Carla a small smile, encouraging her to make conversation.
"Alright, alright, you've twisted my arm," Peter laughed, before taking the only available seat which was next to Carla.
First chapter.. Hope you enjoyed! I tried to make this fanfic a bit different, introducing a family member of Peter's as a possible love interest of Carla's.. reviews loved, would love to hear your feedback!