Chapter 1
Carla woke to her phone ringing, it was Michelle. She turned away, trying to ignore it. She knew she was late for work. The phone bleeped. Carla picked it up, '1 new message' 'Carla, what are you playing at, it's 10.30! You were supposed to be opening up 2 hours ago'. She put the phone down and got out of bed. As she entered the sitting room she saw last nights' empty wine bottle and glass on the coffee table. As she made her morning coffee the buzzer rang. She picked it up. "Hello", "Carla, it's me" replied Peter. She buzzed him up and got another mug out of the cupboard.
"I went to the factory looking for you, Michelle said you didn't turn up for work today and she couldn't get in touch with you?". "Yeah, well I've been busy" She said looking at Peter, angrily. "Did you want me for something or were you just checking up on me?" She asked. "I was concerned... You didn't seem yourself yesterday" he said. Carla assured him that she just had things on her mind. As Carla pottered around, getting dressed and washing up. Peter stayed with her, chatting about things she didn't really care about.
After 15 minutes or so he asked "are you alright?". "I'm just sick... sick of being third best. I'm happy for Simon to come first but I don't want you to go from my bed to Leanne's". Peter assured her it was her he wanted but the fact he hadn't left Leanne said much more than anything that came out of his mouth. They'd been having an affair for months, it wasn't about sex, it was much more than that. Well, at least, for Carla it was.
Peter joined her in the kitchen and kissed her forehead, she turned away from him. "What's brought this on, Car?" "I'm pregnant" she replied, still facing away. Peter fell silent. "Is it mine?". Carla spun to face him, with a shocked look on her face. "I can't believe you've just asked me that. It's not me who's had two people on the go at the same time! YES it's yours!". "I didn't mean that, I meant.. Sorry its a shock". Peter sat down and looked at the empty bottle on the coffee table. "Carla, you've been drinking(!)". "Yeah, I'm having an abortion. In... oo 40 mins, I best get a move on".
Peter grabbed Carla's arm and told her to sit down. "We need to talk about this, you can't get rid of MY baby half an hour after telling me about it!". "It's MY baby too and it will be me who's got it all night and day, you'll only be here when you can get away from Leanne for an hour! I don't want this baby and the longer I leave it the harder it will be to rid of it." She said, pleading her case. Peter asked if he could go to the clinic with her. He thought he might be able to talk her out of during the journey.
They got into the car and started off on the drive. Peter tried to strike up conversation but Carla sat staring out the window, she looked so beautiful, it was like a scene from a Hollywood movie as a tear fell onto her cheek. She knew there was no going back once she took the tablet. One tablet and it can just end a pregnancy, so quickly. She wondered how many people had regretted the decision afterwards. They pulled up at the clinic. Peter got out of the car and went round to the door for Carla. He looked at her with tears in his eyes. "Please don't do this, Car. I'm begging you. I can change". "I don't want you to change I just can't share you with another woman. Not now". He told Carla, once again, he would leave Leanne. "The trouble is, Peter, I've heard it all before. She's your wife. You made that choice and now I'm making this one". Carla said before heading towards the clinic.
"Carla Connor, I have an appointment at 12", she said, checking herself in at reception. "Certainly Mrs Connor, are you here on your own". "No, I have my... friend, with me" Carla said, as Peter shook his head in despair. "Ok well take a seat and the doctor will see you in a few minutes". Carla looked around at the empty room, a few chairs, a table with leaflets instead of magazines. "Carla please. I'll leave Leanne tonight. If I don't, I'll drive you back here, myself. But tomorrow". Carla looked at him, her mascara had run with all the tears. "I can't. I can't be a mother"
The doctor approached them, "Mrs Connor?" Peter stood up and stretched his hand to Carla. She sat looking at the doctor, her eyes glazed over with tears. Her heart and head torn. She thought about all her losses, Paul, Liam, her mum. She whispered quietly, "I'm sorry, I can't do this" before running out of the clinic. Peter apologised to the doctor and rushed out to Carla. She was crouched down against the wall, crying. Peter kneeled beside her with his arm round her. She buried her face into his chest and sobbed.
Back at the flat, Peter made Carla a cup of tea and wondered round, running her a bath while she drank it. "I'm gonna go back and speak to Leanne before Simon finishes school" Peter looked at Carla, hoping for some sort of response, she just sat, staring at the ground, with her hand on her tummy. Peter kissed her head and told her he'd be back soon "don't leave the bath too long, love" He said before closing the door behind him.
Shortly after Peter left, the intercom buzzed. Upon answering it Carla realised it was Michelle. She sounded furious. "Before you start I've got a very good reason for not being in today, not that I NEED a reason, I am the boss" Carla reminded Michelle. "Let's hear it then" Michelle said inquisitively. "I'm pregnant. I went to the abortion clinic today". Carla said, still tearful. Michelle sat down in shock. "Are you alright?" she asked, with concern. Carla nodded "I couldn't go through with it". Carla wasn't quite ready for congratulations or to swap pregnancy stories but Michelle assured her that she was there if she needed to talk. "I know the first 3 months can be hell, so if you want to talk..." "Thanks Chell, can you keep it quiet for now though? I'm not ready for people to know yet". Michelle agreed and said goodbye to Carla before leaving.
Meanwhile, Peter arrived back at his and Leanne's flat. Leanne was ironing. "Do you want a cup of tea?" She asked as Peter walked through the door. "Erm, no thanks, I'm not stopping. Just wanted a chat before I go and get Simon". "I thought i was collecting him?" Leanne asked. "Sit down love" Peter said as Leanne came over towards to sofa. "What is it? You haven't fallen off the wagon again, have you?" Leanne enquired as she sat down. "Not quite" Peter said, before telling her that he and Carla were having an affair and that they had been for months. "I can't stay with you. I don't love you anymore. I love Carla" Peter said as Leanne sat in shock. "I'm going to go and get Simon from school. I'll take him to Dad and Deidre's tonight. I'm sorry Lee".
After Michelle left, Carla went for her bath, she entered the bathroom, there were candles lit on the windowsill, a champagne glass with fresh orange juice next to the bath and fresh white towels on the towel rail. Carla was flattered by the trouble Peter had gone to. She heated up the bath and had a nice soak. She put her hand on her tummy and talked to her baby. She didn't know whether it could hear her yet but she talked to it anyway. She was determined to be the mother she never had. She recalled in her mind the mornings she had to get herself up and to school because her mum had been too drunk the night before, the afternoons she walked the streets with her mum, as she sold drugs.
Peter arrived back and let himself in; he stood at the bathroom door which was open slightly. He could hear Carla telling her baby how sorry she was for almost getting rid of it today; Peter knew Carla wouldn't regret her decision to keep their baby. He knew that she would be a fantastic mum. "I'm back Car" Peter shouted as he went round into the kitchen. "I won't be long; Michelle came round." Carla shouted back. "You take your time, love!" Peter said as he appeared at the bathroom door.
"How'd she take it?" Carla asked Peter as she entered the living room. "Not well, she was surprised I think, I told her we've been carrying on for months, I didn't mention the baby, my dad and Deidre have got Simon for the night, he's gonna be devastated" Peter said, thinking about what he was going to tell him. Carla sat down next to him and put her arm round him. "He'll be fine, kids are very... Resilient" She tried to assure him. "What do you fancy for dinner?" Peter asked. "hmm, I don't know. We could get Chinese?" Carla said picking up a menu off the kitchen counter and waving it in Peter's direction.
A few hours passed and Carla lay across the sofa with her head on Peter's lap. He was playing with her hair, running his fingers through it. As the film finished Carla sat up. Her hair all ruffled. "I best go to bed, I promised Chell I'd be in tomorrow" Carla said as a concerned Peter asked "Are you sure you're ready?" The new couple got into bed and had a nice hug. Carla felt safe with Peter, comfortable. She knew he loved her now. He wouldn't have left Leanne unless he was serious about her; he has Simon to think of. Carla fell asleep in his arms with both their hands on her tummy. Peter sighed as he reflected on the day.