One evening:
"Are you ok to lock up tonight Leanne?" I asked.
"Sure Nick, everything ok?"
"Yeah, I'm just getting agitated with David, Kylie, Sarah and all the Callum business. I just wish they would all chill out" I sighed.
"Go on, ill be fine here" Leanne replied. "Oh and there's a few slices of cheesecake left that need to be eaten by tonight if you fancy them. Robert will only throw them out"
I grab 2 slices of cake from the kitchen, pop them in a box and head out on to the street.
Looking over at mums I wonder if everything really is ok and notice that Gemma is waiting by streetcars for her taxi home. Thank goodness.
At the flat, I punch in the code for the door and make my way up to Number 12, I knock.
"Who is it?" I hear her call.
"Its me, and I've got cake" I shout through the door.
The door quickly opens and Carla is standing there, hair tied back, no makeup and in her dressing gown. It is 9pm at night after all. "Did you say cake?" she smiles and kisses me as I put my arms around her waist.
"Ill grab the plates, you take off your shoes and coat make yourself comfy" she says as she plants another kiss on my lips. Smiling, I do as I'm told and relax on the couch.
"What are you watching?" I ask as she hands me my plate with a giant slice of brownie cheesecake.
"Oh just catching up on the Bake off" Carla replies. She sits down next to, lays back and swings her legs over mine.
"This is nice" she says with a mouthful of cake. I smile at her "nice to see you eating something other than crisps, Ms Connor". She playfully kicks my arm with her foot, "ill have you know, I am partial to the odd bag or 2 Nicky" she laughs. "ok, we're even now" I reply with a chuckle.
"Roy was in tonight. He was on a date with Cathy"
"Oh was he now? He is a dark horse. Ill have to pop in to the café tomorrow to get all the gory details. He deserves some happiness" Carla gently replies.
As we eat and finish watching her programme, I couldn't help but think that we all deserve happiness, even the scarred people.
"Hey" I call as she puts the plates in the sink. "How do you fancy going on a holiday?"
She walks back and sits on my lap, arms around my neck. "Oh now that sounds like a great idea" she smiles excitedly and kisses me again.
"It wont be for a couple of weeks yet, but I thought tomorrow morning we could head out in to town to some travel agents, grab some brochures and look at them over breakfast?" I smile.
"I thought, after the dramas over the last couple of weeks, it would be something to look forward to. We can relax, soak up some sun and enjoy some time together, just me and you" I squeeze her tightly and kiss her cheeks, one at a time.
"Nicholas, you sure know how to put a smile on my face. That is one of the many reasons that I love you"
I still get butterflies in my stomach when she says those 3 little words. My whole world is brighter and bigger now she is in it.
For the next half an hour we discuss destinations, we both agree somewhere not too far to travel but still hot and sunny with plenty of nice food and drink. I glance at the time. Its 10.30pm.
"Right Ms Connor, I don't know about you but I'm pretty tired and we have lots to do tomorrow"
"Oh me too, and all this talk of sun sea and sand has got me all flustered. Ill have to spend a week with you walking around in just trunks. How irresistible" she gives me devilish look.
Giggling, I push her backwards on the sofa so I'm looking down at her "Talking of irresistible, looks like I'm staying over tonight then" she pulls me towards her and for a minute we are lost in each other.
"Come on you" I whisper. "Let's get some sleep" I pull her up and we entwine hands.
"We'll see about that Mr. Tilsley" she winks, as she pulls me towards the bedroom.