'Hey... How's my beautiful little princess?' Michelle asks smiling as Carla makes her way into the pub with Esme balanced on her hip.
'She's good, aren't you?' Carla replies smiling. She sits Esme on the edge of the bar and reaches in her bag for her purse.
'Can I have a pineapple juice, Chelle?' She asks reaching to fix the bow in the little girl's hair.
'So how was Miss Esme's birthday?' Michelle asks getting Carla's drink.
'Good... We went to the zoo with daddy, didn't we? Then we had a nice dinner.' Carla replies as Esme grins up at her.
'Daddy.' She says clapping her hands.
'That's right.' Carla replies.
'You okay?' Michelle asks placing the juice in front of Carla.
'Mmm...' Carla replies quietly.
'What's up?' Michelle asks.
'Nothing.' Carla replies and Michelle shakes her head.
'I'm not stupid, Carla... Speak to me? Is it Esme? Danny?' Michelle asks.
'I think I might be pregnant.' Carla replies quietly.
'And what makes you think that?' Michelle asks.
'The four tests I've taken this morning.' Carla replies.
'Oh shit... I'd say congratulations but going by the look on your face don't think that's the response you're looking for.' Michelle says.
'I-I don't want to be pregnant.' Carla replies.
'You never want to be pregnant, Carla.' Michelle replies.
'I don't want Danny's baby, Chelle... If I have Danny's baby then I'm stuck with him.' Carla replies.
'Wait a minute... I'm confused. I thought you were happy with Danny?' Michelle says causing Carla to sigh.
'So did I... I don't know, Chelle.' Carla admits.
'Come through the back... I'll get Sean to cover.' Michelle says smiling at her best friend.
'So what's changed? Why this sudden change of heart about Danny?' Michelle asks sitting down next to Carla on the sofa as Esme plays on the floor.
'I don't know... These past few weeks things have been different between us. I used to get so excited to see him, Chelle. I used to love waking up in his arms.' Carla replies sipping her pineapple juice.
'And now?' Michelle asks.
'And now I make excuses so he doesn't stay over. I tell him I'm busy at work so we don't have lunch together... I love him, Chelle. I just don't think I'm in love with him.' Carla admits.
'How do you always manage to get yourself into these messes?' Michelle asks.
'I don't know what to do.' Carla says glancing down at Esme.
'Do you want to keep this baby?' Michelle asks.
'I don't know.' Carla replies.
'You couldn't go through with an abortion when you were pregnant with Peter's baby, why do you think this is any different? Why do you think you'll be able to do it this time?' Michelle asks.
'I don't. I know I won't be able to have an abortion Chelle but that doesn't mean I want this baby.' Carla replies.
'Well you need to decide what you're going to do Carla and speak to Danny because he deserves to know.' Michelle says placing her hand on her best friend's shoulder.
'Baby?' Esme says carrying her doll over to Carla who is sitting on the sofa.
'That's right... Can mummy see the baby?' Carla asks reaching her hand out. Esme smiles as she passes her doll, dressed in a little pink sleeper with a pink plastic dummy stuck in it's mouth.
'Such a cute baby, isn't she? Does baby have a name?' Carla asks.
'Baby.' Esme replies nodding her head.
'Such a pretty name, very original.' Carla says smiling at her daughter. Esme is a perfect combination of both Carla and Nick. She's got dark hair with a slight curl to the ends of it just like Carla when she was young and her big blue eyes definitely come from Nick.
'Are you going to stay with daddy at the weekend?' Carla asks passing the doll back to Esme.
'Yeah! Daddy.' Esme replies smiling up at her.
'Shall we get you up to bed?' Carla asks standing up.
'Not tired, mumma.' Esme says shaking her head.
'Well mummy's exhausted so let's go.' Carla replies scooping the little girl into her arms.
'Sleep in mumma's bed?' Esme asks.
'I don't think so, misses...' Carla replies smiling.
'Please, mumma?' Esme asks, her eyes wide as she pouts up at her mum. A face Esme had quickly learned her mum couldn't say no to.
'Go on then. Just tonight.' Carla replies. She quickly makes her way upstairs with Esme balanced on her hip.
'Blankey...' Esme mumbles as Carla places her down on the middle of the bed.
'Where is your blankey?' She asks, the little girl shrugs her shoulders.
'Did you have it downstairs?' Carla asks sitting on the edge of the bed. Esme shakes her head causing Carla to sigh.
'Have you maybe left it at Auntie Chelle's?' She asks and Esme nods.
'Okay. Let's go get it.' Carla says quietly.
'Hey... What are you doing here? And why are you in your pyjamas?' Michelle asks as she spots Carla making her way into the pub wearing some bright pink striped pyjama trousers and an oversized grey hoodie.
'Esme left her blankey here.' Carla replies glancing down at the little girl curled up in her arms with tears streaming down her cheeks.
'Go on through and get it love.' Michelle says smiling.
'Hey, everything okay?' Nick asks appearing in front of Carla.
'Yeah... She just wants her blankey, don't you?' Carla replies smiling as she kisses the little girl's head.
'Coming to daddy for a cuddle?' Nick asks extending his arms to the little girl who shakes her head.
'No... Stay mumma.' Esme replies clinging onto Carla's jumper.
'Okay, stay with mummy.' He says smiling. He runs his hand over the top of her head, smoothing down her hair, before placing a kiss on her forehead.
'See you later, little one.' He whispers.
'Come on then... Let's go get blankey so mummy can go to bed.' Carla says quietly. She makes her way through the back and sure enough Esme's blanket is lying beside one of the cabinets.
'There we go...' Carla mumbles picking up the blanket and shaking it. She passes it to Esme who instantly clutches it against her chest.
'Home, mumma.' She whispers resting her head on Carla's should.
'Yeah. Let's go home.' Carla says.
'Snow White and the prince lived and reigned happily over that land for many, many years.'
Carla smiles as she closes the book and quietly places it on the bedside table.
'Night, night my princess.' She whispers leaning down and kissing the top of Esme's head. The little girl is fast asleep, blankey clutched to her chest and thumb popped in her mouth.