She hears a familiar voice in the distance. The sound is comforting and as it gets nearer its confirmed who it belongs to.
"Carla.?." he sobs, tears falling down his face. She feels him beside her, the heat from his body radiating and warming her cold skin. She feels his hand join hers and it is gently lifted to receive a soft kiss.
The paramedics interrupt and start to move Carla out of the flat and into the waiting ambulance. Peter stays beside her, his gaze focused on her frail body. As they reach the entrance to the building the cold winter air hits his face and stings his wet cheeks. Leanne watches the scene before her unfold. Her heart breaks as she watches her distraught husband follow Carla onto the ambulance. She realises she has possibly lost him for good.
Peter paces the corridors of the hospital, his mind replaying the events of the evening just passed. His eyes are swollen, he does not have any more tears to shed. The harsh morning sunlight glares through the blinds and settles on his features.
Leanne observes him from a distance. She cannot understand what she has done to push her husband into another womans arms. Maybe he never truly forgave her for the affair with Nick, maybe he doesnt feel the closeness with her as he does Carla? She hopes for his sake that Carla will be okay, because if she isnt it will destroy him.
Peter catches Leanne out of the corner of his eye and makes his way over to her. As he gets nearer she notices the black circles under his eyes and knows he hasnt slept a wink.
"How is she?" she asks, gently placing her hand on his arm. Peter avoids looking at her directly and looks to the floor. He doesnt know what to say or do. This has been a wake up call to him and he now acknowleges that he loves Carla, but desperatley doesnt want to hurt Leanne. She has been his rock for so many years and the best mother to his son.
"She is sleeping. They have flushed the drugs out of her system and there shouldnt be any long term damage." He looks up into his wifes eyes. "Im sorry.." he starts but Leanne does not let him finish. She pulls him in for a hug, herself now shedding a tear.
"I know." she whispers into his ear. "I know what youre going to say." She pulls away from their embrace and steps back, forming a barrier. "This has been on the cards for ages and no matter how hard I try to stop you from seeing her, you cant. I have seen youre eyes light up when she passes you on the street, I have wondered when youre quiet what you are thinking, but now I know." she stops, furiously wiping her tears away.
"It was only last night that it truly hit me how I feel. The thought of losing her forever and never having the chance to tell her.." he takes a shaky breath, fresh tears threatening to fall. Leanne turns away and heads for the exit, her footsteps echoing down the silent corridor. She opens the door and turns her head to meet Peters gaze once more.
"Then you should go to her" she forms a weak smile to inform him that its okay. She gradually closes the door behind her and rushes out of the hospital. All she wants are some arms to cry into and someone to listen. She has just lost the love of her life.