Even as I was driving I knew how crazy this was. It had been so long since I saw Peter, would he even want to see me; did I really want to see him; would he even recognise me? I could simply turn around right now and go home, forget any of this ever happened. But I couldn't, there was something burning deep inside of me that wouldn't allow me to. Something within me needed to do this to dampen the blaze that was suddenly roaring within. My body was reacting without me even realising, like I was on autopilot, I had no recollection of driving, instead past memories played over and over in my mind. Memories of my past life. The life which I had once shared with him. The life where I was truly, completely and unexplainably in love. Of course, there had been many men in my life, both before and after Peter, but the love we had once shared had been one that I had never felt before. I was sure we were forever, I was sure he would be the man I'd grow old with, the man I'd have a family with. I felt my heart slam against my chest at this thought. He was the man I'd started a family with, my beautiful baby girl, our beautiful baby girl. It could have been so perfect, we could have been a real family with Simon too, the kind of family I had always wanted to be a part of when I was a child. Why did he have to ruin everything?

'I fucking hate him' I seethed. But still, I couldn't turn around. I was so worked up after the continuous flashbacks that had captured my mind all day that I had to finish this. I had already decided that there was no way I would actually see Peter, no way would I talk to him. He would never even know I was there - hell he would think I had finally lost the plot! His ex, who he hadn't seen in years, turning up in his new town - the thought alone was laughable. But I just had to see him with my own eyes, it was the only way I could convince myself that he really was the last man on earth I wanted.

'You have reached your destination' the annoying high pitch woman declared as I pulled into a side street just around the corner from Peter's new place of work. Of course, it was a bookies - Peter loved being a bookie and when he wasn't being reckless he was a damn good bookie too. Switching off the engine I collapsed back into the leather of my seat, desperately trying to calm my breathing and stop my hands from shaking - I needed to compose myself.

'Breathe. Breathe. Just get this over with. Just look through the window and then go home'. I whispered

A few minutes later my trembling hand was reaching for the door handle, cautiously pulling it towards me. I stepped out of the car, the sun beaming down as the Portsmouth sea air battered my senses - the seagulls circling above; the laughing of children from what I presume is the nearby beach; and the hustle and bustle of a normal English seaside town. It was pretty, quaint even, and I could see the attraction of being here. Although it wasn't somewhere I would usually put Peter; I could understand how it was probably relaxing for him.

Slowly I walked towards the bookies, I wasn't sure my legs could deal with any fast movements right now. I turned the corner and straight away I could see the shop - brick walls, glass panelled windows, a red painted door with two glass panels at the top - it wasn't a high-end chained betting shop, it looked more like a family business - a stark resemblance of the shop back at Coronation Street. I glanced around; looking for somewhere I could hide, knowing I couldn't just stand outside the shop. On the opposite side of the road, a couple of shops away I spotted a bench. It was far enough away that Peter wouldn't notice me, but close enough for me to be able to see him.

'Perfect' I thought, putting my head down and walking past the shop at lightening speed. I sat down, crossed my legs and stared inside, desperately trying to catch a glimpse of him.

She squinted; trying to adjust her eyes to ignore the reflection in the glass and instead peer inside for the person she was suddenly desperate to lay eyes on. She looked around the walls of the shop, covered in Posters and Television screens showing the latest horse race. Her eyes darted from wall to wall, searching the room, and finally, stood behind the counter she spotted him. There he was, stood only a mere distance away. Her heart slammed against her chest at the mere sight of him. Butterflies appeared in her stomach. Carla stared at him, taking in the features of her once lover. He hadn't changed a bit, still the same Peter that she had lusted after all those years ago. He was dressed in his trademark look, jeans and a black t-shirt. Carla smiled, she had always loved his casual ways and right now, in her current somewhat sensitive state, the sight of Peter dressed like this wasn't helping her. Peter was leant across the counter, one hand drumming the wood below. Those hands, the hands that she had dreamt were roaming her body just last night - she couldn't help but be distracted by them. But nothing distracted Carla more than what Peter was doing with his other hand. Clearly Peter was in a thoughtful state and was doing what he always did when he was deep in thought - twiddling a pen in his mouth. Carla watched as he bit down on it, and every now and then she caught site of his tongue as it grazed the pen. That tongue. The sweet music he could make with that magical instrument as it took her into oblivion.

'Fuck'. Carla couldn't believe that such a mundane action could make her feel so flustered. Her eyes were completely and utterly transfixed on him, the ghost she thought had been left in her past. She noticed the tattoos on his arms, just below where the sleeve finished; his arms slightly more muscly than they used to be. As she soaked in the man before her she couldn't help but realise the stark contrast between Peter and the man she had left back at home - not only were Peter and Nick different physically, their personality couldn't be further apart either. Peter was dominating and rugged, whereas Nick was laid back and placid. Peter had ripped her heart out, whereas Nick would never hurt her. Carla was all too aware of this, but still she couldn't stop her mind from wondering to all of the 'what ifs' of her life with Peter, and, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get the image of Peter tantalising her body out of her head.

The smirk that spread across her face soon began to disappear when a shadow within the shop caught her eye. When she focused her attention once more she saw a second figure, appearing out of the door next to Peter, and handing him a cup before resting her hand on his shoulder. Carla couldn't deny it, she was beautiful; tall, dark hair just below her shoulders, an amazing figure. Jealousy ripped through Carla's whole body and she could feel her heart physically break as she watched the scene unfold before her. She watched as Peter continued his paperwork, yet the conversation seemed to flow and they clearly enjoyed each other's company as they were continuously laughing.

Carla Connor was notorious for being a heartless bitch, but she was all too aware that Peter Barlow was her one true weakness. The emotions were already rising, ready to break free at any moment. This was too much; she had to get away from here. Reaching for her bag she desperately began looking for her car keys.

Inside the shop Peter had just finished the final paperwork that had been piling up for weeks. He may be a good business man, but he hated the admin side of it so as the afternoon had died down he had decided to take full advantage and catch up. The day had been fairly busy, punter after punter coming in to try their luck and Peter was counting down the minutes until he could shut up and head home. The shop was empty, paperwork completed and he was dying for a fag.

'Won't be long' he said to the brunette as he slid his leather jacket on and headed towards the door. Walking outside he smiled as he felt the fresh air hit his face for the first time in hours, he loved his job but he felt claustrophobic inside the shop, like the walls were closing in on him. As his body relaxed against the brick wall he dug deep into his pocket and pulled out the cigarette packet. Placing one between his lips he lit the end and closed his eyes as he took a deep breath and immediately tasted the nicotine. When his eyes opened he was immediately drawn to the somewhat familiar figure sat on the bench. Jet black hair was covering the face of the petite frame currently ransacking her handbag in desperation but he didn't need to see a face. The tingling sensation that currently ran through his body and made his heart beat faster told him all he needed to know.

'It's her'. His voice was barely a whisper.

It was her. It was Carla. His ex wife. The love of his life. The woman he had hurt in ways he would never forgive himself for. Peter had seen a lot in his life, but nothing would ever have prepared him for seeing her sat before him. He gripped the wall behind him, his legs turning to jelly and the air escaping his lungs as he desperately tried to regain a normal breathing rate. His eyes never left her, he was too scared to take them away in case she disappeared - instead he just stood and watched her as she continued to search her bag. Peter toyed with the idea of slipping back into the shop and pretending he never saw her, but deep down he knew he could never walk away from her now. Before he could change his mind he began to walk towards her, a journey that seemed never ending although in reality lasted no more than twenty seconds.

'Finally!' Carla called as she set hands on the keys that of course were sitting right at the bottom of her bag. She could finally get out of here; get away from watching Peter and his new happy life. Placing the handbag strap over her shoulder she turned her body to stand and it was in that second she saw him. Stood before her with a look of complete and utter shock on his face. Her heart was beating so fast and hard she could hear it ringing in her ears as she heard the sound she hadn't heard in what felt like a life time. His gruff, deep voice slowly bringing her back to reality.

'Carla?'

Hope you guys are enjoying this so far - I have a few ideas in mind to continue with. Please feel free to review - both good and bad!

Next chapter up soon. xx