"Wakey, wakey!" Michelle chimed as she gently shook Carla's shoulder.

Carla woke to find herself curled into Liam's side; her head resting on his chest and her arm draped around his waist. She sat up slowly before looking from Liam to Michelle.

"Well?" Michelle said.

"Well what?" Carla replied with a slight frown.

"How come yous two slept down 'ere, together?" Michelle asked with a cheeky grin.

Carla gently ran her hand through her hair whilst stiffling a yawn.

"Nothin' 'appened, 'Chelle. If that's what yer getting at. I just- I just came down for a drink and Liam was down 'ere, so.." Michelle was staring at Carla with a bemused look on her face. Carla simply sighed, "Nothing happened."

"Yeah, yeah." Michelle teased. "Come on then, make us a coffee."

"Uh, considering I'm the guest 'ere, I think it should be you making me the coffee - make it strong an' all love, ta." She flashed a cheeky grin in Michelle's direction before curling back into Liam's side.

Liam began to wake from his slumber. He groaned as he wiped his sleepy eyes.

"Morning sleepy head." Carla whispered softly.

Liam turned to look at her, confusion momentarily graced his face before he smiled beautifully upon Carla.

"Morning gorgeous." he replied.

"Nice sleep were it? You looked ever so peaceful.. weren't dreaming 'bout me were ya?" Carla teased as Liam chuckled.

"Someone loves themselves.."

"Well, someone's got to ant they, Leebugs?" Carla winked before standing up from the couch and leaving the room.

"So what's the plan again?" Carla asked Michelle as they stepped out of the Connor household.

"Right, I'm gonna go see Dean and you're gonna go 'ome an' get ready. Then I'll meet you at yours in say, half hour? Then we'll go into town. Alright?"

"Right." Carla replied. "I best be off then." she said hesitantly. She was dreading going back home..

Michelle leaned into Carla and softly kissed her cheek. "See you later, love."

She turned and walked away as Carla looked on.

"Yeah, see ya." Carla whispered to herself before turning in the opposite direction and making her journey home.

Darren was pacing back and fore the living room feeling unsure. His father, Steven, was sat on the couch staring at him suspiciously.

Steven eventually spoke up, his voice was rough and unkind as he addressed his son. "So, what's it gonna be kid? You gonna make ya dad proud for once in yer life? Or are ya gonna prove how much of a useless shit you are and not bother playing with the big boys?"

Darren ran his hand through his hair before turning to look at his father. He felt torn. Torn between wanting to make his father proud but not wanting to break the law and get involved with the wrong crowd.

He shook his head. "I'm not useless, dad."

"No?" Steven questioned. "Prove it."

Darren sighed in frustration. He hated being in this situation. Why did he have to earn his own father's affections? Why did he have to do his dad's dirty work in order to gain his respect; in order for his father to be proud of him.

"I don't know. I mean, wha- what about Carla?"

"What about 'er?" Steven stated bitterly.

"What- what about 'er? She's me sister, dad. She's your daughter! How can I look after 'er if I'm banged up int nick? I mean it's not as if mum gives a shit 'bout her is it?" Darren replied aggresively. "I'm all she's got. D'ya really wanna take me away from her an' all, dad?" He questioned sadly.

Steven sighed deeply before standing up and walking towards Darren.

"Your sister's a big girl now Darren. She can look after 'erself. Any road, if you do the job properly int first place, you won't be stepping foot inside prison. Alright? Now can I tell the boys to count you in or not? ...And just to inform you; if you don't do this for me, I'll walk out that door and you will never see me again. You or that slut sister of yours."

Darren gulped. This was it; make a decision time. Option one: Join his dad's gang and prepare for the latest armed robbery that had been propositioned to him or Option two: Refuse to be apart of any criminal activity and risk losing his dad forever.

"OK. I'll do it. If it's what you want, dad. Then yeah, I want in."

His dad smirked proudly.

"You 'want in' with what exactly?" Carla questioned as she overheard the last part of their conversation.

Steven quickly span 'round to face his daughter.

"None of your fucking business, darlin'." he spat coldly.

Carla glared daggers at her father.

"Nice to see you an' all dad."

Her father just scoffed before turning back to Darren.

"I'll text you int week with the details son, so keep yer phone handy."

Carla's eyes darted from Darren to Steven. She noticed how uncomfortable Darren seemed to be. "Details about what? You best not be making 'im do out, dad. He int like you, see, he actually has prospects and a future. And you're not fucking it up for him."

"Is that right?" Steven spoke menacingly.

"Yes." Carla replied couragously. She knew it was dangerous to push her father too far, but there was no way she was gonna stand by and let him ruin her brother's life like he had with his own. "So you can forget about any little propositions or jobs you've forced upon 'im, and you can get the fuck outta this house, NOW. You're not welcome 'ere."

Steven smirked at her. Then, without warning he angrily lunged towards her and pinned her against the wall by her throat.

"Now listen to me you little bitch." he spat through gritted teeth.

Carla's eyes widened in fear. Her whole body tensed as her father pushed himself against her; spitting angrily.

"I am your father and you will do as I say. If I ever hear you back chat me again-"

He stepped away from Carla as he raised his hand and swung it with great force, as soon as it came into contact with Carla's cheek she flew to the ground.

"- I'll be giving you more than a slap." Steven threatened as he leaned over Carla's trembling body. He grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her closer; emitting a piercing scream. "Do you understand, Carla?"

Darren lowered his head and closed his eyes as the scene unfolded. He wanted so desperately to stop it. But he learnt from past experiences not to intervene. The first time he had witnessed his father beat his mother; Darren tried to fend his dad away from her. He desperately tried to protect his mother. But in the end - it just made things worse.

"I said, do you understand?" Steven hissed aggresively in Carla's ear.

"Yes!" Carla instantly shouted back. "I'm sorry. Please, please just let me go, dad. Please." She begged.

Steven kissed the corner of his daughters mouth before throwing her back onto the floor. "There's a good girl." He stepped over her body and left the room.

Carla glanced at her brother who had a look of sympathy and guilt in his eyes. She gently nodded: a nod that reassured him that she was OK and that she understood why he didn't intervene. He quickly moved to help her up. Carla groaned quietly as she stood up - she was in pain from being thrown on the floor so harshly. As she looked into her brothers eyes she couldn't stop the solitary tear from escaping. Darren wrapped his arms around his little sister and pulled her into a loving embrace.

"Shh, it's okay Car. Everythin's gonna be alright." he whispered soothingly as Carla sobbed into his shoulder.

Carla was sat in front of her mirror staring at her badly bruised cheek and split lip.

How am I gonna explain this one to Michelle? she thought to herself before being interrupted.

"Knock, knock." Darren said as he pushed her bedroom door open. "Thought you could do with a drink." He smiled as he held up the bottle of whiskey.

Carla smiled lovingly at her brother. "Int it a bit early for that stuff?" she replied.

"You're joking aren't ya?" Darren spoke as he made his way towards her bed and sat down. "I bet mum's passed out int some grubby pub now." He made light of the subject. Their mother's alcoholism had always been a big problem; not that they could blame her for turning to drink after everything she'd been through.

"Well that's sommat int it? We're turning into our Mother." She returned the joke. Luckily, gallows humour is a trait that both Carla and her brother share. Sensing her opportunity, Carla turned more serious. "But I suppose, if we were to turn into our parents, then turning into mum int so bad after all, eh? 'Cause you don't wanna be like dad, Darren. You don't wanna get involved with his shit, OK? We don't need any more coppers knocking ont door. I don't need any more hassle from the flamin' social. And I certainly don't need the worry of-" Carla trailed off as her eyes began to glaze over again. She bit her lip to prevent herself from crying.

"Go on.." Darren said, "Say it."

Carla sniffed slightly. "I don't need the worry, of losing the only person in this world that actually gives a damn about me."

"Eh, come 'ere." Darren held his arm out, gesturing for Carla to join him on the bed.

As Carla sat beside her brother he pulled her closer and kissed her hair sweetly.

"I can't promise that the pigs won't keep knocking on our door.. and I can't promise that the bloody social won't start interferring again either." Darren told her as he rubbed her arm reassuringly. "But Carla, I can promise, that you will never lose me. I'll always be 'ere for you, alright? And I love you more than anything else in this world." He uses his thumb to wipe away the tear rolling down Carla's cheek. "I promise you sweet heart - you're my beautiful little sister, and I will do everythin' I can to protect ya, alright?" Carla nodded her understanding before curling into her brothers side; allowing his arms to wrap around her tightly - making her feel safe, protected and loved.

"Thank you." she gently whispered as she lay her head on his chest.