Hey, I thought Carla could do with some more support in this part...hope you enjoy! Let me know what you think

x C

Twins talk daughters walk

Michelle crept as quietly as she could into her twins bedroom, wanting anything but to wake her in a horrid way. Standing in silence she just watched as Carla's chest moved up and down slowly and in a perfect rhythm, her dreams must be good ones as she didn't stir or grimace in her sleep. Far from what she must feel every second that she is awake; feelings and memories haunting her every thought.

Gently, Michelle lowered herself onto the bed to lay closely facing her sister and slipped one hand over her waist, the other softly stroked her sisters nose; something their mother had done to wake them on school holidays before serving them pancakes. That was before she had died in their teens.

Carla's face twitched and she unconsciously swiped her hand across her face, feeling her sisters gentle touch. Her eyes flickered open to view Michelle laying in front of her and first she smiled; they hadn't seen one another since last Christmas! But then her awaking thoughts took over and her eyes began to water, before she broke and shuffled closer to her twin, letting herself be held as she cried.

"I'm so sorry baby! I'm so sorry I wasn't here!" Michelle almost begged for forgiveness, she hated seeing her like this! "I might have been able to get you away from him! I don't want you to hurt!" she told her sister, still holding her tightly in her arms.

It was as if when she hugged her, Carla's feelings gushed out into her and Michelle suddenly felt as if she had been punched for something she hadn't done! It felt like someone had died, but they had no one to grieve! "I'm sorry I wasn't here." she repeated and then silence fell.

It had been over an hour since Michelle had arrived, the bedroom door crept open.

Ruby stood quietly, not knowing quite what to say to her mother anymore. The person who had brought her up, been her rock and would kill for her; in that state!

Michelle gazed up at her niece, the 16 year old was just like Carla in most ways; she had long dark hair and big blue eyes, but her face was her own. She was a slightly bigger build than her mother and she had that 'innocent goofy teen' thing about her, but she was beautiful just like the rest of the Connor girls!

"Ria made coffee…do you want to…?" she stopped at seeing her aunt nod faintly as she began to sit up, Carla was sleeping again; it was the best thing for her now.

The next morning was quiet, eerie. The three women sat around drinking coffee and wondering what on earth to do next.

"What time did it all happen?" the eldest of the sisters questioned, beginning to piece the whole situation together in her head. Maria thought back on the night before and shut her eyes in a grimace remembering Carla's timid voice when she rang.

"About half past eight, she says she called straight off. It didn't look like she'd moved a muscle when I got there anyroad"

"I wanna call Peter" was all Ruby said as she piped up from the sofa in Maria's lounge, the two older women shot her a strange glare in unison.

"Peter already knows darlin', he came round when the police were outside"

"Did he go after Frank?" the teen asked, standing to her feet as she did so, Maria looked over at Michelle.

"No darlin' he hasn't"

Ruby's face went red, how could he not want to kill the man that had done that to her mother?

"Why not? He should take him and rip him to bits! I'll do it!" she screamed and shot towards the door in a temper they could only relate to Carla's.

"No you won't" they heard before she could get any further and turned around to see Carla stood in the bedroom doorway. "Sit back down Ruby, you flying off the handle isn't gonna help" her voice was hoarse and she looked like she'd been dragged through a hedge backwards, but they were just glad to see her up and about. Carla moved slowly over to the sofa and sat down next to her daughter. "Please darlin', I know you're just trying to look after me but I do not want you anywhere near that man!" she insisted and caught Ruby's gaze. "Please?" she asked again, Ruby broke the stare first, it hurt her to see the pain in her mums eyes.

"Okay"