About two hours later the four of them were sitting at the kitchen table eating dinner. It was spaghetti bolognaise and for the first time ever Carla had managed not to burn it. Carla was spooning her way through her pasta feeling very proud of herself. Rob was sitting there awkwardly focusing on his tea as Peter talked to Simon about school. Simon wasn't too interested in telling Peter about his exciting day learning about bugs. He was far more interested in the stranger sitting across him. Sure Simon had all the facts this person was Carla's brother and was staying the night before going somewhere else, but with Simon being the curious kid he was he pressed further.

"So does this make you my uncle then?" Simon said as he twirled his pasta inspecting every inch of it. Simon was very careful with any food Carla had made it want always...safe. Rob stared at the little curly haired boy across from him

"Um...yeah I guess it does" He said quietly through a mouth full of tomatoes.

"That's good it will be nice having an uncle to play with, you will be better at football than dad and better than Carla on mariocart. I only have a aunt and aunty Tracey is really annoying!" Simon said as he finally faced his food, to his surprise it was kind of nice.

"Hey don't be mean about you're Aunty Tracey!"

"Okay okay I'm sorry...but she is annoying"

Peter glared at him.

"He has a point" Piped up Carla, Peter turned to glare at her instead he hated it when Carla sided with Simon, he knew she was only doing it to get Simon to like her but it annoyed him all the same. Carla averted her eyes and stared again at her pasta.

"And anyway little man I think you will find I'm great at football!"

"Yeah and I'm great on mariocart...I only get stuck to the sides every so often"

Simon looked at them, he looked at Carla then at Peter and back at Carla.

"NO!" said Simon as he shoved another pasta twirl in his mouth. Everyone started to laugh...even Rob.

The rest of the night Simon managed to drag Rob outside for a kick around. Carla and Peter stayed indoors. It was the first time they had been alone all day and they took advantage of this. They piled the plates into the sink, Peter lofted Carla up onto the bench. He stood against the bench and wrapped his arms around Carla`s neck. He pulled her in for a passionate kiss.

"I won, he is even worse than you dad!" Simon announced as he bounded into the flat. Peter laughed as she dragged Carla off the bench. Simon stood there and pretended to be sick, Carla laughed as she went over and ruffled Simon's hair. Simon moved away and skipped over to the sofa.

"Oi you, its bed time" Carla said opening Simons bedroom door. Simon looked longingly to his dad. Peter simply shrugged.

"She's right mate"

Simon groaned as he dragged himself off to bed. Rob came up the stairs a little out of breath.

"Little one gone to bed?" he questioned as he clutched a stitch in his side.

"Yeah and you little bro need to get yourself to a gym!" Carla said as she dished out brews to everyone. Rob laughed as he sat down on the sofa.

"Do you fancy an early night?" Peter asked Carla through yawns. Carla knocked back her tea as she nodded.

"Yeah I'll just go get robs bedding" Carla said as she placed the cup on the counter and diapered into the bedroom.

"You and her been together long then?" Rob asked as he cradled his tea.

"Few month...it's been hard she's been through a lot" Peter sighed.

"How do you mean?"

Before peter could answer Carla was back and placing a duvet down on the sofa for Rob.

"So you okay? In the morning ill drive you over to the flat yeah?" Carla said as she took Peters hand.

"Yeah and okay...goodnight" Rob said as he lay down.

"Goodnight" Carla repeated as she blew her little brother a kiss. She clicked off the light an dCarla and Peter made their way into the bedroom.