"What are you doing?" Ken asked curiously as Deirdre came down the stairs of number one lugging a small wheeled suitcase down the stairs behind her. "Well I thought that I could perhaps I could go around to the flat and pack some things up for Peter and Simon. I thought it might be a little too difficult and raw for Peter to do that right now and the last thing we need is him having a reason to hit the bottle." Deirdre said as Ken looked down knowing that it was likely that been in the flat so soon after Leanne's passing would likely tip him over. Simon looked over from the armchair in the living room, Eccle's sat on his lap as he gently stroked the dog's coat. "Simon love, I'm going to go to your house and pack some things for you and your Dad. Is there anything you especially want me to make sure I bring back. Any toys or clothes?" Deirdre asked as Simon pondered a little, his brow furrowed as he looked deep in thought. "Can I have my teddy Barney? He's on my bed an…and my Man City pyjama's…oh and my Harry Potter book. Will you pack some clothes for Megan too?" He asked as Deirdre smiled slightly. "She has some little dresses and vests in the bottom drawer of Mum and Dad's wardrobe." Simon said as Deirdre nodded. "I'll pack some of them then. Ken keep an eye on the dinner. The pie shouldn't be done before I get back but just watch the potatoes and vegetables don't boil over." Deirdre said as Ken nodded.
"Of course." He said as he returned to his paper.
"So who's this Frank fella then?" Peter asked as Carla rummaged around in the cabinet's grabbing two dinner plates and plonking them on the worktop. "Oh just some bloke from a catalogue company we supply to. He had a meeting with Michelle yesterday and well she must have told him why I wasn't there."
"And that'd be due to the fact you were babysitting a man in his mid-forties who was intent on punching poor passers-by." Peter said as he looked down slightly, a little embarrassed by his actions yesterday.
"You were angry and upset Peter. No one's judging." Carla said softly wanting to reassure him in his fragile state. "You should put those flowers in a vase. He must be keen, they look really expensive." Peter said as Carla smiled cheekily. "Should I worry about your keen interest in bouquets?"
"Oi you, no Lucy, Si's mother she was a florist. Poor kid, I think I've had it bad but he's not even 9 and already lost 2 really important people in his life." Peter said as Carla got a large vase from the sideboard and went to put the flowers into the vase. "He has you though."
"Yeah poor kid like I said. God I don't know that I'll be able to do this. When Megan comes home, even going back to the flat's going to be hard." Peter said as Carla quickly filled the vase with water.
"I can't believe how tiny she is. Poor little thing." Eva said as she gazed down at her baby niece who as squirming about in her incubator. "Hmm." Stella said as she was still a little irritated that Carla had been sat in here, besides Megan's incubator, supporting Peter when it should have been Leanne sat there, gazing down at her baby daughter. "You okay Mam?" Eva asked looking at her mother's worried face.
"Just thinking. I know Peter needs support right now but is it really advisable his support coming from a local alcohol-dependent? I mean this is enough to make him seek out a bottle, he doesn't need Carla encouraging him." She said as Eva bit her lip.
"In fairness Mam, I don't think either of them had been drinking. She was one of Leanne's close friends as well and he doesn't really know us that well. Maybe he just finds it a little easier to speak to her." Eva said as she felt sorry for Peter. All he likely wanted to do was talk about his late wife and possibly he found it slightly easier to speak with Carla who was his and Leanne's friend. "Well I just hope he doesn't end up back on the booze. Last time he did he almost burnt him and little Si to death. I can't stand by and do nothing if he does end up back on the booze." Stella said as she knew she would do anything in her power to ensure her granddaughter would be safe.
"You and Leanne?" David said shaking his head slowly at his elder brother. Nick sighed as he looked downwards unused to his brother been judgemental towards him. "It's hardly the first time two childhood sweethearts have rekindled their feelings is it!" He said pointedly as David sighed drumming his fingers against the desk. "I guess it explains why you reacted like this. Maybe you should go home, it won't be doing you any good been round here."
"What and have Mum potter round me asking me if I'm alright. Well no I'm not alright. I loved Leanne, I tried to plead with her to leave Peter an…and well she would have had it not been for Simon an…and the baby." He said his voice wavering a little as he thought of the fact it could be his baby daughter lying in the hospital helplessly. He needed to get there and see her, Leanne would want it and well even if he could never admit to the fact he might be her father. "Look I could just do with a bit of time to myself, do you mind looking after this place for a hour or so?" Nick asked hoping that he would perhaps be able to at least see the baby at the hospital.
"So this Frank fella, he certainly seems keen." Peter said as he munched on a slice of hot and spicy beef pizza as Carla sat beside him on the couch declaring that takeout Pizza was far too informal for the dining table to be used. "Oh I've only met him a few times and even then it's only been business-reasons." Carla said as she picked off some melted cheese from her pizza topping. "Well I've met a few people for business meetings and let's just say I don't often end up sending an expensive bouquet of flowers round a few weeks later. So you reckon you'll let the poor sod take you out then?" Peter said glad to be able to talk of something else for a bit. "Why's he a poor sod?" Carla asked.
"Well he's likely got no chance with you has he. I reckon only the very finest blokes can turn your head. Besides you I think like a challenge and well this guy's already putty in your hand." Peter said as Carla giggled and looked over at the clock. "Well talking about guy's what's say we go and pick your little man up from your Dad's." She said as Peter nodded keen to see his son again.
"That's kind of you sweetheart." Deirdre said as Simon dried the plates after their dinner of chicken pie, mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables. "It's okay. I suppose I'll have to help Dad lots now won't I!" Simon said in a simple voice as Deirdre smiled gently at him. "Well I think he'll be glad if you do help sometimes but you have to be a kid too don't you. So me and Granddad will help lots."
"And Carla right?" Simon said as Deirdre smiled.
"I'm sure she will. You like her don't you." She said as Simon nodded.
"Yeah, her apartment is really good, it has a balcony and an upstairs bit. Plus she has a massive telly and she let me watch what I wanted to on it." He said as Deirdre looked up as the doorbell rang. Simon put down the dishtowel and raced to the door which Ken was opening. "Dad!" He yelled as Peter mustered a smile for his son and picked him up kissing his hair. "Hey Si. You been good for your Grandparents?" He asked as Ken nodded. "Perfect as usual. You and Carla want to stay for a brew?" He asked as Peter shook his head. "No if it's okay we'll get off."
"Well you know we'll happily look after Simon when you need us. Oh an..and I popped over to the flat and brought you and Simon some clothes back. I thought it might be a little too soon for you to go back yet." Deirdre said as Peter smiled gratefully at his stepmother.
"Thanks Deirdre. Right come on then Si, say bye to Granddad and Grandma." Peter said as Simon did as he was told, Carla stood watching on quietly.
"Do you mind if I use your bath?" Peter asked as they sat in Carla living area half an hour later, Simon in his pyjamas and curled up with a glass of milk in his hand. "Of course not. Erm there's some fresh towels in there if you use those and help yourself to any shower gels and things albeit they might be a little girly for your tastes." Carla said as she sipped her latte and smiled over at him. "Oh I'm sure I'll cope." Peter said as he headed into the bathroom. Simon yawned a little and Carla looked over at him. The sound of running water was coming from the bathroom and Carla hoped that Peter would be able to relax a little. "You tired sweetheart?" Carla said as Simon shook his head, a determined look on his face.
"No." He bit his lip lightly and looked at Carla nervously. "Carla?"
"Yes pet?"
"Will you read some of my book to me?" He asked as he held the thick Harry Potter in his arms. Carla felt her heart melting for his simple request and knew she couldn't deny him. She nodded and took the book from him, a bookmark slipped into the book showing the chapter he'd got up to. "Mum was reading it to me. An…and I don't want to ask Dad beca…because it might upset him." Simon said as Carla nodded and started to read. Minutes later she felt a warm, light weight against her and she glanced down at Simon's slumbering body, his head buried into her side as one little arm slung over her waist. She kissed his temple gently and set the book down not wanting to disturb him from his much needed peace.
Peter lay in the bathtub allowing hot water to lap over his body, tears in his brown eyes as he was finally allowed some time alone to realise the huge implications his wife's passing had. He was now a single father with a grieving eight year old and a newborn. Leanne had been practically his life-saver when he had hit rocky patches and now he was meant to cope with all this on his own. Sure he'd have support from people but they wouldn't understand how he felt. God he could do with a drink, just to take the edge off things. Carla would surely have some lying about somewhere, a bottle of white in the fridge or some Whiskey in one of the cupboards. Once he was sure she was asleep then he could just have a sip or two, just to let him sleep a little better, not focus on the heartache he felt.
Michelle frowned a little as she received a text message from Carla. "You okay hun?" Steve asked as he sipped a bottle of lager from the couch. "Yeah, just Carla asking me to run the factory for her tomorrow. I know it sounds a little unfair but I'm not sure it's good for her spending so much time with Peter right now." Michelle said all too aware that Carla had feelings for Peter.
"Well I guess perhaps she feels she understands his pain. I mean well your Paul an…and Liam's deaths neither of them were expected. Okay there wasn't kids involved but it was a shock." Steve said reasonably. "But I just worry." Michelle said as she sighed and sipped her glass of wine sure that Carla's keenness to help Peter would somehow backfire tremendously.
