Science and Faith

Simon was sat on the sofa texting on his mobile, he was in his uniform but didn't show any signs of moving. "Come on Si, you'll be late," Leanne said considerably calmly as she finished her coffee.

"Yeah, I've got nothing important today, there's no rush," Simon said casually carrying on typing on his phone.

"If you carry on with this attitude you won't be seeing your Dad when he comes," Leanne warned.

"You wouldn't do that, he'll be on the street I can't avoid him," Simon said before standing up and grabbing his bag.

"Si, I mean it less of the attitude," Leanne said before Simon walked out.

As he shut the flat door behind him he left out a big sigh; as Simon walked he kicked the autumnal leaves that lay on the cobbles.

"Simon, how are you?" Ken asked as he stopped by his grandson.

"Yeah, I'm okay, really looking forward to Dad coming," Simon said, a smile creeping on his face at the mention of Peter.

"I think we all are, feels like ages since we saw him," Ken said obviously also enthused at the thought of seeing his son.

"Yeah, I've got to get going Grandad, see you soon," Simon said cheerfully before continuing his walk to the bus stop.

On the other side of the street Nick and Carla were walking hand in hand towards the factory.

"Are you sure you want to go back today, we could just have a day in," Nick said still worried about Carla's mental state following Callum's attack.

"I'll be fine, I'll come home if I don't cope. We haven't got any meetings today so Aidan won't be going anywhere. I'll be fine," Carla said dropping a kiss onto his cheek.

"Okay sweetheart, have a good day," Nick said before letting go of Carla's hand a walking towards the Bistro.

"Oi," Carla said as Nick walked off, he immediately turned around. "Don't look so scared," Carla laughed.

Nick walked closer to Carla again, "what, I've got a meeting in ten minutes," Nick said placing his hands each side of his waist.

"I love you," Carla said softly making Nick smile.

"And I love you," Nick said before kissing Carla lightly. He pulled away and smiled at Carla, their eyes fixated on each other.

"Oi love birds; haven't you both got businesses to run," Aidan joked as he came over to the factory with Kate.

"It's cute Aidan, let them be happy," Kate said nudging Carla before walking into the factory.

"Keep an eye on her today for me," Nick said before kissing Carla on the cheek and walking off.

"Why has he got so protective over you?" Aidan asked.

"You know what he's like," Carla said quickly before walking into the factory puzzle by Nick's comment.

Nick walked into the café, his hands were clasped to try and conceal his nerves.

"Hiya," Anna sad cheerfully as she saw Nick enter.

"Hi, um is Roy about?" Nick asked, as soon as he asked he saw Roy come out from the bac and headed over to see him.

"Roy, hi," Nick said nervously.

"Ahh hello Nick, what can I do for you?" Roy said remaining polite to Nick even though he was still unsure about Carla's new relationship.

"I was wondering if we could have a chat?" Nick said once again nerves laced in his voice. Roy nodded at him before gesturing him to sit down at a close by table.

"I take it this is about Carla then," Roy said.

"Yeah, we spoke last night she'd said she came to see you," Nick said.

"She did and she was quite distressed actually," Roy explained.

"I know I was partly to blame for that and I know it was wrong of me to walk out but it frustrates me so much to see her throwing everything she-"

"Can I just interrupt because I hate to see Carla so low but the best thing is for her to have support. By shouting and walking out you're just going to make her feel worse," Roy explained.

"I understand that now; I want to be there for her and to support her I really do. I love her," Nick said, his feelings for Carla evident in the way he spoke.

"You clearly make her happy and that's all I wish for. Please Nick, look after her and support her," Roy said before standing up from the table.

"I will, I will don't worry," Nick said with a weak smile.

"Kylie, there's a letter from the courts here," David said walking through from doing the school run.

"Well open it then," Kylie snapped, stressed from the thought of fighting for her son. Silence consumed the room as David opened the letter and skim read it.

"18th December," David muttered, "half ten in the morning for the whole day."

"That's only a few months away, that's not much time to prove ourselves," Kylie started stressing.

"Love, Max is your son, you don't have to prove yourself," Gail said trying to soothe her daughter-in-law.

"But I have to be respectable; all they're gonna constantly bring up when I left, the drugs. I can't do this," Kylie said tears brimming in her eyes.

"You can do this, we'll be fine. Max is happy here and you're so much better now," David said reassuring his wife.

"Why don't we invite everyone round for dinner tonight, invite your Gran and Nick with Carla; have all the family together. We can discuss everything," Gail suggested.

"Yeah that sounds lovely actually," Kylie said with a small smile.

"Ugh, not her again," Beth muttered as Gemma entered the factory.

"Is Aidan or Carla about?" Gemma asked as she chewed her gum widely.

"I heard my name," Aidan sad walking out the factory his face dropping when he saw Gemma, "get out," he said sharply.

"I came to discuss that contract we spoke about," Gemma said oblivious to the fact Aidan knew who she was.

"Don't play silly buggers with me, get out," Aidan said again, Gemma didn't move an inch.

"What's going on-" Carla said walking out the factory, she stopped mid-sentence when she realised who Aidan was talking to. "Get out of my factory," Carla said sternly.

"You must be Carla, I wanted to-"

"Get out of my factory!" Carla shouted, "I know who you are, don't you dare step foot in here again."

Yet again Gemma didn't move, she stood still to the spot. This massively aggravated Carla who walked closer to the young women and bent down so they were the same height.

"Yet your grubby little self out my factory, go back to your drug filled life and never come back her again," Carla said directly to Gemma's face before turning and walking back into the office.

Carla was sat in her office alone for a few minutes before Aidan entered with Nick not far behind him.

"From the sound of the gossip out there it sounds like feisty Carla is back," Nick said as he entered the office.

"How dare she come into my factory and pretend I'm thick and don't know what's going on," Carla stressed.

"After what you said I don't think she'll be turning up here again," Aidan said smiling before he picked up some files and left the office.

"Hey, I'm proud of you for dealing with Gemma," Nick told Carla with a smile before sitting in Aidan's seat. "Mum's invited us for dinner tonight."

"I don't know Nick; I'm trying to keep my distance," Carla said.

"She wouldn't have invited you if the family didn't want you there," Nick said trying to reassure his girlfriend.

"She's probably only being polite," Carla muttered before going back to the paper work.

"Carla, I really want you there. They got the date of the court case today," Nick told Carla.

"Yeah that's exactly why I shouldn't be there; I'm keeping my distance till after the court case remember," Carla said still on edge about Callum.

"You need to tell them about Callum, Carla you could really help prove what he's like," Nick said standing up and going round to where Carla was sat.

"Okay, I'll come. I want to help them of course want to," Carla said.

"Thank you, I'll come here at five and get you, thank you," Nick said before kissing Carla gently.

"I love you," Carla said before kissing him again.

"I love you, see you later," Nick said smiling before leaving the office.

"It's okay," Nick said giving Carla's hand a squeeze before entering his mum's house. "Hi mum, only us!" Nick said as he walked into the living room Carla still clutching onto his hand.

"Oh hiya love," Gail said coming over to hug her son and the cautiously hugging Carla who was taken aback by the gesture.

"Carla um could you just sit down a minute," Kylie said as she sat on the sofa and Carla perched on the end.

"We were wondering if you'd help us in the trial. Would you tell them what Callum's been doing to you?" Kylie asked cautiously.

"I don't know, I don't know how much they'll believe me. I um-"

"Can she think about it?" Nick said jumping in for Carla.

"We need to know by the end of the week really. It would be really helpful though," David said as he came to stand behind Kylie.

"I just, I do want to help. It's just being in court and having to share things-"

"I understand if it's too much but we need to keep Max Carla, we need you to do this," Kylie said.

"Look, let her think about it okay; it's a big decision to make on the spot," Nick said rubbing Carla's back slightly to comfort her.

"I um I can let you know tomorrow," Carla said before turning so Nick could hold her properly, he dropped a kiss into her hair and rocked her slightly.

"Thank you Carla, it'd be great but please don't get upset yeah," Kylie said suddenly realising how pushy her words came across. Carla gave Kylie a comforting smile before returning to Nick's arms; Carla understood Kylie a lot more than anyone realised. She understood what it was like to feel as if you were losing everything.