Carla awoke on Sunday morning to the feeling of someone gently stroking her on the nose.
Well, it was a gentle stroke at first, then the stroke soon became a poke and soon after, the poke was accompanied by the sound of someone very small saying,
"Mummy… Mummy wake up."
Carla opened her eyes to see Jada's head inches away from hers. Jada was staring into her Mum's face and she smiled excitedly when she saw that her Mum was finally awake.
"Mummy…" Jada beamed, causing Carla to smile lazily and say,
"Good Morning Jada." She leant forward to kiss her almost two-year old when they both heard a voice call from the bedroom,
"Jada…" Peter soon appeared and shook his head at Jada who was already dressed in a black top, and pair of denim shorts with white tights underneath. The white tights were adorned with black stars and she looked as if she was ready to go out only her hair was rather messy.
Carla grinned at the mop of brown hair on her daughter's head and as Peter approached the sofa he tutted at Jada and said,
"You were supposed to wait for me in the bedroom…"
"Mummy." Jada said, pointing at Carla stubbornly rather than listening to her Dad.
"Mummy was sleeping Jada." Peter said looking at Carla apologetically.
"No it's fine." Carla said, pulling Jada up onto the sofa next to her and giving her another kiss.
Even though Carla could have done with a few hours more sleep and even though her head was already pounding due to the alcohol she'd drunk last night, she couldn't help but smile from ear to ear, especially at Peter who eventually sat down on the sofa next to them.
"Mummy wake now." Jada nodded, almost in a smug way as she looked back at her father, Carla grinned and glanced over at the clock, which was on the wall.
"Is that really the time?" She asked, her eyes wide as she looked back at Peter.
It was half past twelve in the afternoon and it was probably the latest Carla had slept in for years.
She was normally always up before at nine am the latest and even the rare times she had left Jada with Susie she always made sure she was up and ready to go and get her as soon as possible because she always missed her so much.
"Yeah…" Peter nodded, as Jada put her thumb in her mouth and leant against Carla lovingly. "I wanted to let you sleep in as late as possible only this little monkey has made that quite difficult." Peter said, reaching forward and poking her in the tummy.
Jada giggled quietly at this poke and kept her eyes on her Dad as Carla yawned and asked,
"Why what's she been doing?"
"Well every time I've had me back turned she's been trying to sneak in ere and give you a little nudge." Peter said and when Carla looked at him she saw that he was dressed too.
"Oh…" She nodded, she then asked, "Ave you two been out already?"
"We popped over to the cafe with Simon, didn't we Jada?" Peter said with a nod, Jada nodded back at her Daddy, took her thumb out of his mouth and then said,
"Jada milkshake Mummy." She had been given a chocolate milkshake on the house from Roy and had thoroughly enjoyed it whilst Peter had waited for their breakfast to be cooked. He had ordered some bacon sandwiches to take back to his flat and had left Carla's wrapped up and in the microwave to keep it warm.
"Thanks Peter." Carla said as she sat down at the dinning table, She had left Jada sat on the sofa with Simba and set of books and as Peter sat down opposite her and said,
"You're welcome… So… how's your head doing?"
"Erm…" Carla said wincing a little, "Not bad considering the last time I'd had that much to drink was before I found out I was pregnant with Jada." Peter nodded at her and pulled out a box of painkillers. "Thanks." Carla laughed silently, she took the packet of painkillers off Peter who went and got the bacon roll out of the microwave for Carla.
Peter even heated it up for her before bringing it over to the table where Carla was sat, he wasn't ashamed to admit that he was really trying hard to do nice things for her and when he sat down he also handed her a cup of coffee, strong and black, just how Carla liked it.
After their almost kiss last night and their mini heart to heart about still caring about each other, Peter felt rather confident that Carla still had some sort of feelings for him and even though he was naive enough to believe that they would be able to act on their feelings, it still delighted him to know that he still had some sort of affect on Carla.
She smiled at him and gave him a coy nod when he handed her the cup of coffee and as they sat at the dining table together, they sat in a very comfortable silence, one that was broken when Peter had eventually said,
"So Jada's birthday… I'm guessing we should just ave the party on the fourteenth." Last night they had said they would discuss her birthday today and whilst Jada was sat looking through a picture book and chatting away to Simba, it seemed like there was no time like the present.
"Well… yeah, that was the day she was born." Carla grinned, Peter nodded at her and couldn't help but chuckle before explaining that the fourteenth was a weekday and he wasn't sure if Carla might have wanted to party to be on the weekend, like the one she had planned in L.A.
Originally Jada's birthday party had been planned for Saturday the eleventh of December and was supposed to be in a hall nearby the apartment where they lived.
"That reminds me…" Carla said swallowing down the painkillers Peter had given her. "I better call Jada's nursery tomorrow and ask em if they can let people know that her party is cancelled… I don't ave any numbers of the people she invited, then I better call the people who own the hall it was in n let them know… oh, and the woman who's making her cake… and the people who I were renting the bouncy castle off…"
"Wow…" Peter said, biting his lip because he hadn't realised so much effort had gone into Jada's birthday party. He had just assumed Carla was going to have a party for Jada wherever she lived and now he had heard all of the plans Carla had made, he felt guilty that Jada was going to miss it all.
"What?" Carla asked.
"I… just hadn't realised how big this party of Jada's was…" Peter replied, Carla nodded slowly at him and was about to speak but got interrupted, "Maybe she should actually go back to L.A for it…" Peter said, laughing nervously as he spoke, as if he was trying to make a little joke out of it all.
"Mmmm…" Carla nodded in a sarcastic fashion, guessing Peter was joking and narrowing her eyes at him before taking another sip of coffee. "Peter don't look like that…" She then added, after seeing the dejected look on his face.
He couldn't help but feel selfish for being the reason Jada was going to be away from all her friends and even though he desperately wanted to be part of her birthday, he couldn't help but wish maybe she was going to be back at home for it after all.
"Peter…" Carla said, putting her cup down onto the table and moving forwards. "It's fine… I'm actually glad to be cancelling Jada's party."
"Oh yeah?" Peter replied, sure that Carla was just humouring him because he had looked sad.
"Yes." Carla nodded adamantly. "I hadn't planned anything for food yet, or party games for the little kids n all that stuff, At least I don't have to do that ere…" Peter didn't say anything this time, he just nodded downtrodden and rolled his eyes at his own self-pity. "Besides…" Carla said softly, "You were right that night I first got back… it's much better for Jada to spend her birthday here… with her family."
"Are you sure?" Peter asked, watching Carla intently to make sure that she was telling the truth.
"Of course I am." Carla said warmly, staring back at Peter in an admiring fashion. "So… what d'ya reckon then, are we aving the party ere?"
"Sure." Peter nodded, gazing around his flat, he looked a little uncertain which made Carla then say,
"Are you… sure? I mean we could ave it at the community centre or…"
"No, No of course I'm sure." Peter insisted, nodding again and this time he really did look sure. "I was just thinking of what I could do with the place y'know… I mean did the party that you had planned for Jada ave a theme?"
"Not really." Carla said, shaking her head, "I mean I were gonna do little themed party bags but I hadn't planned that far ahead… why? Ave you got an idea?"
"Maybe…" Peter smiled mischievously, looking over at Jada who still had Simba in her lap as she read him a book. Carla followed his gaze and then met his, knowing exactly what he was thinking.
After a lot of Birthday party planning, Peter, Carla and Jada decided to make their way over to Ken's for the Sunday dinner he had planned for them. Carla had had a shower before leaving and whilst she was in it, Peter had attempted to tame the wild bush of hair that was on Jada's head.
She had sat down in front of her Dad patiently and had handed him a hair tie that she had found on the side saying,
"Daddy, frozen plait." It was soon very clear to even two-year-old Jada that Peter had absolutely no idea what he was doing.
He just sat behind her awkwardly and hesitated because he was worried that he might end up slightly hurting Jada as her hair did look like it was in a bit of a tangle, he hesitated for too long because she soon stood up and said,
"Mummy do it?" She said it as if it was a question waited for a response from her Dad.
"That sounds like a good idea." Peter said with a soft chuckle, he had been holding Jada's Little Mermaid hairbrush in his hand along with the hair tie and was just about to put it down when Carla came into the room.
After she had had a shower and after the pain killers she had taken had finally kicked in, She was feeling a lot better. She had got dressed in a red top with a simple pair of jeans and when she walked into the living room to see Peter with a hairbrush in hand she couldn't help but laugh silently to herself.
"D'ya need a hand?" She asked, approaching Peter and Jada who where stood smiling at each other. She couldn't help but smile appreciatively at Peter who just handed her the hairbrush and nodded.
"Thanks." Peter said, feeling slightly foolish.
"You didn't take her out earlier with this bush did ya?" Carla laughed as she sat next to him on the sofa and placed Jada in between her legs.
"No... well not really, it wasn't that bad this morning. It was just went when got back she found this old hat of Simon's and insisted on wearing around the place." Peter explained, Carla nodded at him in amusement and in less than a minute, Jada's hair went from being messy to almost pristine. Carla had brushed through Jada's hair and had given her a rather complicated looking plait.
"There ya go, All done darlin." Carla said, nodding at Jada who turned around and said,
"Ta Mummy." Peter couldn't help but chuckle at the way Jada said Ta and after a quick moment of luscious eye contact with Carla, they all left to make their way over to Ken's.
Jada was walking in between her parents, holding on to both of their hands and beaming up at them. It was clear to both Peter and Carla that she loved having both a Mummy and a Daddy and that walking like this in a three really did make her feel loved. When they got to the curb, without even discussing it they both raised their arms swung Jada high up in the air.
"Weeee!" She giggled adorably and when her little black mini Ugg boots hit the ground, she looked up at her parents and cried,
"Again!" This meant Carla and Peter ended up swinging Jada up and into the air for the rest of the journey over to Ken's.
Every so often, Peter would catch Carla's gaze and when he knocked on his Dad's door, he was sure Carla really was watching him.
He'd felt like this first when she had woken up, like she had had her eyes on him the whole time but he had tried to just shrug it off but now with the way she was looking at him was starting to make him feel giddy.
"Afternoon everyone." Ken said, opening his door to find Peter, Carla and Jada on his doorstep. The sight of all three of them hand in hand was a real sight for sore eyes and he especially looked down at Jada who looked totally at him in between her loving parents.
"Hi Dad." Peter said, smiling in a way that always made Ken's day because he still wasn't used to seeing his son so happy again.
"Hi Ken." Carla smiled, letting go of Jada's hand the same time as Peter did.
"Ackles!" Jada cried, running straight past Ken and going in search for his dog Eccles instead. Peter laughed along with his Dad at the situation but Carla frowned and very quickly stepped right into the house saying,
"Jada Elise… get back ere n say hello to your Granddad now!"
"Carla it's fine…" Ken began but she had already walked straight into the back room and in the next second she had returned with Jada, pulling her along gently by her hand and as she got closer, Peter and Ken could see that Jada her bottom lip sticking out in shame.
"Go on baby, you don't run past Granddad like that and not say Hello… that's rude." Carla said, her tone a lot softer than it had initially been, she had bent down to speak to Jada and whilst she was practically at Peter's feet, he couldn't help but smirk down at her.
He ignored the urge to say something rather flithy to Carla but it was clear by the look on his face what he was thinking and Carla had to turn her attention back to her daughter.
"Hello Granddad." Jada said, looking up at Ken with a cheeky smile instead of the frown she had just had because her Mum had pulled her back over.
"Hello Jada." Ken said with a warm nod, he closed the door behind him as Carla pointed down the hallway and said,
"You can go see the dog now." Jada sped towards the back room and Ken followed, leaving Carla and Peter to take of their coats and hang them up.
Peter had his lips pursed together slightly which Carla thought was because he wanted to say something, so after she had stood up straight again and after they had both hung up their coats on the end of banister she said,
"What?"
"What?" Peter replied, smirking at her again, dressed in his casual white shirt and jeans.
"Do ya ave something to say Peter?" Carla asked, but Peter just shook his head and started walking ahead. "You sure? Cause I reckon you reckon I was too harsh with Jada just then?" Carla asked, making Peter stop and turn around.
"No... I don't reckon that at all." He said, although he had to admit he had been a little surprised Carla had made Jada come back and say a proper hello.
"Why don't I believe you?" Carla asked, walking towards Peter with her head on one side. Peter just shrugged and continued on into the living room to find, Jada sat in front of Eccles, she was smiling widely at the dog in front of her as Peter sat down next to his Dad and said,
"How've you been Dad?"
"Fine thank you Peter." Ken said, grinning at Jada who was now singing something to Eccles who was just lying lazily on the floor in front of her. "How are you two?"
"Good." Peter nodded, Carla nodded too and then said,
"Where is everyone?"
"Tracy and Amy should be back from their shopping trip soon, where is Simon"? Ken replied.
"He should be ere any minute Dad, he went over to see Leanne this morning." Peter explained, sitting next to Carla who called Jada over to take off her coat.
Simon soon arrived and when he came in and said Hi, Jada stood up very quickly.
"Hello Simon!" She cried as if she was making a point. She waved at him with a smile before turning to her Mum and giving her a little smug look before focusing her attention back to Eccles.
"Did she just sass me?" Carla asked as Simon took his coat off and went to say hello to Ken.
"I think she did." Peter chuckled, "I wonder who she gets that from eh?"
"You." Carla said bluntly, reaching over and taking crisp from a bowl Ken had left on the table as nibbles.
"Oh really?" Peter said over dramatically, "and I suppose none of her cheeky little ways ave anything to do with you?"
"Nope." Carla said as she put the crisp into her mouth.
"Okay..." Peter nodded in a humouring fashion as Simon sat at the table with them and soon enough, Ken went into the kitchen to get started on his grand dinner.
After fifteen minutes or so, Peter had gotten up from the table and walked into the kitchen to offer some help to his Dad, leaving Carla and Simon sat deep in a conversation about something they had watched on television during the previous week.
"What can I do to help Dad?"
"Nothing Peter, it's all done." Ken said with a smile, he watched Peter nod and lean against the wall and when he saw that Carla was far enough out of ear shot he asked, "So… how ave things been since the last time I saw you?"
"What you mean yesterday?" Peter asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well yes, I'm sure that a day in you and Carla's world must feel like a lot longer." Ken said, knowing that Peter and Carla's current living situation must be slightly weird for them.
"Erm… well it's still going really well. We were planning Jada's birthday party this morning actually." Peter said excitedly, he was smiling again and it still made Ken truly happy to see his son smile like this.
"That must have been a lot of fun." Ken said to which Peter nodded and said,
"Yeah it was, we've actually got this little theme planned for it actually, I'm not gonna spill the beans but Jada's gonna love it."
"Oh I was gonna ask you…" Ken began, "I saw this really beautiful Doll's House which I thought would be perfect for Jada, I mean it might be slightly too young for her right now but it's one of those presents she can keep forever I thought… it has three floors and lots of rooms and I thought she'd really enjoy filling them up and having little people to play with, What d'ya think?" The smile of Peter's face faded at the mention of Ken's gift and as his Dad stood before him, all Peter could manage to say was,
"Erm…"
"Peter…" Ken said concerned, "I just wanted to know if you knew if she had one already or not."
"I ave no idea Dad." Peter said shaking his head because he still wasn't up to speed with all of Jada's toys. "And… to be honest I don't really think it's an appropriate present, not because she won't like it though, I mean Jada would adore it, its just… how's Carla gonna take something like that… home." His voice broke when he said the word home and suddenly, Ken realised why his son had become so upset.
"Oh Peter." Ken said, sighing and putting an arm around his son who couldn't believe he was suddenly crying like this, he normally avoided calling L.A Carla and Jada's home for this very reason.
"I'm fine." He quickly said, sniffing and wiping his eyes, he took a quick glance into the back room where Carla and Simon were still sat at the table and then looked back at his Dad who shook his head slowly and said,
"But you're not are you Peter?"
"I will be…" Peter sighed, "I don't even know why this is even happening." He said, referring to the tears, which were still running down his cheeks. "It's not exactly as if I don't know that they're both going back to L.A soon is it?"
"Yes but you're still allowed to get upset about it Peter." Ken said, shaking his head apologetically at Peter who just sniffed once more and said,
"No… I'm not... Dad this is all my fault anyways, I just have to make the best of the time that I've got now." With that Peter left the kitchen and returned to the dinning table.
It only took Carla two seconds to realise something was wrong with Peter and as Simon got up to sit with Jada and Eccles she leant forward and said,
"Peter, what happened?"
"Nothing." he said, smiling bravely but all the while knowing that Carla could still read him like a book and vice versa when he thought about it.
"Peter, you've been crying." Carla said delicately, leaning forwards as he spoke so that he would still be able to hear her. "What is it?"
"Carla…" Peter began, shaking his head slowly and then smiling sadly. "I'm fine okay, things just got a little emotional in the kitchen with me Dad that's all."
"Emotional?" Carla repeated, she looked over at Jada and Simon who were sat only feet way from them and then, with a gentle touch on Peter's right knee, one which sent a shockwave of even more emotions right through his system she said, "Shall… we talk about this later?"
"I… dunno." Peter almost whispered back, nervously because not only did Carla have a hand on his knee but her face was now, once again, inches from his.
"You dunno?" Carla replied, slightly amused.
"Yeah… I mean… it's that thing we said we wouldn't talk about that's got me like this." Peter said, remembering how one night on his sofa he had said to Carla that he didn't think talking about her and Jada leaving was a good idea.
"Actually I'll think you'll find you were the one who said we wouldn't talk about it..." Carla said softly, "But… if you really don't want to… I get it… just know I'm ere, Okay?"
"Okay." Peter nodded, he smiled at Carla thankfully as the front door opened. They both looked away from each other, not knowing that Simon had been watching their entire exchange with beady eyes. Tracy and Amy were back from their shopping trip, they walked into the back room with a lot of shopping bags and it was then that Peter was sure that Carla would move away from him, but she didn't.
She stayed put and she kept that hand on his knee until dinner was ready.
Ken's dinner, which consisted of a classic Sunday roast and a hot Apple Pie for pudding went down very well. The conversation at the table flowed perfectly and everyone laughed when Carla told the story about Peter attempting to put Jada's hair into a plait.
Everyone sat at the dining table was stuffed and as Peter started collecting up everyone's plates, he beckoned Simon to help him.
Normally, Simon would have responded to this request with a surly comment or with attitude but these days his bad temper had practically vanished and he got up to help his Dad in the kitchen straight away without any fuss.
"I'll wash, you dry yeah?" Peter said, running the tap and placing all of the dirty dishes into the sink.
"Okay." Simon said, reaching over to the kitchen cabinet and picking up a tea towel that Ken had left on the side. He waited about three minutes before smirking and saying, "So what's happening with you n Carla, Dad?"
"Eh?" Peter responded, not looking at his son at first because Simon could also read him very well but instead looking down at the plate he was currently washing.
"Don't act all innocent Dad…" Simon said smugly, "I been watching you both… something's going on that's for sure."
"Simon John Barlow, there is nothing going on with me and Carla." Peter replied handing him the plate he had just washed up.
"Dad, please… I'm not a kid anymore, I'm nearly thirteen like, I can tell when two people deffo need to get their acts together n admit that they are still in love." Simon said, staring at his Dad rather than starting to dry the plate he had been given.
"Simon…" Peter began with a sigh, but Simon shook his head and said,
"Not denying it then are ya?"
"Denying what?" Peter asked.
"That you still love Carla." Simon said, knowing this topic of conversation must be really painful for his Dad but also knowing that time was moving quickly and if he didn't do something soon, he and his Dad would be left without Carla and Jada again.
"Si… course I still love Carla." Peter said, taking a quick glance into the back room where Carla was on her knees in front of Jada wiping her down with some wipes because Jada had thoroughly enjoyed her Sunday roast and Apple Pie and a lot of it down her front.
"And she still loves you." Simon said, sure of it, sure that the way she kept looking at his Dad during the meal was a look of love.
"Si… even if she did…" Peter began, trying too hard not to think of the possibility of Carla still being as in love as he was.
He had guessed that she had feelings, she had made it clear in those personal little moments she had spent with him but love?
Peter didn't know, Peter didn't actually want to know.
"Even if she did Si… it doesn't matter."
"Dad, course it does." Simon said, shaking his head in anguish, not understanding why his Dad would think something so important as love wouldn't matter.
"No it doesn't, Si… listen to me, there is no way Carla and Jada aren't going back to L.A." Peter said but then Simon interrupted him,
"But…"
"No buts Si… I'm sure of it, they have a life there, friends… Jada's got a little nursery, Carla has an important job and apartment minutes from the sea." Peter began shaking his head, "Nothings going to change that son... I'm sorry... but you gotta try n remember that."
Simon nodded dejectedly although he wasn't entirely sure that his Dad even believed the words that he was saying. He started drying at the plate he had in hand but then he couldn't help but smirk and say,
"So you're telling me that you two avent snogged or out?"
"Snogged? Come on Simon..." Peter said but he chuckled as he said it and stopped washing up because of the look on his Twelve and a half year old's face.
"What?" Simon cried, "It's not as if it's an unlikely situation is it? Yeah I know, she's leaving n stuff, we've been through all that stuff it's just I still reckon something like that has happened..." Simon said as his cousin Amy walked into the kitchen with some cups that had been left behind, "Init Amy…"
"What?" Amy asked, amused because Peter had actually rolled his eyes and turned around to face his niece.
"Me Dad reckons he and Carla avent snogged yet." Simon said with a grin, Amy gave her Uncle an unconvinced look and said,
"Really? As if that could even be possible, You two are always flirting."
"See." Simon sniggered whilst his Dad tutted and Amy said,
"Me Mum's not going to believe it."
"Wait, do you lot spend a lot of time discussing me n Carla?" Peter said to which Amy and Simon both nodded in unison.
"Pretty much." Amy said, she raised an eyebrow at her Uncle and then said, "So… if I go out there and ask Carla if you two ave kissed… she'll say no."
"Yes." Peter nodded, not believing he was having this conversation with a pair of pre teens.
"Okay then… let's see shall we?" Amy said with a very mischievous grin and with that she started making her way out of the kitchen.
"Oi, Amy Katherine Barlow don't you dare." Peter hissed but Amy was already back in the back room and at the dining table again, she smirked at her Uncle before turning her attention to a conversation that Carla was now having with Ken, she was obviously waiting for the opportune moment to strike and kept quiet with her eyes on Peter.
"Dad, you're so funny." Simon said, shaking his head with a laugh. Peter couldn't help but smile at the boldness of his son and niece and as he turned back to the sink, Simon then added, "Just before Amy does ask and find out the truth, is there anything you wanna confess?"
"No." Peter grinned, flicking some of the water from the tap in Simon's direction. Simon laughed loudly as he avoided it and as he was handed another plate, he saw that his Dad's face had become sombre again. "Seriously though Si, as nice as it would be while it lasted… there is no way I'm going to let anything like that happen with Carla… we ave to stay friends."
"Why?" Simon asked, watching his Dad closely and starting to wish he hadn't brought up the subject at all.
"Because… it's going to be unimaginably painful to lose Jada again and Carla the way things are now... I don't think I've got it in me to lose her as me wife as well." Peter said and with that, he turned back to the sick and started washing up again.
Simon bit his lip and nodded, not wanting to push the subject anymore because he could see how much it was affecting his Dad, he also decided that he didn't want to talk about Carla anymore because the idea of her and Jada leaving… really scared him too.
More than he cared to admit.
"Can I ask ya a question?" Carla asked Peter, walking into the Rover's Return with Peter and Tracy, they had left Jada, Simon, Amy and Ken next door and had come into the Rover's for a quiet Sunday night drink.
Tracy had suggested it at first, Carla had said yes and initially, Peter had said he wasn't going to come but when Carla's eyes had widened at the thought of so suddenly being alone with Tracy, he caved and said that he would join them.
"Sure." Peter said intrigued as he, Carla and Tracy approached the bar. Tracy soon saw Beth sat in the corner and was ushered over, leaving Peter and Carla alone and also leaving Peter wondering if this part of some kind of plan on Simon and Amy's part because he had seen them talking about something before they left.
"Why did Amy ask if and I quote, If me and her Uncle Peter had snogged?" Carla asked, grinning as Peter casually leant on the bar using his arms.
"Erm…" Peter laughed unable to comment at first., Carla just looked confused and shook her head slightly as Peter couldn't help but laugh again.
"Peter? Did I miss something or?" Carla asked, Peter shook his head at her and said,
"Si n Amy asked me the same question in the kitchen and when I said that we hadn't kissed, apparently I wasn't convincing enough, which is why she went and asked you I'm guessing."
"Oh right." Carla said, still looking slightly confused. "Why are we the subject of Amy and Simon's conversations?"
"No idea." Peter laughed.
"Ave they nothing else to discuss?" Carla asked.
"Obviously not... I don't know who they think they are to be honest… questioning me about something like that… What did Amy say when you said no?"
"Who said I said no?" Carla grinned mysteriously, nudging Peter in the side without even thinking about it twice.
She was aware that they had taken their flirtatious banter up a notch since yesterday and even though a part of her was telling her no to go there, she didn't think it would do too much harm to keep having these light hearted moments together.
"Well… I just assumed you would ave..." Peter chuckled, "Seeing as we aven't actually kissed yet n all."
"Yet?" Carla asked with an eyebrow raised, She was grinning at Peter in a way that made him see she wasn't totally outraged by the idea of them kissing.
He just kept quiet and left Carla wondering if he had meant to say yet or not, it sounded like he could have just let it slip, but this was Peter and he had a past of being rather mischievous like that.
"Well hello there Carla and Peter… what can I get ya both?" Michelle asked with a smile, making them both avert their gaze from each other to her.
"Hi Michelle… I think we'll ave an Orange juice and a red wine?" Peter said, checking and looking at Carla who he knew wasn't much of a drinker these days.
"Yeah go on then, just a small one Chelle." Carla said with a nod, Michelle smiled again at them both and after she returned with their drinks Peter asked,
"So did you ave fun last night Michelle? I know Carla did... heard all about it."
"Yeah I really did, it were great." Michelle said, smiling at Peter appreciatively because it had been his idea for them to go out. "I paid for it this morning though."
"Yeah me too." Carla said with a nod, "Although Peter ere was a real gentleman and had breakfast waiting for me when I woke up."
"Awww did ya?" Michelle said, looking at Peter as if she was truly moved by the gesture.
"Yeah." Peter said sheepishly, Carla nudged him in the side again and smiled before picking up her glass of wine and taking a sip.
Michelle stood nearby Carla and Peter whenever she could and enjoyed watching them both interact with each other when they thought that no one was watching.
They spent most of their time chatting companionably but there were a lot of lingering looks and flirtatious moments that Michelle just couldn't help but smirk at.
It wasn't just those moment's that had Michelle taken with the pair thought, it was the ones where they would seem to know exactly what the other was thinking and there was even a few moments where they finished each others sentences.
After half an hour or so and after another drink refill spotted Roy Cropper come into the pub with Tyrone and Fizz.
"Peter I'm just gonna go n say Hi to Roy..." Carla said, leaving Peter stood at the bar with their drinks and making her way over to her dear friend with a huge smile.
"Oh thanks very much." Peter nodded with a grin, looking over at Tracy who was still sat in a very deep conversation with Beth, looking like she would most definitely not be coming back to see her brother soon. Michelle came back over to Peter after a few minutes and smiled as he sighed lightly and said, "Look at me eh? I'm getting ditched left right n centre over ere... Tracy was the one who suggested this drink and yet I aven't spoke to her since she got in ere."
"Yeah well… I'm sure Carla'll be back." Michelle replied, as she handed a customer the pint he had ordered.
"What's… that supposed to mean?" Peter asked, unable to keep a smile from creeping onto his face, because Michelle was Carla's best friend and if anyone knew that Carla might still have feeling for Peter, it would be Michelle. She just grinned at Peter and took some of the empty glasses, which were nearby and said,
"Nothing... nothing at all." She gave Peter a wink before leaving him alone once again and whilst alone, Peter couldn't help but think about him and Carla.
Yes, Him and Carla.
Even though he had insisted to Simon and Amy that he wasn't going to let anything happen with Carla and even though he knew he shouldn't be so affected by a spot flirting, he still couldn't have been more pleased with her reaction to saying "yet" when referring to the idea of them kissing.
He had actually, said it by accident but Carla's half pleased half amused reaction had pleased him to no end.
"Alright Peter." Came a voice and Peter turned to find that Leanne was stood next to him.
"Hiya Lea, you okay?" He asked as she leant on the bar and as Michelle came over.
"Yeah, I'm good." She said with half a smile, she ordered two drinks from Michelle for her and her sister Eva and as Michelle nodded, Peter then asked,
"Oh, did I tell you I got a call from Si's school?"
"No." Leanne said, looking worried. "What's happened now?"
"No it's nothing bad." Peter said reassuringly, "His tutor just phoned to say she's seen a real positive change in him over the past week… I thought you'd want to know that's all."
"Oh right…" Leanne said with a nod. "Well that's good…"
"It is int it." Peter said, knowing that his son's behaviour had been so bad this year and that the change in it was due to a certain two people who had made their return to the street.
"He mentioned how fun it is at yours at the moment..." Leanne said because this morning all Simon could talk about was how it felt to be living with his little Sister and even Carla, he'd even said to Leanne how much he had grown to like her but there was no way Leanne was going to admit that to Peter.
"Ahhh that's nice, he seems really happy I ave to say and he loves spending time with Jada... they're a right little pair. Thick as thieves in fact, Caught em yesterday making their way through a packet of Oreos in the living room, it was hilarious." Peter said smiling proudly because he felt as if his kids were probably the only good thing he had done in his entire life.
Simon was behaving so much better and Jada was a little joy and he knew that he had to do all he could to hold onto how good he felt at the moment, even after the little blip he'd had at Ken's when he thought about Carla leaving, overall he felt pretty pleased with life.
"Yeah I know, he really loves her, it's so sweet." Leanne said, smiling genuinely at first because Simon truly was fond of Jada, but then she said, "Si tells me Carla's paying for him to go to L.A next year..."
"Oh…" Peter said with his orange juice in hand. "Erm… Yeah she said if he's good at school she'll invite him over for his holidays…" He watched Leanne who had an eyebrow raised and then said, "What?"
"Well it would ave been nice to ave been told by you..." She said rolling her eyes.
"Oh come on Lea." Peter sighed, "It won't be until February, He'd have an amazing time, it's such a good opportunity, you wouldn't actually stop him from going would ya?"
"No but still, I'm still his Mum Peter, It'd be nice to be asked about these things that's all I'm saying." Leanne said as Michelle brought over the drinks she had ordered. She paid for them as Peter said,
"Okay… yes I get that but you ave to understand that what ever Carla has said to him, is working… as I said his teacher really praised him the other day and I've seen such a positive change."
"Yeah I realise that Peter, but is bribing him really the right way to go about it?" Leanne asked, whilst Michelle went to get her change, Peter shook his head adamantly and said,
"Leanne it's not a bribe, it's more of an incentive..." Leanne rolled her eyes once again and shook her head at Peter before saying,
"Y'know what, forget it. I don't even know why I'm bothering ere… you're always gonna stick up for Carla aren't ya? Honestly between you and Nick, I'm beginning to wonder what she has over the men around ere."
At first Peter didn't listen to what Leanne had said properly, he had been taking a sip of juice at the time but then he heard it again, then he heard it properly.
"Nick?" He said, furrowing his eyebrows together, hoping he'd missed heard the name.
"Yeah…" Leanne said, wondering if she should continue but the grudge she still held on Carla took over and it had her spitefully saying, "Last night she was in the Bistro and they were practically all over each other, Nick paid like no attention to any of the other customers and even after she left he couldn't stop talking about her."
Peter's first response was just a shake of his head and a little laugh which was on the dry side when it came out but then, when Leanne didn't continue, he couldn't help but look at her properly and swallow hard.
"Really?" He asked, feeling his whole body go numb at the thought of Carla flirting with someone else other than him, especially if this man was Nick.
He was sure that Leanne had to have got it wrong.
Carla would never go near Nick right? There was way too much history there, they hated each other at one point.
Peter, being no Angel himself also thought Nick wasn't much of a good person either, he'd had affairs and done lots of awful things.
Surely Carla knew better to get herself in a situation where she ended up with someone like Nick... right?
"Yes." Leanne said, although she could tell that Peter was deeply affected by what she had just said, "I mean... they kept talking and flirting, every drink she had he gave her on the house and when she left they had this big goodbye chat... He was acting like someone with a school boy crush."
Peter just nodded stiffly as Michelle came back with Leanne's change, she handed it over to them, able to sense the immediate atmosphere between Leanne and Peter.
"Cheers." Leanne said, looking at Peter awkwardly before going to join her sister. Michelle looked at Peter who was staring down at the bar beneath him like he'd just heard the worst news ever, which right now, he felt like he actually had.
"You alright Peter?" Michelle asked a little concerned.
"Yes." Peter croaked, his throat had actually gone dry as he tried to get the oh so sudden image of Carla and Nick right out of his mind.
"You sure?" Michelle asked, "What was Leanne saying to ya?" Peter stopped for a moment, he had thought about asking Michelle if what Leanne had said was actually true, that if Carla and Nick had been flirting, after all, She had been there, she'd know right?
Peter very soon thought against this idea because as horrible as it felt, he knew he had no idea to be asking Michelle such questions, Carla had every right to flirt with who she wanted.
"Yeah... I'm alright." Peter lied again.
He was not alright and as he turned to look at Carla who was stood next to Roy with a smile, he knew that was no way on this earth that he would be able to cope, if Carla and Nick Tilsley went anywhere near each other.