Liam sat chewing his fingernails in the hospital waiting room. He wasn't alone, sat opposite him were Steve and Michelle, their hands clasped firmly in one another's as Steve tried to comfort Michelle who was getting increasingly upset the longer they were kept waiting. Anyone looking at the Connor family in the waiting room would think all their worry and upset was for poor Maria lying still unconscious and bleeding in the operating room. This was only half true though, Michelle was concerned and just assumed her brother was distracted by the worry he had for his wife. But Liam, he wasn't worried about his wife or his unborn baby, he was concerned and worried for his lover.

Tony's words were circling in his mind, what had he meant when he said that he wouldn't be seeing Carla again. It played on his mind and kept him so distracted that after a few hours when the consultant entered the room to speak to him and update him on Maria's condition it took Michelle having to get up and shake him out of his daydream for him to notice.

"Sorry, Sorry" apologised Liam quickly noticing the Consultant and rising to shake his hand.

"Mr Connor, good news. Mrs Connor is doing well, she is drowsy and stable but asking for you. The baby luckily is unharmed and we are going to keep her in for monitoring." The Consultant explained.

Liam smiled but he was still heavily distracted by thoughts of Carla and what Tony had meant. Following the Consultant, Liam, Michelle and Steve made their way down the clinical corridors to visit Maria in her little room.

It was early morning and Carla having been asleep for hours woke with a terrible headache. She instantly noticed that Tony wasn't beside her and peeled herself from the sheets so fast it made her feel dizzy and sick. For a minute she thought she might collapse but luckily managed to stabilise herself and head into her living room.

Tony was stood in the kitchenette making coffee. It was déjà vu for Carla, this scene was exactly the same as yesterday. In fact she noticed that Tony was still dressed in the same clothes as yesterday too.

"Morning" she mumbled sleepily.

Tony turned with a smile and returned the pleasantry in a positive tone. Carla was suspicious, he seemed unusually happy but why? She didn't remember a thing about last night apart from the awkward moment Tony had found out about her and Liam from Michelle. Suddenly she felt angry, Michelle, she was first on her agenda today, she had choice words for her temperamental sister-in-law. However everything after Michelle's little outburst and her confession to Tony was a blur no matter how hard Carla tried to remember.

Carla dragged her aching body across to the sofa and flopped down upon it. Over her shoulder Tony handed her mug of strong black coffee and she allowed the aroma to fill her nose as she hugged the mug in her hands. Tony soon joined her and wrapped an arm around his fiancé.

"So Carla I was thinking last night, how about me and you take a break somewhere nice before the wedding?" Tony suggested, hoping desperately that Carla would be thrilled with the idea and they could disappear today. Putting distance between her and Liam was the only thing he could do and this was the most achievable way as a temporary solution. He was hoping that if he could get Carla to a dream destination on a one way ticket, convince her to marry him there in a spontaneous loved up moment and then try and settle there Liam would no longer be of any importance.

Carla's eyes widened at the shocking suggestion but luckily Tony mistook her shocked expression for sheer delight. Carla couldn't think of anything worse, she couldn't leave Weatherfield and Liam when they were still planning to run away and be together. She was only too aware she had to say something but what? Thinking fast she said the first thing that came to mind.

"It's a lovely idea but I can't right now, you know how busy things are at the factory and then there is the wedding to organise" Carla shook her head. A holiday just wasn't going to work right now, it was completely inconvenient

"Ok" answered Tony without argument. Carla was surprised, she had expected to meet a little resistance from him. Tony took a few big gulps from his coffee cup and then made another suggestion. He couldn't have Carla heading into the factory and risk her bumping into her nosy friend Leanne or even worse Liam.

"How about a day off then? I'll sort the factory and you go and treat yourself" He offered leaning forward and placing his coffee onto the table and scooping up his wallet. From it he pulled a bunch of crisp twenties that he'd collected from the cash machine on his way home last night. Carla couldn't resist he was offering her money and time away from him. It was perfect, she could call Liam and run and Tony would be none the wiser until it was too late.

Practically snatching the money she painted on a huge smile and then kissed him hard. Taking a few sips of her coffee her only thoughts were Liam. This was perfect. They sat silently beside each other for a while longer before Tony made his excuse to leave and get to work. Carla was itching to jump up and get ready, grab her phone and let Liam know the good news but she didn't want to seem to eager because the last thing she needed was Tony stalking her for the day because he was suspicious.

Liam was last to enter the little room where his wife lay in a semi-conscious state. He didn't even flinch or make effort to rush to her side despite the fact she was mumbling for him. Michelle hurried over to her sister-in-law and grabbed her hand in a comforting and supporting manner.

"Hi Maria, it's Chelle. He's here, Liam's here he's just in shock" she explained squeezing the young ladies hand reassuringly.

Liam stood idly by not hearing a word that Michelle was saying. She had been trying to hint for him to come and comfort his wife but Liam just stood by the door. The sight of Maria didn't even affect him and his mind soon drifted back to thoughts of Carla. He was consumed by thoughts of her and this room was leaving him claustrophobic. His decision was made instantly, he bolted out of the room before Steve or Michelle had chance to stop him. Steve hurried out of the door after Liam when Michelle barked the order at him. He managed it out of there in time to see Liam running like hell down the corridor and couldn't even begin to catch up with him.

"Liam…Lia…" he shouted but Liam kept going until he disappeared through the double doors at the end.