I know its been ages but here's the next chapter I have been busy with work and I have struggled to get my ideas from my head down onto paper. Thank you for all the people who have left kind and positive reviews so far they have really mean't alot especially when I found this chapter so difficult. Again let me know what you think.
Quick note for the anonymous reviewer who complained about the lack of Carla/Michelle interaction I am still trying to loosely follow the storyline so it wouldn't seem right to suddenly cut Peter out completely also I rated this fic M due to the rape scene. If people want to read pure Carla/Michelle smut please read my one shot Green eyed Monster.
"Not guilty!" Michelle slammed the door to the flat and threw her bag and coat down onto the coach "I can't believe that bastard has walked free" her eyes were blazing with fury and her posture rigid with anger. Carla just stood there motionless in the kitchen coat still on, bag in hand defeat etched in her face and oozing from her posture.
"What did you expect we all knew he'd play the victim and let's be honest he does look the perfect businessman doesn't he" Carla's voice was devoid of emotion her tone flat and listless "Who was ever going to believe me queen bitch, the manipulator over poor respectable Frank".
Michelle tried to calm the rage that was bubbling inside her. She needed to stay calm, rational and in control for Carla's sake more than her own the ride back in the taxi from the courts had been filled with a tense and staunch silence. Unfortunately this had allowed her festering emotions to build she really didn't want to argue with Carla not after what had happened but the outcome in court had left her furious and she really needed to air her opinion especially since she felt it could have turned out so differently.
"I need a drink" Carla had removed her coat, placed her bag in her bedroom and was making her way back towards the kitchen. "Don't you dare" Michelle was in front of Carla in two strides "You have been doing really well let's not start hitting the bottle." Pushing Carla towards the couch Michelle flicked the kettle on and tried to stop the shake of her hands as she opened the cupboard and took out two mugs. The loud chink of china on the worktop made Michelle realise how futile her efforts were and she let out an exasperated sigh.
"Michelle love?" Carla had seen Michelle struggling to deal with whatever was causing her to be so distracted and she wanted her to open up so she could at least try to alleviate some of the stress she knew Michelle was hiding.
"Why didn't you tell me about Peter" Michelle's voice was low and deadly, she had her back to Carla her shoulders hunched in tension.
"Michelle I swear there is nothing going on with me an' Peter I -"
"Well that's interesting" Michelle spat as she turned to face Carla "Considering you were pictured flamin' kissing him!" Michelle's temper was flaring and she tried and failed to control it. "Funny that isn't it no wonder Frank was found not guilty when the jury is presented with evidence that the rape victim is shagging around with a married man!" Throwing herself on the couch Michelle continued "You told me there was nothing going on and I believed you." Looking for some form of remorse or guilt in Carla's face and finding none Michelle continued "Today sitting in court I felt like a mug, a complete and utter idiot lied to by my best friend".
Carla frantically made her way to Michelle's side grasping her hands in hers desperate to make her understand "I swear on my life Michelle nothing is happening between me and Peter he was drunk and he kissed me but I didn't kiss back I swear I don't want him" Carla had tears in her eyes and her voice shook Michelle desperately wanted to believe her but the black and white image of Carla and Peter kissing had brought hot prickly anger to her being and a jealous rage had settled into her stomach. Michelle wanted to lash out to make someone else feel the turmoil she currently felt trapped in.
"It all makes sense now you told me you had feelings for him the bloody reason all this happened in the first place" Michelle pulled her hands from Carla's and leant forward "Peter realises he has feelings for you and so it begins the little sordid affair."
"I don't love Peter" Carla whispered tears where falling thick and fast down her cheeks and she hastily scrubbed at her face with her sleeves.
"I thought you had learnt your lesson with Liam but obviously you haven't had your fill of taken men" Carla gasped at Michelle's words her heart crumbled and she felt crippling hurt that her best friend didn't believe her.
"I thought you had changed I didn't think you were capable anymore of being "the other woman" but clearly I'm wrong. You just don't care who you hurt do you Carla" Michelle jumped up from the couch and made her way to her room.
"Just next time at least pick someone the heartache is worth. Peter alcoholic Barlow with the womanising history probably isn't going to be the most fitting partner" Michelle chanced a glance at Carla and she recoiled the devastated expression on Carla's face nearly broke Michelle but her spiteful side just couldn't stop and she went in for the kill.
"Though to be honest you may be a match made in heaven you haven't exactly the best track record for decent men just look at the last one" as she closed the door she heard Carla begin to sob, heart wrenching desperate sobs that echoed in the confined space and filled the whole flat.
Michelle was right everything that had happened had been brought on by herself. If she hadn't have gone after Peter she never would have felt the disappointment of being rejected which in turn pushed her into the waiting arms of Frank Foster. Free she couldn't believe they had let him walk free but she had known the minute Leanne had brandished the picture in court that she was going to lose. Carla couldn't even feel anger at the situation she just felt numb, cold and unfeeling. After the argument with Michelle Carla wouldn't have cared if she never moved again. Any happiness that she had begun to feel again thanks to Michelle had been taken forcefully from her as soon as she had heard Michelle's bedroom door close. It was metaphorical as if the closing of the door was Michelle shutting Carla out of her mind.
At the sound of the door opening slowly Carla scrambled up from the couch and whirled round "Chelle?" as Carla took in the scene in front of her whole body deflated and she leant backwards onto the couch to keep her upright. Michelle had her coat on, bag packed and a look of defiance on her face and Carla knew what was coming next.
"I'm going to go and stay at Maria's tonight so you can have lover boy over if you want" Michelle's tone was venomous and Carla cringed at each word as though they were physically piercing her skin not just her soul.
"Chelle don't go please I we need to sort this" rambling in panic Carla got up and tried to pull Michelle into her arms as she grasped hold of Michelle's shoulders they shook beneath her touch and Carla hesitated "I haven't lied to you". Michelle took a deep breath and looked deep into Carla's eyes the vulnerability and desperation was as clear as day the rawness overwhelming even to Michelle who had seen this look before although it had been gradually disappearing over the past few weeks. Look what you've done to her. You've brought that all flooding back in a jealous temper. Shaking her head at her inner conscious her bull headedness reared and she took a step back out of Carla's touch.
"No Carla I'm sorry I'm going to Maria's" and before she could even begin to give in to her inner grumblings she bolted from the flat the sound of the door slamming shut echoed in the hall and Michelle hastily wiped the tears from her eyes.
As she reached the front entrance and opened the door a lead weight felt like it had settled in her stomach and Michelle struggled not to cry. She loved Carla with all her heart and hurting her went against almost every fibre in her being but Michelle had felt physically sick when the photographs had been produced. Her want and desire for Carla had not diminished and for the past week while trying to reason with herself why she shouldn't be having these feelings her mind had produced a counter argument. Each time her memory had replayed all the good times and beautiful memories she had of her and Carla and looking back at each one had left Michelle realising that she loved Carla more than anyone in her life bar her own son. Reaching this conclusion had terrified Michelle and after today, when realising that the thought of Carla being with someone else made her physically burn and ache with jealously, had sent Michelle into a freefall of emotions. This coupled with the fact that Foster had walked free tipped Michelle over the edge. Guilt was threatening to overcome Michelle and she decided against going to Maria's. Maria would of course be kind and sympathetic but Michelle knew that she wouldn't take kindly at the way Michelle had dealt with Carla. Considering how much they used to dislike each other since the night of Carla's rape Maria had been a firm Carla supporter and Michelle didn't want another row. Wiping her face with a tissue Michelle pondered what to do next going straight back up to the flat probably wasn't going to be the best idea she needed to fully calm down and lick her wounds. Michelle briefly pondered going to the Rovers but she soon decided against the idea; she had no desire to discuss the court case with anyone. Sighing gently Michelle threw her holdall over her shoulder and made to start walking a good long walk would clear her head and then she could apologise properly to Carla. Thank god I changed into my trainers smiling slightly Michelle set off at a brisk pace determined to clear her head of its more bitter depressing thoughts.
How long she sat on the cold hard floor staring at the door to her flat willing Michelle to walk back through Carla didn't know all she knew was that her legs and back were screaming in protest at her inactivity. Her mind was once again in tatters and glancing around the flat her fear of being alone filled her subconscious and she struggled to stay strong. Carla had not felt that fear since the day she was released from hospital not since she had found out Michelle was back and not leaving. She's gone now though hasn't she. All alone again just like you deserve. Franks voice rang out in her mind and she shuddered and gasped at how real it sounded he could have been standing in the room with her. Carla shook her head and tried to reason with herself Frank wasn't here she was safe, safe and away from his evil clutches. Just you and me again worthless hoar all alone no Peter no Maria and now no Michelle what a shame she seemed to be the one who kept me at bay. The voice in her head sniggered and she felt bile rise up in her throat. Desperate to drown out Frank's voice from her mind Carla got up and slowly made her way to the kitchen. Opening the cupboard there were two bottles of red wine both Michelle's. Staring at the bottles Carla's mind wore a wage against itself as she battled over whether to numb her pain with the devil's poison. Making her mind up and effectively giving into her self loathing and self pity Carla slowly unscrewed the bottle cap and slid down to the floor taking in a deep breath inhaling the sweet toxic smell of numbing happiness. With tears streaming down her face Carla lifted the bottle to her lips her hand shaking as the cold glass came into contact with her bottom lip. Carla started to sob as she fixated on how once again she had been beaten reduced to a cowardly mess and tipping the bottle she began to gulp down the one thing she had tried so hard to avoid for these last few weeks.
After a few minutes Carla felt the bottle become lighter and she welcomed the numbing relief she knew was to follow she vaguely registered the sound of a door opening but she ignored it for the all consuming urge to finish the bottle. Just as the back of her head came into contact with the kitchen cabinet she felt the cold bottle wrenched from her grasp and the remaining wine spill onto the floor. The next thing she felt was her body being pulled into a bone crushing hug and as her nose recognised Michelle's perfume and gentle touch she began to cry more freely.
"I swear I'm not having an affair" Carla desperately fisted her hands into Michelle's jacket "I would never lie to you, not now, not when I need you so much" guilt consumed Michelle as she heard the desperation in Carla's voice. "Frank he was in here" Carla pointed to her head and fought to explain the mess Michelle had found her in. "I couldn't stop his voice and the drink, - and I just needed it to stop" Carla looked at Michelle shame and weakness displayed for all to see Michelle pulled Carla closer to her and tucked her head into the crook of her neck.
As the tears began to fall Michelle stumbled over her words "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry" Carla continued to sob and Michelle clutched Carla's shoulders and looked deep into her eyes.
"Listen Car babe I'm really sorry I didn't mean it ... the temper it's just I couldn't control it I love you" Michelle paused desperate to fix the heartache she has caused "You know that don't you?" Carla gave a shaky smile and nodded "love you too".
An hour later they were settled legs entangled on the couch with a steaming mug of tea each the silence seemed to stretch in front of them and Michelle took a deep breath to steady herself. "I'm sorry" Carla turned and smiled gently "You've already said that darlin' I'm not angry you've had a lot on your mind these last few weeks me, the factory Frank's trial I'm surprised you haven't had a "Connor rant" by now I must admit." Michelle chuckled and took Carla's hand in her own "A Connor rant? Is that what my outbursts of cruel temper have been called" Carla herself began chuckling and she took a warming sip of tea amazed at how much better a brew your pyjamas and your best friend could make you feel. "Yeah you're Paul and Liam were the same an all you take so much and then you blow aka a Connor rant." Michelle smiled happy to hear the humour in Carla's voice she squeezed Carla's hand tight in her own and tilted her head so she was leaning on Carla's shoulder. "Well I'm sorry anyway you don't shout at people not when their telling the truth and definitely not after a day like today." Draining the rest of her mug Michelle slowly stood up pulling Carla with her looking deep into Carla's eyes Michelle felt an overwhelming rush of affection and she whispered into Carla's ear "love you" placing a gentle kiss on Carla's cheek Michelle turned and headed for Carla's room "Now bed its work in the morning" Carla shook her head feeling bemusement over Michelle's actions nevertheless she headed towards her room and took Michelle's hand feeling safe in the fact that she was here and hopefully would not be moving anytime in the foreseeable future.
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