Michelle pulled Carla away and held her at arms length for examination. Her friend's eyes were red and extremely puffy, she had mascara tearstains all down her cheeks and she stank of booze. Michelle didn't know why she was there and what had upset her so much but she suspected it had something to do with her earlier outburst in the pub. She felt terribly guilty even though Rob had set her up and she didn't know whether to just start apologising to Carla profusely now or ask what was wrong in case it was something completely unrelated.

Smiling sweetly she looked at Carla who just continued to let the tears fall and roll slowly down her cheeks as she bowed her head. She felt that lump of guilt forming in her throat and tried not to choke on it as she began to ask Carla that all important question.

"Carla what's happened?"

Michelle's voice was soft and low as she spoke and Carla found it comforting. Shaking to free herself of Michelle's grasp she stood back and looked back up to face her friend eye to eye, she wanted desperately to explain but didn't want to repeat what the note had said. She could still see it clear as day, those words scribbled down on that paper lying by her kettle, she could've kicked herself for not having brought it with her, that would have been so much more easier than having to explain.

"Peter loves Leanne" she whimpered, the words she thought vile as they left her lips.

Michelle gasped, one of horror and then quickly leant forward to envelope Carla in a hug but she stepped back putting her hands up as a sign of defence and turning away so as not to invite any further comforting. She couldn't bear now to be touched even if it was by Michelle, today had already been a disaster and she didn't want any further complication.

"Has he left you Carla?" asked Michelle inquisitively and in an almost pleased tone.

Carla glared at her, what a question to ask and wasn't it obvious she thought? but she had noticed how Michelle seemed pleased by this. Her mind was running through all sorts of thoughts and now she had a new one, had Michelle told Peter something that had made him leave. She soon shook the thought though realising it was just her being paranoid and silly, she just needed someone to blame but that shouldn't be Michelle it was Leanne.

She sighed heavily and softened her expression towards her friend. Those words were painful though, she just wasn't strong enough to repeat them so her response was just a nod. Michelle's smile changed to one of sympathy when Carla one again started sobbing heavily and folded her arms across her chest in a way of trying to protect herself.

"Oh Carla" Michelle exclaimed softly and this time moved forward and wrapped her arms around Carla without meeting resistance. Carla's head fell heavily onto her shoulder and Michelle gently stroked her hair as she hushed and comforted her.

Eventually Carla's tears ceased and she opened up her eyes that stung and stared forward at Michelle's dining table and window that looked out over the dark street. She sniffled as she pulled herself up from Michelle's shoulder and felt her friend's hand fall away from her head. She suddenly felt very stupid for having got so upset and come running to Michelle especially after the way her attitude had been towards her earlier, she didn't deserve her kindness.

"I'm sorry 'Chelle" said Carla as she stepped back and once again stood alone.

Michelle smiled, Carla hadn't a thing to apologise for, it was her who had put the poor woman in an uncompromising position earlier in the factory and it was her who had blurted out their actions in front of Carla's now ex boyfriend. She was the only one who should be apologising but Carla's explanation of Peter's reason for leaving was too vague for her to know the full reasoning behind it. Michelle was just pleased Carla no longer seemed mad at her and that their friendship was back on track so she decided tonight was not the time to stupidly admit to ruining a relationship that she didn't want in force anyway.

"Nothing to be sorry for Carla" she smiled sweetly. "Lets have a drink and just get you cheered up 'ey, stay here tonight and we'll figure it all out in the morning" Michelle offered. Obviously she realised that another shot of alcohol was probably the last thing Carla actually needed right now, but a drink helped her friend to cope and she was there to be supportive.

Carla nodded in agreement, Michelle must have been reading her mind a drink was just what she was craving. She smiled back at Michelle as she made her way round to the fridge and from it grabbed a bottle of white wine she'd found stashed in a cupboard when she'd arrived home in a state earlier after the events at the factory and had put to chill so she could drown her sorrows later that night. She figured it were better there were two of them to share it and quickly grabbed two glasses and headed for the sofa.

"Come on Car, get comfy" she said chirpily as she crossed her legs and twisted open the cap of the bottle. Seconds later Carla slumped down on the sofa beside her. Michelle poured the first glass and handed it to Carla who took it in a shaky grip, having then poured her own glass she popped the open bottle on the table beside the sofa and turned to face Carla.

"Cheers" said Michelle as she giggled and clinked her glass against Carla's.

"Yeah" answered Carla in a somber tone as she placed the glass to her lips and threw back her head as she downed its contents all too quickly. Michelle watched her sympathetically this was definitely Carla at a low point, she just wished she could do more to help but she wasn't sure what.

Carla pulled the glass away and turned round to look at Michelle, lust just took over Carla needed the comfort, the same as she'd had last night. Suddenly she leaned forward taking Michelle momentarily by surprise but the second Carla's lips made contact with hers she found she couldn't resisted either. As Carla forced her back she let the full glass of wine free of her grip where it fell to the floor and spilt all over the rug. With both her hands now free she placed them on Carla's cheeks and allowed her friend to take control of the situation again.