I've been watching the minutes tick by since arriving at Underworld and sitting myself at my desk. Eyes fixed on the clock, I have prayed with every second that has passed that Liam will walk through the office door any minute and put my worrying at ease, but no, that would be too much to ask for. The hands move on the clock move and cover each other as it reads twelve noon, lunch, and that is when I remember Tony's parting words to me this morning. I am nowhere near ready to go out for lunch. Swivelling quickly in my chair I turn back to my desk and grab my bag from the floor to check my make up when I hear a voice behind me.

"Hard at work I see, like usual"

Gasping I turn quickly and recognising the familiar sound of his lower than usual and slightly mumbled, moody voice before I even see him. My eyes travel up slowly from his boots, up his jeans that are dampened around the ankles, up his torso and instantly my eyes meet his, sparkling blue.

"Liam" I whisper a little in disbelief.

"Liam" I confirm again with a smile of relief and getting up to greet him more than enthusiastically.

I hug her back, relieved myself that I have made it back to the street alive. She must have been worried, she has never greeted me so warmly in public before. Gently I rub her back and hold her close. I've missed her too and proceed to tell her so with a gentle whisper in her ear. I feel her tighten her embrace and only tighten my hold on her in response. It feels so good to be back with her, especially after how we left things the last time we saw each other.

"I've been so worried" She mutters with a sob.

I am about to answer her when out of the corner of my eye I spot him; Tony Gordon. He is walking fast and approaching the office from the other side. He looks unhappy. Quickly I break away from Carla and take a step back. Her eyes meet mine again with a look of confusion and a light frown graces her brow as her eyes become watery.

"What's wrong?" she quickly snaps at me.

"Tony" I softly reply.

Her eyes widen slightly as she glances over her shoulder and sees him too.

"Get out of here" she quickly breathes out, turning her back to me and giving her eyes a quick wipe as she picks up her compact and checks her reflection.

I know she is right and split.

I glance over my shoulder and am disappointed to see Liam has gone already, it has taken him less than a second to disappear. I sigh and quickly look back to the door as Tony struts into the office. He doesn't seem in the greatest of moods but he seems to instantly muster up a smile at the sight of me.

"Shall we Carla darling?" he suggests coming over to me and gently placing his lips to my cheek, delivering a light kiss upon it.

I try not to shudder as I quickly and simply give him a positive response and then storm passed him to leave the office.

I smirk seeing Carla completely in character, it instantly lightens my mood to see her being so defensive. Its more fun when its challenging and I like a challenge, particularly where Carla is involved. Clearly what was bothering her this morning seems to have left her mind. Watching her strut from the office with that authoritative and sexy air to it that I love so much, I soon follow her myself letting her have the little bit of control of our lunch date that I know she needs. I am still smirking as I head out onto the cobbled street and find her standing beside my Mercedes with a less than impressed look upon her beautiful features. Clicking my keys to unlock the vehicle as I hop down the couple of factory steps I am more than amused by the confidant flick of the long dark hair as she gracefully seats herself in the passenger side. Shaking my head a little in disbelief I hurry and get myself into the vehicle and have it straight into reverse and out into the street just seconds after the engine has roared into life.

I sneak to the factory door and open it just a slither just in time to catch a glimpse of Carla as Tony's car speeds away. She's gone in a flash and looked positively gorgeous in that second, an almost regal look to her as she accompanies that maniac. I wonder for a second if she even suspects. Every time I see her with him it's almost as if she reverts to this super bitch and spoiled wife to be but not actually to be yet, but only because the sadistic beast of a man hasn't proposed. The thought is enough to make my skin crawl.

Opening up the door as soon as they are out of sight I step outside and instantly focus across the street, my eyes settling on number 7, where peaking out from the curtain I see a little face, a familiar face.

Maria.

My throat instantly dries and I know I have some explaining to do. I have been absent long enough for her to be suspicious. Darting quickly to the side when she looks my way I sneak passed the cabin and into the next street. I just wait a few seconds, turning up my collar and keeping my head down as I start walking again, turning back onto Coronation Street and quickly crossing the cobbles to the pavement that leads to my house.

Taking a deep breath I am relieved to see Maria has vacated her position at the window. Lifting my fist I hesitate for just a moment, looking nervously up and down the street to see if I have been noticed before I knock, and then I wait.

In less than a second I hear the scrambling of the chain against the wooden door and the clicking open of the lock as the door opens just a crack. Then her little face appears in the gap, eyes slightly fearful until she meets my gaze and I give an awkward, I'm trying to apologise and hoping you aren't mad smile. She pulls the door open fully that instant and a huge smile erupts on her face as she screams with an unusual amount of excitement.

"Liam!"

The next thing I know her arms are wrapped around me and she is hugging me so tightly she is practically squashing every last drop of air out of my lungs, but I hug her back. It is a long and very public moment in the street until she finally lets go. That smile is still beaming on her face as she invites me in, slightly breathless from her scream. Closing the door she turns to face me that smile still not faded and she asks.

"So….where have you been?"