Michelle had been quick to reassure Carla that she was on her way and then without any hesitation she grabbed her bag, coat and phone and disappeared from the pub. Her best friend was more important than anything else in the world and the pub wouldn't run itself but that just meant Steve would have to step up and do his fair share for the day. In her opinion it was about time he did anyway.

Dashing across the cobbles to the cab office, Michelle was unaware that from the front upstairs room of number one Deirdre had been watching as she had bounced and soothed her granddaughter Heather. Michelle had seconds later then re-emerged and jumped into a cab which had sped off.

Suspicious Deirdre had thought about what she had seen the whole while she was settling her granddaughter. The poor little thing was over tired and exhausted but she just wouldn't drop off. The older woman sat on the bed, still bouncing the precious little bundle cradled in her arms and let her mind begin to wander. Michelle had seemed in an awful hurry and looked around quite suspiciously as she had jumped into the back of the Street Cars cab not ten minutes before. Deirdre wondered, was Michelle going to Carla's rescue?

It seemed a logical explanation, a rational one too and it would certainly explain why she was now stuck in baby sitting on her child free day. The thought crossed her mind to inform Peter and then quickly crossed it again. He had a right to know. If Carla had fallen off of the wagon again like she had many a time before, Peter was still her husband and he should definitely know.

It was common knowledge to everyone that Carla and Michelle were thick as thieves. Deirdre knew if there was a problem the two of them would take care of it before Peter found out and that then confirmed her decision. Carla was dangerous drunk or she could be. What if Peter didn't find out about this and left their gorgeous baby girl home with her mother tomorrow. What if then Carla harmed the poor vulnerable little girl. No Deirdre had to do what was right, she knew she did and so without another moments hesitation she went to get the phone.

Michelle arrived at Carla and Peter's flat and tapped on the door quickly and with perfect rhythm as she called to the woman inside. She had her spare key ready but she didn't want to burst in on Carla if she didn't need to. She waited and then wrapped her knuckles on the door again calling Carla's name a little louder.

"Chelle?" Carla's shaky voice weakly called back from inside.

The next thing Carla heard was Michelle's key in the lock and the frantic unlocking of the door as Michelle then hurried inside. Immediately Michelle called Carla's name as she closed the door and placed her handbag down in the hall. Her friend could be anywhere inside but Michelle just prayed she wouldn't find her in a mess. Gingerly Michelle walked towards the kitchen door and popped her head inside. First thing she noticed was the bottle on the floor and the few stains leading up to it on the tiles. She sighed sadly, so Carla had been drinking. She then looked around the living room area opposite but couldn't spot Carla. Heading in further she wandered around the L shaped room until finally she let out a deep breath in relief at seeing Carla seated at the dining room table.

"There you are" Michelle exclaimed gently as she hurried over to Carla who still had her head in her hands.

"What happened hey? You alright?" Michelle quickly asked hoping for some information.

Carla slowly looked up. She was all teary eyed and Michelle knew she had been crying her eyes out.

"I didn't mean to do it Chelle, I was just tired and he took her and I, I'm sorry, the bottle I didn't want to. They made me Chelle, they made me!" Carla rambled at a speed that made her words unrecognisable.

"Ok Carla, ok just slow down" Michelle said calmly and gently as she placed her hand on Carla's back and crouched beside her. Pushing her friends hair back behind her ear so she could better see her face Michelle continued to speak gently and calmly to Carla as she asked her to slow down, take deep breaths and explain that all over again for her slowly.

Carla looked up and round properly at Michelle.

"They made me, I couldn't stop them" Carla whispered loudly but very slowly.

"Who Carla? What did they make you do?" Michelle asked still confused and needing clarification.

Carla moved her shaking hand up to her head. "In 'ere Chelle. In 'ere" she cried at her breaking down again.

Michelle was saddened. It was obvious Carla meant the drink and she was so deeply disturbed and upset by what she had done. Quickly Michelle pulled her again sobbing friend into the warmest and tightest of comforting embraces. Stroking over raven hair, Michelle felt Carla's weight topple off of the chair and into her.

Peter flew out of the Bookie's and only just about managed to remind himself he needed to lock the door before he went marching off. Deirdre's phone call had him feeling mixed emotions. He was deeply upset, disappointed and also experiencing anger regarding the situation as he thought he knew it. Furious he stormed down Rosamund Street and in the direction of their home, he needed the walk to calm himself down and he told himself it was for the best; after all Michelle was with her anyway.

Holding Carla upon the cold laminate flooring of the apartment Michelle let her babble and speak, explaining everything from the bottle incident that morning with Heather and Peter leaving her for the day all the way through to the bottle on the side and the desperate need she had been feeling to drink it.

"But it was only two sips Chelle and then I stopped myself. I swear. I stopped and I called. I need help, I need help" Carla had cried, sobbing her heart out once again into her friends chest.

Michelle stroked her friend's hair. Carla was so bent and broken and she was so right she needed help, more help than she had had before and Peter needed to be more supportive. Doing what he had done that morning had angered Michelle. He had handled it all wrong, and the state Carla was now in she ultimately blamed him for. She did however thank god that it wasn't worse and she intended to tell Peter just as such.

"I know sweetheart. I know. Don't worry we'll sort this"