I have decided that the chapter after this will be the last chapter of this fanfic. I never planned for it to initially be a long running story but now I feel I want to leave it as a eating disorder story rather than going down a different path. Thankyou so much to all the lovely reviews I am glad people have liked my story and a little shocked over the lovely comments about it! Reviews on the last two chapters will be greatly appreciated as always thankyou :)

It was a little while later in the day. Carla had enough of sitting in her flat on her own so she was now on her way to Underworld. In Underworld the factory girls and Sean were stitching along to the radio. Rob and Eva were in the office both working on their laptops.

"Look at him". Beth asked as she was looking into the office.

"Who". Sean asked as he turned round and looked at Beth.

"Rob, I feel sorry for him really". Beth muttered.

"Why". Izzy asked.

"Because you can tell he loves that job, but he's been back and fourth out of here so many times I bet he has whiplash...he won't be staying you know". Beth said.

"How do you know that". Sean asked as he rolled his eyes.

"Because Peter will be back in here before long, you mark my words and poor Rob there who I think now is defo the best boss will be out of here quicker than you can say knickers". Beth whittered on as Carla entered the factory.

"I don't think that will happen not this time". Fizz said.

"Of course it will Carla is never happy until she is bedding her business partner and well lets face it, she's hardly gonna bed rob is she...actually...".

"Get out". Carla shouted interrupted Beth's sentence. Everyone suddenly turned around to see Carla with a raged expression on her face.

"Mrs C...I didn't see you there I...". A panic stricken Beth said.

"Get out". Carla shouted again as forcefully.

"Everything alright here, what's wrong". Rob said as she walked out of the office, Eva was still in the office but was peering through to the factory floor.

"Nothing Beth was now leaving". Carla said with a more calm tone to her voice looking at Rob.

"Why". Rob asked surprised.

"Because she's sacked". Carla bluntly replied.

"Since when". Rob asked.

"Since now". Carla exclaimed.

"That is not fair I haven't done anything, Rob tell her, stick up for me girls". Beth moaned as she looked around for moral support.

"Haven't done anything I have put up with your snide comments and nasty remarks for too long, I am not a mug you know, just get out". A fed up Carla said as she made her way to the office.

"What did she say". Rob asked.

"You don't want to know". Carla firmly said telling her brother.

"Well you heard her Beth, I would listen to her if I was you". Rob said giving Beth some advice.

"Oh come on I was just having a joke Mrs Connor I didn't mean it honest". Beth said in her best tone of sincerity in her voice.

"Well your joke has just lost you your job". Carla said as she now went into the office.

"Oh come on please". Beth particularly begged.

"BETH JUST GET OUT YOUR SACKED". Carla screamed losing her patience completely as she had enough of Beth and wanted her out of sight. Everyone was taken back by Carla's tone and temper and was totally shocked as they hadn't seen their boss like that for a while.

"Just do as she says Beth". Fizz quietly warned her.

"Please Rob...". Beth begged again.

"Its her choice not mine but you obviously upset her so I'm gonna stand by her decision". Rob firmly told Beth.

"And I just said you were the best boss more fool me". A annoyed Beth exclaimed as she grabbed her bag and slowly made her way out as she gave a final glare at Carla who was now in her office.

"Eva you can go home now". Carla said as she sat down on her chair letting out a deep sigh.

"What". Eva asked surprised.

"You heard". Carla quietly replied.

"Your firing me too". Eva exclaimed shocked.

"No I am letting you clock off a couple of hours early although if you don't leave this office soon then yeah I might".Carla sharply replied quickly losing patience with Eva too.

"Alright I'm going thanks Mrs Connor". Eva quickly said as she quickly picked up her belongings and left, she quickly made her way out passing Rob as the office door shut behind her.

"Where's she going". Rob asked.

"I have given her the rest of the afternoon off". Carla replied.

"Why". Rob asked.

"Because I am the boss and I can". Carla firmly said now looking up at Rob.

"What's gotten it to you". Rob exclaimed as he sat back down at his desk.

"Nothing". Carla muttered as she picked out a piece of paper that was on her desk.

"Oh yeah so you march in here...". Rob questioned.

"March its my factory I can come in here whenever I please". Carla quickly answered back.

"When you said you weren't coming in today". Rob said

"I changed my mind". Carla responded

"And then you sack a member of staff". Rob explained.

"Yes which she deserved I couldn't put up with her any longer I have bite my tongue for far too long with that one". Carla insisted.

"Ok fair enough... but then you let Eva go two hours before clock off when there's emails that need to be sent and filing to be done". Rob revealed.

"Well you do it then". Carla demanded.

"I have orders to chase up". Rob spoke.

"Well I'll do it then". Carla responded getting increasingly fed up with Rob's constant replies.

"What's gotten in to you". Rob asked.

"Nothing". Carla declared. "I'm just not in the mood for staring at Eva for two hours while she pouts while typing away and seeing her sit there twirling her hair while she answers the phone its annoying and it does my head in I'm not in the mood for it that is all". Carla quickly explained.

"Well I can see that". Rob sarcastically muttered as Carla just glared at him. "What's wrong, did something happen this morning at your therapy session". Rob asked in a more friendly tone.

"No it went fine". Carla insisted bluntly as she looked back down to what she was reading.

"Well what is it then". Rob asked expecting a answer.

"Rob will you just shut up for 5 minutes". Carla shouted losing her patience again as she slammed down what was in her hand.

"Fine do you know what I am gonna see if Kirk has finished packing the order yet... which I doubt he has but anything to get away from you when your like this". Rob declared getting annoyed with his sister, as he can never talk to her when she was in this kind of mood. He sharply left the office as Carla let out a deep sigh, she didn't mean to take it out on him but she just had so much going on in her head and she had enough of people thinking they can walk all over her she just wanted to get the real her back.

"What has gotten into her". Sean asked as a irritated looking Rob walked out of the office.

"I have no idea Sean". Rob replied.

"I cant believe she just sacked Beth like that". Sean said.

"Well to be fair she has been saying some nasty things about Mrs Connor recently and well she don't normally take prisoners does she". Fizz proclaimed.

"Looks like the old Mrs C is back then, back to the orders and death glares". Sean declared.

"Well we can put up with all that if it means that she is healthy and happy again". Fizz insisted as all of the factory lot gave her a look. "Well you know her unique way of happiness". Fizz added.

"What do you think Rob". Sean asked as Rob was just staring into the office in a world of his own.

"What". Rob said as he turned back around.

"We were just saying how Carla sacking Beth has to be a sign of her getting her old self back, you know showing everyone who's boss, who means business and all that, what do you reckon". Sean asked.

"Yeah probably". Rob muttered. "I'm gonna see how Kirks getting on". He added as he made his way back into the stock room although he was clearly worried about his sister, he knew her too well and he knew something wasn't right.

Out in the street Peter was now walking into the bookies.

"Oh I wasn't expecting to see you today ". Deirdre said as she saw her stepson walk in. She gave a customer his winnings and smiled at him as he turned round and left.

"I thought I would relieve you from this place, I can take over now but thanks Deirdre". Peter said as he walked over to that side of the counter.

"I thought I was minding the shop all day its not closing time for another 2 hours yet". Deirdre said

"Leanne has just picked up Simon, I've got nothing to do so I thought...".

"I thought you were spending the afternoon with Carla". Deirdre questioned.

"I was". Peter quietly said.

"But". Deirdre asked knowing from Peter's expression something was wrong.

"But she stormed off". Peter regretfully told Deirdre as he looked down at the ground.

"Why, oh Peter I thought you were giving things another go". Deirdre said a real tone of pity in her voice.

"We are...its just harder than I thought, I try say and do the right things but its hard". Peter truthfully said.

"What do you mean". Deirdre asked.

"Oh never mind Deirdre you don't want to here me whittering on, you go home and put your feet up". Peter insisted as he thought it wasn't fair for Deirdre to listen to all his problems.

"Well if your sure". Deirdre asked.

"Yeah". Peter nodded. "I need something to take my mind of things, might even do the dreaded books later". Peter added.

"Oooh I don't envy you there". Deirdre joked. "I am here if you need a chat or a listening ear". Deirdre said as she patted her hand on Peter's arm.

"Yeah I know Deirdre thanks and I appreciate it". Peter thankfully said as Deirdre picked up her stuff and just smiled at her step son giving him a pitiful look.

"Bye love". Deirdre said as she walked past him.

"Bye". Peter quietly replied.

A couple of hours later back over at Underworld Rob walks back into the office.

"Is it safe to come in". He asks as he has avoided the office for the rest of the afternoon as he thought it was best to leave her alone. Carla just looks up and stares at him.

"There going then". Carla says while looking on to the office floor and noticing them leaving, she ignored his last comment.

"Yes, it is that time of the day". Rob replied.

"Good". She muttered as she looked back down to what she was writing.

"Them lot out there think your better that your back to the old you cos your giving orders and shouting the odds again". Rob said breaking the silence.

"Oh yeah well there not as stupid as they look then". Carla quickly muttered as Rob just shook his head.

"But I know you and I know something is up". Rob insisted.

"Well you obviously don't because I am fine". Carla ensured although she didn't engage in eye contact.

"Carla you need to let me in you can't hide away your feelings you know what happened last time". Rob pleaded. "And may I remind you you have just come out of hospital three days ago". He added.

"I think I know that Rob". Carla bite back as she looked up at him.

"You were alright yesterday, what's happened did something happen this morning". Rob asked.

"I said no". Carla exclaimed.

"Well what is it then something is not right". Rob firmly questioned.

"You won't want to know, believe me". Carla muttered.

"That's where your wrong I do want to know, I care about you and I am worried I do not want to see you back in hospital again". Rob protested.

"I am telling you you won't". Carla insisted.

"Try me". Rob said as he got his chair and moved it closer to Carla as he sat down.

"Its Peter". She quietly said as Rob looked at the ground. "See I told you your not interested". Carla added as she noticed her brothers facial expression dropping.

"No go on". Rob firmly said as he wanted to be there for her he wasn't about to walk out on her again now. Carla looked into her brothers eyes and realised that he really meant what he said the other night that he would be there for her no matter what. She looked out of the office and saw that they all had left so she knew that she wouldn't have a audience. She took a deep breath in.

"I don't know how much I can take, I have been back three days and I know he doesn't mean it but its like he's pressuring me its too much for me, I can't do it". Carla blurted out honestly.

"Do what". Rob asked.

"I can't just go back to the way things were everything has changed...he's said he has changed for the better and I believe me but I have changed too and unfortunately for me its not for the better. I just need time to sort my head out, to get better, to get my life back on track". Carla insisted and she spoke more slowly.

"You can do all them things". Rob reassured her.

"Not if he doesn't give me space I feel suffocated by him already. I want him to be my future more than anything, I need him in it I know that much but its just all to much at the minute...I used to be strong I used to be able to handle everything but now...now I'm not sure". Carla sighed.

"Hey come on you are strong, were made of strong stuff me and you we have had to be". Rob firmly said as he sat more forward.

"Yeah maybe when we were younger we had too, I could handle all that but as the years have gone by and stuff has happened I have felt it, me getting weaker and weaker, I want to find that strength back I do". Carla vulnerably said as she felt her emotions was starting to get the better of her. Rob could tell this too by the tone of her voice.

"Well you will, if there's one thing I am sure of is how determined you are". Rob assured his sister. "Do you remember when...". Rob said but was interrupted by Carla

"I know that I am asking him a lot but then am I really because he is the one that got us here in the first place". Carla said not really listening to Rob she just felt she needed to let how she was feeling out. "I just wish he would listen to me, I know he loves me and deep down I know that he won't do anything bad to hurt me again...well I hope so anyway, even Leanne thinks that and...".

"Wait, Leanne". Rob interrupted her surprised by Carla's comment.

"Yeah we had a chat earlier and she said how she thinks Peter has changed and that he has loved me all along". Carla told Rob

"That must have been hard for her". Rob declared shocked a little as he knew that them two were hardly best pals.

"Yeah, she was really nice, I didn't deserve it". Carla answered.

"Yes you did you have done nothing wrong". Rob insisted.

"Sometimes I think its not gonna work that things will never go back to the way they were". Carla stated as her thoughts turned back to Peter. She was playing with her hands looking down at them no longer engaging in eye contact with Rob. "It's like he just expects to just click his fingers and everything will go back to normal but its not that easy is it. Rovers, go-karting meeting up here and there, asking me if I have eaten, if I want him to make me anything... I know he just wants to help me but I need to do it on my own, just...just in-case something does happen between us and I am left on my own again". Carla truthfully opened up as her voice was getting quieter and her eyes were filling up with tears. "I can't fall apart again because the next time I wouldn't be so lucky...I'd probably lose my life. I wouldn't survive again.". Carla cried as she let her emotions show and tears fell down her face, Rob got out of his seat and comforted his clearly upset sister. All her emotions over the last few days that have built up have now come flooding out.

"It's ok". Rob declared trying to calm her down.

"I need him though, I need him to understand". Carla sobbed as Rob just hugged her tightly.

It was 20 minutes later, Rob was walking down the street he had just left Carla in Underworld she insisted that she was ok now and that she felt a bit better after a good cry. She told Rob to go as she wouldn't be too much longer herself. Carla's outcry was playing heavily on his mind, he couldn't help but think about all the stuff that she was saying, he wanted to help her but he didn't know how. As he looked across the road and looked into Barlows bookies he was surprised to see Peter in there as it was closed. He thought for a moment, he took a deep breath in, swallowed his pride and headed across the road. He felt there was something he needed to do no matter how painful it may be for him. He opened the door as Peter looked up surprised to hear the door open considering the closed sign was up. He groaned as he saw Rob.

"Can't you read, it says closed". Peter bluntly said.

"You are gonna lose her you know". Rob declared.

"You what". Peter growled.

"Carla". Rob said. "She has had it up to here already and she's only been back a couple of days, can't you just listen to her for once and do the right thing just give her some space". Rob exclaimed.

"What has it got to do with you". Peter shot up annoyed once again for Rob's interference. To Peter Rob was like a bad smell he just couldn't get rid of him, always around with his threats and opinions.

"Everything, do I have to remind me she is my sister and I have just spent the last half a hour trying to calm her down". Rob told Peter.

"Is she ok". Peter asked worried.

"What do you think". Rob replied. "Go-karting, lunches, rovers it all has to stop". Rob added.

"She's my girlfriend I want to spend time with her its hardly a crime". Peter insisted.

"Well she won't be for much longer if you carry on". Rob blurted out.

"Oh whatever my relationship has nothing to do with you so just get out will you". Peter said frustrated as he turned around.

"I am just warning you that's all if you choose to take my advice or not then that's up to you". Rob said as he was about to leave.

"You almost sound like you care". Peter hissed as he turned back round.

"Care about you do me a favour, care about my sister yes". Rob informed him as he breathed out a deep sigh and swallowed his pride. "That is why I will say this. If I could put her with any bloke on this earth you would be the last man I would pick you do not deserve her one bit". Rob said as Peter shook his head in annoyance thinking he knew what was about to follow. "But for some insane reason that I can not quite work out she loves you too much, she is besotted with you she has this idea in her head that she needs you that she can't live without you...but she has had enough. She has tried her hardest to get better to try and beat her illness she is getting there she is, but she's not as strong as she used to be because of all the heartache that she has been through so she can't do everything at once. She needs to get better first she needs control back in her life but if you keep pestering her and not listening to her she will explode and she will push you away for good. I am telling you I know my sister and she is that close to giving up on it all. As much as I would love that to happen for obvious reasons but I am worried that she won't cope without you and she'll give up all together". Rob truthfully declared shocking Peter to silence. "So as much as I can't stand you I would much rather my sister alive and with you then not here at all...So don't let her down". Rob added as he quickly turned around and swiftly went out of there. Peter was a little taken back. He was surprised by Rob's admission and he was shocked that he was giving Peter advice, Rob of all people. He thought about it for a moment before he picked up his phone.

Carla had just finished for the night at Underworld as she was walking down the street, she was surprised as she saw Rob coming out of the bookies. He was walking the other way so she couldn't see his face but his pace was fast like he wanting to get away quick from there. Her mind was going into overdrive thinking about what might of happened as he heart rate started increasing rapidly. She wasn't sure whether to go over or not. She thought about it for a moment but was distracted from her thoughts when her phoned beeped. She picked it up from out her bag and saw she had a text message from Peter, she clicked to open it.

Carla I am sorry I have let you down again. I haven't listened to you I have come on too strong that's only because I love you and miss you like mad and want everything to go back to how it was but I know that it will in time. That's why from now on you are in control I mean it, just text or phone me when you want to see me I am here if you need me any time. I am so proud of you for beating your illness and I now know that you feel you need to do this by yourself. I love you and always will no matter how slow we takes thing I will always be here x

Tears streamed down Carla's face as she read the text. It now all made sense to her. She knew that Rob went there for her, to tell Peter that he needed to back off for his own good and whatever he said it looked like it had worked. She put her phone back in her bag as she wiped away her tears. She knew how hard it must have been for Rob to do that and she was so grateful to him. She knew Peter and she knew that a big gesture from Rob doing that would make him realise exactly what she needs, she almost felt a weight lift of her shoulders as she knew now that the suffocation would stop and has finally realised that she needs to put her health and getting control back into her life before Peter.