Apologies for the lengthy delay but my Gran was diagnosed with advanced Cancer in March and have been spending a lot of time with her but she recently passed away. So this is dedicated to her memory, she actively encouraged my writing and creativity and it made me smile writing Deirdre and thinking of my own Gran. Also a huge thanks to Macmillan Nurses who made Gran's remaining time as comfortable as possible and offered comfort to us all following the loss.
The next day soon dawned and Peter was happily indulging Simon with a game of Lego Star Wars on the computer system whilst Carla bathed Megan in the baby bath delighting in the tiny girl's little squeaks of pleasure. "You sure you don't mind bathing her." Peter called as he turned to shout through to the bathroom.
"Of course not, she's loving it and we've got a pretty outfit to wear to her Granddad's and Grandma's." Carla said as she gently rubbed the baby shampoo into Megan's soft brown hair. "We best make this the last game Si because you need to get ready." Peter said as Simon rolled his eyes but nodded.
"What are we having for dinner?"
"Erm I don't know kiddo. But I reckon your Gran will have done the full works knowing her." Peter said as Simon grinned.
"Yorkshire Pudding too?"
"Yeah." Peter said as Simon beamed and turned back to the game eager to finish.
Gloria sat looking at some paperwork in the empty bar, the pub not opening until 11:30 that morning. "Mam you could give us a hand you know." Stella said as she stood wiping down the bar with a cloth as Karl changed a barrel of Newton's Ale. "I am trying to help, I'm going through some of the solicitors requests. I am a bit worried about the fact you left Leanne with Les. That might go against us." Gloria said as Stella slammed the cloth down.
"Mother! You know I was struggling. I was barely than a kid meself!"
"We could say you possibly had post-natal depression." Gloria said as Karl glared at her.
"Glo, leave it off for a bit hey."
"I'm just saying, it isn't completely out of the question. I mean I'd question the sanity of anyone leaving a baby in Les Battersby's care." She said as Stella bit her lip.
"Mam will you stop it! For god's sake. At the minute I'm tempted to run and support Peter against you." Stella said in a low voice, clearly upset by her mother's words.
"It might not even be his child. Part of me hopes it's not, least Nick has some promise and doesn't turn to a bottle of Vodka when things get rough."
"Mam will you stop it please. Whatever you think about Peter, our Lea loved him and wouldn't want you slagging him off."
Ken rubbed his temple as Tracey tried to explain why she had reacted so angrily towards Gloria in the Rover's the other night. "She was proper bad-mouthing him Dad. She was bloody lucky that I only threw the glass on the floor and not at her." Tracey ventured as Ken sighed.
"Love, I understand you were trying to defend your brother but there are better ways to voice your displeasure." He stated.
"How? Sign a petition, write to my local MP? Come on Dad, she's been looking for it. I mean Stella's hardly Mum of the year is she, abandoned Leanne when she was a kid, and her other daughter is the most spoilt, dippy airhead round here." Tracey said as Deirdre clattered about in the kitchen checking the roast beef.
"Will you tell Amy to turn that racket down!" She shouted as Amy had turned the radio up in her bedroom, One Direction loudly blaring out. Tracey banged her fist against the adjoining wall disturbing Eccles who was curled up in a ball beside her. "Amy, turn that racket down!" Tracey yelled as Ken shook his head but smiled a little. Whatever mistakes Tracey made in her life she was a good mother most of the time.
"There we go sweetheart, don't you look pretty." Carla cooed as she gently put Megan's tiny arm into the crocheted cardigan Hayley had made. Megan was sporting a tiny smock dress in a paisley print and Carla had put a little flowered headband on her head. "You get proper soppy over her clothes." Simon said as Peter chuckled at his son's words. "It's girls mate, they go proper gaga over clothes. You watch when your sister grows up."
"Nah, she's going to like football and play lego and stuff." Simon said as Carla passed Megan to Peter's awaiting arms and smiled as the tiny girl nestled into his shoulder, her tiny feet kicking lightly against him. "Hey Miss, what's all this fuss."
"I've just got to grab my jacket and then I'm ready. You want to take the kids to the car and wai..." Carla's home phone beeped and she frowned slightly as Simon eagerly picked up the phone. "Mrs Connor's phone." He stated happily as Carla grinned knowing he liked answering the phone. "She's here." He stated pulling a face as he handed the phone to Carla. "Hello? ... Oh hi ... Sorry I was out yesterday. I'm fine thanks. ... Yeah we will have to do it again. ... No I'm busy this afternoon. ... Look Frank, I'll call when I'm free." Carla said slightly harshly but it seemed that was going to be the only way he would listen to her. Peter looked over at her silently mouthing to ask if she was okay to which she nodded. "Come on we should get going."
"That man was grumpy." Simon stated as Carla snorted and nodded.
"I agree Si. He was a bit. Don't reckon he was impressed I'd rather spend a nice Sunday afternoon with you lot than him."
"Amy why don't you set the table hmm." Deirdre said to her granddaughter who was chattering away excitedly, talking about the birthday party she'd been invited to.
"...and Jessica's mum said that there's going to be some ladies to do our nails." Amy said as Deirdre raised an eyebrow.
"What? How old is Jessica going to be?"
"Eight." Amy answered as Deirdre checked the vegetables.
"I hope your Uncle Peter's here soon." She said as Amy nodded.
"Me too because I want to see the baby." She grinned as she accepted the cutlery from her grandmother's hands and headed to lay the table.
"Remember we need 7 places setting."
"It's a bit cramped isn't it." Tracey commented as she went to get Eccles a dog treat from the sideboard.
"Well it'll have to do until I win the lottery won't it! Then we can have a table set for 20 with no problems." Deirdre said as Tracey wrinkled her nose.
"I think that sounds like them." Ken said as there was a knock on the door. He went to answer and smiled as he opened the door. "Hello come through, it shouldn't be too long until dinner. How's my little granddaughter?" Ken smiled as Peter passed Megan to his dad's awaiting arms.
"She's fine. We had our first proper day out yesterday." Peter said as he followed his father through to the living room.
"Sorry it's a bit cramped." Deirdre said as Carla sat down on a dining chair, placing her bag under the chair.
"Bloody hell what on earth happened to your eye." Tracey said clasping sight of the rather obvious shiner on Carla's eye that she had attempted to cover with foundation. "You done some rounds in the boxing ring?" She asked as Carla tried to brush her injury aside.
"Oh it's nothing, just me been a bit clumsy in a pair of heels. Surprisingly heels and a few glasses of vino don't mix too well."
Gail sighed as she stood washing up and watching Max kick a football at David in the garden. "Just think you could have a little girl Nick, you could have moments like this." She said as she washed the dinner plates.
"I know Mum, look I only popped round to see what the plans were for Gran's birthday. You still want a meal in the bistro."
"Nick, you could have rang to ask that. Or seen me in the morning." Gail said as Nick sighed.
"Is it that obvious?"
"I'm your mother, you can't get much past me love. So what is it?"
"Just, well what if Megan's not mine. I mean it's just going to make people think less of Leanne." Nick said as Gail held back from saying that given that Leanne had once been a prostitute and a pole-dancer people probably had a low opinion anyway. "So, that can't stop you from finding out Nick and well I feel sorry for Peter but you are just as entitled to spend time with that baby until we know for definite who the father is."
"Is that little angel okay in the bouncer?" Deirdre asked as Peter nodded smiling as Eccles lay guard almost beside the tiny girl.
"I reckon you must have dressed her Carla, no way would our Peter be able to coordinate clothing." Tracey said as she poured gravy over her dinner.
"Oi you! I'll have you know I'm a good dresser." Peter said as Tracey smirked.
"I've got photos that suggest otherwise." She grinned as Peter shook his head at her.
"God it's like they've reverted to their younger selves." Ken said as Deirdre laughed and nodded.
"I bet they were a right pair." Carla said as she prodded her fork into the steamed carrots and roasted potato.
"Oh the stories we could tell." Deirdre said with a twinkle in her eye as Tracey and Peter both glowered at her. "You remember that time we came back to find Tracey had forced Peter who was already in the Navy into playing tea parties with her and her dolls." Deirdre said as Simon giggled.
"Oi you. You watch when your little sister asks you to play I bet you will." Peter said as Tracey wrinkled her nose.
"Yeah but he'll be like 12 playing at tea parties, you were like 20!" She grinned as Peter shot her a look. Carla smiled as she basked in the family atmosphere.
"I swear Steve, she's proper just forgotten the fact she runs a factory. I mean seriously, the only work related thing she's done recently was go for dinner with Frank Foster and that was probably only because he took her for dinner and wine." Michelle said as Steve tried to block her out. He almost wished he was doing extra shifts at the taxi firm."Chelle it's all new to her, she's just trying to be a good mate."
"Hmm, I just think she's setting her sights on her and Peter and well it might not happen. I mean it's not ever 2 months since Leanne died." Michelle said as Steve stared at the TV where the build up to the footy was on. "Maybe you need to sit down with her and voice your worries. Perhaps she thinks that you not saying anything means everything's fine. If you're not coping with ..."
"Who said anything about not coping! We're doing fine but she needs to be there too, or give me a wage increase." Michelle said painting her nails a bright red.
"Well ask her for that then. If I know Carla she'll be back like a shot if she thinks she has to increase anyone's wages." Steve said jokingly.
"It's not funny." Michelle said throwing a cushion at him in mock annoyance.
"So Peter, I know this is hard love but when are you thinking about going back to work? I know Tracey's been doing a decent job but it's not permanent is it." Deirdre said as they sat around the lounge following dinner. Amy and Simon had set out a game of Monopoly on the dining table which Peter, Carla and Tracey were meant to be partaking in also. "To be honest I'm going to have to get back to it soon. I mean it's lovely been with Megan but Carla's got her own work to do, Si's back at school and I kind of need to get back to normal. Though I still don't think I can face the flat." Peter said as Carla nodded.
"You know you and the kids are welcome to stay for as long as you need."
"You'll regret saying that when Si's rolling in from a night out aged 18 and Megan's having sleepovers with her mates." He chuckled as Carla grinned.
"Getting a bit ahead of yourself aren't you. But you know, after Paul I thought it'd be awful going back to work but in a weird way, it felt good. That I had something else to focus on, albeit you have two very important distractions." Carla said.
"You know I'm happy to help out for a bit if you don't want to be on your own to start with." Tracey said genuinely supportive of her brother.
"Cheers Trace, you sure you want to work with your embarrassing older brother." Peter said jokingly as Tracey grinned.
"Why not." Ken nodded, for one thing she might be vindictive and scheming at times but Tracey did have a protective streak to her family and she wouldn't allow the Price's to cause Peter any discomfort. "So what then? You reckon you're ready to head back to work tomorrow?" Ken asked as Peter nodded slightly.
"I think I could maybe do an afternoon shift. Are you okay to take Megan?"
"Oh I think we can manage that." Deirdre said cooing at the tiny girl in her lap.
"Where you going?" David asked as Kylie sat putting several items in her bag.
"I told you earlier, me and Eva are off into the city centre."
"On a Sunday?"
"We're only having a few cocktails and catching a new film that's out." Kylie said as she ruffled Max's hair. "You going to be good for David whilst I'm out hey." She said as Max nodded. "Good boy."
"You owe me £470 for landing there Uncle Peter." Amy said as Peter groaned. Carla smirked at the look on his face as she bounced a giggly Megan on her lap.
"You sure that a job where you work with money's a good idea Pete?" Tracey said as she looked at her brother's dwindling pile of monopoly money.
"Oh shush you. Ames any chance of family discount for staying in your hotel on Mayfair?" He ventured as Amy giggled and shook her head holding her palm out for the money. "Dad can I stay here tonight?" Simon asked looking at his Dad with begging eyes.
"I don't know Si."
"It's okay with us, he has a spare uniform for school." Deirdre said as she sensed that Simon perhaps wanted a bit of time to talk about Leanne and missing her without worrying that he'd upset his Dad.
"Plus we can watch the last Harry Potter. Please Uncle Peter let him stay." Amy said as Peter looked thoughtful for a moment.
"Well as long as you behave yourself Si. Did you have any homework that you need to take?"
"Oh yeah." Simon sighed.
"It's alright Si, how about I drop it off here when I go into work." Carla ventured as Simon beamed and nodded.
"Thanks Carla."
