Thanks for the views and reviews! A much longer chapter for you now. Enjoy and let me know what you think :-) Thank you xx

The next morning, Jaimee is working at her desk and Michelle is sat on the other desk, chatting to Jaimee. Carla enters the office, she looks a lot happier than most mornings which is a sight that pleases Jaimee and Michelle.

'Well hello there mother.' Jaimee smirked.

'I don't know what you're smirking at.' Carla replied.

'Good night with Trev?' Jaimee asked.

'Trevor's back?' Michelle repeated; she'd usually be the first to know things like that.

Carla ignores Michelle, who leaves the office and makes her way back to the kitchen table where her laptop is set up.

'He left an hour after you did. We had coffee and a chat and that's all.' Carla replied, once Michelle was out of the room.

'Coffee? What happened to your health kick?' Jaimee asked.

'I can't be doing with it. Life's too stressful for me to not drink coffee. Besides, one cup a day won't hurt.'

'Fair enough. So are you gonna see him again?'

'We're going for dinner tonight.'

'Who's having Lila?' Jaimee questioned/

'Well that's where you come in. I was gonna ask you to babysit, only if you don't have plans.' Carla said.

'Course not. Matt's meeting some old school mates so I'd be on my own anyway. Good for you mum, you deserve some fun.' Jaimee smiled.

'It's not a date or anything; it'll just be nice to catch up.' Carla said quickly.

'Well whatever it is, it's good to see you getting back out there.'

There is silence for a while as Carla sits down at her desk, switching on her laptop.

'When are Simon and Peter due back? I've missed my little brother.' Jaimee asked.

'Tomorrow morning.' Carla replied, trying to ignore the butterfly feeling in her stomach at the mention of Peter's name.

'Can I ask you something?' Jaimee asked.

'Depends what it is.'

'Do you still love him?'

'Trev? No, course not. We were over a long time ago.' Carla replied.

'I meant Peter.'

'Same answer.' Carla said bluntly.

'Don't lie to me. Come on mum, it's me. You know you can tell me anything, you can always tell me the truth and I'll never judge you.'

'Is it that obvious?' Carla groaned, it was both a blessing and a curse that her eldest daughter could read her like a book.

'Maybe you should sit down and talk to him when he comes home?' Jaimee suggested.

'I've done nothing but talk since it happened.'

'No you haven't. You've argued and you've thrown sarcastic comments back and forth. And I don't blame you. Believe me, he's got a lot to prove before he's back in my good books but I think you owe it to this little one to at least talk to each other.' Jaimee explained, gesturing towards Carla's bump.

'I'm scared.' Carla admitted.

'Why?'

'Because all my life I've picked the wrong blokes. Your dad dumped me, Paul cheated, Tony was a murderer and Frank, well, we all know what he did...I was so sure Peter was different. Sure he's got his problems but so has everyone. I just thought I'd be enough to keep him on the straight and narrow.' Carla replied.

'Oh mum.' Jaimee sighed, walking over to her mother and crouching down by her side.

'I know, I'm a silly cow.' Carla replied.

'I wasn't thinking that at all. You're the strongest woman in the whole world and I completely understand that you need to punish Peter and Michelle but I really do think it was a one off. I mean it's been months now and they haven't said so much as one word to each other. They don't love each other. Peter's in love with you and your little family.' Jaimee said.

'What would I do without you eh? My voice of reason throughout everything.' Carla smiled, cupping Jaimee's face in her hands.

'It's what I'm here for. Right I'm gonna put the kettle on and go check on Kirky, make sure he's coping.' Jaimee explained, making her way towards the office door.

'Thanks. Oh and Jay?'

'Yeah?' Jaimee said, turning round.

'Tell Chelle to come in here and reclaim her desk.' Carla said.

'Really?'

'I'm sick of looking out there and seeing her moping round.' Carla said casually, not wanting to admit that she actually missed her former best friend.

Jaimee leaves the office and heads for the kitchen area where she flicks the kettle on, before turning to a glum-looking Michelle.

'Good news.' Jaimee said.

'And what's that?'

'Mum says you can go and work back in the office now.'

'Seriously? It's not some sort of practical joke is it? I'm not gonna go in there and have a bucket full of gunge fall on my head am I?' Michelle questioned.

'I don't think that's my mum's style. You'll be fine. Now get in there before she changes her mind.' Jaimee replied, laughing.

Jaimee makes her way into the packing area but can't see Kirk.

'Kirk?! Kirk where are ya?' Jaimee called out.

Jaimee is about to leave the room when she hears giggling coming from behind a pile of boxes. Kirk and Beth are hiding behind the boxes, kissing passionately.

'Well, well, well...' Jaimee said, trying to stifle her laughter.

'Jaimee, we were just...' Beth said, a little embarrassed.

'Chill love. No need to explain, we all have needs right?' Jaimee replied.

'Brill!' Kirk exclaimed, trying to kiss Beth again.

'But that doesn't mean you can pick up where you left off. Come on Beth, back to your machine and Kirky, finish loading this lot in your van and get going or they'll be hell to pay.' Jaimee ordered.

'Yes boss.' Kirk said as Beth goes back to the shop floor.

'What have I told you about that? I'm not your boss. I'm just Jaimee.' Jaimee replied.

'Right.' Kirk said, before going into a daydream.

'Kirk! Boxes, van, now.' Jaimee said, raising her voice and clapping her hands, trying to snap Kirk out of his daze.

Making her way back into the kitchen area, Jaimee makes three mugs of coffee before putting them on a tray and carrying them into the office. Carla and Michelle take their drinks and Jaimee smiles when she sees how much happier Michelle is.

'Alright Uncle Rob, nice of you to show your face.' Jaimee said cheekily as Rob enters the office.

'You cheeky madam. I was gonna offer to buy you a pint tonight so we can have a catch up.' Rob replied, grinning.

'Normally I'd say yes but I'm looking after Lila tonight.'

'Where are you going?' Rob asked Carla.

'Just to the Bistro with an old friend.' Carla replied.

'Oh ok, well I might pop round to yours later Jay, keep you company. I'll bring a couple of cans round with me.' Rob said to Jaimee.

'Nice one.'

Later that night, Jaimee answers the front door to Lila and Carla. Carla is wearing a flowing maxi dress and her hair is flowing past her shoulders with her make-up natural and minimal.

'Hiya mum. Aww you look stunning.' Jaimee smiled.

'Not too overdressed?' Carla asked nervously.

'Your outfit, your hair, your make-up, it's all perfect. Have a good night and I'll see you later.'

'Love ya.' Carla said, kissing Jaimee on the cheek and then doing the same to Lila.

'Love you too.' Jaimee replied as Carla walked off, before taking Lila's hand. 'Come on Lila, you gonna hang out with your big sister and your Uncle Rob yeah?'

Over at the Bistro, Carla enters the building looking nervous and makes her way over to Trevor, who stands up.

'Hi.' Carla said.

'Hiya, I was beginning to think you weren't gonna turn up.' Trevor said, pulling out the chair for Carla to sit down.

'Yeah sorry. It takes ages to get Lila out the house at the moment, she's got a thing about dressing like a princess and she won't leave unless she's got her little tiara in her hair.' Carla explained, laughing.

'Bless her. You wait til she's a teenager, she'll take even longer then.'

'Oh don't, she's growing up way too fast as it is.' Carla groaned.

'Can I get you two a drink?' Kylie asked.

'I'll just have a mineral water.' Carla replied.

'And I'll have a pint please love.' Trevor added.

'So, are you gonna tell me why you and Peter have split up?' Trevor asked, once Kylie had gone to the bar.

'Wow, straight in with the twenty questions.' Carla replied, a little shocked by his bluntness.

'You don't have to tell me. Sorry I'm too nosey for my own good sometimes.'

'Lets talk about you first eh? You said you've retrained as a builder?' Carla said.

'Yeah, it's great. I really enjoy it and the lads I work with are a proper laugh.'

'Better than being on the bins yeah?'

'Definitely. I did think about becoming a mechanic at first but I decided against it.'

'My Jaimee's a trained mechanic. She used to own and run two garages, one here, one in London.' Carla said proudly.

'That's amazing for someone so young. What happened to them?' Trevor asked.

'She went through a hard time and she had no choice but to give up on them. I'm sure she'll rebuild her career at some point though. I have to say, I'll miss having her around the office.' Carla explained.

'She works with you?'

'Yeah, there's me, Jaimee, my brother Rob and Michelle.'

'You and Michelle are practically joined at the hip.' Trevor chuckled.

'We were.' Carla corrected him.

'Oh, sorry, have you fallen out?'

'It's complicated.'

'So when's little one due?' Trevor asked, changing the subject.

'In about 4 months. It's gone so quick and I'm not prepared at all. The spare room is still set up like a bedroom and not a nursery. I tell you something, this will definitely be my last. I don't think I could cope with another.' Carla said, letting out a little nervous giggle.

'I'm sure you'll be a brilliant mother. Jaimee and Lila obviously adore you and I'm sure this one will be exactly the same. What are you hoping it's gonna be? Boy or girl?' Trevor replied.

'After a difficult start to this pregnancy, I'll just be happy when it arrives safely. A little boy might be nice though. I know it's what Peter wants and he's got names picked out already, or at least that's what he told me when we were in Dubai. Bless him, he was so excited.' Carla said until she realised she had brought Peter up yet again. 'Sorry, you're probably wishing you never came here tonight.'

'Not at all. It's been fantastic seeing you again. Now, what do you fancy to eat?' Trevor asked, picking up a menu.

A few hours, Rob and Jaimee are sat on the sofa and Lila is sat on Jaimee's lap. The end credits start rolling for Cinderella.

'Again! Again!' Lila exclaimed, clapping her hands.

'We've already watched it twice. Darlin', Uncle Rob doesn't want to watch Cinderella all night. Why don't we see watch something else?' Rob said as Lila yawned loudly.

'I don't think this little lady will be watching anything. Come on, let's put you down for a little nap before mummy comes to pick you up yeah?' Jaimee said, carrying Lila upstairs.

Rob opens another can and is shocked when Jaimee returns to the room only a few moments later.

'That was quick.' Rob said, passing her a beer.

'She was obviously more tired than I thought. She was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.' Jaimee chuckled.

'So how's everything between you and Matt?' Rob asked.

'It's amazing. Honestly it's like a dream, everything I've ever wanted in my whole life.' Jaimee beamed with happiness.

'Bless ya; it's good to see you so happy.'

'What about you? Got your eye on anyone?'

'No.' Rob said, shaking his head.

'Still waiting for Michelle eh? She's single now isn't she? Why don't you ask her out? She could do with a bit of cheering up.' Jaimee suggested.

'Don't you think it'd be a bit insensitive?'

'If you don't ask her out, you know it won't be long til another bloke does. If you wanna let your chance slip away then that's fine but I happen to think you deserve a shot at happiness too.' Jaimee said, smiling at her uncle.

There is a knock at the door and Jaimee jumps up to answer it, stunned when she is confronted with Peter and Simon.

'Peter?' Jaimee exclaimed, shocked.

'Where is she? I just went round to the house to drop Si off and there was no answer.' Peter asked, angrily.

'You're not supposed to be back til tomorrow morning.' Jaimee said.

'Is she here?'

'No.'

'Where is she then?'

'She's out with a friend.' Jaimee replied.

'Again? God, didn't she learn anything from what happened last time?' Peter said, frustrated.

'She's pregnant but that doesn't mean she should stay tucked up at home Peter. She's entitled to a life too.'

'Alright Si? Did you have a good holiday?' Jaimee smiled at her little brother, changing the subject.

'It was brilliant! I missed you all though.' Simon replied.

'Aww I missed you too. You're my little partner in crime aren't you? Go on inside and get yourself a drink.'

'See ya son.' Peter called after him.

'Bye dad. Thanks for taking me on holiday.' Simon said before going into the living room.

'So come on then, where is she meeting this friend?' Peter asked, still very annoyed.

'None of your business.' Jaimee said.

'Don't play games with me Jaimee. She's having my child. I'm entitled to know where she is.'

'You can see her in the morning.'

'I want to see her now.' Peter demanded before taking a deep breath and calming down. 'Please Jaimee; I haven't seen her for a week. I've missed her so much.'

'Like I said, she's out with a friend. Just leave her alone.' Jaimee said, slamming the door in Peter's face.

Peter is about to walk away from the house when he sees Carla and Trevor leave the Bistro.

'Thank you for a lovely evening Trev. You really didn't have to pay though.' Carla said.

'Course I did. I'm a gentleman.' Trevor replied, smiling cheekily at Carla.

'You certainly are.'

'Let me walk you to Jaimee's.'

'It's only across the road.' Carla said, glancing at the house. 'Oh no!'

'What?' Trevor asked, following her glance to where Peter is stood.

'Well, this looks very cosy.' Peter said, his blood boiling at the sight of his wife with another man.

'It's nothing to do with you Peter. What are you doing here anyway? You're not supposed to be home til tomorrow.' Carla said.

'Don't change the subject. How long has this been going on?' Peter asked.

'There's nothing going on. Trev's back for a little while and we thought it'd be nice to catch up.' Carla explained.

'I can't believe you! Going round with your ex-boyfriend when you're still married to me and, in case you've forgotten you're having my baby.' Peter replied.

'Oh give it rest Peter. You're making a show of yourself.' Carla sighed, looking round the street to check no-one is watching.

'I don't care. I don't care if the whole street can hear me. I'm not ashamed of myself Carla. I still love you. I've never stopped and I know you feel the same way. So lets stop these stupid games and just be together again.' Peter said.

'When can I see you again?' Carla asked Trevor, ignoring Peter's pleas.

'There's a film coming out on Friday. We could go and see that if you want?' Trevor suggested.

'It's a date.'

Carla kisses Trevor on the cheek before walking over to Jaimee's house, turning round and winking at Trevor before going inside; knowing she is making Peter insanely jealous.