"You have got to be joking me?" scoffed Rob as he looked around the Underworld office totally unable to make eye contact with his sister and Michelle. It was unbelievable that they had even decided to go ahead with something so ludicrous as it was seen in Rob's eyes. His sister was not that way inclined and he refused to believe such things. He started chuckling when he did eventually lock eyes with her shocked purely by the fact she was serious about such a thing.

"You can't" stated Rob as he looked at her in disgust and settled down.

It was certainly very amusing but he'd be damned if he was actually going to let Carla go ahead with such a thing. He didn't know if this was Michelle's doing or just Carla trying to appease her only friend but there was no way that it was genuine, just no way.

"I am...We are serious Rob" stated Carla firmly folding her arms and standing confidently beside her fiancée.

Marching over he grabbed Carla by the elbow and led her away from Michelle to the other side of the office. Keeping his voice low but his tone firm and in control he expressed his opinions in a hushed voice. Michelle assumed he thought she couldn't hear but she was picking up parts of the conversation and knew she was the topic anyhow. It was disgraceful in her eyes that Rob thought he could behave in such a way but she didn't want to interfere knowing full well Carla wouldn't let him get to her again. Standing back she watched noting Carla's increased annoyance at his petulant and narrow minded opinions, she was on the verge of explosion and Michelle smirked knowing Rob was seconds away from confrontation.

"Fuck you Rob. Who are you to tell me what I can and can't do. I love Michelle and I will marry her" insisted Carla in a loud shouty voice that even made Michelle jump.

"This is a joke" Rob still insisted as he backed away and went to leave the office. Clearly this chat to bring Carla to her senses was going to have to wait until she thinking more clearly and Michelle was not present to influence her feelings and provide added pressure.

"It is not a joke Rob. I love Michelle" shouted Carla as she followed him across the office and out of the door straight into the crowd that was the workforce arriving for work.

Instantly she turned red faced with embarrassment as they all smiled at her and hurried to their machines in a hushed chattering crowd. Rob smirked at Carla, the expression confirmed all he needed to know. She really didn't hide it very well when she felt awkward. Getting all flustered and feeling lost Carla quickly turned and returned to the office and Michelle whilst Rob just stood idly by pleased with himself for putting doubt in her mind and a cat amongst the pigeons.

"You ok Carla?" Michelle asked as Carla stormed back into the office.

"I can't believe he did that" stressed Carla, annoyed at herself for making such a public announcement whilst mid argument with her brother.

"Keep calm" offered Michelle as she came over to comfort Carla but she shrugged her off.

"Look Michelle I am just not in the mood for all this today" snapped Carla as she took a seat at her desk and groaned as she slapped her head in to her hands. Stress was definitely going to get the better of her today.

"Fine then I'll just go shall I?" shouted Michelle feeling more than offended by Carla's sudden change in attitude yet again. Her frequent mood swings were becoming tiring and Michelle was frustrated by such behaviour. Folding her arms she glared at Carla with her head still bowed and waited for the answer she knew was coming. Huffing when Carla stayed silent she took that as a yes and turned to head off when Carla looked up.

"Wait!" she called upon seeing Michelle open the door.

"Don't go Michelle. I am sorry you know how he winds me up" she stated sadly as she swung her chair round and got up. With her arm's open wide she wrapped them around Michelle as she let go of the door and it gently closed leaving them alone in the privacy of the office.

"I know he does Carla" Michelle mumbled wrapping her arms around Carla's waist and holding tight. "How about we go and do a little shopping. Wedding shopping?" suggested Michelle in a low voice. The suggestion was filled with caution just in case Carla really wasn't ready and Michelle didn't want to come across and pushy even though it was hard not to be excited by the idea.

"Yes, that is a good idea" mused Carla, after all they still did need rings and perhaps then Rob might see it in a more serious light. Slipping away from Michelle she grabbed the door and opened it up wide without thinking that she was about to walk into the troops all muttering about what had happened upon their arrival. It took her a bit by surprise and left her momentarily flustered with a blank mind as to why she had come out. Then she caught sight of Hayley and all of a sudden her previous thought had come back.

"'ayley, a minute please" Carla requested in an unintended harsh and clipped tone.

She returned to the office with seconds later Hayley coming in after her clutching her clipboard and check list to her chest as she smiled politely at them both. "How can I help Mrs Connor?" she asked staring directly at Carla and remaining professional at all times.

"I errr have a favour to ask 'ayley. Michelle and I need to pop out, can you hold the fort?"

"Of course Mrs Connor" answered Hayley enthusiastically as she turned to leave.

"Thank you" called out Michelle as Hayley went out the door and she turned to give them both an understanding smile before she disappeared.

Nearing the end of shift Carla and Michelle finally returned to the factory. They walked in one after another and headed straight to the office with handfuls of shopping bags. Looking around amongst themselves the machinists all started to make snide remarks about the bosses when Hayley scolded them for such comments. It was none of their business what the people who paid their wages got up to.

Continuing to comment they all slacked at their machines and huddled in the middle as they expressed their views. Worried Mrs Connor would come out Hayley stood by and tried to convince them to get back to work. She was mid sentence when Michelle and Carla appeared just outside the office door.

"Right! Can I have your attention please" requested Carla in a firm and raised voice which made some of them jump to attention.

"Michelle and I have some news for you and we thought it might be nice if you were all first to know." stated Carla as she stepped back to let an exciting and buzzing Michelle move forward. Having strategically hidden their hands behind their backs Michelle slowly drew hers forward as she grinned at all the glum faces staring at her. As her hand emerged and revealed a huge diamond ring she made the announcement in an excited squeal.

"So Carla and I are getting married"

Silence blanketed the factory as all of the machinists sat momentarily shocked. It was Hayley that broke the silence with her own enthusiasm for them. No one deserved happiness more than Carla and Michelle. Offering them congratulations she had to try and raise the judgemental spirits of the others. Suggesting they all have a tea break Carla smiled over appreciatively; it was a lovely sentiment but she had a better idea to try and get them more on board.

"How about an early dart instead and drinks on me at the Bistro" Carla suggested.