"Peter..." Carla whispered, her eyes darting between him and the newcomer who hadn't noticed them yet.
He couldn't speak, he just stared at the younger woman.
"Peter!" Carla snapped, bringing him out of the trance he was in.
"Wha-..."
"What is she doing here?" Carla hissed, leaning over so no one overheard.
"What do you mean by that? I didn't know she'd turn up!" He scrunched his face up.
"I can't believe this..." She gasped, watching as Tina turned around and clasped eyes on the pair. "Oh no."
Tina frowned for a moment as she assumed they were back together, why did she take him back after everything that happened?
But as she laid eyes on him, she weakened. The tanned skin as it was now summer, the dark eyes, a longer beard...
She found herself smiling at him, forgetting every other person in the room. Their chemistry was still blazing.
Carla took note of this and although her eyes began tearing up, she harshly pushed her seat back and grabbed her bag.
"Come on, Peter. We're leaving." She mumbled, gesturing for him to stand up too.
"I've not finished yet!" He exclaimed.
"Peter, I will not tell you again! Come on." She raised her voice, causing him to stand up and follow her out the Bistro.
But to do so, they had to walk past a smug Tina who seemed to be enjoying the reaction of her reappearance.
"Hey." She smiled, aiming it at Peter.
"Don't you talk to him!" Carla hissed, holding onto Peter's arm as they leave.
"Still treating him like a child then!" Tina shouted at they left, laughing to herself.
"You don't mess around, do ya?" Faye chuckled, from behind the bar.
"What did she just say?" Carla stopped outside of the Bistro, turning around as she prepared to walk back inside.
"She wants a reaction. Let's just head home." Peter mumbled, quiet from the shock and annoyance of the entire situation.
"I can't believe this, Peter. This is absolutely ridiculous." She shook her head, biting her lip.
As they entered the Rovers, Jenny started gawping as Carla stormed to the back room without a word, with Peter following on. She questioned whether to check on them but assumed it was just another petty argument.
"What the hell is she doing back here!" Carla exclaimed, circling the Rover's back room as Peter shut the door.
"You never know, she might just be here for a visit. To see Rita or something." Peter remained optimistic.
"You seriously think that? No, I can tell, she's staying put."
"Does it matter if she does? You know I'd never do that-..."
"Are you for real? Of course it matters. You had an affair with her, Peter..."
"I know-..."
"I lost a baby because of her..." She cut him off, shouting at this point.
"I'm aware of that-..."
"My brother is in prison because of her!" She interrupted once more.
"Just calm down, Car. She might've changed. Like I have." He shrugged.
"Now is not the time for jokes," She scoffed, sitting on the sofa and putting her head in her hands. "You heard what she said in there, she is still a desperate little tart."
"Look, is everything okay in here? Only, I heard a lot of shouting." Jenny peered her head over the door.
"We're okay. Thanks, Jenny." Peter dismissed her.
As Jenny left, Peter knelt down and pulled Carla's head up so she was looking at him.
"Everything is going to be okay, baby." He whispered.
"You don't know that. What if she tries it on with you again? Do you know how hard it was for me to trust you again, I don't want that crushed." She cried.
"You are the only woman for me. That affair made me realise how much you mean to me and I will never do anything to ruin that again." He reassured her, kissing her gently.
"Just as things were getting good for us." She exhaled.
"And that isn't going to change. It might be annoying that she is back but she's not going to affect our lives. Things will carry on exactly like we'd planned. I don't want you to stress."
"It's hard not to, Peter."
"We've had a hard month with everything to do with Jordan but we're finally getting somewhere. Don't let that girl ruin it." He spoke with so much determination and passion.
"I do love you." She whispered, leaning forward so their foreheads were touching.
"And I love you," He hugged her. "Never doubt that for one second."
"Are you alright?" He asked, watching Carla yawn as she lay on the sofa.
After their shock earlier in the day, she fell asleep with Peter stroking her hair. He didn't have the heart to wake her, so he placed a blanket onto her body and helped Jenny at the bar whilst she had a well-earned rest.
"Mmm," She croaked. "How long was I asleep for?"
"Just over an hour. You looked so peaceful." He smiled, delicately placing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I didn't even mean to go to sleep," She yawned again, before sitting up and rubbing her eyes. "Oh, dammit. My eye makeup..."
"You look fine," He paused before correcting himself. "Beautiful."
"I look like a panda." She rubbed underneath her eyes before noticing his gaze not leaving her.
"Why are you acting so coy?" She added.
"I just love you, that's all. You're cute."
"Cute?" She raised her eyebrows. "Behave."
"You are," He laughed before leaning forwards. "With a bit of makeup under your eyes."
"Ha-ha." She said, sarcastically as she let him make her look more presentable.
"Right, I'm going back out in the bar. I only told Jenny that I was nipping to the loo."
"I'll come out too." She stood up.
"You sure? It's not too busy."
"Yeah," She nodded. "What else am I meant to do? Twiddle my thumbs?"
"Come on then." He playfully slapped her bum as they walked into the pub area.
"Ah, about time!" Jenny scoffed. "You two can take over whilst I have a break."
"Hey you." Maria smiled from the bar, a little cautious after she bumped into someone oddly familiar earlier.
"Hiya." Carla walked over and leaned her elbows on the bar.
"How are you? I don't suppose you know..."
"Oh, yes. So it's already public knowledge, is it?" Carla bit her lip, looking down.
"I bumped into her on my way here. Are you okay?" Maria sighed, sympathetically.
"I've been better. It isn't ideal but I can trust Peter."
"How's he taken it?" Her eyes darted to him.
"Mmm, he hasn't said much to be honest. He's reassured me though."
"Ah, that's good." Maria replied.
"Did she speak to you at all?" Carla asked.
"Not really, she said hello but I ignored her. If she knew what was good for her then she'll stay away from this street."
"Everyone's forgiven Peter though, so why should she have to stay away?" Carla sighed, her nerves reappearing.
"It isn't as black and white as that though. He had a lot of making up to do. And she's a spineless home wrecker. You don't have to worry, Car." She placed a hand on her forearm.
"I guess I'll just have to get used to seeing her around, won't I?" Carla said before walking away to serve other people.
Hope you're enjoying this so far - so many exciting things to come! Twitter: carlafanx