He didn't know why things felt so awkward, so tense. But it was definitely unnerving him as he tried to enjoy his breakfast. He noticed her eyes kept falling to him before quickly going back down to her buttered toast.
Things ended well last night and he thought he'd reassured Carla enough. But this morning said different. She was being completely off with him and he wasn't sure why.
"Have I done anything?" He asked, clearing his throat.
She paused, as she coldly looked up.
"Fine."
"Your face says different." He muttered.
"Pardon?" She raised her eyebrows.
"What's the matter with you? Have I said anything to upset you?" He repeated, getting frustrated now.
"No. Why? Have you said something you didn't want me to hear?" She asked.
"No but if looks could kill, I'd be on my way to the morgue right now." He scoffed.
"I'm just tired." She shrugged, taking a sip of her coffee as an awkward silence crept back on them once again.
"Are you going to the factory today?"
"Yeah," She nodded. "Nick asked me if I could go in more to help him."
"That's a good idea. The factory has been a shambles without you there." He tried to compliment her, but she remained hard-faced.
"Right, I better get going." She suddenly stood up and grabbed her bag which was on the sofa.
"Oh?" He frowned. "You've not finished your breakfast."
"I'm not hungry," She replied. "Bye."
"Bye." He shook his head and rolled his eyes as she slammed the door.
He had absolutely no idea why she was in such a foul mood, but he was convinced it was to do with Tina coming back. He needed her to just trust him on this one; he wasn't going stray and all of this unnecessary tension was just going to tear them apart.
Walking to the factory, she kept her head down as she assumed she'd be the talk of the street at the moment. It was bad enough with Jordan destroying her confidence and making her embarrassed to walk the streets but now with Tina on the scene, she knew everyone would be looking out to see how she was dealing with it and if Peter was going to be unfaithful once more. She knew she shouldn't be humiliated about Jordan or Peter's affair but it still hounded her. She felt stupid that she let it happen. And if Peter was to betray her once again, she'd officially be a laughing stock.
She was swiftly walking past the cabin as she heard a husky female voice.
"Carla?"
The cheek of Tina thinking she could just talk to Carla when she chooses. She wasn't willing to talk to her, or even see her face. She continued walking up the steps, ignoring her on-going calls.
"For god sake." Tina muttered as the factory doors closed.
She kicked a stone that lay on the cobbles and pushed her hair back.
Carla wouldn't be able to avoid her forever and Tina was staying put, so she needed to face her sooner rather than later.
She strutted into the factory, confidently, as the factory girls went to an abrupt silence.
"Oh, I'm not missing this." Beth clapped her hands, a chorus of excitement now filling the quietness.
Tina rolled her eyes; they hadn't changed. She knocked on the office door.
"Can I have a word?" She walked through, folding her arms across her chest and staring at Carla.
"Excuse me? You can't just walk in here-..."
"I just did," Tina cut her off before softening. "I just want to have a chat. You can't avoid me forever."
"Oh, I think I can." Carla seethed, before going back to work.
"Carla!" She sighed in annoyance. "Just grow up. I think we need to talk."
"I have nothing more to say to you, Tina! I can't even bare to look at you. Get out of my face." Carla shouted.
"We haven't seen each other since Rob's trial. And even then, you refused to look at me. We need to talk things through because I am staying on this street."
"What? Since you got my brother sent down for no reason." Carla scoffed.
"Oh, not this again," Tina mumbled. "He pushed me off that balcony! He tried to kill me!"
"You fell! I know when he's telling the truth."
"You just believed what you wanted to believe." Tina shook her head.
"So come on then, you're staying here for good?" Carla asked.
"Yeah," Tina smirked. "I am."
"Why?" Carla's heart sunk.
"Because I've missed this place. I've been so lonely in London and through lockdown, it made me realise how much people round here mean to me. I have Rita and friends that I haven't seen in years. And I will not go without seeing them to suit you." Tina explained, pointedly.
"Haven't you taken enough from me? Things are finally going my way and now here you are-..."
"Oh, put your violin away!" She interrupted.
Carla breathed in, telling herself not to let Tina get to her. She needed to remain calm and not let her get the satisfaction that she was riling her up.
"I swear to god, Tina, if you go near Peter then you're going to regret it." Carla threatened, scarily low.
"Oh is that right?" Tina's eyes lightened up. "If I remember righty, last time you threatened me, you ended up at the police station for attempted murder."
"Just get out, Tina. You haven't changed one bit. You're a desperate tart and Peter can see that now. He wants nothing to do with you."
"Tell me, Carla. How come you've forgiven Peter but you can't forgive me?"
"Because Peter actually has remorse. And trust me, it's been a long journey between us two. We've been through a lot together."
"Loves young dream, Ey? Well, young..." Tina squirmed.
"Sling your hook, Tina. Get out of my sight."
"Peter doesn't deserve you, Carla. And I will make sure he knows that." She hissed, walking out the factory.
Carla released a deep breath and fanned her face to prevent any tears from falling. That couldn't have gone any worse. Thinking back to twenty fourteen was still extremely painful and when she's getting taunted about it by the person who ruined her life, it hurt deeply.
She wanted nothing more than to run to the nearest boozer and neck all the red wine there. But that's another thing about twenty fourteen, she'd changed and she wasn't that person anymore. Her medication prevented her from drinking but she worked on healthier coping mechanisms for herself and Peter.
"You okay?" Nick narrowed his eyes, planning on just grabbing something from the office but he was concerned when he saw Carla's rattled state.
"Tina was just in here." Carla muttered, sniffing and biting her lip.
"Oh," He was stunned to silence. "She's back?"
"Yeah. I'm surprised you haven't heard, it's gotten around quick."
"What did she have to say for herself?" He asked, sitting on the desk.
"Get back to Leanne. I'm okay here." She shut him down, painting a smile on her face.
"No, you look upset. She didn't say anything horrible, did she?"
"Nothing out the ordinary. Just that she will make Peter realise how he deserves better." She said, sarcastically.
"She actually said that!" Nick's eyes widened as Carla nodded. "He knows how lucky he is to have you."
"That's the problem, Nick. What if he hurts me again and everyone just says I told you so. What if it was a mistake taking him back? Have I got the word mug on my forehead?" She cried.
"You have no reason to think he's being unfaithful though. I am not Peter's biggest fan but even I can tell he's changed." He reassured her.
"I hope you're right." She exhaled.
"Talk to Peter." He suggested, just as they heard footsteps.
"Speaking of the devil." He added, looking over at Peter stood in the doorway.
"Hey." He smiled, softly, holding a bouquet of red roses in his arms.
Carla couldn't help but grin as she saw the gift he'd brought. But more importantly, the sheepish and coy look to his face.
"I'll leave you two to it." Nick walked away.
"What are you doing here?" Carla asked, quietly.
"Have you been crying?" His expression suddenly went to concern.
"Tina came here." She mumbled.
"What!" Peter's eyes widened. "Wait till I see her..."
"No, don't. That's what she wants you to do." She shook her head, tiredly.
"What was she saying?" He sat in front of her, taking her hand.
"You know what she's like, shouting her mouth off and playing the victim. She said I didn't deserve you." She explained.
"Don't listen to her. I love you, and that's why I come baring gifts."
"I'm sorry for this morning." She sighed.
"That's okay." He smiled.
"I guess I was just...trying to protect myself incase you were to hurt me again. So by being cold, I wasn't making myself look stupid."
"Baby," he whispered, kissing her. "I don't know how many times I have to tell you to make you believe it but I only have eyes for you."
"And I believe you now. But Tina is very manipulative and I'm scared she can change you back."
"She won't."
"I don't want to turn into a crazy paranoid girlfriend, Peter. I don't want to be asking where you are all the time. But she's going to turn me into that."
"I'm not going to talk to her."
"Can you just really try to avoid her? Don't say a word because she will get under your skin." Carla bit her lip.
"That was the plan anyway. I don't want to even look at her." He said.
"Thank you," She nodded, gently before smiling at the flowers. "These are lovely."
"Only the best for you."
"Are they from Tracy's? Does she know about Tina being back?" Carla questioned.
"I daren't tell her. I'm not willing to cope with the consequences." He shook his head, dramatically.
"Mmm, she'll find out at some point." She raised her eyebrows.
"We will stay out of her way."
Carla smiled; pulling Peter's head back down and giving him a long passionate kiss.
"So are we okay?" He asked.
"We're more than okay."
Hope you're enjoying this so far!