(A slightly inspired story by TheLocalKnickerMerchant, I really wanted to have my own take at it and I hope that you enjoy)
Carla Connor was one unique woman, her life had its ups and downs but she had everything that she needed and wanted, until 2014.. 1 23 year old local barmaid, 1 baby and 1 alcoholic cheating husband took all of that away from her.. she didn't think that she would be able to love anyone again.. until Nick Tilsley returned to the cobbles.. and life began to look up again. The couple married in 2016 and moved to the south west, settling in Devon and opening up a brand new restaurant. Everything was moving perfectly, the past was now behind her.
Or so she thought..
Taking off a chair at a time.. one from each stack in the 8 rows of chairs to unstack. Dancing Queen by ABBA blaring out at full volume, Carla tucked each chair in underneath the tables, her trainers sliding across the just recently polished floor, dancing and singing along.
"Digging the dancing queen.. Friday nights and the lights are low, looking out for a place to go, where they play the right music, getting in the swing, you come looking for a king-" she twirls, the soft towel in her hand circling round in the air.
"Do you even have a clue? Great! Now we've got nothing to feed anyone, We've got full books!" Nick's voice coming from the kitchen.
Carla's music being blocked out by Nick's raised voice, stopping the music she dropped the towel on a table and walked over into the kitchen.
"Everything alright..?" She asked softly, looking over at Nick.
His hands placed onto the back of his head, his face red with pure frustration, looking over to their Sous Chef.
"Ryan could you just, give us a few minutes please, don't worry, we will sort something" she gave him a gentle smile as he nodded before walking outside.
Turning back to look at Nick, Carla placed her hands around his upper arms, looking up to him, his face still tightening up.
"Nick.."
He didn't respond.
"Nick, look at me-"
Still no response.
"Nick! Please-"
He looked down at her, his hands slowly releasing from his head.
"Breathe.. just try to relax, okay? Deep breaths" she told him as his arms relaxed and the red in his face slowly fades.
"It's going to be fine.. just start by actually telling me what's actually happened" she moved her hands away as his body calmed.
"Ryan didn't defrost any of the meats and we've not got anything else in as the suppliers changed their day, it's just becoming a disaster Carla, the books are all full today, and we have no food! The suppliers won't come until tomorrow so we literally have nothing-" he explained, looking back at her.
"Ok.. we'll sort it, I'll go down to the suppliers now and see what they're able to do, whilst I'm out you and Ryan need to work with what it is we've got to put together something that our customers are likely to try" Carla told him as she grabbed her leather jacket off the back of the door.
Nick nodded, slightly letting off a small smile.
As Carla walked over to him, she propped up on her tip toes, kissing him softly before putting her jacket on. "I'll fix this-"
Grabbing her car keys out of her pocket, Carla walked out, through the main seating area and out into their car park.
"Where's she got to.. we're just about to open-" Nick asked their Sous Chef, Ryan, who looked over at the door to Carla carrying three crates stacked of food.
Walking out of the kitchen Nick rushed over, taking the stacked crates off Carla, "there's a few more in the car"
"Ok, I'll go and get them, could you please set up out on the terrace as it's meant to be a warmer day today" Nick asked.
"Yeah, I could only get fish and fresh vegetables, the red meats coming with all the stock tomorrow" Carla walked over into the kitchen, taking off her jacket.
Time went on and it was time to open up for the day, flipping over the sign to read open, Carla tied up her waist apron and began signing in the first booking.
"Hiya, Coopers, table for two? Follow me.." she flashed her smile, walking the couple over to a window view table, handing them both a menu, before walking back to the entrance.
Nick walked over and led a family of four over to their table, the bookings quickly came flooding in, soon the place was packed, the waitresses all bringing out everybody's meals as Carla refilled a couples glasses with Cabernet Sauvignon.
"Can I get you anything else?" Carla asked the couple as she finished refilling their glasses, putting the bottle down onto the table.
"No thank you" the bloke smiled, she nodded before walking over to Kayla, their waitress who had just taken a phone call for a new booking.
"Hey, a table has just booked for three, they're on their way, they'll be eating out on the terrace" she smiled.
"Ok, I'll show them through, we're packed today.." Carla said as the phone soon rang again.
Walking out of the kitchen, having in her hand, a plate of new recipe, Haddock in Tomato and Basil sauce.
Placing down the meal on the table in front of the customer, a set of clean cutlery, refilling their glass of water before leaving them to eat.
The new booking for the terrace turned up and Carla grabbed her notepad and pen and rushed to the door flashing a smile ready for these three.
"Carla.." a man said softly, slight shock evident clear in his voice
She glanced up and over to him, those deep dark brown eyes and green navy jacket, her smile instantly dropped, her past just came flooding back to her.
"Peter.."