Waking up the next morning was weird, having an arm over my stomach as snores echoed in my bedroom, and there was a warmth that hadn't been there in a long while. Nick was still fast asleep as I woke up, just staring at the ceiling, trying to piece together my thoughts and feelings. I snuck out of my own flat that morning to not wake him and to get to work early, avoid the noise and commotion. I got a text from Nick around lunchtime telling me that he had had to travel to a supplier and that he wouldn't be at the Bistro, which was good as I didn't intend to go there today. After replying, he sent another message asking if he could come round later and I accepted, I wanted to see him even in the weird funk I was currently in.
The next day I woke up in the same position as yesterday, this time though, we were physically closer and neither of us was wearing clothes after an active evening. It felt right and I wanted to be intimate with Nick, I couldn't think of anything I wanted more than that last night, but I still woke up in the funk. My mood wasn't happy or sad which was the hard thing, I didn't know if what I was doing was helping or making it worse, it felt like an endless loop. Nick made me happy, I knew that, but it was more of a thought than a feeling.
The next morning, I woke up alone but was joined on my walk to work by my new boyfriend as he talked about the Bistro and staff as I joined in half-heartedly, my thoughts were active and participating yet my emotions felt like they were non-existent.
"So, I told Sarah…"
I was trying to listen, but my attention had been stolen as my gaze moved across the road and I saw Peter as he was about to open his front door. He caught my gaze and sent a smile and a small wave, I couldn't help but smile and wave back, it was an automatic reaction that Nick didn't catch as he continued with his story that I occasionally hummed to. Nick continued walking me until I arrived at the factory door and he parted ways with a kiss which I couldn't wait to return. I know I liked Nick even if right now I didn't feel it.
Another morning, another emptiness, another arm thrown over me as Nick slept and it felt like I was beginning to get stuck in Groundhog Day. Today, was only slightly different as the post when I returned from work contained a letter from the hospital inviting me to a scan in a week as it would make me about eleven weeks from conception. A text was sent to Peter about the date and time, and I received a confirmation from him with a kiss on the end.
Another day passed, I was waking up again with Nick in my flat but this time he was making coffee for us to try and help wake us up and power us for the day.
"Maybe we could meet up for lunch later?"
"I would but I have a meeting in town."
"Oh, after-work drinks to catch up. Maybe we could get a takeaway later eat it here or at mine?"
"Yeah, that sounds good. Honestly, it's been so stressful at work lately, I could do with some time to relax."
This time, Nick didn't have a chance to drop me off at the factory door, as we walked with our arms linked, he was cornered by his brother, David, as we passed Audrey's. He was apologetic as I left them to talk about family drama, that quite frankly, I wasn't interested in. So, instead, I walked by myself to my factory and got straight to work, letting everyone in and preparing for the business lunch. Sally was her usual loud and obnoxious self that was slowly but surely driving me insane, there was an extremely large part of me that wanted to fire her on the spot just because I was getting annoyed with her presence.
There was a slowness to the workforce today and more gossiping that had me snapping at them more frequently, releasing unnecessary anger at them as I wound myself up. It wasn't long before I finally got to leave and was able to breathe as I was alone in my car on my way into town to meet with a supplier, to get me out of the factory and get me some air away from the machinists, away from the building really. The meeting was easy enough, it was a good deal for the both of us and for once I didn't leave thinking it was a waste of time, the drive back was longer though. I managed to get stuck in the school rush on the way back due to longer conversations than I expected and more drinks than I intended, soft drinks for me but he didn't really notice. Like me, he was probably glad just to get out, who cared about the deal right now.
By the time I got back to the factory, the units we would have usually reached by the end of the day were not met and everyone was ready to go home even though they still had time before clocking out. Instead of screaming, instead of exploding, I walked straight into the office wearing my best bitch face, hoping that it would at least worry them enough for them to complete their workday. Although I could hear some snide remarks, I could hear their comments, I also heard their machines come to life, I heard them work furiously as they moaned about me.
I felt myself physically sag in relief as the workforce clocked out and I was left alone in the building that was practically my home and had been for years. After the last email, I put on my coat, ready to leave, ready to get out of here but the phone rang and stopped me in my tracks. It was a customer, he wanted to discuss the contract between our businesses, he wanted to change it, revise it, make it bigger and better in his words. So, then I was on the phone for an hour scanning my computer as I jotted down the notes for his next order, for changes to our current contract and playing as nicely as I could.
"Thank you, Carla, if you could send me the amended and the new contract by tonight so I can look it over and get it signed for tomorrow."
"Tonight? I don't – "
"Thank you, Carla, I see big things between our companies."
Then the line was dead, and I was groaning, he knew what he was doing and now I was trapped here for God knows how long as I completed the needed contracts, right now I did actually need his business, so it was best to keep him happy. My stomach growled in annoyance at being ignored and my back ached, longing to be at home on my sofa or even better, just chilling in bed.
An hour into typing and giving myself a headache, I needed a break, even something small just to give me peace of mind, something as simple as putting my head in my hands with my eyes closed. I was too far in my own world of annoyance to hear the doors opening and AI physically felt myself jump as a deep voice spoke.
"Hey, you alright?"
"Jesus Peter, what are you doing here?"
He laughed at me. He actually had the audacity to laugh at me, at the fact he made me jump as he appeared out of nowhere.
"I was on a walk, walked past here and saw the light on, I know that means you are in here and I wanted to make sure you were ok, not working yourself too hard."
"I'm fine… just… you remember McEwen?"
"Neil? Yeah, I remember that guy, always wanting more but wanting when he wants. He was a diva."
"Ahh yes but a high paying diva, he wants two new contracts sent to him tonight and we literally only talked about it about an hour ago."
"Wow, I don't envy you."
"Thanks"
Just then, refusing to continually be ignored, my stomach rose to life and growled louder than it had been all night, shocking both Peter and I. Awkward and kind of embarrassed, I made a feeble excuse.
"Well, I am eating for two, still getting used to it."
Peter stood there in his own head before he finally spoke again.
"Right, give me a few minutes, I'll be back."
Then he was gone, just like that, in my tired mind I was starting to believe that maybe I had just imagined him and begun to go crazy after typing so many words and numbers all night. Shaking my head to clear my head, I got back to my work and continued to mindlessly edit having only powered through half of just one of the contracts. Just as I was busy in an edit, I heard the distinctive sound of the front door of the factory shutting and I looked up to see Peter walking into the office carrying a carrier bag with a pleased smile.
"Peter what -?"
Before I could finish my sentence, he lifted his bag and tipped the contents all over my desk, I watched as chocolate, crisps, and random sweets came tumbling out. He had obviously just been to Devs and picked up a large assortment of junk food to try and satiate my hunger. It wasn't the healthiest idea or the best, but it was far from the worst idea he had had. Before I had a chance to talk or question what was going on, even if I did have a vague understanding, he spoke up in his own defence.
"Now I know this isn't the healthiest or the best idea of a late-night meal, especially nutrients-wise, but I did have limited options."
That's when I saw the nervousness on his face and recognised the tone in his voice, he was scared I wasn't going to like his idea, that I was going to reject it. Wanting to please him and my grumbling stomach, I reached out and grabbed a KitKat and ripped it open.
"I'll be healthy tomorrow."
I took a bite into it not caring to look gracious or polite, instead just devouring it as I reached for a bag of crisps as my next target as Peter came over to stand next to me as he looked over my shoulder at my work. I started to feel self-conscious about my messy handwriting and the silly doodles.
"Right, so I will top us up on coffee, then I will edit the old contract if you want to start on the new one."
"Peter, I – "
"Sorry, is it strictly tea now or?"
"No, I can have a coffee. Peter – "
"If we both get to work you might not be here all night. A problem shared is a problem halved."
With that, he was out of the door with a smile on his face and it wasn't until I felt my cheeks hurting that I realised I was smiling too at his antics. He had a point, two people working on this would cut the time in half. Peter had worked here for what? A year? He knew what he was doing, and he still picked the simpler option so that I was still in charge. There was no argument I could give that would get him to give in and let me win, and if I were honest, I really wanted to go home to bed.
By the time he had returned with two cups, steaming with hot coffee, I had set up the other computer, the one opposite me, and already got the document ready with my notes on the pad next to it, waiting for him. He sat down, beginning to scan over my notes and the document so that he understood.
"Sorry for my writing, it's barely legible on the best of days."
"It's fine, I can read your writing, I had to learn with your shopping lists, I remember trying to work out one word for the longest time, only for you to tell me it said milk."
"It did say milk."
"No, it did not, I thought you were asking for fancy cheese or something."
"Shut up."
He laughed but followed by orders, getting himself to work, typing slowly like he always did, and I was glad that I had already started on his contract before as with him the time wouldn't have been halved. After a moment of staring, I threw myself into my work, starting to type the new contract, following the typical template, and trying not to let my gaze wander to the man sitting opposite me. We lasted about twenty minutes with the only noise in the whole factory being us typing before Peter tried to strike up a conversation as he tried to power through work that wasn't his.
"So, do you want to go together to the scan, I could give you a lift, or you could give me a lift, or just get a taxi I guess, but that doesn't make sense as we both have cars."
He felt awkward. I don't know why.
"I don't mind giving you a lift or you drive, I don't mind if you want to go separately…"
"No, I want to go together."
"Ok then, well if you could give me a lift, it would be greatly appreciated."
That got a smile out of him, this time he caught me looking and I saw the genuine happiness in his eyes at my acceptance and I started to feel warm at his joy. The typing started up again and he continued to talk, even if it slowed his typing, he never did enjoy the silence.
"Si spoke to me the other day, telling me I should think about getting a job. Can you believe that?"
"That's Si for you, he was always your dad."
"That's true. He told me you got him those trainers for his birthday."
"Yeah, he told me he wanted them, I felt awful after though, Ken told me that apparently Leanne got him the wrong pair and had to take them back."
"Nah, ignore my dad, Sim loved the gift, thanks."
"No need to thank me, I was his stepmom for a while, I would feel weird to abandon him when we live on the same street."
The mug was in my hand as it was cool enough for me to sip with only burning my tongue slightly, as I typed with one hand and kept my eyes on my computer screen.
"Yeah, he told me the other day that he was glad you were his other mom."
I don't know why but that sentence shook me, and it caused me to drop my mug, it smashed on the ground, shattering into pieces, and the hot liquid spilling everywhere including my hand and my leg under my tights. A piece of the mug even bounced back up to scratch my hand and cause me to lash out, swearing at it and getting frustrated.
Peter was quick, jumping out of his chair and racing round to kneel next to me where there was no liquid, taking my hand in his as he inspected it tutting at me.
"I'll go and get the first aid kit."
"Peter, I'm fine."
"No, you're not, just stay there."
Like an obedient dog, I did exactly what I was told and sat there hating myself for having such a stupid accident and my hand hurting so badly. It wasn't long before Peter returned, his face covered in anger as he opened the bag looking for the supplies he wanted. He didn't know what he was doing but the confidence he had was giving him the illusion that he was, even when he dragged a wipe over my cut making me wince.
"You don't have a clue what you are doing."
"Yes, I do."
Next was ointment that was in the kit, closely followed by a bandage he found as he wrapped it too tight the first time and then too loose before his third time was acceptable as I smiled down at him.
"No, you don't, remember when I had rug burns on my knees and you bandaged them up, but they refused to stay up, it didn't help at all."
"Well, I know what I'm doing now."
He finally lost the anger and I had him smiling back at me as we both relived the memories; it was nice to remember some fun times instead of it always being tainted. Breaking us out of the spell was my phone loudly ringing and I was quick to reject the call from Nick to try and get back to the moment we were sharing. He was focusing on my hand again though; I knew I needed to tell him.
"Peter, I need to tell you – "
"You and Nick are dating?"
"…Yes, how did –?"
"I saw you kissing the other day outside the factory and come on Carla, gossip travels fast around here."
"I'm sorry, I should have told you."
"It would have been nice to hear it from you, but I get it, I mean I don't get why you like Nick, no offence but I understand that you deserve to be happy."
"Thank you."
That was probably the most grown-up conversation we had ever had, and I was slightly shocked that it had gone so well after I had been anticipating a row. He focused on my hand as he finished wrapping it, placing a soft kiss on the bandage before moving back to his desk.
After days of feeling numb and nothing, I was now warm inside and content, I was in trouble because of course, it was Peter Barlow helping I feel again.
The story is slowly going in the direction I want and I hope you enjoy it, I really love reading your reviews.