Deceit

Cruising down the motorway at seventy she took the say off ready and prepared for what would happen. She had sought out a plan, given Peter a burner phone and he was on his merry way with Simon. Carla was worried about what she was about to do but either way her career was in jeopardy causing her to sigh at her recklessness. Did she have regrets? Of rouse she did and she probably always will but that was that and there was no changing the past now. Peter was staying in a grotty bed and breakfast in an attempt to save money, Carla had the address and she was ready to put her plan into motion. Knocking on the door to the bed and breakfast Peter answered and let her in, she smiled slightly and passed him a brown envelope and he pulled out a couple of passports.

"How?"

"That doesn't matter you need to get as far away from here as possible" she states, Peter sighs "I mean it, Peter"

"I know"

"Where's Simon anyway?"

"Out buying some food for the journey thought it was better him going than me"

"Good" she breathes out sitting on the bed, Peter sits beside her and takes her hand "Peter-"

"No, thank you," he says quietly, she shakes her head not wanting to hear it, she chews her lip "You could have arrested me right there and then but you didn't so thank you"

"Peter you dont need to thank me but you need to leave," she says quietly pacing the room, Peter frowns at her demeanour "You need to be on that ferry by eleven twenty"

"Ok, alright," he says as Simon enters the room he frowns

"What's going on?"

"She's a bent copper Si, she's helping us get away he says, she doesn't blame you" he whispers, Simon frowns and nods slowly

"Times ticking Peter, you need to go," she says as Peter nods passing Simon his bag, he walks over to her and cups her cheek

"Thank you" he whispers, she gulps and nods slowly as Peter brushes his lips against hers, she reciprocates as they just kiss before pulling away and resting their foreheads against each other's

"Go," she says as Peter nods putting his hood up, Simon does too "Good luck!"

She turns to the window and watches as Simon and Peter get in the taxi and head off to the ferry, she sighs shaking her head before pulling out her phone, she calls a number knowing this would change everything...

Peter and Simon were waiting on the ferry, it wasn't taking off and it was delayed causing Simon to get rather uneasy at how they could get away with this. Peter promised his son he would have a better life with him away from the street but Peter didnt know what was coming understandably because why would he? His thoughts kept turning to Carla and how much she had helped. Mutual attraction turning into feelings possibly love not that he would admit it to that cold-hearted cow but either way, whatever happened he had her thanks for putting them in this situation no matter what happened.

"Peter Barlow?" DS Anderson smiles approaching him, Peter frowns "Simon Barlow?"

"Dad, what's going on?" Simon questions confused as more officers appear, Carla standing at the side slightly she bites her lip allowing the guilt to flood her system

"What's this about?"

"Simon Barlow I'm arresting you for the murder of Leanne Battersby you do not have to say anything that may harm your defence or something you may later rely on in court, anything you do say may be given as evidence," DS Anderson says as Peter shakes his head glaring at Carla, he gets up and immediately grits his teeth and stares at her, she closes her eyes as the tears fall down her face as she composes herself

"Peter Barlow I'm arresting you for perverting the course of justice, you do not have to say anything that may harm your defence or something you may later rely on in court, anything you do say may be given as evidence," she says quietly as officers cuff Peter, she sighs and looks at Alex who brings her in for a hug

"You did the right thing, kid" he whispers into her head, she just shakes her head "Go home Carla, I can take it from here you need a break"

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah" he nods slowly "You did the right thing telling me, the gaffer wants to speak to you but you solved this case, you should be proud"

"There's a difference between proud and guilt," she says quietly, Alex smiles and hugs her again "You're right time to grow a pair and get on with my life"

"Go home," he says, she nods slowly "Drive carefully and I will deal with the detainees"

Carla headed home, well she didnt go home instead she went to see Michelle who welcomed her with open arms taking in the state her friend was in. She suggested that Carla had a nice relaxing bath just to unwind and when she came out she got out a bottle of wine and they indulged. Carla fell asleep on the sofa and Michelle grabbed the blanket and draped it over her knowing her friend must have been worried sick these last few weeks landing her in a state of utter exhaustion. When Carla woke up she yawned and stretched, Michelle smiled at her and passed her a glass and she began to drink with her friend.

"Sorry about falling asleep, I was shattered" she yawns once more allowing her body to officially wake up

"It's alright, how was work?"

"I arrested the guy-"

"What?!" Michelle exclaims leaning forward, Carla sighs "And?"

"And his son," she says causing Michelle to groan in annoyance at her friend "The gaffer wants to speak to me tomorrow"

"Saying what?"

"He wants to know everything, the corruption no doubt, I'll probably get sacked but hey who cares"

"You figured out the case though"

"Still, I did it against the book didnt I?" she shrugs drinking her glass "I just...wanted to change the world, do something worthwhile, even if I get demoted or get fired I don't care because-"

"Oh my god" Michelle gasps cutting in, Carla frowns "You love that guy don't you"

"It's not that simple, I was attracted to him and it was cheap, either way, I was in the wrong and I have to be punished for that"

"Thats very moral of you"

"Yeah well, you know how it is, so what eh? I've done all that I can and I have to deal with the consequences"

"I'll be here to support you"

"Thanks" she smiles at her friend "I couldnt have done this without you, you've been a real shoulder to cry on"

"Look Carla whatever happens I think you're a great person, you've put two people inside who have broken the law even if it was not the right way about doing it"

"Yeah" she flashes Michelle a smile "Sometimes I look back and I wish I could have done things differently but then I look at it again and I think that maybe we wouldn't have gotten the result we did"

"And you're allowed to think that babe, I guess you just have to hope that what you did was right and time will tell"

"Yeah, I guess it will."