Chapter 6: Getting to know you
"You sure you don't fancy a glass of red?"
Michelle held a wine bottle in mid-air and shot a questioning look at Carla who was sat on the other side of the bistro bar nursing a lemonade.
"I told you, no."
"What have you done with the real Carla Connor?"
"Ha ha."
Carla waited until Michelle had finished serving a customer before resuming their catch-up session.
"I am so glad Christmas and New Year's over, this place was so busy, I don't think I stopped once."
"Think of the money, Chelle."
"Yeah, well, we did need it. Still do."
Carla reached out and gently stroked Michelle's arm.
"I'm sick of talking about that, how's things going with Peter?"
"Actually, things are going really well. It was awkward at first, Jamie was a bit shy to start with, but now she's got to know him a bit better… We're making progress."
"And what about Toyah, what do you make of her?"
"Toyah? She's, umm…"
"You can be honest with me, you know?"
Carla laughed.
"Let's just say she's not Peter's usual type."
That's an understatement. I mean, Peter Barlow and Toyah Battersby, I can't imagine that's much fun, can you?"
"As long as they make each other happy."
Silence descended over the old friends as Carla momentarily got lost in her own thoughts.
"Hey, where'd you go?"
"Sorry, just thinking."
"Spill."
"I dunno, Chelle, I kinda feel out of place here these days. Like I don't fit anymore."
"Don't say that, I love having you here."
"Oh, Chelle, I love seeing you too, you know that. But everyone's got their own life and I'm not part of it. I mean, Kate's so wrapped up in Rana she hasn't got time for me. Johnny's more interested in being a grandad than a father."
Carla sighed.
"And Aidan?"
"Aidan? Aidan is mad at me because I won't invest in Underworld."
"I'm sorry you feel like that, babe. I guess that means you'll be heading back home soon?"
"I don't know, Chelle. Home is not without its own complications right now."
"What does that mean?"
"Nothing. Nothing at all."
"Why do I get the feeling you're holding back on me?"
"You know me, Chelle, I'm just a drama queen."
"So, let me get this straight. You don't wanna go home, but you don't wanna stay here either. What the hell are you doing, Carla?"
"I'm giving my daughter a father."
Carla turned slightly in her seat to watch her daughter who, at that moment, was having a daddy-daughter lunch date with Peter.
"How's the pasta?" Peter grinned as he asked the question. The sight of his daughter slurping spaghetti made his heart feel like it was about to burst out of his chest with joy.
"Yummy!"
"I remember your mum, spaghetti was one of the only things she could cook. Spaghetti from scratch. She was so proud of herself."
Peter got so temporarily lost in his own private memories, he didn't notice Jamie had stopped eating and was staring at him curiously.
"Daddy?"
Peter snapped back to reality at the sound of his daughter's voice.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"You went funny."
"Sorry. I was just thinking. You were telling me about your house."
"Mummy got me bunk beds so I can have sleepovers with my friends."
"Oh, wow, that's exciting. So who are your best friends?"
"Umm, there's Olivia and Phoebe. They sleep over all the time. And Sam stays a lot as well."
A sudden frown creased Jamie's forehead.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
"It's Phoebe's birthday next week and she's having a dress-up party and I'm gonna miss it."
"You miss your home, don't you?"
Jamie nodded sadly.
"And Snowy will be missing me."
"Who's Snowy?"
"He's my cat."
"Let me guess, is he a white cat?"
"No, silly, he's a black cat."
Jamie laughed, an infectious sound that delighted Peter.
"You know, I can't tell if you're being serious or not."
Jamie didn't answer, she just grinned cheekily.
"Millie, she's our neighbour, she's feeding Snowy, but he's gonna get lonely without me, isn't he? Specially at night cause he always sleeps on my bed. And Millie's house is a long way away."
"So, you don't live in town?"
Jamie shook her head.
"Our house is in the middle of fields. And I can see the beach from my bedroom window."
"Do you go to the beach a lot?"
Jamie nodded, again with a touch of sadness.
"Every day. Even in winter. Me and mummy go for walks."
"I bet you miss that, too?"
"Yeah."
"I tell you what, how about you and me go to the beach tomorrow? It won't be your beach, but I promise you we'll still have fun. What do ya say?"
Jamie's face lit up.
"Really? Can mummy come?"
Jamie didn't notice the momentary flicker of hesitation cross Peter's face.
"Of course mummy can come."
Jamie twisted around in her seat and shouted across the restaurant.
"Mummy! Mummy!"
Carla slid off the bar stool she was perched on and hurried over to Jamie; kissing her affectionately on the head, she gently chastised her daughter.
"What have I said about shouting inside, Jamie."
"Mummy, daddy's taking me to the beach tomorrow and he said you can come as well."
"Did he now?" Carla smirked at Peter.
"I hope that's okay," Peter feared Carla would think he was taking liberties. "You don't have to come if you don't want to."
"No, mummy has to come too. Please mummy."
Carla looked uncertainly at Peter.
"Come on mummy," Peter teased, a look of mock pleading on his face to match Jamie's.
"How can anyone resist those faces."
Carla kissed Jamie's upturned face.
"Looks like we're going to the beach, baby."