Forgive Me
The bed didn't feel as empty this morning. If anything it felt warmer to Leanne. She didn't even feel that emptiness she always felt first thing. It was strange; she was feeling complete again. Her eyes opened slowly, it ached to open them. She shut her eyes again. Reliving the day to make sense of everything in her head.
Arguing with Nick. Simon. Attacking her in the Bistro with glass and his bitter and twisted words. They hurt more than the bruises and shards of glass Nick had tenderly removed. Nick. She remembered having a long and emotional talk with him. He held her. Then, he kissed her and then...
"Morning," Nick said, looking over at Leanne. He smiled at her and brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes and across her bare shoulder.
"Do you remember what happened last night?" Leanne warily asked. She was bruised and battered. Sleeping with someone hadn't exactly been something she had planned on doing after Simon attacked her. Well, sleeping with her ex-husband that she'd married twice wasn't really something she thought would have happened. It made her feel more self conscious and ashamed as she looked at Nick, he probably regretted it straight away.
Joining her hands in his, they were intertwined together on the black and silver duvet. He spoke softly, moving his head closer to hers. "I do remember. I don't regret it at all Lea, if that's what you're thinking. It's made me realise just how much you mean to me and that it's my job to protect you from Simon. I am going to find a counsellor for him and we can go together. This isn't a battle for you to suffer alone anymore, it's ours now."
"But is it Erica's too? And Carla's? Am I just one of the many women you have? Do you offer to fight Carla's demons for her too?"
"No, neither of theirs. I don't offer for anyone else because I don't care about Erica and Carla as much as I care about you."
"And last night? What about that?"
"I know now that I am not letting you get hurt Lea because I lov...," Nick was interrupted by a phone ringing. It was his.
Leanne moved towards the edge of the bed and grabbed the first thing she saw on the floor. It was Nick's shirt. Throwing the crumpled white shirt around her body, Leanne began picking up the clothes of the floor. Nick's phone soon appeared, buried amongst pillows that had been knocked off the bed in a rush.
"Here's your phone. It's Erica, probably wondering where you are," Leanne smiled, handing him his phone and clothes. Well, everything but his shirt.
Nick grinned back at Leanne and took his clothes. "I told her where I was last night, she knew I wasn't coming home."
"Did you tell her about us?" Leanne looked panicked immediately. She didn't fancy a cat fight with Erica because she'd done the dirty with Nick.
"God no! She thinks I had to clean up the Bistro as some rowdy customers caused trouble and I had some accounts to sort."
"Sneaky! Anybody would have thought you were prepared for yesterday! What are you going to say though when she sees the Bistro is still trashed and you aren't there?"
"Erm, I'll say I brought you some paperwork and improvements for the Bistro. Believe me, nothing could have prepared me for yesterday. Walking into that, it broke my heart seeing you like that. "
"Yeah I know," Leanne looked really uncomfortable now that he had brought up why they had ended up in bed together.
"Sorry, let's get dressed shall we? Long day ahead of us." Nick grinned, he couldn't help it, nor could she.
"Ah okay. I'll get some proper clothes on, I won't be a minute." Leanne smiled at Nick. It was a genuine smile, one she hadn't been able to share for a long time. Nick grinned widely back. She quickly grabbed her dressing gown and slipped it on.
"Why don't I make us a drink? Coffee?" Leanne asked, gesturing to the kitchen.
"I'll sort it," Nick said, darting into the kitchen with his phone. He quickly typed a text to Erica.
Nick:
Sorry, I had my phone on silent! I have some paperwork to take to Leanne's and then I have to do my shift. See you later.
Nick had dropped the kisses he usual added on the end of his texts to Erica. He felt guilty about cheating on her but at the same time he didn't want to keep leading her on. The guilt of that would feel worse than admitting he had spent the night with his ex-wife. But then again, he did enjoy himself last night and by the sounds of it, Leanne had too.
He flicked the kettle on and filled the two mugs with coffee, just as Leanne emerged from the bathroom in her new blue dress. She'd even managed to conceal the bruises and marks on her cheeks and lips. Nick couldn't help but stare, god she looked beautiful. Leanne laughed and said, "Crikey! I'm surprised you aren't dribbling!"
Nick awkwardly giggled and handed Leanne her coffee before lightly placing a kiss on her cheek. "We need to talk to Simon today, get him in the Bistro before he goes to school. He needs to know just how lucky he is that I didn't press formal charges against him!"
Leanne ran her fingers around the rim of her mug, the steam soothing her nerves. "I'd rather not see him today. Could you not stay here with me for the day? I have some suggestions for the Bistro and..."
"Leanne," Nick reached across the table and touched her hand gently, "You can't improve things with him and move on if you haven't confronted the past. I'll be there too. It's my mess just as much as it is yours."
Leanne smiled, "Is that because it's half of your restaurant that got trashed?"
"I'm serious Leanne, you aren't alone; not anymore."
"Okay, we'll do it, I'll finish this and then we can go."
Over at Ken's, Simon, Tracy, Amy and Ken were all sat in the living room.
"Ill? What's that meant to mean? Twice in one week she's dumped Simon on us! I had to tell Robert our romantic evening in was going to have to be postponed!"
"Well I'm sure everything will be alright now, won't it Simon?" Ken asked, hoping Tracy would change the subject.
"Yeah, I guess so." Simon replied, lost in thought and guilt too. He really did feel bad about yesterday, he just hoped Leanne would understand. After everything in his short life, he had lost so much. His Mum Lucy, his Mum and Dad split up, Leanne married Nick, then they split up because of his brain damage and Kal died just as he had become attached to him. There was Peter and Carla, she had miscarried his baby. Leanne had let Stella into her life. Nick and Leanne's failed Christmas wedding, the hate campaign, Nick's fling with Kylie. Peter being arrested for killing Tina, and of course Peter's alcohol addiction. There was more to add to Simon's list but they stood out the most, those things really got to him and made him blame Leanne. Why? Well, even Simon didn't know why he had done it all to her. He felt like he had let his anger out by getting revenge on her, by making her pay for what he had suffered. It never made him feel better. Not at all. In fact, it made the pain of everything feel worse, for him and Leanne.
"Maybe it is but she's hopeless! Honestly, wouldn't surprise me if she was out on street corners again; now she's single. Ey- there's a first! Leanne Battersby not bed-hopping!" Tracy remarked. It had seriously touched a nerve with Simon, despite him saying something similar to Leanne a few days ago.
"Stop being horrible about my Mum!" Simon yelled, startling everyone; especially Tracy. "Maybe she did bad things in the past but she never murdered anybody!"
Ken, Tracy and Amy held their mouths wide-open in horror. He had totally lost it, yet again.
"Simon! How dare you?" Ken shouted, still in shock at his grandson's outburst.
"Go upstairs Simon! I'll be telling your Mum and Dad about this!" Tracy barked at Simon as he trudged upstairs.
"Honestly," Tracy began, "I don't know what's got into him."
Leanne looked at the clock in her flat, it was 7:35. Nick touched her shoulder and said, "It's alright. Come on, let's go and talk to him."
As they headed downstairs, Leanne unlocked the door and peered around, hopeful nobody would see the two of them leave her flat.
"Is the coast clear?" Nick asked, as Leanne gestured for him to follow her lead.
"Oh god, David!" Leanne whispered, pulling Nick back as his younger brother walked with two coffees. They stood flat against the wall, hoping David wouldn't notice them. Thank god, he didn't.
"Phew," Nick breathed out, and looked at Leanne before they walked on towards Ken's.
Leanne could feel herself struggling to have the courage; even with Nick stood right next to her. Her legs wobbled beneath her, just as Nick grabbed her and sat her on Maxine's Bench.
"I can't do this, I can't," Leanne said, she looked on edge and petrified.
"Come on, I'll be with you. You can even hold my hand if you want to." Nick smiled, as Leanne nodded in agreement. She stood up, took a deep breath and crossed the street; Nick was right beside her.
Nick knocked on the door and watched Leanne, who was focusing on breathing. She looked really frightened.
"I'll get it then!" Barked Tracy as she huffed her way to the door. Ken was in the kitchen, wondering what was up with Simon.
"About flamin' time Leanne!" Tracy remarked, but she could soon tell something wasn't right. Especially as Nick was stood there too, he was watching Leanne like a hawk.
"Tracy, I really haven't got the energy. Is Simon...?"
"What? Rudely insulting me? Yeah he is. I could have smacked him one."
"He did what?" Nick asked.
"Told me that I was worse than you because I was a murderer! You ought to teach that kid some manners!"
"That's actually why we are here Tracy, we need to talk to Simon. Can we come in?" Nick said, causing Tracy to frown.
"Right okay," Tracy letting them into No.1.
Ken smiled when he saw Leanne, "Oh Leanne! How are you feeling?"
"Er, okay thanks," Leanne lied.
"Ah good. Did Nick look after you well?"
Leanne now smiled. "Yeah... yeah he did."
"Great, what can I do for you two then?"
"We need to talk with Simon," Nick spoke, to which Ken replied, "Tracy told you then?"
"Yes and we have something to talk to him about too." Nick looked at Ken and Tracy as Leanne fidgeted with her coat.
"You two aren't getting back together for the thousandth time, are you?" Tracy nosily asked.
"No but why would you care anyway?" Leanne responded, gritting her teeth at her former sister-in-law.
"Ooh, alright, didn't mean to touch a nerve! Guess you like your women about forty years older than Leanne!" Tracy joked, but neither saw the funny side.
Ken walked to the stairs to call Simon down, but he had been listening from them.
"Come on Simon, Nick and Leanne are here to talk to you."
"Okay," Simon grumbled as he stomped into the living room. He saw Leanne for the first time since yesterday. He felt guilty but she felt it all come back to her again. Nick quickly sat her down in a chair, just as her legs gave way beneath her.
"Tracy, let's take Amy and Eccles for a walk," Ken suggested, gesturing towards the front door.
"But..."
"Tracy!" Ken said, ushering them all out. All but Nick, Leanne and Simon.
"I know what you've been doing to your Mum Simon," Nick began.
"I haven't done anything," Simon lied, glaring at the two adults.
"Right, don't deny it Simon because the Bistro has CCTV in the bar. I could easily replay it and prove you wrong." Nick replied, leaving Simon stunned.
"Why've you been doing this to me Si?" Leanne questioned, her eyes brimming with tears again. Nick reached for her hand under the table and clutched it tightly in his. She looked at him, then back at Simon.
"I dunno," he mumbled, rolling his eyes.
"Yes you do or you would have stopped ages ago," Nick said.
"Alright," Simon started. "Okay, I'll tell you. Every part of my life has been a mess. Even when I was born my Mum and Dad were a mess, me real Mum that is. My Dad was married to someone else too and he didn't treat my Mum very well. Once she died, I had no Mum and he started to drink a lot. When we came back here everything got worse; he would drink more and more and then he met Leanne. I loved you so much and you were a great Mum to me. Then there was the fire at the flat and I was scared of being alone with him, he was a scary drunk.""
"So you know how I felt, being alone with you?" Leanne spoke, her voice wavering slightly. It was hard for her to go through this all again. Nick held her hand tighter, to show he was there.
"I'm sorry, I am. There were other things that made me angry too. Like when I found out about you two having an affair, Carla and Peter having an affair, him choosing Carla over you Leanne and when you two split up. Me Dad was having a baby with Carla but she lost it, he cheated on her with Tina and Rob killed her. Then I lost Kal, Maddie, Tina and me Grandma Deirdre. I couldn't cope anymore once my Dad left for Antigua and Dan held us up in the flat. I'm really sorry Leanne, I understand if you hate me."
"Look Simon, I don't hate you. I'm your... I'm not your Mum but I'll always be the mother figure in your life. I just wish you had told me the truth from the very beginning because we could have sorted this. You didn't need to put me through this. The last three months have been hell and yet here I am trying to salvage a relationship with you. If I hated you, I wouldn't be here now. But this has to stop Simon. It has to."
Simon had been listening and nodding at what Leanne had been saying to him. "I understand now. Yesterday I stepped well out of line and I shouldn't have. I want you to be my Mum. I am so sorry. Really, I am."
"Well we are going to find a counsellor and something for you to join or do to let off your anger. That way Leanne doesn't get the brunt of it." Nick said.
"Okay, I just want to sort this out," Simon answered, he seemed to have matured and learnt his lesson.
"But, your Dad and everyone else deserves to know the truth too," Leanne spoke as Simon frowned.
"Please don't tell them, they'll hate me too," he pleaded, desperately begging Nick and Leanne.
"Simon, we can't fix it if we don't admit to what you've done." Leanne explained.
"Everyone will understand Si, they will be pleased that you're being mature and facing up to what you have done. This will really prove to us that you are serious about stopping this," Nick added.
"Okay then," Simon agreed. "I better get to school or I'll get into trouble."
"See you later Simon," they both said just as he turned around again.
"Does this mean I can come home tonight?" He asked.
Leanne looked down awkwardly, but finally had the courage to reply.
"I don't think that's a good idea. Maybe stay here for a bit until we have a counsellor and I know you are definitely improving."
"Okay, see you later then," Simon sighed before grabbing his backpack and coat and leaving the house.
"Are you okay?" Nick queried.
"Just hold me," she replied as he pulled her close to him and hugged her. "I'll take you back to the flat."
"No, I want to be at work today. I'm carrying on as normal Nick. This is going to be sorted and everything will be fine once he has some proper help. I can't just neglect the Bistro and nor can you."
"Is that a good idea after yesterday?"
"Nick I'm sure. I want to do my job because it's the only thing I'm good at right now."
"Don't say that! We talked about this yesterday. You are an amazing person Lea. You're a great friend, a brilliant mother and you are the most beautiful person I have ever met."
"Thank you, it means a lot to me. Beautiful? Really? With a black eye?"
"You are gorgeous Lea and don't you forget it."
In the Bistro, the mess from yesterday had entirely vanished. No glass, no spillages and no blood in sight. Leanne and Nick looked relieved as it seemed Gail had finished cleaning, until a voice appeared.
"Urgh, some mess those customers left behind," Gail ranted, polishing the tables as Leanne opened the diary of bookings.
"Yeah I know, awful," Nick said.
"Funny though, I spoke to Erica this morning and she said you had been in here, all night long. I didn't see you when I came."
Leanne looked up quickly, her eyes wide as she met Nick's worried eyes.
"That's er, that's because Nick took me home," Leanne fibbed. Nick nodded in agreement.
"Why did you do that?"
"Because she was ill. She'd felt light-headed all day. When the customers went Lea nearly collapsed so I took her home."
"That was very good of you. Take it you didn't mind then Leanne?" Gail replied.
"Well to be honest it was lovely knowing someone was there for me when I needed care the most. Very few people round 'ere still care about me."
"Hmm, well, I best be off. David and Kylie are working today so I'll need to get back to take care of Lily." Gail said, removing her apron.
"Right, have fun then," Nick smiled, coming and standing behind the bar, next to Leanne.
"Bye Gail, thanks again," Leanne waved at Gail as she headed out of the door.
Both Nick and Leanne let out a breath when Gail left. Thank god she hadn't found out about last night. Leanne could just see Gail's face. It didn't bear thinking about the reactions other people would have about their night together. Erica would be devastated. Carla would be pretty naffed off as well. Simon, well, Leanne wasn't entirely sure if he would be okay with it but then again there seemed like there was no reason to tell anybody.
"About last night," Nick began, as Leanne turned and looked into his eyes.
"I don't want to move on from it, I've realised that I've made a mistake being with Erica. It's you that I want Lea, I want it to be me and you again."
"I want that too," Leanne said, smiling. Nick edged closer towards her as she moved nearer to him. She could feel his warm breath on her lips before he kissed her. She looped her arms around his neck as he wrapped his hands around her waist. The kiss deepened but they soon stopped themselves from carrying on. There were voices coming from the entrance. It was Steph. Steph and Erica.
Leanne covered her mouth and darted into the kitchen so fast her high heel nearly snapped off. Nick glanced back at the kitchen, then plastered a fake smile on his face for Erica. Oh god. He knew what he needed to do. It was going to hurt her so badly but it was cruel otherwise.
"Morning lover," Erica grinned as she strutted over to Nick.
"Hi, are you okay?" Nick quizzed.
"Yes, I'm okay. Shame about last night though, but at least everything is back to normal in here."
"Oh, what do you mean?" Steph looked confused as she questioned Nick and his girlfriend.
"Well Nick and I were going to have a nice romantic night in but he had stay here and clean up the mess."
"I thought you took Leanne home because she was ill?" Steph looked like a police officer now and Nick definitely felt like he was being cross-examined.
"I did, I took her back to hers then came back here. I did as much as I could to sort the mess but Mum did the majority."
"Aw, my hero," Erica laughed before trying to kiss Nick who shrugged her off immediately.
"Actually Erica, I think we need to talk. Shall we go and sit over there?" Nick gestured to the table in the corner. Erica nodded and beamed as she strutted over. God he felt bad already and he hadn't even dumped her yet. Leanne emerged out of the kitchen, looking a lot less flustered than before. She smiled at Nick who turned to Erica.
"Erica, you know I think you're a wonderful woman and you really helped me get back on track after Leanne and I got divorced. Well, it's just. I just..." Erica butted in, "Come on Nick, what is it?"
"I feel as though this isn't working out."
"What isn't?" She asked, then her face fell along with her permanent smile.
"I know we had the baby and then we lost it but I just feel as though you and I have tried to build a relationship on wondering what could have been. It seems like we keep going through the motions of 'ifs and buts'."
"Don't say that. It's not like that at all Nick! I thought you were happy with me?"
"I thought so too but I think I was trying to fake feelings until I really believed them."
"Oh, so you asked me to try again because?"
"I felt guilty about our baby. When I came into the pub that night, I was coming to tell you that I had feelings for Carla. Perhaps if I had been with you then and not her you'd still be pregnant. I felt bad for you so I..."
"Took pity on an old woman?" Erica asked, just as Carla entered the Bistro. Nick hadn't even noticed her come in but Erica, Leanne and Steph had.
"What's going on?" Carla said as Leanne and Steph watched from behind the bar.
"Sssh!" Leanne and Steph chorused.
"It's her isn't it?" Erica pointed at Carla, who looked stunned as all eyes clapped on her.
Nick furrowed his brow and said, "No, no. It's not Carla, there's no-one else. I just think I should be on my own for a while Erica, that's all. Look, I'm really sorry it ended like this but it's for the best. It's only fair that I'm honest with you before things get too complicated. I'm sorry Erica, really."
"It's alright, I'll be fine. Thanks for being honest though. Good luck Nick," Erica lied, faking a smile before running out of the Bistro in tears.
Leanne felt guilty. Really guilty. She knew how much she hurt when Peter and Carla's affair was revealed once she had miscarried his baby. Now poor Erica had lost two opportunities at happiness- being with Nick and having a baby.
Whereas Carla couldn't hide a little grin. Finally, he'd dumped the old girl and come to his senses, she thought. As he stood up and headed towards the bar, Leanne spoke to Carla.
"Do you want a drink?"
"I'll have a red wine Leanne, make it a large too," Carla demanded as Nick ignored her and went behind the bar instead. He felt relieved but Leanne felt dreadful.
Leanne placed Carla's red wine down in front of her as she watched her ex-best mate try and gain her ex-husband's attention. She wasn't succeeding.
"Nick? Are you alright?" Carla suggested he sit at the chair next to her with her other hand.
"No thanks, I'm fine." He said before walking off and setting up tables for the lunchtime rush.
Leanne was astonished and so was Carla. He'd just turned down a shoulder to cry on from Weatherfield's sexiest and most seductive factory owner. What was going on?
Thanks again for all the reviews and lovely comments- it means a lot! It would be nice if more of you readers took the time to drop a little comment on your thoughts but even so, I hope everyone is enjoying it so far! I have a lot more drama to come and the Simon story wont end here either- there's serious trouble coming! There will also be some twists with Leanne and Nick too so do stick with the story!
Thanks for reading! Don't forget to follow, favourite and review! I'll update again very, very soon but until then... :) :)
