Suspicious Minds

"Well come on then Leanne! Give us a hug!" Eva squealed, throwing her arms around her older and slightly shocked sister.

"What are you doing here?" Leanne asked as Nick stood beside her.

"Well, Henri decided to go and visit his folks so I decided where better than 'ere!"

"Henri? Isn't that the hoover?" Nick frowned.

"Me fiance. Gorg Nick, he's french too."

"Ah, oui, oui."

"So! Come on then, what have I missed? Are you two...?

"No! Let's get your bags in then."

Eva was back. Oh-god Leanne thought. Eva can sense when something is going on behind her back straight away. It's as if she knows immediately. Nick lugged half of the bags Eva had up the stairs while Leanne carried the other half. Nick dropped the bags by the door and Leanne did too. There was eight bags in total that Eva had. Two of which were handbags. Nick started laughing as Leanne tried to climb over the luggage.

"Come here then," Nick giggled, lifting Leanne over the bags as Eva watched on, her smile was wide; she looked just like the Cheshire Cat.

"Ah, thanks," Leanne laughed back.

Eva smiled and began to rummage through all of her bags. "I'm just lookin' for the presents I bought you all, where the flamin' hell are they?" Eva ranted, pulling everything out of her bags and emptying the contents onto the floor.

"Oh god Eva, it looks like Barbie threw up in here," Leanne joked as Nick tried to hold back laughter.

Pink dresses, jumpers, bikinis, shoes and the occasional duty free bag would be thrown in Leanne's direction. After emptying the last, enormous suitcase, Eva squealed excitedly. "Found it! It's not much but I thought you deserved it." Eva handed a bag to Leanne.

"Oh Eva, you shouldn't have," Leanne smiled, opening the bag to find two lip glosses, a bottle of champagne and a massive bar of chocolate from the airport.

"Well, I know I shouldn't but I can't resist! Ooh, Nick, I saw this and thought of you," Eva grinned, handing Nick a bag too.

"Oh, really? Eva, you shouldn't have...oh wow." Nick said, opening the bag and finding a 'Grow Your Own Girlfriend'.

"See, she can come everywhere with ya. Bistro, flat, winery and you could even take her on a date!" Eva giggled, Leanne did too.

"Ah, thanks," Nick began then muttered, "I'd rather take a certain someone out to dinner than my portable girlfriend."

Leanne had heard what Nick had whispered, she turned around and smiled at him.

"So, what shall we do about dinner?" Leanne asked, looking between Eva and Nick.

"Ooh, yeah, I'm starving!" Eva said.

"The Bistro is really quiet tonight, why don't you two have a nice meal together?" Nick suggested, Eva's face lit up.

"Oh, I don't know," Leanne frowned.

"Yeah, it'll be fine; I can give you both the VIP treatment!" Nick said, pushing the clothes and bags out of the way of the door and exiting.

"Thanks Nick," Leanne smiled, meeting his eyes.

"No problem, see you later," he winked back before heading downstairs.

"Right hun, let's get dressed up then!" Eva grinned, heading into her room and shutting the door behind her.

Leanne went into her room and debated about what to wear. There was a black dress with lace on the shoulders, her black leather dress, a blue dress and one towards the back of the wardrobe that Leanne hadn't worn in years. It was a deep crimson red that hugged her figure and made every woman in Manchester green with envy.

"Eva!" Leanne shouted, she needed a second opinion on her dress. After all, there was only one person she was hoping to impress.

"Yeah, what is it?!"

Leanne held the dress up to her body and Eva grinned. "Swit-swoo! Check you out!"

"Do you think it'll look alright?"

"Gorg hun!"

With that, Eva darted out of Leanne's bedroom and into the bathroom. Leanne smiled and continued to get ready. After nearly two hours, the two sisters were ready and looked beautiful. Eva had a pink, low cut dress on with heels higher than the Beetham Tower. Still, they were dressed to perfection for their dinner out. The two linked arms and made their way down the street, slowly of course, due to Eva's skyscraper heels.

"So, any fit lads moved around here?" Eva asked, nudging Leanne and winking.

"Er...no, Michelle's cousin Aidan lives here and he's buying into the factory I think. It's what Nick said anyway."

"Oh is it? Nick said this and that," Eva laughed, mocking Leanne in the process.

"There is nothin' going on between me and him!" Leanne lied and Eva could tell. Then again, Eva had her own secrets so she didn't feel like pushing Leanne for the truth.

"Ah, okay. Whatever you say! How's Simon?" Eva asked, Leanne had completely forgotten her sister was oblivious to everything that had gone on with Simon.

"He's... he's good yeah. Is Henri coming to visit us in Weatherfield soon?"

"I don't think so, his business has really taken off and he doesn't get much time away from his desk."

"I thought he was a gardener?"

"Only in the summer."

"Eva it's always warm in France! What's going on?"

"Nothing, nothing! He sells expensive gardening products and travels all over the world."

"Alright then, as long as that's the truth," Leanne said, tilting her head at Eva.

"Yep, course it is. Now let's get hammered!" Eva giggled, clapping her hands together.


"I need the loo," Leanne said, going to the toilet first as Eva headed towards the main restaurant of Nick's Bistro.

"Alright, what cocktail do you want?"

"Ooh, how about a mojito?"

"Very exotic Mrs!"

"You know me!" Leanne laughed before going into the bathroom and checking how she looked. For the first time in weeks she looked and felt good. Leanne just hoped Nick would appreciate it too.


Eva entered the Bistro and took a seat on a wired barstool.

"You look lovely Eva! How are you?" Steph exclaimed.

"Good thanks chick, you look stunning as usual! How are you Steph?"

"I'm good yeah. What can I get you to drink?"

"I'll have two mojitos please."

Steph smiled, "Sure thing, but how come you're having two all to yourself?"

"Leanne's coming too, she's in the little girls room."

Nick hurried over to the bar and smiled at Eva.

"You look nice Eva but where's Leanne though?"

"She's in the ladies." Steph and Eva chorused, just as Leanne made her way in, clutching her bag and smiling. Nick couldn't help but stare at the beauty that had just walked in.

Steph suddenly prodded Nick, "Er Nick, you're staring."

"Oh god. Er, you look beautiful Lea, really beautiful."

Leanne blushed, just as Eva and Steph had noticed the two exchanging glances.

"Here's your drinks ladies!" Steph grinned, placing the cocktails down in front of Leanne and Eva.

"Thanks," they both said in unison, smiling and sipping the minty drinks. Nick watched them both laugh and smile. He couldn't hide a smile as it was lovely to see Leanne smiling and having fun- something she'd missed. Then again, Simon was still there in the background and Leanne's night out with Eva wasn't going to make her problems go away. Nor was the fifth mojito she'd just drunk.

"Go on lass! Down it!" Eva cheered loudly, causing all eyes to turn to her and Leanne's table.

"Guys can we keep it down a bit?" Steph asked, trying to catch Leanne's attention especially as it was her restaurant she was drinking in.

"No! Steph, two more and get the shots out!" Leanne slurred, just as Carla came into the Bistro to talk to Nick. Leanne had seen Carla come in and Eva noticed the looks her sister was giving Carla.

"Can we talk?" Carla asked Nick who was stood behind the bar.

"Yeah of course, can I just sort those two in the corner first?" Nick gestured to Leanne and Eva. Carla instantly looked jealous and Leanne could tell. As Nick pointed at Leanne, she waved flirtatiously back. Carla was incensed.

"Course. I think Battersby needs to go home unless she's steeling herself for a night on the street corners!" Carla smirked and Leanne had heard her insult.

Leanne stormed over to the bar, towards Carla. "What was that Cruella?"

"You heard. Where's your mattress?" Carla was definitely picking a fight.

"Where's your next victim eh? Have you brought the measurements for Nick's coffin? Are you just preparing yourself?" Leanne sneered back. Customers were beginning to stop eating and stare as Steph tried to distract them.

"Leanne leave her!" Eva shouted, rushing over to try and stop the fight.

"Oh no Eva, let me carry on. I haven't finished with her yet," Leanne said.

"It's a shame no-one's ordered a coffin for you," Carla remarked as Leanne turned around and slapped Carla straight across the cheek. Carla clutched her cheek as everyone gasped in shock. Nick tried to come between the two but Carla went straight for Leanne.

"You bitch!" Carla screamed, pulling Leanne's hair.

"Stop it! Get off you physco!" Leanne roared back, grabbing Carla by her hair and pulling her around the bistro.

"Stop! Stop!" Yelled Nick and Eva, trying to pull the two apart.

"You can never leave my fellas alone can you?!" Leanne shouted as Nick grabbed her and pulled her away from Carla.

"Your fellas? You dumped Nick for Kal! Besides, all your men come to me because you never satisfied them!"

"Right! That's it!" Leanne tried elbowing Nick off of her but it wasn't working.

"Oh Carla? I think you'll find Peter ran off with Tina, Liam chose Maria and Nick wants me, not you!"

"Yeah right, as if he wants you!" Carla laughed as Eva tried holding her back.

"It's true!" Leanne slurred, edging nearer to Carla again.

"He wouldn't take you back in a month of Sundays Leanne!"

"Well get ready to live Sunday everyday Carla!"

"Ha! As if!" Carla continued to laugh, as Nick looked awkwardly. Leanne wasn't lying.

"Tell her Nick, tell her!" Leanne yelled, looking up.

"Come on, let's get you home," Nick replied, pulling Leanne away from Carla.

"No! I haven't finished with her!" Leanne barked back, shoving Nick off of her. Eva was still stood in shock. Nick grabbed Leanne and ushered her out of the Bistro.

"Carla I am so sorry about her," Eva began. "Let me get you a drink."

Carla spun around and nodded at Leanne's surprisingly quiet sister. "The strongest thing you can find," Carla replied, sitting at a table.


"Get off!" Leanne shouted, all the way down the street as Nick continued to drag her home. Norris, Sally and Tracy had all seen Leanne kicking off at Nick and had begun whispering.

"You didn't tell Carla that you want me, why?" Leanne continued to drunkenly slur as other started watching.

"Because you started ripping her to shreds! What the hell were you playing at?" Nick asked, gritting his teeth.

"She thinks she can have any bloke she wants! Well, she can't!"

"I asked her to come to the Bistro so I could apologise about earlier! I didn't realise it was going to be a case of assault and battery!"

"Ah well run back to her then! Like I care!" Leanne screamed, creating a scene. "I never wanted you anyway!"

Nick rolled his eyes and yelled back, "I am not the one who abandoned their brain-damaged husband for Gym Boy! Hey? Carla may be a lot of things but she's always there for me when I need her! Where were you when Erica miscarried? No, didn't think so!" Nick stormed off back to the Bistro as Leanne stood outside her flat and cried. She hadn't meant to cause trouble, she just hated seeing Nick with her. Now he hated her and Leanne suddenly felt more alone than ever before.


Back in the Bistro, Carla and Eva were sat, talking about Leanne.

"I mean, I feel sorry for her and everything but I don't know what her problem is. Her and Nick were over a long time ago." Carla began, frowning as she spoke.

Eva was just as confused, "I don't understand. She was all happy and a bit dull with Kal. I come back and she's getting hammered and starting fights...in her own restaurant! Then again, her and Nick kept giving each-other funny glances before."

"Funny glances? What do you mean?"

"Like they are hiding something, as if they've done something. Maybe I'm just imagining things but..." Eva was interrupted by Carla, who'd began to notice the same thing, especially when they went out together earlier.

"I think you're right Eva. I saw them get into Nick's car before and drive off together. I was a bit stupid before as well. I kissed- well, tried to kiss Nick but he turned me down and pushed me away-literally. A few weeks ago we kissed and he didn't turn me down then. I'm serious Eva, something fishy is goin' on." Carla said.

"And I'm goin' to find out what," muttered Carla.


Thanks for reading again! I know it's a short chapter but it's meant to be a continuation from the last one. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please do keep reviewing as it's great to know people are enjoying all the hard work I'm putting in! Speaking of reviews, in response to 'Holly' I am not sure when Eva will be back but I would assume within the next three/four weeks as Jason is attacked next week. There will be more with Simon, Eva, Carla and Nick in the next chapter! Don't worry, I've not forgotten about Simon!

Thanks again for the lovely reviews! Don''t forget to follow, favourite, review and read on! I'll update very soon! :)