A Tiring Game

Leanne was furious. Seething. It was eleven at night when Nick had returned home and announced that Callum had snatched Max from his friends Halloween party, thinking it would make Kylie and David see sense. It didn't. In fact, it made them even angrier. And Leanne.

She said nothing to Nick when he tried to cuddle up to her after he got into bed. She shrugged him off and slept on her own side of the king-sized bed. He felt pretty rejected by his girlfriend, but helping his brother and his wife find their son took the memory of what had happened to his own baby away. It took it all away for just a little while.

It was seven thirty and Leanne was finishing off the tea in the spotty mug that was hers. She swirled what was left in the cup, watching the tea slosh and splash against the sides like waves crashing against the sea wall. She figured that it was wise to get back to work and not let it get her down; people would notice her behaving strangely and she didn't want people to know, not yet anyway.

Nick emerged out of the bedroom, bleary eyed as Leanne knocked back the remains of her tea and two pills the doctor had given her. He smiled at her and all she could do was flee to the bathroom, locking herself in.

Leanne sat on the bathroom floor, pulling her legs up to her chest, rocking backwards and forwards in her penguin pyjamas. It was getting too hard for her to cope with this and she had only known about the miscarriage for eighteen hours. This time a day earlier she had a baby, a future and Nick wasn't dumping her at the first opportunity to run back to his family. She'd already told Carla her fears about Nick losing interest in her now there was no baby. It seemed those fears were fast becoming reality.

"Lea?" Nick asked, tapping lightly on the door. "Shall we talk now?"

She shut her eyes and stood up, flicking the shower on quickly and pretending she'd not heard Nick.

"Leanne?!" Nick shouted again. "You can't avoid me forever!"

She might not be able to avoid him forever but she'd give it a good go.


Carla bravely stepped in the factory again, her head held high for the first time in ages. All eyes clapped on her and the staff for once, fell silent.

"Morning Carla," Aidan smiled. He was actually quite a nice lad beneath it all; the arrogance, the charm and those dreadful shirts. He mouthed, "Everything okay?"

Carla nodded and Sally came rushing over. "Mrs Connor, Mrs Connor! I'm so sorry for what I said to you the other day, I never meant any of it- really, I didn't."

"Well, you all had reason to hate me, but we all know it was Tracy now so we can try to move on and put the past behind us." Carla said, standing tall and like the Carla before the fire would have stood.

Sean piped up. "Oh...that Tracy! I always knew she were a bad 'un!"

"She's like that milk we've got in the fridge, all lumpy an' gone off an' horrible." Kirk added in.

Carla also knew what her biggest apology would be for the factory staff, and it was time she started making amends.

"Girls...and Sean and Kirk, I owe you all an apology."

"Bout flamin' time," Beth muttered.

Carla folded her arms across her chest, staring Beth down. "Right, Beth if you don't like working for me, you know where the door is!

Beth rolled her eyes. "I was only joking! Lost yer sense of humour in that fire?"

"Beth!" Sean snapped. "Shut up!"

"One more word like that and you'll be out that door faster than you open the biscuit tin. Now...I wanted to say how sorry I am for taking that money. Money you all needed for Christmas and families and what not. I am trying everything I can to get you at least some of it back, and I promise you'll have it by the end of the month."

"Mrs Connor?" Sally asked.

"Yeah?"

"That poses a bit of a problem for me and my wedding. Nick and Leanne need the money for the Bistro, for catering and everything else. I've barely got enough to give them."

Carla flung the office door open. "Okay Sally, step in and I'll see what I can do."

"Better not be gettin' a raise!" Izzy moaned.

"Teachers pet Webster? Course she will. She'll get a hold flamin' star an all." Beth laughed.

Carla sat in her office chair opposite Aidan as Sally stood between the two factory owners.

"How much money does your wedding need?" Carla asked.

Sally pulled a face. "Well, Tim earns quite a lot from his visual cleanliness services."

"Isn't that window cleaning?" Aidan replied, furrowing his brow. Carla nodded from across the desk, giggling slightly.

"Anyway...Nick said I should go and talk to him in the Bistro today, talk numbers and stuff." Sally explained. "Leanne had told me it would be £3500 originally. I've paid £2000. But the other £1500 was going to be split between me and Tim. So, if you haven't already worked it out I need-"

"£750." Carla said. "Right, leave it with me Sal."


Eva and Jason's taxi returned from the hospital and she had never felt happier that things were going back to normal. She handed the driver £20 and told him to keep the change, all £3 of it. She felt that generous. Giving Jason her hand and carrying his bag over her shoulder, they stepped out of the taxi and on to the street.

"You okay babe?" Eva asked, leaning in to his shoulder as he rested on his crutches.

"I sure am. Shall we go back to me Mum's then?"

"Yeah," Eva grinned. "She'll spoil ya rotten when I'm at work. We've worked out a system so she works when I've got time off and Todd works when yer Mum is off and whenever I'm working. We've got all bases covered chick!"

Jason pulled a face. "Is that in case I wet meself or forget how to breath?"

"Ey, come on, don't be such a miserable sponge!"

Jason limped off on his crutches, suitably unimpressed by Eva's attempts to cheer him up. Being a cripple hadn't put him in the best of moods and he was really beginning to show just how annoyed he was getting.

Eva trailed behind him, her eyes drifting to the direction of the factory where Aidan had popped out from to grab some lunch. She turned her face away from him when he offered her a smile.


Leanne stood behind the bar in the Bistro, trying to focus on the names in the Bookings Diary. She couldn't concentrate at all, and it hadn't helped that Nick hadn't turned up for his shift at lunch. The Platt's had phoned and claimed they needed his help with sorting Max out at school, creating a rota to make sure he was always collected by an adult in his family and that Callum was not able to see even a glimpse of his son.

Steph stopped laying tables, noticing how unlike herself Leanne was being.

"Hiya. Is everything alright Leanne?"

Leanne snapped out of her gaze. "Sorry? Oh...yeah, I'm fine thanks."

"How's the morning sickness? Has it stopped yet?"

She felt her breath catch in her throat and she could have been sick there and then. "Erm...yeah. Getting better thanks."

"Bet you and Nick are dead excited for the baby to come." Steph squealed, throwing the cloth she'd been using to wipe the tables down in front of Leanne.

"Yeah," Leanne agreed awkwardly. "We just can't wait for it all to be over."

Steph smiled again, obviously unaware that there was no baby and that it really was all over.

"Sorry I'm late!" Nick announced as he rushed in, throwing his coat down behind the bar. "It's Bethany." He explained. "She's bunked off school to hang out with Callum and his posse. Sarah caught her out. Turns out she's been a drug mule for Callum."

"Great." Leanne said. "We had a drug dealing scally working for us in the summer holidays."

"Leanne! She's my niece and I know she is a good kid deep down."

"At least someone does."

"Yes. I do. Buried underneath the warpaint is a scared little girl and I feel sorry for her."

"I don't. She brought it all on herself with Callum."

"You wouldn't say that if you were her."

"I wouldn't have been as stupid as her." Leanne retorted. "Now have you hung up your cape for the day? Can we actually do some work?"

"Yeah!" Steph chipped in. "Your poor girlfriend is carrying your baby and she needs a break!"

Nick just looked sadly at his girlfriend. "Sorry Lea."

"S'okay," she lied, running off into the kitchen.


The factory staff had all gone on their lunch break in the Rovers, moaning about the fact that some of them still didn't have the money Carla owed them and promised them. They sat around the table like witches around a cauldron, dishing out insults about their boss and her gambling issues, just as Peter strolled in.

"She's had a lot of problems has Carla." Izzy said. "I do feel sorry for her though."

"I don't!" Beth replied. "She's spent half my money at a casino in town! It's like working for a real life russian roulette."

Sean nodded. "Oh aye! Will we get paid this month, won't we?"

"It's a bit like a wedding on this street." Sinead joked, gaining laughs all round. "Will they, won't they?!"

Peter stopped dead in his tracks by the booth, listening in on what they were saying about his beloved Carla.

"Like Carla and her weddings. Some like it hot, well she likes a good murderer. Don't she?" Sean chuckled.

"Her ex-husband was a murderer and so was her brother!" Izzy replied. "Got the hallmarks of the Jeremy Kyle show."

"She's alright," Beth began. "When she's not plastered or causing fires!"

Peter had heard enough. He stormed over to them, watching their faces fall as he shouted. "Have you lot got nothing better to be doing than bitching about someone who is ten times the person you lot will ever be?"

"No!" Beth yelled. "We're allowed to talk about her!"

Sean started again too. "Yeah! Especially when we aren't paid what we need!"

"What?" Peter asked. "Have you lot not been paid?"

"Well, we've been paid some of it." Beth replied. "Only thing is she gambled the other half. My sources tell me four grand has gone from't kitty."

"Four grand?" Peter repeated. "When did she say she'd get it for you all?"

"Dunno. Whenever she stops gambling." Izzy said. "Just not fair on us. I mean, I've got Christmas coming up and Sally has her wedding too."

"Her wedding?"

"Is there an echo in here?" Sean retorted.

"Yeah Peter," Beth explained. "She can't pay Nick and Leanne the rest of what she owes 'em for the wedding."

"Oh no." Peter said, the cogs in his mind ticking. He had four grand that he had been saving to buy a boat of his own in Antigua. But, he knew that it would benefit the Underworld staff more and so, he headed off to the bank.


Sally and Tim sat opposite Nick and Leanne at a table in the Bistro, prepared to discuss the final arrangements for their wedding on December the 4th. Leanne would have preferred to sit on the sofa at the flat, sobbing into a tub of ice cream and wishing the world was a better place.

There was nothing that she could do now as she sat with them, pretending to care.

"So...we wanted a big sit down meal for the guests and lots of proseco." Sally beamed at Tim. "We just can't wait for the wedding. It'll be the best Weatherfield has ever seen."

Nick nodded at her. "Well, I'm sure It'll be lovely. Have you chosen your meal choices for the guests then?"

"Yeah!" Tim replied. "As long as there's loads of pies!"

Sally smacked him in the arm. "Pies aren't classy Tim! We're having goats cheese hors d'oeuvres."

"What are horse doofers?" Tim questioned rather stupidly. Nick couldn't help but chuckle.

Leanne's eyes drifted over to the door and she was planning in her head an escape route.

"Leanne?" Nick pushed her. "You've got the list of menus."

"Is she feeling alright?" Tim asked, sounding sincere and concerned. "You don't look so good love."

"I need some air." Leanne said, heading for the door.

She got outside onto the street and stared at the world around her. It was miserable and she needed a way of letting off her steam and anger. A punchbag maybe. A person's face too.

Her eyes clapped on Callum, striding smugly towards the Platt house. And she knew if he did see them, Nick would have to go and save the day yet again. She'd had enough of Callum Logan for sure.

"Oi!" Leanne bellowed at Callum, walking towards him as he paused outside David and Kylie's. "Stay away from 'em!"

"Who are you?" Callum asked. "Their pet Rottweiler?"

"Your worst nightmare. Leave them alone or you'll have me to deal with."

"Oh no," Callum laughed. "I'm shaking in my converse. Terrified that Nick's tart is coming for me."

"Good." Leanne huffed. "You should be. Cos I've had enough of you round here and if you don't clear off, I'll make sure the police come after ya."

Callum rolled his eyes and proceeded his slam his fists against the door of No.8. He'd obviously not taken Leanne's warning seriously so maybe he'd take a personal offence more to heart. She pulled her high heel off her foot and dragged the heel along the paintwork of his car. The screech made him stop in his tracks and pay Leanne attention.

"There ya are. That's a warning to ya if ever there was one."

Callum was incensed as she walked off to the Bistro again, feeling rather satisfied with herself. Callum ran after her and grabbed her, slamming her into the wall outside the Kabin. He put his hands over her mouth and she could see his eyes were full of venom.

"You're gonna regret that!" He roared in her face. "You Platt's are gonna regret the day you ever messed with me!"

She heard the sound of voices emerge from the Bistro and Sally gasp at the sight of Callum, threatening Leanne.

Nick rushed over, furious that Callum had even looked at Leanne.

"Get off her!" He yelled, punching Callum in the face and knocking him on the floor. "Don't you touch her!"

"You two are gonna regret that!" He roared back, rising to his feet. "You'll all regret it!"

Leanne stepped behind Nick and she felt him put his arms around her waist protectively. She rested her head against his shoulder, relieved and terrified all at once.

Callum hurried off in his scratched car and Sally and Tim rushed off home too.

Nick turned around to her and hugged her. "You saved me," she whispered.

"I know," he said reassuringly, stroking her head. "And I punched Callum."

"What's he gonna do to us?"

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing baby because I'll save you each time." He spoke as though he was adamant he would protect her no matter what, but Leanne wasn't sold. She'd dealt with men like Callum and they always stuck to their word, coming back and beating her, humiliating her or locking her in a car boot.


Eva walked into her flat, alone, hurt and upset after Jason had snapped at her when they were eating tea at his Mum's. She burst into hysterics, shoving a photo of her and Jason to the floor and watching the beautiful grey and black frame he got her for Christmas shatter on the hard flooring into a million and one pieces. She wanted fun and that wasn't what her boyfriend was, not anymore. She needed a night away from it all or maybe even a lifetime from him. Her time with Jason had come and she was pretty sure there was no going back this time.

She went into her bedroom, tarted herself up and phoned her sister, knowing that Leanne would definitely need a night away from all her miscarriage pain too. She texted her sister quickly and wiped the remainder of the panda-eyed tears she had from her face.

Eva:

Hiya chick. Fancy a nice dinner out and a couple of glasses of something fizzy? I know we could both use a break from everything at the minute. XX

It didn't take her sister long to reply and Eva had never felt so relieved to get a text back off Leanne.

Leanne:

Definitely. I've had the worst twenty four hours ever and Callum is now after me n Nick. I'll explain later, see you in the Bistro at seven?xxx

So even Leanne and Nick were being chased by Callum. Eva could have killed him herself. She'd watched her sister go through enough lately and now this chavvy creep was after her too. Uh-huh. Eva was certain she'd be wearing his bollocks for earrings by the time she'd finished with him.

Eva:

I'll sort him for ya hun. No problem, see ya then. Hope you n Nick are okay. xxx

Eva finished applying her make up and cracked open the bottle of wine Leanne had left her in the fridge. She had a massive glass and let the rollers in her hair work their magic.


Over at Nick and Leanne's, she was getting ready herself and Nick wasn't so sure it was such a good idea her going out with Eva.

"Leanne?" Nick called, standing in the doorway of their bedroom, watching her curl her hair with the irons.

"Hmm?"

"I...I don't think it's a good idea you going out today, especially when Callum did what he did today."

"Babe, nothing is going to happen to me. We'll eat at the Bistro, have a few drinks, then go home. That's about it. I'll keep me phone on me if it makes yer feel better."

He nodded but deep down he wasn't happy at all. "Okay. But please let me know if anything happens."

She put her hand up to him whilst curling a strand of blonde hair. "Nick, I mean it- I'll be fine. He's seen what happens when he messes with me and it ends with my high heel through his car window. So he will stay away. Okay?"

"Okay," he agreed, planting a kiss on the top of her head.


He remembered the Underworld password well considering he hadn't worked there in over a year. She hadn't changed it and the fact it was 'merlot75' made him chuckle as he added the additional money he had got himself to the wages of the staff that had been underpaid by the woman he loved so deeply.

Peter smirked as the money in the accounts topped up and they all had what they were owed. He logged off the Underworld computer and slipped back into the Rovers, shoving the keys Aidan had left for the factory behind the bar back where they belonged.

"Orange juice please Liz," Peter ordered and he smiled to himself, knowing just how pleased Carla would be when she found out what he'd done for her.


After two full bottles of white wine, both Leanne and Eva felt very tipsy. They giggled and laughed as they drank and it helped Leanne forget what she'd gone through a day earlier. However the constant tutting from Steph, Sally, Rita, Norris and Emily as they watched her drink alcohol made her annoyed.

"Oh, look at that," Norris gaped. "Poor Nick eh? She's there, drowning there baby in Pinot Grigio."

Steph replied, "It's actually Sauvignon but that's not the point."

"Just stay out of it Norris," Rita urged. "It's Nick and Leanne's business, not ours."

"I think it's disgusting," Sally began. " What sort of woman does that to her baby?"

"Steph!" Leanne slurred, grabbing hold of the wine bottle and lifting it in the air. "Oh...Steph! We need more wine!"

Steph nodded and Norris couldn't resist making a jibe at her. "Does Nick know you're killing his child?" He shouted over at Leanne who stopped giggling along with Eva.

"Norris, shut up," Eva demanded.

"No! She needs to hear this," he carried on, ranting away as the other watched on with disgust for Leanne. "Poor Erica had a miscarriage with his baby and there you are, killing yours one glass at a time!"

"Shut up!" Leanne yelled. "I can drink whatever I want!"

"Norris!" Rita grabbed him, trying to pull him away but he hadn't finished.

"People like you disgust me!"

"Why?!" Leanne screamed. "I'm doing nothing wrong because I've had a miscarriage!"

The restaurant fell very quiet and Leanne just stood, motionless.

"What?" Sally asked. "When?"

"Yesterday...yesterday afternoon. Okay? So I'm doing nothing wrong because me baby is already gone!" Leanne cried. Eva patted her shoulder and Leanne spun around. "I'm gonna go home...I can't deal with this right now."

"K hunn, I'm so sorry." Eva said, looking just as upset as her sister. "Shall I come too?"

"Nah, you stay here, enjoy yerself."

"Oh Leanne," Rita sounded apologetic and deeply devastated for Leanne. "I'm so sorry love."

"Yeah...erm, thanks," Leanne grabbed her coat and headed off out onto the street into the dark.

"I hope yer proud of yerself." Rita remarked to Norris, giving him a whack over the head with her hand.

Aidan walked in the Bistro and smiled at Eva again. Only this time, she allowed him to sit with her and order the wine.


Out on the street, Leanne took a deep breath, steadying herself and calming down after what had just happened in the Bistro.

She felt embarrassed that hers and Nick's private information had just been broadcasted in front of the biggest gobs in Weatherfield.

Callum hid behind the wall of the Kabin, outside the factory, peering over and watching Leanne as she began walking down the street, unaware that he was there.

She reached into her black suede clutch bag for her phone to ring Nick, even though she was a minute from their flat. She just wanted to talk to him and hear the comforting sound of his voice.

Callum made his move, grabbing her and ramming his hand over her mouth again, muffling her desperate screams for help. He dragged her back to the side of the factory, out of site of anybody making their way home


Eva smiled at Aidan as he poured the remainder of the bottle of white wine in her glass.

"So come on Aidan," Eva began. "Why have you not been snapped up by someone else?"

"Because I tell all the others I'm not interested."

"And why's that then Mr Connor? Got too many knickers at Underworld to sink ya teeth into?" Eva giggled.

"Nah...I've not seen yours yet."

"Is that something you want to see?"

"Hell yes. All that and more."

"Shall we get back to me flat?"

"Yeah," Aidan followed behind her as they ran back to her flat.

They burst in through the door of her flat, all lips and lust. His tongue crashed against hers and she shoved him down onto the couch with her. They carried on passionately kissing and Aidan slipped his hand up the back of Eva's blue shirt and removed it quickly, throwing it over his shoulder as he pushed himself on top of her in her flat. She moaned into his kiss and she took his shirt off too, flinging it to one side and letting their tongues and bodies do all the talking. She could feel him against her and as he caressed her neck and chest she finally decided the time was right.

"Aidan," she panted. "Let's take this to the bedroom."

He stopped kissing her chest and removed her bra, guiding her into her bedroom and carrying on with the passion.


Callum moved away from Leanne after beating her black and blue. Her eye was bruised and badly cut, her lips slashed and Callum had torn at her clothes. Leanne lay on the ground bloodied, battered and badly bruised.

"I warned you." Callum whispered into ear. "I told you to behave."

Leanne lay on the ground, shivering, shaking and crying as he darted off into the darkness.


Thank you again for your amazing reviews! Please keep reviewing!

Next Time

Will anybody come to help Leanne?

How will Carla react to Peter's good deed?

Eva and Aidan face the morning after the night before.