The pregnancy test still sat in front of her but now she had resorted to covering her hands with her eyes as she sat on the floor, her head against the wall in the bathroom.
She felt sick to her stomach. Her head ached. She was expecting a baby. A baby. She was just waiting for someone to burst in and yell that it was some big prank and that in reality none of this mess was happening. But this was her and her life and she knew it was all bloody real.
Then her mind drifted to the baby's father and how he'd deal with the news. If he knew, she thought. If he knew. Oh god if he knew.
She rolled over to the toilet seat and threw up again, wiping the remaining sick from her lips and groaning as her phone buzzed in her handbag. It'd been a frantic rush to the bathroom when she got home from the chemists that she even had her coat on still. She rose up slowly and stood up, the room spinning.
She opened her handbag and pulled out her phone. Impeccable bloody timing, she thought. It was him. Probably after his next fix of her. His next sweet loving. Well she'd gone through quite enough for one girl.
She rejected the call, changed into something more suitable and headed out for the day ahead, her mind racing.
Nick was sat in the Bistro with a cappuccino in hand, reading over the day's bookings whilst Leanne laid the tables. Nick looked up from the book and smiled at Leanne.
"We've got a table of twelve in today." Nick sighed, rubbing his forehead. He'd felt the odd twinge of brain damage symptoms coming back again but he'd hate to admit it to Leanne, especially as she'd been under a lot of stress lately. He needed to be her rock and that was what he'd be.
"Joy..." Leanne said with a groan. "Just 'ope their not like last week's."
"The rowdy bunch? It was Like Loose Women had come to Weatherfield."
Leanne laughed. "They were after you. Surprised I didn't have to fight any of em off."
"The Denise Welch lookalike was tempting." Nick smirked.
"You could still have her if you want her...we're not married, remember?"
Nick smiled and Leanne went back to work, his mind going in circles with what she'd just said.
Carla held her head in her hands as she sat at her desk in Underworld, the staff gossiping away and the place alive with the buzz of machines, boxes being packed and Peter walking into her office, two coffees in his hands.
He knocked lightly on the door frame, treading carefully in the office as Carla looked up at him and nodded that it was safe for him to come in.
"So...do you want to tell me why you ignored my calls?" Peter asked, a slightly irked tone to his soft voice.
"Needed breathing space." Carla admitted, not lifting her head from the desk.
Peter put his feet up on the opposite desk. "And a simple text wouldn't tell me that?"
Carla lifted her head up off the desk, big black bags framing her eyes, her skin pale and washed out. She'd drunk two full bottles of red wine last night and unsurprisingly, it hadn't really agreed with Carla. Last thing she needed at this time was Peter bloody Barlow in her face.
"Carla, am I talking to a brick wall?"
Carla gritted her teeth, the factory staff downing tools and stopping and staring at her and Peter.
"Will you lot sod off an' get back to what a pay ya for!" Carla yelled, slamming the office door shut.
"Ooooh!" The girls and Sean chorused.
"What's goin on with you?" Peter asked. "We're together and kissing and... you know...one minute then you're blowing hot and cold the next. What the hell is it Carla?"
Carla sighed and leaned back against the wall of her office, Peter watching her like she was a ticking time bomb . "Nothin just wish you'd stop fussin."
"Do you still not trust me or summat?"
"No!" Carla shouted. "I just...I just..." The office door swung open and in walked two people. Carla and Peter's eyes diverted straight away and Carla felt her stomach drop and a million fears rush through her body.
"Where's me son?!" He asked, looking round the office.
The young dark haired woman behind him piped up. "Aidan, bloody idiot, where is he?!"
"Dad?" Aidan said as he came over to the office.
Carla edged towards the desk, her hands shaking and her voice nothing more than a squeak. She felt pathetic. "J...Johnny...What the 'ell are you doin ere?"
"This is 40% my factory. My stupid son just didn't tell me." Johnny answered smugly. "Good to see you again Carla."
Carla swallowed what felt like more vomit as it dawned on her who the girl next to Johnny was. His daughter, Kate. His daughter.
Eva poured pints in the Rovers, preparing for a long day ahead as Sally was having her 'pre-wedding drinks' and it wasn't a hen do as Sally said only the unclassy did a hen do. Eva smiled, thinking about Aidan and how good things were with him in their new relationship even though Jason had taken her heart and thrown it against one of his building sites.
Still, Aidan was making her feel like a princess and despite the niggles of doubt she had, she knew he was the better man. Eva carried on pulling pints, her usual smile still in place.
Kylie plaited Lily's hair ready for her play date with her friend Alice whilst Kylie was going to attempt to get Callum to stay away one last time. She knew it may fail but it was worth anything for him to leave her family alone and for Kylie to keep them safe, like her childhood had never been. Lily sat patiently, holding her dainty dolly, Sophia. She felt so envious of her innocent two year old, who was completely unaware of the danger surrounding her family and all the suffering that was going on because of her mother's mistakes- letting Callum back in her life had caused so much trauma, she just hoped that her work would soon put an end to it all.
"Kylie, she's gonna be late," David said, annoyed at how long is wife took to get ready. Anyone would have thought Kylie was walking at London Fashion Week the time it took her in a morning.
"She won't. Especially as you're takin her, you run fast."
"I ain't runnin anywhere," David replied, his tiredness starting to show.
"Wish we could all run off somewhere...I still can't believe what Callum has done...to Leanne, Bethany and yer Gran. I hate it. I want to go David." Kylie sighed, giving Lily a quick kiss on the head and putting her little jacket on and her size eleven pink converse with sparkly laces. Lily had pleaded with Kylie to let her have them as they 'Sparkle Mummy! Sparkle!'
"We sort Callum, we don't have to go anywhere. "
"Your poor Gran gettin dragged into this too. What if something more serious had happened to her?"
"I dunno," David admitted. "We'll just have to 'ope nothin serious happens again."
Kylie's stomach dropped and she suddenly felt pain in her stomach- for two reasons. "I feel ill."
"What's wrong babe?"
Kylie edged towards the window and pulled back the lace curtains to check if Callum was lingering anywhere and thank god, he wasn't. "Two things I hate- period pain and Callum Logan."
"Just be glad we're gonna get rid of the latter."
Kylie gave her husband a half smile and watched him go out the door, holding their little girl's hand. Lily turned back and waved at her Mummy before she and David went out of the front door. Kylie slumped down on the couch and held her phone in her hands, a text message drafted to Callum.
Come round to ours at eight. It's about Max's school trip. Need to talk about money.
It was the biggest fib ever. There was no trip. No issues with money. But she knew Audrey would be having the kids so she and David could enjoy pre-wedding drinks in the Rovers for Sally whilst Sarah worked her shift. Perfect time to pay Callum off with whatever she and David could get their hands on.
Kylie's manicured nails hovered over the send button but she locked her phone and closed the chat. She just couldn't do it. She was too afraid after what had happened to Leanne.
Everyone was beginning to gather in the Rovers for Sally's not-quite hen do in the same place as Tim's not-quite stag do.
Eva was pulling the cellophane of sausage rolls and cocktail sausages whilst Michelle pulled pints. Eva felt a hand on her shoulder and saw it was Michelle, a deep look of concern on her face.
"You alright love?" Michelle asked.
Eva fake nodded. It still hurt knowing what Jason had done to her and deep down, she knew she still loved him. "Fine," Eva lied.
"You sure? I know what it feels like to be let down by a bloke."
"So do I Michelle. I'm used to checkin' into Heartbreak Hotel and I'll just carry on sippin' cocktails by the pool."
"He does love you y'know and I'm sure he'll wanna make it up to ya."
"Well he can all he wants- it won't make a blind bit of difference." And with that, Eva turned back to the bar, just as Aidan came in, a glum look on his face. That was until he spotted Eva. Something Michelle didn't miss either.
"Y'alright?" Eva asked in a flirty tone.
"I am now," Aidan smiled before catching Michelle's eye. "You seen me Dad?"
Michelle's eyes widened. "Your dad? No! Where is he?"
"Down at factory...he's brought the spawn of satan with him as well."
"Kate?!" Michelle grinned. With Steve still away in Spain and Ryan in Ibiza, Michelle had found herself getting quite lonely. Now she had Aidan, Kate and Johnny, it felt like she had her family back again, even if her brothers weren't alive anymore.
"Me Dad found out about his money..." Aidan admitted, pretty embarrassed that the truth was now out and he had no money of his own invested in Underworld.
"Oh..." Michelle said. She looked between Eva and Aidan, sensing the spark between the two. "Well...I er...I should probably go make up the spare room."
Eva smiled sympathetically at Aidan. She tapped his hands on the bar. "I still think you're great darlin."
"Thanks...I would kiss ya but..."
"I know," Eva smiled. "Save it for eleven."
"That when you finish ere?"
Eva nodded, her bouncy blow dry moving over her shoulders.
"Then I'll start the countdown now gorgeous." Aidan said with a cheeky wink for Eva.
David had taken the kids to Audrey's house and made sure his Gran was sorted with everything she'd need with the kids- cuddly toys, Lily's favourite blanket, snugglemugs and Max's IPad. He walked away from the house, waving at his kids who looked as though they were ready for bed even though it was only seven. David couldn't help but feel guilty, the night after his Gran's salon had been broken into he leaves her in charge of his kids. But, Audrey had insisted that things carry on as normal and so, David and Kylie did as they were told to. He offered to take the kids to the fireworks display at the Rovers instead, but Audrey promised it was fine and David knew this was as good an opportunity as he could get to get rid of Callum.
"Bye Da-Da!" Lily shouted, clutching snugglemugs in her hand.
"Bye Dad!" Max echoed, waving at David.
"Bye lovey!" Audrey shouted. "Now come on you two, let's get you in where it's warm."
David pulled his phone out of his pocket as he closed the gate of the front drive and walked round the corner. It was 7.19 and it was pitch black on the cold November evening in Weatherfield. He saw he had a missed call from Kylie and decided he knew what to do. He pushed his phone back in his pocket and carried on walking.
Nick and Leanne stared across the bar at the almost empty Bistro, bored out of their minds at the amount of customers they had. It was unbelievable that they were so empty and the pair glanced at each other, wondering just how much longer their restaurant would be so dull.
Leanne rested her arms against the bar. "How much longer shall we give it?"
Nick chuckled. "Half an hour until our shift is over."
Steph came past, equally as bored. "Guys, why don't you both have the night off? I can manage."
Leanne shook her head. "Nah it's fine...we can all suffer together."
Nick came closer to Leanne. "Maybe it's not a bad idea Lea. We could go have a drink in the Rovers, toast to Sally and Tim."
"Not after what she said to me the other day."
Nick looked confused but Steph shook her head and mouthed, "The baby."
"Well...we did promise Si we'd take him to the fireworks tonight. We could use that as our reason instead."
Leanne nodded and gave Nick a hug. "I agree. Steph, you sure you can manage?"
Steph gave a salute. "Yes Sir!" And with that she went off to serve the two full tables.
Kylie sat in the Rovers alone, waiting on David who hadn't answered her calls and as a result of her constant ringing, she'd killed the battery on her phone which was still at No.8 charging. She prayed David would just turn up soon so she didn't have to face the sympathetic looks off everyone anymore.
"Come on David," Kylie muttered under her breath before sipping her bottle of beer. "Where the flamin hell are ya?"
Sarah rushed down the stairs at No.8, throwing her cardigan over her shoulders as she made her way downstairs, well aware she was late for work.
Kylie's phone caught her eye as a message flashed up from David.
Won't be long. Sorting this out once and for all. xxx
Sarah felt some sick catch in her throat. Callum. David. He was going to do something stupid and knowing David, it'd be deadly. She couldn't watch her brother do something like that, lose his wife, his kids all over again.
Sarah clicked out of the chat by accident and saw a drafted message to Callum- one that Kylie hadn't had the guts to send earlier.
Come round to ours at eight. It's about Max's school trip. Need to talk about money.
She glanced at the clock on the wall in the kitchen and saw it was just gone half past seven. She still had time to turn this all around. She could get rid of him. She could fix this mess that she partly caused. She pressed send and pulled out her own phone to text Steve- her shift in the Rovers could wait.
Sarah took a deep breath and considered drinking the cheap bottle of white wine lying on the side. She took a swig straight from the bottle like she did as a teenager and grasped the kitchen worktops to steady herself. She was shaking so much already and it made her uneasy.
Kylie's phone flashed up again and Callum had replied rather quickly.
Will Dave be there?
Sarah crafted another simple yet Kylie sounding text and hit send.
No. Just us.
And with a smile at his phone, Callum headed to the Platt's.
Kylie sat in the pub, still waiting for her husband as Nick and Leanne appeared with Simon. They offered her a confused smile and took the seats opposite her in the booth.
"Kylie?" Nick asked. "Where's David?"
She looked puzzled. "Thought he'd be with you two."
Leanne shook her head "We haven't seen David since this morning."
Simon frowned at the adults. "Saw him with Max and Lily before."
Kylie spun her head to Simon. "They're stayin with Audrey."
"Well there you go then," Nick began. "He'll be with Gran probably discussing the meaning of life- cuts and blow dries."
They all chuckled but Kylie looked to the door, still anxious about where David had got to.
David walked into the Dog & Gun and scanned around the dodgy pub for his nemesis. Gemma eyed him up, her big gob and giant hoop earrings meandering their way over to him from the pool table.
"David Platt...the 'ell are ya doin in ere?"Gemma asked, catching the eye of Callum's other equally as scummy chum, Macca.
"Lookin for Callum. You seen him?"
"Yeah but I ain't tellin ya." Gemma smirked.
"Right...cos he needs his council estate Britney to protect him."
"Britney?!" Gemma grinned stupidly. "You actually think I look like..."
"Get out Platt!" Macca said. "Now! Callum ain't ere. He went off a few minutes ago- to see your missus I think."
"Kylie?!" David looked panicked.
Macca and Gemma were smirking widely.
"She's invited him round. Hmm shame really. You two made a nice couple." Macca added.
David rushed outside into the dark and walked as fast as he could home. There was no time to stop for a taxi or a bus. He needed to get back and save Kylie as fast as he could. And with the thought of Callum possibly doing what he did to Leanne, if not worse, to his own wife, David practically sprinted.
The doorbell at the Platt's sounded and Sarah answered it, having steadied herself somehow. She checked her phone wasn't in clear sight of Callum and pressed record. She was going to get her evidence and send him down no matter what. She knew she could do it. But weirdly, her nerves had cleared and even she couldn't understand how she had calmed herself down.
"Hiya," Sarah said, opening the door that Callum leaned against like he owned it.
"Alright? Thought it was just me and Kylie." He strutted in to the living room and spun round, no sign of his ex.
"Erm... she just had to bob out for a minute. She won't be long and I've got to go to work so..."
"Well I'll sit ere then," Callum began, throwing himself down on the couch like he lived in the house. "Got any beers?"
"Er...yeah I'll er...I'll get you one." Sarah shakily edged towards the fridge and got Callum out his beer and handed it to him before he popped the can and slurped it back.
Over at the Rovers, the evening was moving nicely and everyone was thoroughly enjoying themselves. Drinks were flowing, laughter was sounding and the entire pub was full of love and smiles.
Tim stood up next to Sally, a beer in his hand. "Right...I wanna just say a few words..." He began, gaining a few groans from Steve and some others. "No, no," He continued. "Nowt soppy! I just want to say that in these last two years with you Sal, you've made me laugh, smile, cringe and made me feel so special. I love ya like mad and I wouldn't want to marry anyone else. In fact, this goes for all of you in here tonight... there's so much love; we've all overcome challenges in our relationships..."
Nick and Leanne were stood up, embraced by the bar and met eyes, the not too distant memory of their own challenges- the miscarriage, Simon's abuse, their very early relationship at the moment and all the stuff that had gone before. They both felt the other knew how the other felt and so Nick tightened his arms around Leanne who nuzzled deeper into their embrace.
Kylie glanced at the door again, still wondering where David could possibly have gotten to. She was really, deeply worried now and more than that, Sarah still hadn't turned up for work. Was she with David? Had something more serious happened? Was it Audrey? Her mind was doing somersaults.
Eva and Aidan glanced at each other and grinned, blissfully unaware that Michelle had seen them. Her own head filling with ideas about her cousin and what he'd been up to with her newly-single barmaid.
Meanwhile Jason sat alone in the corner, thinking about his mistakes of letting Eva go and her discovering what he'd done behind her back. Boy did he regret it and he'd do anything to get her back.
Kylie looked over to Steve and Michelle who were talking away behind the bar. "What d'ya mean Sarah isn't comin in?"
"I dunno," Steve answered in an angry tone. "I've had a really vague text off her and she said she isn't comin ill cos she's ill!"
"Ring her again," Michelle barked. "And say if she doesn't get her backside down ere in half an hour she's fired!"
Michelle huffed and rolled her eyes before folding her arms as Kylie sat back in the booth, deep in thought.
Over at the Platt's, Callum was still sat, drinking and waiting with Sarah staring at him like he was set to explode at any minute.
"Where the hell is she?" Callum asked. "And why are you still ere? Haven't you got pints that need pullin?"
Sarah shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. "Ah... you know Kylie, be late for her own funeral. Erm...well I can be a bit late... I'll er...I'll wait with ya."
Callum opened his mouth to speak but the sound of Sarah's phone ringing from behind a photo frame stopped him. That's when he knew. The photo frame was positioned right in his sight. She was going to film a confession out of him. Callum grabbed Sarah before she had chance to retrieve her phone. He held her phone and saw the video appear once Steve's call had been declined.
"You!" He screamed in her face, twisting her arm. "You thought you could trick me!?"
"No!" Sarah pleaded back, trying to wrestle him off of her.
"You're gonna pay!" Callum roared in Sarah's face. Her arm aching from his tightening grip on her. On all of them.
The firework display had already begun outside, the noise booming across Weatherfield and creating a spectacle in the sky. Carla and Peter watched from the balcony of her classy apartment in Victoria Court, the winter chill catching Carla, who shivered despite the rather large glass of red in her hand. Peter obviously had orange juice.
"Cold?" Peter asked, standing next to her and leaning against the steel railings.
"I'm always cold. Cold hearted is what they say about me, int'it?"
"Not to me you aren't," Peter said, taking off his leather jacket and placing it over her shoulders. Carla gratefully accepted, the warmth of just his touch sending shockwaves through her body.
"Hmm."
"So er...Johnny today," Peter began. "Aidan's royally cocked up hasn't he?"
"Can we just leave it?"
Peter frowned. "Why's that ey?"
"Because I don't wanna talk about work right now Peter. I've got enough on me plate."
"Like what? I can help."
"No thanks. You've done enough."
"Carla," Peter pleaded, touching her hand on the railings. She flinched, pulling her hand away.
"Last time you 'helped' you messed with me business. Just mind your own, shut up and watch the flamin Catherine Wheels."
"That's me told then."
"Don't you forget it."
Down on the Street, Simon stood with Nick and Leanne, watching the fireworks take off and rocket through the sky before bursting into bright explosions of red, blue and green.
"Fancy a burger Si?" Nick asked, gesturing to Steve by the barbecue.
Simon smiled. "Why not. It is a Friday."
Leanne laughed. "Shall I go?"
Nick shook his head and pulled her into a hug. "No don't be daft, I'm the man, I'll do it!"
"I think I can manage a couple of burgers. It is me job."
"I'm not saying that Lea. You're great at your job it's just..."
"Nick?" Simon began. "Let Mum go. She'll win in an argument anyway."
Leanne nodded in agreement. "It's true Tilsley. Better get used to it."
"Lucky me," Nick said sarcastically, giving her a quick kiss before she went to get their dinner.
Simon turned to Nick, who was watching Leanne walk away with a huge smile on his face. "You love her like mad, don't ya?"
Nick spun round. "Sorry?!"
"You an me Mum. You love each other so much. It's proper gross."
"Oh right, gross is it? Shall we split up again?"
"No...cos I like havin a proper family."
"Proper family?"
"Well yeah, you make me Mum dead 'appy. She loves ya and I know she'd marry ya again."
"Ah right. I'll keep that in mind."
"You should. I'd make a great best man."
Back at the Platt's, Sarah was desperately trying to fight Callum off. She stood on his feet and kneed him where it hurts before making a helpless attempt to run to the back door to get out and away.
"Not so fast!" Callum yelled, grabbing Sarah and muffling her screams for help. She knew this was it. Her heart racing, her palms sweaty, her body getting weaker. He was going to kill her and now she just hoped it would be fast and painless. She used what little energy she had left to fight back, sinking her teeth into his flesh on his hand, gaining a furious scream from Callum.
She ran towards the front door and he pushed her down to the floor, climbing on top of her body and grabbing her face, whispering, "You're about to pay!"
"Help!" Sarah screamed. "Help me!"
"No-one will help you now Sarah!" Callum screamed in her face. Sarah shut her eyes and found them widen at the sound of Callum collapsing on top of her, his body limp and lifeless. With tears in her eyes, blurring her vision, she shuddered and shook his body off her.
Sarah panted and let out her tears. She thought she was going to die. She thought her time was up.
She turned around to Callum's body to see...to see them stood there, wrench in hand, their eyes full of venom, their hands shaking as Callum lay on the floor, bleeding...
I want to apologise greatly for my lack of updates- it's been nearly eight months! But I'm hoping to be back and update as soon as I can and I hope you found this chapter okay...my writing is a bit rusty! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and thanks for your great reviews last time!
And next time...
Is Callum dead?
Who faces their biggest, darkest secret being revealed?
Will the pregnant woman keep her baby?
And which man decides to take drastic action to fix his mistakes?
