Leanne and Eva stared at each other, their faces blemished with the shock of seeing what they'd speculated about over lunch earlier. Was Nick seriously having an affair with Carla? Right under Leanne's, and Peter's nose? What if it was wholly innocent?

'Lea, are you okay babe?' Eva put her arm on her older sister's shoulder to offer some form of stability, and partly to hold her down. She could sense Leanne was ready to smack a bitch down.

Leanne inhaled deeply, her teeth gritted. 'I'm gonna flamin well kill her. And Nick.'

'You don't know for certain it's what we think it is. I mean they are mates, after all. You can't stop Nick being friends with women because of your suspicions. It's not exactly healthy, is it?'

'Eva, I'm not blind; I saw em with my own eyes!'

Eva tilted her head, deep in thought. 'Well why don't you have a talk? Find out, y'know, find out for yourself if it's what ya think it is.'

Leanne threw her hands to her face to shield her eyes. Luckily, Nick hadn't spotted Leanne and Eva, who had since resorted to hiding against the side wall of the Rovers. He continued on to Victoria Street, breezing along without a care in the world. 'I've tried all that and it's useless. He keeps making out like it's me seeing things but you know as well as I do that I'm not going mad. You saw them too.'

Eva nodded. 'I did, yeah. But perhaps you're better ambushing Carla and not Nick. She might crack easier, especially if Peter is the bait. They're head over heels for each other and that might be your road in.'

'Devious,' Leanne began. 'Very devious, Eva, but I like it.'

'Right, come on then.' Eva looped her arm through Leanne's. Her sister turned and looked at her, puzzled. 'You aren't pinching my ideas and not letting me join in. Plus, nowt is more intimidating blonde with falsies like mine, hun.'

'Falsies? What? Boobs?'

Eva frowned, clutching her chest as they walked along. 'Cheeky cow. Just for that I hope Nick is screwing Carla.'

Leanne glared at her sister before the two broke out into giggles. 'Let's pray he's not - that way your falsies won't be full of clumps of Carla's hair.'

'Preach to that sister!' Eva squealed, making a claw shape with her hand.

Carla emerged from Dev's, armed with the supplies she'd picked up for her chilled Saturday evening in with Peter. After all his efforts with building that Christmas tree, she figured it was only fair she indulged him and allowed him the evening off: her signature spag bol and some Christmas classics, per Peter's request. As she fumbled with her purse, keys, and shopping bag, Leanne and Eva cornered her.

'Oh, evening.' Carla offered, rather awkwardly.

Leanne and Eva folded their arms and glared at her.

'So is this a guilt meal for Peter to conceal your dirty secret?' Leanne spat.

Carla frowned. 'What?'

'You heard 'er.' Eva joined in.

'Sorry, what's this, Battersby?'

'It's still Tilsley, actually.'

Carla rolled her eyes and attempted to make her way around the two. They blocked her path once more.

'Okay! Seriously! What is this? If you're so desperate to reclaim your place at the street corner, you do so Leanne - I'm not stopping ya!'

'Right!' Leanne yelled, launching at Carla.

'Lea! Stop! We need her to help us, not have chunks missing.'

Leanne and Carla straightened themselves out.

'Fine.' Leanne agreed. 'Where shall we do this, ey?'

'Do what?'

'Get to the bottom of you and yer dirty little secret.' Hissed Eva.

Carla froze. How on earth could they have known? Was it that obvious? What exactly was it they knew? Had Aidan said something to Eva that had come from Johnny? Or worse, what if the two had already started to spread her private details? She felt her hands start to tremble and her breath was caught in her throat. Nauseous wasn't even the right word to describe how Carla was feeling.

'Secret?' Carla's voice sounded weak and hoarse. She felt pathetic.

'Ooh see, the first signs of the cracks.' Leanne laughed, smugly.

'So come on Cruella, are we 'aving this out here or would you rather we all snuggle in on the sofa with Peter for the confession?'

Carla shook her head. 'No-no, I, er, why don't we go inside the factory to talk. It's the weekend anyway, so there's no staff about.'

'Ooh how nice, you can take us to the love shack.' Eva retorted. 'Look how quick you were to point out the place was empty.'

Carla led the way to the factory whilst Leanne and Eva followed closely behind. Her hands trembled with the keys as she unlocked the doors to Underworld, and swiftly locked them after the three were inside.

The three women sat inside the factory office; Leanne and Eva assumed Johnny and Aidan's seats, whilst Carla sat in her own chair, panicking.

'I-I don't understand what this is about,' Carla began.

Leanne and Eva chuckled sarcastically.

'Ha!' Leanne's hand slammed against the desk. 'You're a liar Carla; a shocking liar!'

Carla shook her head. 'What?'

'You, spreading your legs for any man that Leanne loves.' Eva chimed in.

Carla looked puzzled. 'Sorry, who asked you Salford Barbie?'

'Ya what?' Eva looked incensed. 'You're the Weatherfield bike, love.'

'I have absolutely no clue what you two are harping on about, but I assure you, there's two broomsticks outside that need their owners to reclaim them.'

'You know what I'm on about!' Leanne spat.

'No, I don't!'

'First you took Peter, then you killed Kal-'

Carla felt the coolness of her hands against her head. 'Right Leanne, I have already told you that I wasn't responsible for the fire, Tracy was.'

'Whatever.' Leanne hissed. 'But regardless of Tracy, you still took Peter and ended my marriage to him. You betrayed me. And now, now after everything, after me thinking you and I were somewhat amicable, you're having it away with Nick!'

Carla couldn't help the laugh that escaped her. 'Oh god, sorry. I don't know where that came from!'

Leanne looked back at Eva. 'Did she just laugh?'

Eva nodded, equally as confused. 'I really wouldn't laugh if I were you Carla. Being a forty-year old slag isn't exactly Live at the Apollo material.'

Despite Eva's bluntness, she was still laughing, her hands to her head. 'Oh god, I really needed a laugh, and by god, you two weapons have certainly managed it.'

'It's not funny!' Leanne shrieked. 'You know how it felt when Peter cheated on you with Tina, and-and you were in the same position I'm in now.'

Carla stopped laughing. 'Alright, yes look, I do understand how you're feeling. I do, Leanne, more than you'll ever know. But listen to me, both of you, I am NOT having an affair with Nick, alright?'

The two frowned. 'Not really, no.'

'What?'

'Why would I believe you? What proof have I got that you're not lying?'

Carla's mind was in overdrive. There was one way she could prove her innocence, but why would she go as far to admit that to flipping Leanne Battersby and her halfwit sister?

'You, have my word.'

'Pfft.' Eva scoffed. 'The flamin oracle as spoken. Panic over Lea, we've got her word as proof.'

'You're lying, Carla.'

'No, I am NOT.' She yelled back.

'Imagine what Peter would say if he knew that you've been cheating on him! Well how the tables have turned.'

'Leanne have you even asked Nick about these insane accusations you're throwing around? Has he not labelled you fit for the asylum?'

Leanne shifted awkwardly and avoided Carla's glare. The roles were reversed and now Carla was stood, whilst Leanne slumped in the chair, deflated.

'So no, you haven't approached your boyfriend about this, have ya?' Carla was suddenly feeling much more confident now the tide was turning and she was winning the argument.

'He gets shirty whenever I ask.'

'I'm not flamin well surprised! Has it occurred to you that he might just want female friends? All I've discussed with him is YOU! Shock horror, it's not been me sneaking around with him behind your back - it's been him, asking me for advice about you and your relationship!'

Leanne and Eva gulped down. Leanne felt the colour in her face drain. 'I had- I had no idea. But I don't understand the secrecy with him.'

Carla threw her hands up. 'That I really do know nothing about.'

'But why should I still believe you? Peter supposedly needed you and vice versa when it was booze, so who's to say you're not using my misery as a ploy for your affair?'

'Oh good lord.' Carla felt her patience starting to slip, and the shopping bag on her desk was in urgent need of returning to the flat.

'Leanne has got a point.' Eva said. 'I mean why should she believe a word you say?'

'Because I'm telling the truth! I'm with Peter and I have been for the past few weeks!'

'Like that's ever stopped you before! Why have one bottle of wine when I can have two, or three, or the whole flamin' bar!' Leanne yelled back in Carla's face.

'I AM telling you both, both of you, the truth! Now can we please drop this!'

'No!' Leanne roared. 'No! I'm not dropping it until I get the truth!'

'You want the truth Leanne?'

'Yes!' Leanne and Eva screamed at the same time.

'I am NOT having an affair with Nick for a number of reasons, but for one good reason.'

'Oh yeah, what's that?' Leanne asked.

'Because I'm pregnant again, alright?'

Leanne and Eva's eyes bulged in disbelief. Carla couldn't quite believe she'd finally let the secret out, and not even to Michelle or Peter. Christ, Peter still didn't know.

'Alright? I'm pregnant. So that settles it.'

Leanne held her hand up. 'Is it- is it Nick's?'

'Oh for god's sake, no Leanne, no, I am not pregnant with Nick's child! Not that my baby is any of your business, but Peter is the father!'

Leanne finally returned to her seat, consuming the news. She never thought she'd admit it, but she was actually envious of Carla purely for the fact she was carrying a baby.

'You're - you're pregnant?' Leanne repeated, staring at Carla in disbelief.

'Erm, congrats?' Eva offered.

Carla perched on the edge of her desk, looking away from the two sisters. She took a deep breath. 'I'm only a few weeks gone, and I'd managed to keep a lid on it until you two barged in.'

'Sorry,' the two sisters mumbled.

'I suppose people were gonna find out soon enough. Even Peter asked why I wasn't drinking the other day. I had to lie. I've been lying to him for weeks. How bad's that?'

Leanne shook her head. 'Carla it's not that bad, honest. Sometimes it doesn't feel right to tell them, particularly if you two are back together.'

'Yeah, things are probably uncertain.' Eva replied. 'I know Aidan lost his mind when I thought I was pregnant.'

'That's not helping.' Carla sighed. 'I keep trying to drop it into conversation and he doesn't bite. He shuts it down entirely, which makes me panic that bit more. We messed up once before, and what if me being pregnant sends him over the edge? Sends him straight into the Primark knickers of another barmaid? Straight to the bottom of a bottle of Vodka?'

'You don't know he'll react like that Carla,' Leanne started. 'Peter has lost a lot to get to where he is now. Besides, it nearly broke him losing you the first time.'

'That's no saying he wouldn't do it again and let me- let us down.'

'Ya can't think like that.' Eva offered. 'What if you and the baby are a fresh start? The fresh start you both need? You've gotta tell him, Carla.'

'I know I do. I'm just worried. How on earth ave I managed to put myself in the same position as I was in a year and a half ago? I must have 'stupid' emblazoned on me forehead.'

Leanne and Eva shared a brief glance.

'That was your cue to tell me I'm not stupid.'

'Oh, oh of course.' They chorused, letting out an awkward chuckle.

'So what're you gonna do?' Leanne tried to sound friendly and supportive. Crikey, she really had got it all wrong with Nick.

'What's this, Piers Morgan's Life Stories?'

Leanne rolled her eyes. 'I'm tryna be nice here.'

'God it must be killing you.'

'Come on Carla. Woman to woman.'

'Ahem.' Eva butted in. 'What am I, chopped liver? I am here y'know.'

'We know you're here.' Carla and Leanne retorted. The mood in the room lightened somewhat.

Carla took her seat again, feeling a bit queasy in the heat of the argument. But also, she was pretty sure she felt sick with worry, too. Was she really relying on big-gob Eva not to blab about her pregnancy? And Leanne? Christ.

'I'm obviously gonna have to fess up, but I'm just trying to find the right time to tell him, that's all.'

'Right time?' Eva questioned.

'Yeah, y'know perhaps in about 32 weeks time when the midwife hands me a baby.'

'Carla, this is serious. You can't joke your way out of this.'

She fidgeted with her hands. 'I want this baby. I never thought I'd say it, but I do. I want to be a Mum. I don't think it'll be easy, and I'm scared about what might happen, and if I'll even end up with a baby, but I'm not throwing away the chance to have one. Whatever it takes.'

'Well that's a good thing!' Leanne smiled warmly. 'You know what you need to do though, don't you?'

'Kill you both now that I've told you?'

'No. Tell Peter.'

'He deserves to know, Carla.' Eva moved nearer in the desk chair, the three women in a small circle on their chairs. Moments earlier it looked as though Leanne was ready to pound Carla. The difference her pregnancy news had made.

'I do need you two to keep your mouths shut though,' Carla started, wagging her finger between the two of them. 'I should have told Peter first, and I didn't.'

The two women nodded in agreement.

'But I'm serious, I really really need your silence on this. I'm willing to do whatever it takes.'

'Well,' the cogs in Leanne's mind were whirling. 'You need our silence and I need some help of my own.'

Carla and Eva raised their eyebrows.

'How can she do that Lea?'

'I won't - we won't tell Peter about your baby if you help me out with Nick.'

'Hang on? Help with Nick? Why what can I do?'

'Nick talks to you quite openly. See if he's being suspicious, suss him out. Eek the truth out of him.'

'Are you serious?'

'My god I think she is. I thought I was the psycho one.' Eva's eyes bulged.

'I'm serious here. Carla, you could really help me, and I could help you. It's not exactly ideal, but this could work.'

'Well?' Eva tilted her head at Carla, who's face was hard to read.

'And you wouldn't breathe a word of this? To anyone? Because I swear to God if I find out Peter - or anyone for that matter - knows I'm pregnant, I will make sure you both live to regret it. Is that clear?'

'Crystal clear.' Leanne said. 'So, have we got a deal?'

'Never thought I'd say this, but we've got a deal,' Carla offered out her hand for the two to shake.

'Deal.' They agreed.

Leanne and Eva made for the doors to the factory, Carla locking the doors behind them before putting the alarm on. The three women stood outside in the chill of the evening air, the Street covered with Christmas lights. The living room windows were filled with Christmas trees and the warmth of Christmastime.

'Well,' Eva laughed. 'That was erm, a good meeting.'

The other two chuckled.

'Not the worst I've had,' Carla replied. 'Guess I better get back and make Peter his dinner.'

'Yeah,' Leanne responded. 'I'll er, see what I can find out from Nick.'

'And I'll keep my mouth shut on both. How's that?' Eva smiled.

'I'll meet Nick for a coffee,' Carla suggested. 'See what I can find out from him.'

'That would be amazing, thank you. Only if, if you don't mind, of course?'

'Not at all. So long as you stick to the agreement too.'

Leanne gestured at her heart. 'Cross my heart.'

'Oo,' Eva squealed. 'Look at us ey, the Weatherfield Angels!'


Hello again, everyone!

Once again, a massive thank you for leaving the lovely reviews; I'm so glad you're still enjoying this story!

This is a shorter chapter, I know, and it obviously excludes many of the other characters, but they'll all be back as normal next time. However, this chapter has of course revealed that Carla is in fact the one who's pregnant! It's nice to have it written after planning that for a good 3-4 years!

Here's what's to come:

What does Carla's plan to find dirt on Nick uncover?

How do the residents celebrate Christmas?

Can anyone save Sarah?

Will Peter find out about Carla's pregnancy?

Who continues to lurk in the background and cause havoc?