'Would you care for another coffee, Carla?' Roy asked gently, lingering by Peter and Carla's table in the cafe. Whilst he hadn't outwardly shown it, Roy was delighted to have Peter and Carla over for a Christmas Day breakfast, especially as it was his second one without Hayley. The afternoon was to be spent in the Rovers with Norris, Ken, Audrey, Rita and the others, soaking up the remainders of the day; and whatever drama came with it, of course.

Carla nodded. 'Aw please Roy, I'm looking and feeling like the crypt keeper this morning. Load me up,' she handed him her mug as Peter eyed her and the dark circles under her eyes.

'Right. Yes. I'll make a fresh pot for you. Is there anything else I can get you both?'

'Any chance of a time machine for my lovely girlfriend?' Peter joked. 'By the looks of her panda eyes we'll need to head back to about 1995.'

Carla gave Peter a light whack from across the table.

'Teabags, apparently,' Roy mused.

'Eh?' Carla looked baffled. Peter sniggered.

'Teabags. It's alleged that teabags are a wondrous remedy for dark circles. So I've read, anyway.'

'Where've you read something like that?' Peter smiled. 'I thought it was cucumbers that worked on the eyes.'

'I believe the cucumber is used to reduce puffiness and inflammation in the eyes. Did you know that dark circles are linked to deficiencies? It tends to be anaemia, a lack of iron that manifests itself in-'

'Roy, I'm not anaemic.'

'Well, perhaps not, but I do know there are links to dehydration, sun exposure and allergies. Could it be you're allergic to something?'

Carla smirked. 'You've got a point. I could be allergic to early mornings and Peter. We're yet to decide which one will finish me off for the day. I'm going with the latter.'

'Hm,' Roy started, convinced he'd reached his limit with conversation for the morning. 'I'll make you that coffee.'

'Thanks Roy,' Carla beamed at him, patting his arm lightly as he made his way back behind the counter. She couldn't quite believe the pivotal role Roy had in her life, and how he had become a rather eclectic father figure - filling the void her own Dad had left her with all her life.

'Bless him,' Peter smiled at Carla, taking a sip of his own coffee. He'd nudged his plate away from him, defeated by the full English Carla had treated him to.

'I know, he's a Saint our Roy. If only I could keep him in bubble wrap.' She stared at him whilst he rustled up her coffee from behind the counter. Peter's eyes bulged at her rather affectionate display.

'Jesus. First you were in tears at the John Lewis' advert, now you're threatening to wrap Roy up like he's being posted abroad. Whatever next, will the high heels meet the dust?'

Carla looked disgusted. 'Will they 'eck. These beauties will remain glued to my feet when I'm buried. Take note, Barlow.'

'You and your hormones. Honestly, nothing screams time of the month than when you start blubbing. You can't stop crying at the TV at the moment. I'm tempted to phone SKY and plead with them to cancel your contract.'

'Oh piss off.' Carla gave him another playful thump. Peter really was oblivious that she was nine weeks, almost ten weeks, pregnant with his baby. Were all blokes this oblivious? 'Can't I be in touch with me feminine side without being accused of going mushy?'

'You, my darling, are never mushy.'

'Certainly not,' Carla smiled. Perhaps a light with a flashing arrow would indicate to Peter what every part of her body was starting to make clear - every part but her own mouth. All the signs he'd seen and still he had no clue she was pregnant again. Was he playing dumb?

'So what have you got planned for today?' He asked, having noticed Carla had drifted off in her own thoughts. He often wondered what went on in that mind of hers; the horrors in the corners of her mind that crept back in and the memories that pierced through her like a stab wound. He sometimes thought his own errors were the things that pulled Carla out of the present with him and whether their past was hindering their fresh start.

'Oh y'know, the usual, discussing knickers and bras with clients. Having the staff through a paddy when I don't let em batter the Rovers on their lunch. Dealing with the 'bring your kid to work' fun in the office. All the good stuff.'

Peter winced. 'That bad?'

'I feel like tearing me hair out. I've got half the staff demanding a bonus because it's Christmas but not wanting to put the time in, the other half giving the Gallagher brothers a run for their money in fighting, and tweedledee and tweedledum as business partners.'

'What if you sack it off for the day- we could go shopping? Or chill out? Get you away from it for a day?'

She hesitated. Boy that was a tempting offer. A day away from the obnoxious loudmouth staff and more importantly, Johnny, who she was certain was trying to touch her foot with his own the other day. He made her skin crawl. She tried to hide the shudder that escaped her.

'Cold, love?'

She had to agree. 'Yeah, something like that.'

'A break might do you some good. What d'ya say? Come on, who wouldn't want to trade Underworld in for the day to have a pre-Christmas shopping trip with the man from Del Monte.'

'That is very tempting.' Carla's phone flashed up. It was Aidan, messaging her to let her know that some of the staff had turned up hungover from a boozy night out the day before. She, of course, hadn't been drinking and had absolutely no sympathy.

Peter stretched out his hand to hers across the table. 'What is it Carla?'

'Flamin idiots! They're all half-cooked or haven't turned up to work 'cos they ended up leathered last night.'

'You're joking?'

'Yes Peter, this is the face of someone joking.' She shook her head and continued to stare at her phone. Why did the staff decide the run up to Christmas was when they'd let her down most?


Leanne and Eva were nestled away at one of the tables inside the Bistro, sipping coffee and munching on breakfast as Nick filed in the office. They'd both been fairly stunned by Carla's bombshell news on Saturday, and if they were honest, they felt they'd imagined the whole thing. Of course, Carla was willing to protect her relationship with Peter at all costs, but to go as far as confessing her pregnancy to Leanne and Eva? Well, that was just plain desperation and fear, despite them knowing nothing until she blabbed.

'I still can't get over it,' Eva started, her mouth half-full with Eggs Benedict. 'Carla, flipping pregnant.'

'Ssh,' Leanne hissed from across the table. 'What if someone hears you? What if Nick comes in?'

Eva rolled her eyes. 'Lea, give over. This is mental. Carla, an actual baby. Peter as well? I can't believe you had Nick down as a cheater when she's been up the duff the whole time!'

'It's not funny!' Leanne was fairly annoyed by Eva's jokey tone. After all, there was no confirmation that Nick wasn't having an affair after all; the only thing that was certain was that Carla wasn't his mistress.

'Chill out hun, you'll pop that vein in yer forehead.'

Leanne was taken aback. 'The what?'

Eva gestured awkwardly, 'Well when ya shout and get angry, that vein pops - it's like Moses parting the sea.'

'Cheers, I'll bear that in mind for when I have it out with Nick, shall I?'

Eva took a sip of her cappuccino. 'Who's to say he is cheating? It's almost Christmas and he could have bought you something he doesn't want you to know about. God I'd love it if that happened to me.'

'Well we're not on about you here, we're on about Nick being a flamin' liar.' Leanne took a deep breath. 'And yes, Carla being knocked up has had me baffled. I was sure there was a stone in the place of her heart. Christ knows how she'll cope with motherhood.'

'I've never 'ad her down as the maternal sort.'

'That's because she isn't. She's a no-nonsense, takes no-shit, doesn't like children lush. Even so, I want things to work out for her. She's had a rough time.'

'Is this you, turning a corner? My god, do you not hate Carla?'

Leanne raised a finger. 'I never said we're bosom buddies Eva, but she deserves a chance at motherhood, especially when she lost out so much last year. Think of everything that she's been through and dealt with in her life, and well, you too might just feel sorry for her like I do. She's not 'ad it easy, as much is it kills me to admit it.'

'All finished!' Gail squealed, emerging from the kitchen with numerous cleaning products and feather dusters to hand.

'Great. Thanks, Gail,' Leanne offered as sincerely as possible, but she couldn't help but find her mother-in-law both overbearing and irritating.

'Oh, hello Eva.' Gail smiled, wandering over to where the two sisters were sat, a printed advert on the table between them. 'What's this?'

Eva glanced down at the printed advert for the Gazette. It was the whole reason she'd bobbed into the Bistro: purely to print it out for the paper, and find herself a new roommate or two. One flat with three bedrooms was expensive enough when Leanne and Simon lived there too, and now it was Eva alone, the price was sky-high. 'Oh, a bit of desperation really. It's getting a bit costly, shall we say, living in a three-bed flat on me own.'

'I did offer you the money Eva,' Leanne reasoned. 'You could have kept it for yourself with the money I'd offered.'

'I'm not a sponge Lea, I'm not taking your sympathy money because you've moved out and settled in with Nick again.'

Gail was certain she'd found a road for Sarah and Bethany, and one that might enable her daughter to handle things better. David and Kylie had pointed out just how bad Sarah had deteriorated over the past month. 'How many roommates do you need?' Gail asked. 'Only, our Sarah is sharing the box room with Bethany and you see, Sarah's going through a rough time now and perhaps a fresh start surrounded by someone lively like you might do her the world of good.'

Eva weighed up the options in her head. The offer was certainly tempting. 'Is Bethany house trained?'

'Eva!' Leanne practically choked on her tea. 'Bethany's fifteen!'

'I like to check these things first - just to make sure I'm getting the decent end of the deal.'

'How much is the rent?' Gail had now assumed a seat at the table, and Leanne was certain she'd never budge.

'It's £750 a month, so I'd probably want £400 from Sarah, what with there being two of 'em.'

'Do you mind if I take a picture of your advert? Show it Sarah?'

'Go for it hun.'

Gail sat awkwardly, tapping at her phone frantically in a bid to make it work. Eva and Leanne watched the flash go off on Gail's face. 'Oh god, what've I done now?'

'Ere, Gail, pass it here.' Leanne took the phone and took the picture with ease.

'I'll get Sarah to let you know by the end of the day. This could do her the world of good. Thanks Eva. Bye Leanne!' Gail headed out cheerfully as the two sisters watched on.

'Whatever she's on, I want some of it.' Eva stared after Gail who'd gone out the door.

'You're joking, surely? She's got the spawn of Satan, the teen Mum who's gone off the rails and enough surname changes to make her forget her maiden name.'

Eva scoffed. 'Ouch. That's brutal.'

'Truth hurts.'

Eva glanced down at the advert. 'So what d'ya reckon? I think it's missing something.'

'Like what? Rhinestones?'

'I was thinking a catchy title, y'know, something like 'butler in the buff wanted' or even better, 'hunks only.'

'I despair. I thought you were loved up with Aidan!'

'I am! Perhaps you're more in need of a hunk than I am then, ey?'

Leanne chuckled. 'Honestly, I could see this being like Love Actually. I find a gorgeous present in the flat and assume it's one of mine under the tree, and when I open it, I find he's bought me something naff and his tart the goods.'

Eva started to well up. 'Ugh babes, I know that scene all too well. I'll never forgive that office tart for breaking Emma Thompson's heart at Christmas. Ugh.'

'I really need Carla to work her magic and find something, anything out. What're we on now, December 12th? How long am I gonna let this go on for? Will he be messaging his ladylove on Christmas Day whilst I'm serving spuds with his Mother?'

'Well why don't you make that your window of opportunity? Between now and Christmas Day you need to get your answers.'

'That's only 13 days, Eva. I'd need a private investigator!'

'Nah, that's what Carla and I are here for. Nowt gets past us. Leave it to us.'

'Think I'd rather take part myself if I'm honest.'

'Then come on, what ya waiting for? Get revved up and get the ball rolling.'


'David!' Gail yelled, coming through the doors of Audrey's salon. It was clear that her youngest son was inundated with work on the run-up to Christmas, and his wife was just as busy with nail appointments.

David emerged from the stock room, armed with towels and a pink bowl of hair dye, ready for Michelle's hair. 'What is it, Gail?'

'I do wish you'd call me Mum, David.'

'Are ya here for a cut n blow or just to get in me way?'

Kylie sat at her nail desk, finishing the final touches to the gel set of nails for Kate Connor. Her eyes were drawn to Gail, waving her phone around in her husband's face.

'No, no! Look, Eva needs a new housemate or two to fill the bedrooms in the flat, what with Leanne living with your brother again and Simon with Peter.'

'Oh I see, you moving in with her then?' David asked, sarcastically as he began to apply the dye to Michelle's roots. Kylie giggled from her seat.

'I'm thinking about your sister, here. Don't you think she'd benefit from moving out and living independently, without us lot on her back? She's obviously going through a hard time at the moment, and moving out might do her the world of good.'

David put down the bowl of dye and looked at the image on Gail's phone. Michelle, too was intrigued, given that Sarah had been rather vacant and unlike herself at work. Perhaps Gail's suggestion would work, and return the barmaid back to her glory. 'Have you shown Sarah yet?'

'Well no, not yet. I thought if I showed it you and Kylie first, well, we might be able to persuade he-'

'Oh I see,' Kylie began. 'We can all gang up on her?'

Gail shook her head. 'This might help my daughter get back to the person she was before. Don't you understand, Kylie? I'm her mother, and I won't stand for her being in this state much longer. It's breaking my heart looking at her like this. We have to help her and do something before it's too late, okay?'

Kylie took Gail's words on entirely. She did know what she meant. Of course. Kylie was a mother herself, and she knew she'd put her own life in danger if it meant protecting the hairs on either Max or Lily's heads. The one thing Kylie didn't feel comfortable with was pushing Sarah into a corner. She had the ability to crack and fess up to what had gone on with Callum and where he'd really gone. Was it worth that risk?

David seemed to clock his wife's stare, reliving the horrors of Callum's murder and the fears of what bullying Sarah into moving out would reveal. 'I'm not getting dragged into this Gail. Get golden boy to help you.'

'But David, she might listen to you.'

'I'd quite like my barmaid to get her act together.' Michelle chimed in. 'It's like she's not with us at the moment, and it's not ideal given how busy the pub is at the moment.'

'Please, David,' Gail pleaded. 'Kylie, you too. Can't you see that she's fading away? She needs help, she needs the reason to go on.'

'You're on your own on this one.' David turned away and continued to do Michelle's hair. Gail shot Kylie one last pleading look before heading out onto the Street.


Leanne had spent most of the past few days watching Nick closely, waiting for signs of the deceit she believed was going on under her nose. As of yet, there was nothing. Not a jot. Frustratingly, he'd been rather affectionate towards her, and she felt even worse when a delivery was made to the Bistro.

A young woman, armed with an enormous bunch of red roses, entered the door of the Bistro and approached Leanne, who was busy making drinks orders behind the bar. The place was thriving and inundated with customers drinking away their wages on the run-up to Christmas. She sighed. It all looked so lovely and fun on the opposite side of the bar where others were relaxing and enjoying the season, but in the Bistro, there was little room for a rest.

'Hello,' the young woman smiled. 'I believe these are for a Leanne?'

Leanne was astonished. Was it David, up to his old tricks again? 'I'm Leanne?'

Steph approached the bar too. 'Oh Leanne, they're gorgeous! Isn't Nick sweet?'

Leanne couldn't quite manage to find the words. 'Thank you.' She reached out for the bouquet and held them close, inhaling the gorgeous smell of roses and the handiwork that had gone into the flowers. A glittered red ribbon was wrapped around the outside, and jewelled elements were hidden amongst the roses - resembling a decadent bridal bouquet. He'd obviously splurged.

The young woman headed out the door just as Nick made his way back in from the office. He beamed at Leanne, who was still in utter shock. Were these guilt flowers? Flowers delivered to the wrong woman? The girl had definitely said her name. Was it all wrong? Was Nick not a cheat?

'I see you got my gift.' Nick leaned over the bar, his smile wide.

Leanne nodded. 'I - I don't know what to say. They're beautiful, and must have cost a fortune.'

'Well, you're worth every penny, aren't you?'

'Am I?'

'Absolutely. Just you wait until Christmas. If you think these are good you should see the Chanel handbag I've bought you.'

'Chanel?' Leanne's eyes lit up.

Nick chuckled. 'Well, no, not Chanel, but something that'll make you smile, for definite.'

'That better not be a euphemism.'

'It's not.' His grin was infectious, and she couldn't help but smile back at him, before leaning across the bar to give him a peck. Even if she was uncertain about his behaviour, he still seemed to adore her.

'Have you spoken to your Mum?' Leanne asked, slipping the flowers into a large vase of water. She'd have to leave the bouquet in the Bistro until she had the opportunity to sneak off home. Given how busy they were, she was almost certain that wouldn't be until closing.

'Mum?' Nick twiddled a cocktail stick. 'No, why?'

Leanne adjusted her flowers. 'Oh, she saw me and Eva having breakfast this morning. Eva had that printout for the Gazette about a roommate. Your Mum is desperate for Sarah and Bethany to take it.'

'Really?'

'Well yeah, she said how Sarah is struggling at the moment, and how she'd benefit from living with someone like Eva.'

Nick's face couldn't hide the shock. Eva? Really? She was a bit of a diva, and he knew his sister wasn't really that kind of person.

'Yes I know, I thought the same.' Leanne said. 'It's written on your face.'

'Sarah and Eva? I don't know. I sense one of them would end up buried in tiaras and glitter, and it wouldn't be Eva.'

Leanne shrugged. 'Dunno. She's your sister and she's old enough to make her own choices, but your Mum is worried Nick. Sarah's acting really odd at the moment. Perhaps getting out of that house and the box bedroom would do her good. And Bethany too. Imagine being fifteen and sharing a room with your Mum?'

'I suppose,' Nick started. 'But you're right about Sarah; I'm worried she's going to do something stupid. David and Kylie said she was almost hallucinating and they can't talk any sense to her. Carla's said that Michelle is struggling with Sarah at the pub, too.'

Leanne winced and folded her arms. 'Perhaps you should try and talk to her. You are less intimidating than David and Kylie, and she might listen to you more. Y'know, you could pull her out of all this, somehow.'

'It's worth a try, isn't it?'


The staff at Underworld were still somewhat dead to the world after their boozy night out the night before, and they'd already been bollocked by Carla, who was furious by their shoddy display and lack of care for their jobs. She threatened to sack some of them on the spot for their arrogance and disinterest, but a wave of nausea pounded through her body and in no time at all she'd retreated to the ladies toilets.

None of them had paid too much attention as they were still deep in the depths of hangover misery, but she knew her time was ticking before others besides Leanne and Eva learnt the truth.

Thankfully, Johnny hadn't made an appearance in the factory for a few days, and she was relieved by his lack of presence in the building. The anxiety that man brought her was crippling, and she was transported back to her mid-teens whenever she saw him.

'How's the love-life then?' Carla asked Aidan who was fixed on some paperwork in front of him. Despite his father, she actually liked Aidan and his company. He was a nice lad, and thankfully had more of his mother in him than his father. Well, she hoped he did, anyway.

Aidan smiled coyly, a blush forming on his cheeks. 'Nosey. But yes, things are great with Eva and I. She's a cracker.'

'Oo look at you ey, like a schoolboy with a crush on the pretty one.'

'Shurrup Carla.' He groaned. 'You're just as bad as Kate. She's always taking the piss out of me.'

Carla couldn't help but laugh and gave him a playful prod as she headed over to the filing cabinet. 'Oh poor wickle Aidy-Waidy. Want me to phone Eva and she can kiss it better?'

'Not even funny.'

'Oh come on.' Carla laughed. 'It is a bit funny. Has she showed you the dress she likes?'

'Dress?'

'Wedding dress, of course. Gorgeous. It'll look lovely for that Summer 2016 wedding you've got planned.'

'Eh?' Aidan choked. 'Wedding? I-I haven't prop-'

'Gotcha.'

The two were interrupted by a gentle tap at the door. From the blinds, Carla could see the outline of Michelle. They'd hardly spoken to each other since their conversation at Sally and Tim's wedding the week before. Michelle had texted and had responses from Carla, but it was clear things had soured.

The whole suggestion of Johnny and Louisa's marriage being built on lies was a lot for Michelle to take in. She remembered them as a happy couple during her youth, and she was certainly oblivious to his affair with Carla's Mum, Sharon. Still, Carla was her best friend, and she knew that whatever was getting at her, she'd be right by her side.

'Come in!'

'Hiya.' Michelle offered, peaking through the door. 'I hope I'm not interrupting anything. I just, er, well I wanted to see if you were free tonight, Carla. That's you, and Peter.'

Carla took her seat behind her desk. 'Well come on, shut the door, you weren't born in a barn.'

Michelle closed the office door behind her and moved further into the room. 'Well, are ya up for it? We thought that we could go out for a meal, the four of us, or we could have a takeaway instead. I dunno, just thought it'd be nice for us four to do something.'

'Carla's free tonight.' Aidan interrupted.

'Are ya?' Michelle asked. Carla stared Aidan down.

'I am, yes. Peter and I didn't have much planned but we-we'd love to do something.'

Michelle grinned. 'Fab! Do you two fancy going out or staying in? Steve and I don't really mind, he'll happily have a takeaway or go elsewhere. It's like donkeys and strawberries with Steve, if I'm honest.'

'Going out sounds great. Saves on washing up then.'

'Like your thinking!'

'Great.'

'Shall we say, the Bistro? See if we can get a table?'

'That'd be great. We could meet you in the Rovers, say 7ish.'

'Perfect! Right, I'll see ya later!' Michelle smiled happily, trotting out of the office.


Sarah had decided to clear her head - as best she could - by going for a walk around Weatherfield. Only this time, she wasn't headed for the police station to make a confession. She'd tried her best to block out the voices, and the images of that night and for the most part, she'd done a good job. It was when she slept that they tormented her the most, and she could feel the tightening grip of Callum's monstrous hands around her throat.

The small achievements had been huge steps to gaining some form of control and turning the tide back on the issues that were at the forefront of Sarah's mind. It was the success of getting dressed for her shift at the Rovers, and resembling her old self and not the shell she was. Completing the whole shift, too, was something she felt proud of. It still wasn't perfect, and she knew in herself that there was a long way to go, but somehow, maybe, she'd just muddle on through.

David had tried to drag her to the doctors, and Kylie had even offered to attend the appointment with her. Depression. That's what they said it was. They believed that's what it was. She'd refused to go. She was fine and nothing was going to change her view. Besides, what would a doctor possibly do? Was it the norm for doctors to offer counselling to an ally in a murder? No. It was safer to continue this way, and hope and pray nothing sent her off course.

She parked herself down on the bench by the Medical Centre, and stared out at the Street ahead. Her gaze drifted and soon enough the vivid images she'd pleaded with had returned, more clear than before.

'Get off me. Callum, let me go.' Sarah's screams filled her mind.

His venomous eyes, full to the brim with the greed of a predator and the arrogance of his knowledge to outwit the feeble prey in his grasp. 'I'll make you pay.'

The blood.

The wrench hitting the floor.

Kylie's arms and body trembling from the adrenaline, the shock of her act, and the weight of the wrench she'd bludgeoned Callum's skull with.

The callous way they'd bundled his body up in his son's bedding. The gags that escaped Sarah's body as the stench of death permeated the living room she'd grown up in.

Her younger brother. So calm. So unaffected. So at ease with disposing of a body and acting as though nothing had really changed.

'Sarah?' She heard, the voice Callum's own and not that of the man in front of her.

'Sarah?'

'Sarah?' He waved his fingers in front of her face, snapping her away from the trance she was engrossed in. It was Todd.

He gestured at the space on the bench beside her, as she steadied her breathing. His face. Todd had looked just like Callum in that moment. She nodded, breathing deeply.

'Are you alright? You look, well, possessed.'

'Thanks.' Her voice crackled, the words struggling to form themselves.

'What's going on?'

She gazed up at her ex and the shell of the woman within was evident. 'What's happened?'

'Todd.' She whispered. 'What-what would you do if, if you'd done something that was terrible?'

He looked puzzled. 'What, like being born?'

Sarah didn't appreciate the attempt at jokes. 'Something really, really terrible.'

'I don't know. Why?'

'I just... I just want to hear things from somebody else, that's all. Somebody that I'm not related to, or that isn't trying to fix me. Whatever that means.'

'Something terrible then. Okay. Well knowing me I'd have avoided claiming responsibility, I'd have been a coward and dodged the truth as best I can. I'd be normal.'

'Normal?'

'Y'know, unfazed by it.'

'You wouldn't feel any guilt?'

'If it was something terrible that I'd done with good reason I wouldn't feel any guilt, Sarah. Like if I'd battered that scumbag Callum, the one who beat me brother to a pulp.'

She felt her gaze slip away again. Todd watched her fade away from him. 'Sarah? Sarah? Is there something you're not telling me? I know we've got a complicated history an' all, but you know I've got your back. You know that you and me know each other on a different level. So Sarah, if you're bottling things up from your family and you can't tell them, it can be me that you tell instead.'

She shook her head. 'I can't tell.'

'What can't you tell? Why?'

'I played a part in something. Something awful, Todd.'

'So you can't tell me what, but you can offer me hints of it?'

'I don't think I can be as blunt as that and confess.'

He nodded and placed his hand over hers in support. 'Just tell me what you can Sarah, and what you feel comfortable with.'

She gazed down at the concrete beneath the bench. Her heartbeat was pounding. 'I- I caused somebody to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and things got out of hand. I was scared. Really scared. I thought I was going to die. And-'

'Who? When was this?'

'I- I just can't, Todd. Please.' Sarah's voice was pleading and the desperation in her eyes was evident. She didn't want to spend her days in prison and risk losing her daughter.

'It all got out of hand and... I'm just scared. It's all the time. I see it. I hear it. I feel it. I'm in that moment, frightened for my life all over again.'

He squeezed her hand that bit tighter. 'Whatever it was that happened, it's in the past now Sarah. You've got to accept what happened and try - try to draw some sort of line under it. You can't live your life in the shadow of your past, can you? Think of your family, and Bethany: they all need you and you need them too. You're a good person and you've got a heart of gold, so I'm sure, positive, that whatever it was you think you've done wrong is not at all what you think. So please, don't wrap yourself up in this.'

It was the first piece of advice she'd had from someone she didn't live with, and one who was entirely oblivious to what had happened and where Sarah had been at that time. It was relief. Todd was a safe space to open up as much as she could, and not to be dragged further down into the hellish pit she'd spent the past few weeks. She felt herself draw towards him and her arms wrap themselves around him tightly. They embraced closely as she mulled over his words.

Draw a line under it.


Carla stood at the bar of the Bistro by Leanne, who had the bookings book wide open, scanning through the tables set for the evening ahead.

Thankfully, Peter had accepted the offer from Michelle and Steve without much objection. In fact, he'd told her he was rather excited for their first double-date as a reunited couple. If only he was aware that they were a family of three, not two.

'I can squeeze you guys in, luckily.' Leanne said, perusing through the list of bookings.

Carla let out a deep breath. 'There's a relief! Bout time an' all, given the day I've had.'

'Why what's kecked off?' Leanne asked, her eyes gesturing towards Carla's flat stomach. 'It's not, y'know, is it?'

'What? No, no,' Carla began. She lowered her voice to a whisper. 'Baby's fine. Just the factory. The staff went on a pissup and hardly got anything done today. I'm sure I caught Sean stitching his fingers together.'

'Oh dear.' Leanne sighed. 'At this time of year an' all. You'd think they'd know better.'

'Clearly not. Worst part is, I'm bitter because I'm not drinking, either.'

'Speaking of which,' Leanne began. 'What're ya gonna do? Won't the others be suspicious of you being teetotal?'

'And what's that supposed to mean?'

'Well,' Leanne looked awkwardly at Carla. 'I mean you can put it away like a fish.'

'How flamin' rude! I dunno what I'll do. Not really thought that far ahead.'

'Hmm.' Leanne mused. 'Leave it with me, I'm sure I can come up with something.'

Carla's eyes were drawn to the enormous bunch of roses resting on the bar. She twirled them round and found the notecard resting on the top of them.


Leanne,

A little something to remind you that even after all this time, I'm the luckiest man on earth to have you.

All my love, as always,

Nick x


'Wow, talk about OTT,' Carla's eyes bulged, gesturing at the flowers.

'Yeah, I know.' Leanne frowned, watching Nick wandering round the Bistro attending to customers.

'I can't help but sense you're not best pleased.'

'It's just- now I'm confused. Are the flowers some sort of guilt present, or are they genuine? He's been really affectionate with me the past few days, and now I'm even more confused.'

'Sounds like this is a problem only I can solve.'

'Yes, Super Carla to the rescue.' Leanne rolled her eyes. 'Is your superpower the ability to lure men in?'

'Now now,' Carla wagged her finger. 'Thought ya wanted my help?'

'I do,' Leanne sighed. 'I do. Sorry. Please?'

Carla nodded. 'I'll see what I can do. In the meantime, pour me a drink will ya.'

Leanne raised her eyebrows at Carla, who was staring at her phone instead. Within a few seconds, a large glass that resembled her usual merlot was sat on the bar in front of her. Unconsciously, Carla continued to stare at her phone whilst picking up the glass and sipping the contents of the glass.

'Eugh!' Carla spat the liquid back in the glass in disgust.

'What ya tryna do Battersby, poison me?'

Leanne smirked. 'You can't drink, and I've just found an awful lot of red grape juice knocking around behind the bar. Would ya look at that, problem solved, nobody knows your secret.'

It suddenly dawned on Carla. She'd not even thought about what she'd asked for when she mentioned a drink. It really was time for her to grow up and pack in the binge drinking. It seemed Leanne's grape juice was the means to keep the baby secret for just that bit longer, or until, Carla felt completely ready.

'That, Leanne, is ingenious.'

'What can I say, it's a gift.'

Carla took a small sip of the grape juice and was pleasantly surprised by its taste. Perhaps keeping up the act wouldn't be so difficult, after all?

'Have you decided when you're gonna tell Peter?' Leanne suddenly asked, snapping Carla away from her thoughts.

'Pfft. Have I eck. I see snippets, y'know. Snippets of the right moment to tell him, snippets of us as a couple and it works. But then he says something and I'm suddenly doubting whether this is all too much too soon, and if he's gonna decide he's past it. We're not exactly love's young dream are we? Peter's 50 and I'm 40.'

'Maybe you're overthinking it? Just think of it as ripping off a plaster: once it's off you're free to move on. Until you tell him you've got this cloud living over you. Perhaps he'll be glad? You two, fresh start, new life? He'd be a fool not to be pleased.'

'I dunno,' Carla hesitated. 'It wasn't that long ago he was bedding Tina and that our marriage broke down entirely. Not sure I fancy reliving that once more.'

'But Carla,' Leanne began. 'You can't run from this forever. You're carrying Peter's baby and whether you like it or not, he's the father of that child and deserves to know what you're hiding from him. You can't keep this from him forever. You have to draw a line under the past and look to the future. The sooner you do, the better.'

Carla nodded, polishing off the rest of the glass of grape juice.

'Thanks, Leanne, for the talk and the grape-crap.'

'Grape juice.' Leanne corrected.

'Whatever. Look, I'll see ya later, yeah? Thanks again. I appreciate it, really.'

Leanne nodded and offered Carla a wave as she departed the Bistro. She headed down the Street, her stride more assured and her pace quickening. Peter had messaged to tell her he was in the Rovers already, and perhaps that was the time to tell him. Steve and Michelle were running slightly late, and it meant he had the evening to mull it all over. Yes, now was the time to tell him.

She strutted along the pavement towards the Rovers, walking past No.5, No.3 and No.1 where Peter lived. She stood at the doors of the pub and drew a long breath. She could do it. She could tell him she was pregnant with his baby. Yes. After everything she'd survived so far, she knew she could. She pulled open the door and scanned around for Peter.

'Ello love,' he smiled at her from a booth. She walked nearer, wearing a nervous smile too. As she approached, the smile soon faded away.

'Ello Carla,' Johnny smirked, a pint resting in front of him and an orange juice by Peter. She felt her breath catch in her throat. 'I was just telling Peter all about you.'


Hello, everyone!

I hope you're all well and finding lots to keep busy still - it looks like things are easing much more in the UK now!

Thank you to all of you who read the last chapter and left reviews too; it means so much to me that this story is still well-received so many years after I started it, and abandoned it!

It seems the hints are going down well and its great to hear your theories and suggestions for whats to come!


Here's what's to come:

How long can Carla really keep her pregnancy under wraps?

Is everything going to remain plain sailing with Nick and Leanne?

Will Sarah finally leave Callum's murder in the past?

The residents celebrate Christmas 2015.


Stay safe and happy all, and I'll upload again soon!