Mild themes of consent and sexual assault at the start.
"How are you feeling today? Your bruises look like they're beginning to fade." Johnny observed, watching Carla slowly walk into the living room as he ate his cereal.
"I'll feel better when I've had my painkillers." She groaned.
"You sit down and I'll get them." Peter said, walking in behind her.
He checked that she was seated comfortably, before walking into the kitchen to prepare her medication. He grasped her painkillers and kidney meds, and made sure to grab her anti-psychotics; Tina's words still firmly in his mind.
Walking back into the living area, he served Carla her breakfast and medication and sat next to her, in a daze.
"So tell me, what did you get up to in France?" Carla asked.
"We didn't do much. It was mostly just spending quality time with Susie, making sure she knows who I am." Johnny replied.
"You left very suddenly." Carla said.
"I know, and I'm sorry about that. But when I get the urge to do something, I just go for it."
"How's Jenny been? She was hurt when you left."
"I definitely have to get back on her good side, you know what she's like. But she's been okay considering."
"I'm glad."
"How have you two been?" He asked.
"Things have been okay," Carla paused. "I expect Jenny filled you in about Jordan and Chelsey?"
"Who the hell are they?" Johnny exclaimed, causing Carla to regret she mentioned anything.
"It doesn't matter." She exhaled, taking a sip of her water.
"No, tell me. Who are they?" He persisted.
Carla looked at Peter, wanting reassurance. But he continued to stare into space, clearly not alert to any of the conversation.
"Peter," She nudged, causing him to jump. "You okay?"
"Me? Fine. Why?" He asked.
"You were daydreaming."
"Sorry, I'm just tired." He muttered.
"Don't be sorry, go back to bed if you want. I promise I won't milk it today."
"I'm fine here-..."
"Carla!" Johnny cut him off. "Who are Jordan and Chelsey?"
Peter glanced at the woman, worry etched over his face, "He doesn't know?"
"Erm, they were people at the squat I stayed at," She exhaled. "During my breakdown last year."
"Right," Johnny tried to process the revelation. "And what does that have to do with now? Have they come here?"
"Umm." Carla's shoulders hunched over, as she bit her lip anxiously.
"They started blackmailing her. Taunting her with...some things that she didn't remember happening." Peter said.
"What things?" Johnny narrowed his eyes, his panic levels rising at their ongoing silence. "You're scaring me now."
"Me and Jordan...we, erm..." Carla stammered, nervously. "W-we had sex."
"Whilst you were going through psychosis?" His eyes widened.
"Yeah." She whispered.
"So you didn't consent."
"He raped her." Peter confirmed, squeezing her hand.
"Oh, Carla." Johnny sighed. "I had no idea. If I knew, I would've come straight back."
"I didn't want a fuss. It happened and theirs nothing I can do about it now." She shrugged, her voice quiet and unsure.
"Where is he now? I want to knock the living daylights out of him." Johnny stood up.
"Johnny, please..." Carla shook her head, this was exactly what she was afraid of.
"Scott dealt with him." Peter said.
"What?" Johnny shouted.
"He put them in hospital."
"Why Scott?"
"I have no idea, but we were thankful."
"I wish you told me. I'm always kept in the dark." Johnny sat back down.
"I just don't want to talk about it." Carla winced as she shifted uncomfortably.
"I don't want you getting stressed out, love. You need to rest." Peter noticed, looking at her knowingly.
"Mmm," Carla nodded. "So end of conversation. I don't want it brought up again."
"Hello, darling!"
"Hi, Chelle." Carla smiled as the brunette appeared on her laptop screen.
She missed Michelle being on the street, the days when she could just go to see her whenever she had a crisis. She never failed to give the best advice, and lift up her mood instantly. But she was still in Ireland and Carla could understand why she stayed, after all she did the same when she went to Devon.
"I was going to come home when I heard about what happened but Peter said their was no point. How are you?" She asked.
"I'm alright," Carla sighed. "Not happy about the fact I can't move without being in excruciating pain but it is what it is. How are you?"
"I know what you're like, Car, so you better follow doctors advice and rest. And I'm fine, I love it here."
"I couldn't get up and do things even if I tried," Carla grimaced as she moved her position on the sofa. "Are you still staying with Helen or have you found a place of your own yet?"
"I've got a flat nearby. I needed a break from her yapping."
"Oh, I can imagine." Carla cackled.
"How are you and Peter getting on?" Michelle asked softly, she had grown concerned when Carla had phoned her up a few weeks back, in tears. She'd filled her in about Jordan and all the challenges that came from that, such as Carla not wanting to do any sexual activities. But she assumed things had been getting better when she hadn't heard much.
"We're as okay as we can be," Carla sighed. "Has anyone told you about Tina coming back?"
"T-Tina?" Michelle stuttered, her eyes wide and fiery. "Tina McIntyre?"
"Yep," Carla smiled, sarcastically. "That was really the icing on the cake after everything."
"Oh, love. How has Peter been about it?"
"I mean, we've had a lot of arguments. Tina has come back with a vendetta against me, saying she wants Peter back. But me and Peter have spoken things through and he's reassured me enough."
"That cheap tart," Michelle shook her head in anger. "Years later and she's still chasing a taken man over half her age."
"Tell me about it."
"Does this mean things have improved for you two in the bedroom?"
"Chelle..." Carla groaned.
"Come on, we're both women."
"They've got worse actually. I just don't want to do anything and then I worry that it'll drive him closer to Tina. You know, because he's missing out here." Carla explained.
"Car, you know he isn't like that. He wants to be with you because of the person you are, not for sex."
"And I keep having to remind myself of that. It's just hard."
"Hey, son." Johnny greeted Peter at the bar, smiling softly at the flowers he was carrying.
"Alright, Johnny?" Peter replied before gesturing to the flowers. "Thought I'd treat your daughter."
"Very nice," Johnny raised his eyebrows. "Can we have a chat?"
"Yeah, course. Is everything okay?" Peter frowned.
"It's very okay actually. I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for Carla recently-..."
"No, Johnny, there's no need for that." Peter cut him off, gently.
"There is every need. Ever since her breakdown, you've been there for her. You've loved every inch of her when she's hated herself. You've really outdone yourself, son. I don't think she could've got through any of it without you," Johnny paused. "I know I've been a useless father. What can I say, I denied she was mine for forty years of her life and then I didn't even realise she was struggling through her psychosis...but to know she has someone like you who will always care for her is very comforting. So thank you."
"Honestly, you don't need to thank me. I love her, Johnny. And I'll always do everything in my power to protect her." Peter said, touched that the older man appreciated him this much.
Johnny patted him on the back before leaving Peter to walk into the back room...
As the two women continued to gossip, Carla realised the time and had to cut it short so she could take her next dose of painkillers.
"I've really enjoyed this chat, Chelle. It's cheered me up." Carla smiled.
"Ah, we'll do it again soon, darlin. Now you take it easy."
"I will do." Carla sighed, not realising Peter was at the door.
"You can stick to scrabble and crosswords for the time being, if you get bored."
"Absolutely not, Chelle. I'm not with Roy so I do not have to pretend to like flamin' crosswords and all that malarkey."
Peter narrowed his eyes; only catching half of the conversation. He knew it was a lighthearted chat, but the mention of crosswords always just reminded him of when Carla's psychosis had begun and she was writing hidden messages on them. It was a complete coincidence but with his mind foggy with what Tina had told him, it made him question further if she was okay mentally.
"Hey, love." Peter walked in, presenting her the large bouquet of flowers.
"Ah, Heya. These are lovely, Peter!" She grinned, signalling him to go to her height so she could reward him with a kiss.
"Right, I'll leave you love birds to it. Seeya, Peter!" Michelle said.
"Bye, Michelle." Peter replied as the call ended.
"I love these." Carla looked at the flowers, a combination between red roses and bright yellow sunflowers.
"I'm glad," he sat beside her and rested his head on her shoulder. "Only the best for you."
His concerns refused to leave his head but for the moment she was acting herself and he was going to enjoy spending quality time with her.