Carla was soaking away in the bath, she was admiring her toenails painted a deep shade of red, she sighed at the realisation that they would probably flake off due to her lengthy soak in her posh bathtub. She jumped slightly as her phone buzzed, she frowned and picked it up seeing that it was Liam which was odd in itself and the fact he wanted to see her and speak to her filled her with dread and anxiety. Huffing in annoyance she climbed out of the bath and dried herself off, she would wash her hair tomorrow but she groaned quietly in annoyance at the front door going. It was obvious that Tony came home to check up on her, therefore, scuppering her plans to speak to Liam. Quickly she sent a text off to Liam explaining they could speak tomorrow as if she was honest with herself she was shattered and knowing that Tony was going up to Glasgow tomorrow for some business trip she would just make her excuse saying that she was too ill to go, it was an easy yet simple plan so she put it into action even if it did mean Tony fussing over her all evening. The next morning they said their goodbyes and with that, she called Liam over to her flat.

"What do you want Liam?"

"Are you pregnant?" he demands and Carla pauses her movements before laughing hysterically "What's so funny?"

"Where on earth have you got that from?!" she cackles and Liam just shrugs at her "No seriously, where did you get that from?"

"Tony said you were feeling off, listed your symptoms, Michelle and Maria put two and two together and obviously made five"

"You're so gullible Liam" she chuckles going over to the kettle, she flicks it on and sighs slightly "I'm just unwell"

"And you're not pregnant?"

"No?"

"Have you taken a test?" Liam demands and Carla scoffs at his audacity, she was riled and he could sense it entirely and he knew he had definitely touched a nerve

"Have I taken a test?" she hums thoughtfully "Now why would I take a test Liam when I am not pregnant?"

"And you're a hundred per cent sure?"

"Well as sure as I can be," she says thoroughly enjoying messing with him and Liam glares at her "Liam I'm messing with you, take a joke for god's sakes now can you go now?"

"If I find out you're lying to me I swear-"

"What will you do to me Liam?" she steps forward looking into his eyes, he looks into hers, their bodies so close there was a sliver of air between them and Carla was desperate to close that gap but Liam stepped away and came to his senses knowing she was messing with him

"Nothing I was just worried because we all know that if you were pregnant then we would have an issue on our hands wouldn't we?"

"How so?"

"Well depending on how far along you are you could be carrying my kid couldn't you and if I'm honest I don't fancy becoming a dad to an illegitimate child whilst I'm happily married"

"You have nothing to worry about Liam" Carla rolls her eyes and Liam sighs in relief "Now if you don't mind I have some work to do, you can see yourself out"


Panic ensued when Liam left, Carla's mind spun in circles not just at how everything made sense now but at the fact Liam had the audacity to come into her home and ask her outright a personal question. She understood but really, was it necessary, she didn't seem to think it was. Her hands reached out and grabbed her phone, she pinged a text off to Leanne saying that she needed a chat and Leanne was more than happy to oblige as she was the only one who knew about her feelings for Liam. Whilst Carla waited she decided to do some cleaning, she picked up the disinfectant and sprayed the tangerine spray before practically gagging and soon enough that was lobbed into the bin. Frowning once more Liam's words entered her head and she was beginning to worry as to whether Michelle and Maria were right but she pushed it to the back of her mind as the buzzer rang.

"Has something happened?"

"Liam came to see me-"

"Stop right there," Leanne says rummaging around in Carla's cupboards and pulling out a bottle, "I think I'm going to need this"

"Oh very funny, not for me, I might have to drive later," Carla says and Leanne nods pouring herself a glass "I don't know what to do"

"What did Liam say?"

"He asked if I was pregnant" Carla looks up and Leanne pauses before narrowing her eyes "I mean the nerve of the man, I just..."

"Are you pregnant?"

"No..."

"Well, you sound as convinced as ever" Leanne retorts and Carla frowns "Let me rephrase, could you be pregnant?"

"No"

"Ok then how did Liam come to that conclusion than" Leanne sighs still sensing there was more to this and it was evident by the way Carla was picking away at her nails

"Tony must have said something in the pub about me being unwell for some time now" Carla shrugs and Leanne rolls her eyes grabbing her bag "Where are you going?"

"Getting you a bloody pregnancy test Carla to put both you and Liam's mind at rest" Leanne huffs and Carla shakes her head

"No, you can't-"

"Why!" Leanne exclaims "If you're so sure you're not pregnant you won't be worried about doing a test unless you think you are-"

"I'm not"

"Then I will get the test" Leanne states and Carla bites her lip "You're so stubborn it's unbelievable you know that?"

"Just get the test" Carla mutters and Leanne rolls her eyes at her before leaving the flat giving Carla time to prepare herself for whatever may come...


Carla waited and waited, made herself a coffee and sighed at how much of a mess her flat was so she did some tidying whilst she waited for Leanne to get back. She had a message from Tony and that teleported her back into reality and made her realise how dangerous this situation could be, she knew Tony was protective, overly protective for that matter and if he found out that she was pregnant he would most likely either leave her or melt and fall in love with the fact they could have a baby and Carla winced at the fact that all of those things combined and the baby turning out to not be his could be a very dangerous thing to do and it made her feel overwhelmed to the bone. Leanne came back and she placed the prescription back in front of Carla which contained three tests so they could be sure of the result. Carla frowned at the idea but Leanne explained to her that this was the best way forward just so that they could collectively think of a plan and Carla couldn't knock it.

"Just take them"

"How?"

"Are you actually having a joke with me?" Leanne states and Carla huffs in annoyance "Don't play dumb Carla, the sooner you know-"

"Yes, I get it ok?" Carla glares taking the bag and Leanne just rolls her eyes as she watches Carla go into the bathroom

"You might want a cup" Leanne calls and Carla huffs coming out of the bathroom and grabbing an old cup, she then heads into the bathroom again "I'm second to know!"

"Leann shut up!" Carla snaps from the bathroom, it wasn't long before she came out holding all three pregnancy tests in her hands, all different brands, proceeding to place them face down on the coffee table "Now what?"

"We wait," Leanne says and Carla just pulls a cushion onto her lap, her eyes closed "Would you like a drink-"

"Yes a nice gin and tonic would be great" Carla bites back and Leanne just rolls her eyes, she wasn't going to give into Carla's snappiness "The wait is the worse part"

"Are you sure about that, I think you'll find your predicament is much worse and to be honest only you could get yourself into this situation"

"Oh thanks a bunch, you act like you're a saint" Carla bites back and Leanne sighs before nodding to the tests "You look-"

"They're your tests"

"Please" Carla pleads and Leanne shakes her head "Leanne"

"Carla you've peed on them, I'm not holding those" Leanne laughs and Carla just ruffles her hair "What's the worse that can happen, for someone who's convinced they're not pregnant-"

"Fine!" Carla snaps not wanting to seem weak so she picks up the test, she frowns "How do you even read this thing-"

"Um" Leanne falters grabbing the instructions "Two lines is positive"

"Ok" Carla places the test down, she reaches for another one and huffs in annoyance slamming it down on the table before picking up the final test and screaming in annoyance "Ugh!"

"At least you know now...?" Leanne tries and Carla just glares at her "I'm trying to remain positive"

"Positive my backside, this is a nightmare!" Carla cries and Leanne sighs getting up to comfort her "I don't believe it, how could I be so stupid!"

"Mistakes happen Carla" Leanne assures her and Carla just closes her eyes feeling an immense amount of dread and sadness "At least you have an answer for why you're not feeling well?"

"That's the only positive" Carla states and Leanne smiles slightly "What do I even do now?"

"You're going to have to speak to both Tony and then Liam"

"I can't do that, he'll hate me, they both will" Carla shakes her head before looking at the tests again "I'm going to have a termination"

"Carla, you need to let this sink in before you go down that route..." Leanne says and Carla breathes out "And even if you do decide that then you will still need to speak to Tony and Liam"

"They don't need to know, not if I have a termination"

"Carla you cant do that, abort a baby and not tell the father, it's his kid too-"

"Well it's my body"

"I know that" Leanne sighs trying to think about how to word it "At least just think about it for a bit, let it sink in before deciding what to do, you're in shock"

"Well, wouldn't you be?"

"Yes, that's why you need to take some time out and think about things" Leanne whispers and Carla nods picking up the tests "Why don't you keep one and then I will dispose of the rest then you have something to help you tell both Tony and Liam?"

"Yeah ok"

"Why don't you call him back from Glasgow?" Leanne suggests and Carla hums slightly "He would want to know as soon as you found out"

"Yeah you're probably right" Carla bites her lip, she picks up her phone and sighs "What do I even say?"

"Just say you're not feeling well and you would appreciate it if he comes back?"

"And if he says no?"

"Then just say you really need him otherwise you will travel up there yourself whilst ill" Leanne shrugs and Carla hums before nodding so she picks up her phone and rings Tony "You've got this"

"Hiya Tony...ha yeah, something like that...I don't suppose you could come home, I'm really not feeling great and I'm worried in case something's going on, I don't want to be alone...thank you so much, I'll see you later...bye"

"You see it wasn't that hard was it" Leanne squeezes her leg "Now do you want me to stay, I can if you want or-"

"No you go I want some time for it to sink in by myself," Carla says and Leanne smiles as Carla brings her in for a hug "Thank you so much for all this, seriously, you're a great friend"

"It's what mates do now just remember to stay calm then Tony will stay calm" Leanne whispers and Carla nods "I'll leave you to it alright?"

"Thanks again"

"I'll see myself out, take care and take it easy" Leanne nods and Carla offers her a small smile, jumping slightly as the front door shut to her flat, she reaches over and grabs her pregnancy test before sighing at the pregnant on it not knowing where to go from here...