"Hey Si" Peter smiles as his son looks up at him "Are you alright?"
"Yeah" he flashes his father a quick smile "Are you ok?"
"You know how it is. I'm going to see Carla later if you want to come?"
"I don't know" he shrugs "I wouldn't want to intrude"
"You wouldn't be," Peter says gently "It's entirely up to you, no pressure"
"I'll think about it" Simon responds knowing he would feel rather awkward seeing Carla there considering she had been helping him, Michelle bursts out of the Rover's
"Are you ready to go?" Michelle questions dragging her fingers through her hair, Simon and Peter share a look
"I'll see you later dad" Simon says with an eye roll as he walks off, Peter tries to suppress his laughter
"What?"
"How was your night, I saw you necking that guy and I told Carla before you start and she called you a dirty cow"
"Oh great, I can't wait for the robotic third degree from her" Michelle mutters "Come on, we need to go!"
"Alright" he rolls his eyes "Let me grab the keys then we can go"
Peter made his way with Michelle to the hospital, they decided to get a cab so they didn't have to pay for car parking only for the taxi fare itself. They entered Carla's room where the nurse was applying a warm compress to her back, Carla crying softly in response causing Peter to bend down beside her and stroke her hair gently as she cried in pain. There was always a chance Carla would be in pain when he went to see her, and when he did see her in the throes of pain he was always worried and in a weird way it caused him pain and then he got those urges to drink. Either way, he would support her though because he loved her so much, he would deal with his feelings later.
"What's up with her?"
"They reckon it's the baby" the nurse comments as Carla cries "As it gets bigger the more pain she will be in"
"So it could get worse?" Michelle questions, the nurse nods sadly "Oh Carla"
"I hate seeing you like this baby" he whispers kissing her on the forehead, Michelle sits next to him and takes Carla's hand
"The heats helping though isnt it Carla?"
"Mhm" she nods forcing her eyes open to look at Peter, he just plays with her hair and looks into her eyes before brushing the back of his finger over her cheekbone, Carla picks up her phone
"So how was your night Michelle?"
"I know he's told you" Michelle raises an eyebrow, a small smile flickers over Carla's face "Yeah it was alright, suffering a bit this morning though"
"How much did you down?"
"Enough" she comments grimaces slightly as Carla laughs slightly before covering her mouth
"You just laughed" Peter exclaims, Carla grins up at him and points to her lips, he pecks them gently
"Mmm" she nods as the nurse takes her hand and gives her some more medication
"Pain relief" the nurse smiles "You're due some more"
"Thanks," Peter says as the nurse nods "Should that help with her pain?"
"Yeah it should we'll wait for that to kick in" the nurse smiles, Carla nods "I'll be back later to check on you"
"B-B...ye" Carla smiles before picking up her phone
"Tell me about him then whilst Peter gets me a muffin from the cafe downstairs"
"Oh charming, I see how it is" Peter rolls his eyes pecking her on the forehead "I'll be back soon"
"His names Lucas"
"How did you meet?"
Carla questions with a cheeky grin, Michelle just smirks
"Oh that doesn't matter, it was just a fling, one-night stand type thing" Michelle grins "He's working at Underworld, took your position I think as Nick needed someone"
"You said his name was Lucas?"
"You know him? His surname began with K...Kem-Kem...something"
"Kempton"
"So you do know him" Michelle gasps, Carla nods biting her lip wondering what on earth he was doing back here "How? I'm intrigued now"
"It doesn't matter"
"Oh come on"
"No," Carla says sternly with a glare, Michelle narrows her eyes suspiciously as Peter enters the room with Carla's muffin
"This is for you my dear," Peter says passing it to her, Carla continues to glare at Michelle causing Peter to glance between them both knowing something had happened "Everything ok?"
"Fine" Michelle grits out, Carla just continues to glare before peeling her gaze away and smiling at Peter before eating her muffin
"Is that satisfying you enough?" he questions, she nods with a small smile "Good"
"Do you want anything from downstairs Carla?"
"You're going?" Peter looks at Michelle who just shrugs
"Good thanks"
"I'll be back later," Michelle says before leaving the room, Carla looks sheepishly at Peter who shakes his head
"What happened?"
"Don't want to talk about it"
"And what happened to honesty?"
"And what happened to peace?"
"Carla" he scolds, she just sighs dramatically
"Michelle's fella, I know him"
"Know him how?" Peter interrogates, Carla sighs
"He did some work for me, down in Devon"
"And?"
"You're seriously lacking in the brains department arent you? And I'm the one who's meant to have baby brain"
"Wait...you and…"
"A fling, nothing more nothing less"
"Wow…" Peter breathes out with his eyes wide "I dont know what to say"
"Him being back, it doesn't change anything between us. As I said, it was a fling, just a bit of fun"
"I know" he responds "We're having a baby, aren't we? We're in love, there's a difference"
"Exactly"
She grins up at him before sighing
"Peter, I love you ok?"
"I know"
"Just dont go thinking too much into this"
"I won't" he responds pecking her on the lips before grabbing the baby magazine "Now let's have a look through this yeah?"
"Sounds good"
She smiles as he opens it, she just looks at him engrossed in all the baby items. Only if she trusted him enough to understand that she and Lucas were no more especially as she knew the past would always come back to bite her in the end…
"Where is he?"
"Where's who? And when did you get back!" Sarah exclaims, Michelle just pulls a face "You need an appointment-"
"It's fine Sarah," Lucas says as he enters the office "Two coffees, this one here is probably dying from a killer hangover"
"I don't want your coffee Lucas" Michelle spits with a glare, Sarah rolls her eyes
"Ok, then Sarah go and check on the girls to make sure they're behaving themselves yeah?"
"I get the hint" she nods before leaving the office, Michelle sits down in front of Lucas' desk with a glare
"What can I do for you?"
"You and Carla"
"Who?"
"Carla Connor, she told me everything"
"Everything?"
"Yes, everything!"
"Everything being…?"
"I know you know her"
"And that's all she said?" he questions narrowing his eyes, he chuckles slightly "Of course we're going to know each other you come across people in the rag trade"
"I guess" Michelle narrows her eyes "How do you know her?"
"Did some business for her, we were good friends" Lucas muses "Why do you care?"
"Well I just find it weird that's all"
"Weird how?"
"Well you saw an opening and you took it; this was her job" Michelle states, Lucas narrows his eyes
"Nick needed someone"
"And that person just happened to be you?"
"Well if the shoe fits…"
"Carla's happy"
"And I want her to be" Lucas confirms, Michelle narrows her eyes full of suspicion "You should also tell her how you know me as well"
"No way!" Michelle responds pulling a face "She doesn't need the stress, she's recovering"
"I could just tell her myself"
"Don't you even dare" Michelle hisses "What do you want from me?"
"Nothing"
"Nothing?"
"Nothing" he confirms with a cheeky grin "It was nice to catch up Michelle"
"Was it now?"
"Yeah" he confirms with a smirk "We should do it again"
"Again? Have you lost your mind?"
"You didn't like it?" he asks with a frown "Thats not what you were saying last night"
She smirks knowing Lucas was having an effect on her,
"Speak soon Lucas"
"I'll take that as a maybe"
"All men like you would" she tuts before leaving the office, Lucas chuckles slightly before returning to his work…
Simon was walking along the streets, somehow it seemed better than going home or being with his dad. He did have a slight regret that he didn't go to the hospital to see Carla but he knew they would just end up giving it away that she was helping him and he couldn't have that. The distraction of another drug drop off was deeming him fine except he had to meet up with the big boss today at least he had money to hand over to him in the hope to clear his debts.
"Hey Si!" Kelly beams as Simon groans in annoyance "Charming"
"You're like my personal stalker, I thought we were meeting later"
Because it was true, Leanne was out of the flat and it was better than being out in the cold and at least he had the job from the chippy so staff discount on fish and chips was a bonus
"I wanted to help"
"I dont think thats a good idea" Simon glances from left to right examining the road "I'm sorry i just dont want you caught up in this, you dont deserve this"
"I want to help" Kelly smiles, Simon shakes his head
"No Kelly" Simon responds "I'm paying them off today so hopefully this whole thing will be over and done with"
"At least let me watch over you, I dont want you getting hurt by them, I know what these people are like Si"
"Ok fine, if it makes you feel better!" he says glancing down the street and sighing "Hide then!"
"Alright," she says walking off down the street and hiding behind a car so she could keep an eye on Simon
"You Simon?"
"Yeah" he confirms pulling out the wad of cash "Here, this is for my debts and the rest of the drugs"
"And what is this cash for?"
"Well I don't want to be part of this" Simon says "So there's the cash to pay off whoever or whatever you want"
"You think it's that easy?"
"Well…you were the one who wanted the money-"
"You don't get off that easy lad" he snarls, Simon gulps "You really haven't thought this through have you? You leave now and that's your family dead, let alone you"
"You dont scare me"
"No?"
He grabs Simon and shoves him up against the wall
"Think twice, I would for your safety and your families. Thanks for the drugs and the money"
"Wait!" Simon calls but he just gets ignored, Kelly walks over to him "Don't"
"All sorted?"
"Not exactly" Simon sighs "Any way that doesn't matter now, let's just go back to mine yeah?"
"Ok" Kelly responds hesitantly as they walk off back to the street…
"Hey" Toyah waltzes into the solicitor's office, Adam raises an eyebrow "Imran here?"
"Meeting with a client" Adam confirms "Can I leave him a message?"
"I'll wait," Toyah says going into the kitchenette and making herself a coffee "How's Peter?"
"No one can get through to him," Adam says "You should know what that's like, you were with him once upon a time"
"Yeah well...just making conversation. It must be a hell of a strain though with Carla being in hospital"
"We're all trying to do our bit, Michelle's back as well so that's taken the pressure off Peter and Jenny"
"Oh that's good" Toyah smiles "I usually wouldn't offer but...well, here"
"Oh?" he questions taking the card
"Addiction counselling" Toyah informs him, Adam nods slowly "It might help Peter, just a thought"
"Aren't you an addiction counsellor?"
"Well, yes but not officially anymore," Toyah says "Why?"
"Would you see him?"
"I dont think thats such a good idea" Toyah responds as Imran steps out of the office and frowns "Hey"
"I was just saying to Toyah, maybe she could give Peter a one-off get him used to addiction counselling or something"
"It would be a conflict of interest" Toyah informs Adam who sighs "I dont think its a good idea but there are people there who you can contact"
"Yeah thanks for this, I'll speak to him, yeah" Adam nods grabbing his blazer, "I'll do that now, this way you two can have some privacy"
"Thanks" Imran smiles watching him leave "I'm guessing it's not a social call?"
"Well if a call from social services isn't a social call…"
"What did they say?"
"That it's all ready to go with that little boy" Toyah smiles hooking her arms around his neck "I just wanted to square it with you first"
"I'm more than happy" Imran smirks, Toyah beams up at him "Have you spoken to Leanne?"
"She's happy as long as I am" Toyah confirms with a smirk "So am I ringing back saying that we're ready?"
"Yes" Imran confirms "Do it"
"Good, I'll see you later then"
Adam made his way to Roy's deciding to pick up a couple of bacon rolls for himself and Peter. He knew he was home as it was lunchtime at the hospital so Peter wouldn't be allowed to visit Carla. He entered number one to Ken talking to Peter about Carla as that seemed to be the only conversation topic right now so he patiently waited and listened to his uncle talk about the way Carla was right now. Ken then sensed that Adam wanted to speak to Peter so he left them to it.
"This is for you," Adam says passing Peter a bacon roll "I wanted to speak to you"
"Never would have guessed" Peter rolls his eyes "What do you want?"
"Well I was speaking to Toyah"
"Toyah?" Peter chuckles "Right…"
"And she gave me this card" Adam smiles passing it to him, Peter sighs in response shaking his head "Come on think about it"
"I'm not talking to a stranger"
"You go to AA meetings" Adam reminds him, Peter glares "What's the difference?"
"The difference is that you have a choice in meetings whether you speak, whether you listen, there you're forced to speak-"
"Which will probably do you good in the long run"
"I'm not listening to this" Peter states "Thanks for lunch but no...not happening"
"Peter just think about it" Adam groans, he shakes his head
"I'm going to a meeting, see you later," Peter says grabbing his jacket and leaving the room, Adam sighs rubbing his head and picking up the business card before humming thoughtfully…
"Hey"
Carla frowns in response at her surprise visitor, she tilts her head to the side before picking up her phone
"What can I do for you?"
"Well it's more of what you can do for Peter I suppose"
"Adam, has something happened?"
"No, nothing at all. I want to find a way to help my uncle" he says passing Carla the business card, she frowns "Toyah gave me this, I just thought it might have been a good idea for him to try it he wasn't keen though"
"I think it's a good idea. You know your uncles stubborn, I'm surprised that you didn't hound him until he cracked"
"Well he's delicate, I don't want to be pushy with him"
"Fair enough. It'll cost a bomb though"
"I'll pay for it"
Carla glares and shakes her head
"No, you won't"
"It's fine Carla it'll help us all in the long run. We just need to convince him"
"And I will"
"Right" Adam nods "Look I hate to be this person but, you know that guy at the business conference, the one which was all over you"
"L-Luc...as" she questions with a sigh before picking up her phone
"Michelle told me he's working at underworld"
"Right" Adam mumbles "Does Peter know?"
"Y-Yes" she confirms with a small smile "W-Wh...y?"
"Look, was he the guy you…"
"N-No" she shakes her head before picking up her phone
"I don't think so anyway I can't really remember"
"Ok" Adam nods "Sorry about hounding you"
"It's ok"
"I'll leave you to it" Adam smiles, Carla nods with a small smile "Peter might be back later so yeah just to warn you so we can put our plan into action"
"You do realise if he finds out…"
"I'll take the blame"
"For once"
"Oi!" he exclaims, Carla grins up at him "I see you haven't lost your sense of humour"
"Takes more than a car to mow me down to lose that"
"Bye Carla" he shakes his head amused, she smirks
"B-Bye"
Michelle was sat at the bar in the Rover's twiddling one of those paper coasters around her fingers whilst she indulged in the drink of the evening; a glass of house red. She shook her head as she watched Jenny deal with the bar on her own with that stepdaughter of hers which intrigued her entirely as she never knew Jenny had a stepdaughter. Rolling her eyes she saw Lucas enter the pub, she just shook her head and smirked at him, he smirked back as he ordered a pint. Of course, Michelle wasn't going to let him off that easy so she just started making eyes at him.
"You're new around here" Jenny smiles, Michelle raises her eyebrows and taps the beer coaster on the table
"Lucas" he introduces himself to her
"Well welcome to Weatherfield Lucas, here's your drink"
"Keep the change" he passes her the cash before glancing at Michelle who had her eyebrows raised at him "Hello Michelle"
"Hello Lucas"
"Wait, you two know each other?" Jenny glances between them, Michelle raises her glass to her lips
"Yep" Michelle nods biting her lip "Too well actually"
"All too well" Lucas confirms raising his glass to his lips, Michelle smirks "So how has your day been Michelle?"
"Great" she confirms "Perfect in fact"
"That's good" Lucas confirms with a playful smirk going to sit next to her at the bar "So then?"
"Hm?" she questions raising her glass to her lips
"I have a hotel room booked" he smirks, she raises her eyebrows "We could make it one for two"
"Tempting as it sounds, I'd have to make excuses to her" she points to Jenny
"I think you're old enough to be out in the big wide world on your own" Lucas smirks, Michelle rolls her eyes and raises her eyebrows "I'll treat you to a meal"
"Oh you are tempting me" she grins sarcastically "Jenny!"
"Yes, love" Jenny smiles as Lucas raises an eyebrow "Another drink?"
"No I'm fine thanks, I'm actually going to go out with Lucas I think"
"Oh right" Jenny smirks "Go on then off you go, I won't stay up for you"
"Alright, you finish that whilst I go to the little girl's room then we'll head off" she beams, Lucas nods as she leans into his ear "Then I'll let you have your wicked way with me"
"Hmm" she moans slightly forcing her eyes open, she narrows them "O-Oh"
"Hey" he whispers brushing his fingers against her skin, she smiles at him "How are you?"
"S-Sa...me" she confirms with a small smile "Y-You?"
"Yeah" he nods with a smile "You're doing well Carla"
"T-Than...an...anks" she smiles at him "Im-Im...p-p-pr-pr...ove"
"You have improved" he smirks at her before pulling out a black rose from his blazer pocket, she gasps and takes it
"M-Mi..ss...s...ed t-th-th..em" she grins breathing in the scent, he chuckles slightly and nods
"Beautiful just like you," he says gently, she shakes her head coyly "Anyway I have to go"
"O-Oh?"
"Sorry, I'll come again soon ok?"
"Ok" she nods with a small smile "B-Bye"
"Bye Carla"
