His fingers idly twirled the tumbler in his hand; his eyes hungrily scanning the amber liquid his body was throbbing for as it swirled and sloshed along the crystal sides.
Peter would be the first to admit that he never handled pain well in the past, or any sort of emotional angst for that matter. Whether it had been him experiencing it or those around him, he often felt the urge to remove himself from the whole uncomfortable and encompassing feeling by numbing his body and mind— from the inside out.
And right now he was starting to feel that urge again: Everything that happened that day had been nothing short of a damned mess: Simon, Leanne, Frank…
...Carla...
Yeah: whiskey, gin, tequila, vodka…any one of them would have done the trick in the late hours of that particular evening, but it was the remainder of the Irish Whiskey in that tumbler that was currently calling to him.
He exhaled deeply, lifting the glass up and tilting it. The smell enticing and overpowering his senses before turning the glass sideways and emptying the liquid into the sink; watching as it swirled around the drain, before he turned the tap on to rinse out the glass. Turning off the faucet and placing the glass in the sink, he turned to the bottle that remained on the countertop and swiftly lifted it, taking it to place back in Carla's bar cabinet. He crouched down and opened the small door, placing the half full bottle between the other two: one sealed and one clean, empty bottle with a ribbon and tag around it. His curiosity got the better of him and he carefully pulled it out to read the inscription,
To my big brother Paul and his gorgeous wife Carla,
Happy housewarming! When you become big shot high rollers, do us all a favour and try not to forget us little people!
P.S. Car, as you know, best way to my brother's heart is through his whiskey. Always leave a bottle or two of this around, for when I pop over. I'll be sure to drink him under the table so he'll stop nagging at ya!
Love always,
Liam (Leebugs)
He had smiled at the card before feeling a wave of sympathy and guilt gush through him. After all this time, she still kept two bottles in the cabinet; perhaps a subconscious way of wishfully hoping that Paul or Liam would wander through her front door, alive and well once more.
He sat at the dining room table and cast his eyes to rest on Carla's bedroom door, where she had slipped away to just moments earlier to get changed, and he felt his heart sink deeper into his chest.
What a mess he had made of everything today!
Especially considering how things were going in a completely different direction at lunch...
Peter groaned, his head raised towards the ceiling as he leaned back against the desk in his office at the Bookies.
"Yeah baby, just like that," he whispered, his fingers tangling in Carla's hair as he pushed deeper into her mouth, letting out a moan as she pulled back and swirled her tongue around the head of his cock before sliding him back in, her lips applying more pressure as she picked up her pace.
"Yes," Peter grunted, his hips slowly thrusting along with her movements, moaning as her hand squeezed along the base of his cock and moved in tandem with her mouth, and gripping either side of her head as she moved faster and faster. He could feel his legs begin to tighten, and he managed to croak out that he was about to cum, letting out a loud groan as she used her free hand to scrape her nails gently along his balls and push him over the edge; thrusting twice more into her mouth as he orgasmed. She quickly swallowed, and pulled back before her gag reflex kicked in; allowing her tongue to slowly lick along his length as he breathed out a simple, "wow, that was amazing!"
She licked her lips and rose to her feet, him gripping her shoulders and pulling her flush against him while he kissed her. When they parted, he pulled his pants back up and smirked at her as she walked to the other side of the room in her lacy bra, skirt, pantyhose, and boots to where he had flung her top after she pulled him into his office for a bit of afternoon delight.
It had been two weeks since the evening of the charity event, and they had found themselves unable to keep their hands off each other for more than a day at a time. Sneaking in quickies at lunch in her office or his, or making the most of his quiet flat while Simon was at school. She had joined him and his son for dinner numerous evenings, and she had spent the night once at his place, and he at hers twice while Ken and Dierdre took Simon on the weekends to go out and about with Amy. He couldn't deny how happy he was, and she certainly seemed to be as well; but he was nervous about going that extra step and officially becoming a couple; he was nervous it was too soon after his marriage fallout for Simon, and if he was honest he wasn't sure if he was entirely ready himself.
But he couldn't deny how she made him feel, and how he knew he made her feel. It was in her eyes: the way she looked at him like he was her hero, her rock. And when he held her in his arms, feeling her body relax against him during a fitful sleep, he actually felt like he was.
And for Peter Barlow, that meant the world to him.
"I feel a bit bad now," he said as she pulled her top back on over her head
"Bad?" she repeated as she adjusted her top before pulling on her blouse, "I'm not quite sure how to take that, Barlow..."
"No, no I don't mean it like that," he chuckled as he plugged the kettle in, "trust me, that was incredible!"
She smiled coyly at him, taking out her compact mirror and lipstick and reapplying a thin layer over her now slightly swollen lips, "so come on, enlighten us," she said, pressing her lips together and placing both items back into her purse, "what did you mean, then?"
He closed the distance between them, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her against him and rubbing his nose along her cheek, "I just feel guilty that I had an absolutely incredible orgasm and I can't return the favour..." he lay soft kisses along her jawline, edging closer to her ear, "you do know it doesn't bother me, you know..."
"I know," she smiled, leaning her arms on top of his shoulders and tilting her head to provide him more access to her neck, which he hungrily obliged, "and it's not like I'm ashamed or owt, I mean I'm a grown woman and it's natural and all that," she responded, gasping as his tongue flicked delicately along her collarbone, "I'm just in a bit of discomfort, that's all..."
He pulled back from her, his hand cupping her face softly, "are you okay?"
She smiled at him and nodded, "Be a lot better if you'd just kiss me..."
He pulled her head towards his, his lips capturing hers between his and running his tongue along her top lip, before slipping it inside her mouth, his one hand cradling her head to his while the other slid down between her buttcheeks and pressed her into his hips. He heard her moan and felt her smile against him before his phone vibrating pulled them back to reality.
Peter huffed angrily before silencing the call
"Who were that?" Carla asked curiously as she followed him out to the betting desk
"Leanne," Peter gritted out, before pouring them each a mug of tea, "telling me she wants to see Simon and how I can't keep him away from her,"
Carla pressed her palms into the counter and tapped her toe on the floor behind her, "well, I mean," she scratched her head absentmindedly, "would it be the worst thing in the world, to let him see her?"
Peter turned to face her, his expression nothing short of derisive, "yes, Carla, it would," he responded as she twisted her lips and lowered her gaze to the mug he placed before her, "I don't want my son around her or that jumped up ponce Tilsely-"
"A-Alright," she acquiesced, her hands coming up in mock surrender, "I were only asking Peter,"
Peter sighed and stepped closer to her, "I know, I'm sorry," he responded as he pressed a kiss to her temple, "I shouldn't take it out on you. She just gets me so riled up," he raised her chin up with his two fingers and pressed a soft kiss to her lips
She smiled crookedly at him, "Look, Peter, he's your son and you know what's best for him, but hear me out okay?" She waited for him to nod before continuing, "Leanne has been like a second mum to him. I know what she did hurt you and hurt him, but, Peter she loves him, unconditionally," she looked down to her hands, "some kids never get that from their actual mums..."
He ran his hand down her hair, his heart breaking as he suspected she was talking about herself, and cupping her cheek in his palm, he planted another soft kiss to her lips, his forehead resting against hers,
"You're right," he said, "but it's just too raw still. It should be my decision on when I decide to let her see him. But I'll think about it though, okay?"
She nodded before playfully slapping his cheek, "okay."
He watched as she hugged the mug between her hands and took a sip of the steaming liquid, "so uhh, when can I return the favour then?" he asked cheekily
"Another day or so," she responded with a wink
"And just how, Mrs Connor, do you expect me to keep me hands off you until then?" he asked, his hand playfully slapping her butt
She tilted her head towards him, her lips hovering dangerously close to his own, "by knowing that the anticipation will make it all the more spectacular," he scrunched his face playfully and shrugged his shoulders, so she placed her mug down and wrapped her arms around his neck , her fingers playing with his hair as she pressed her lips against his, "and by knowing that I'll let you do anything," she whispered huskily as she softly bit his lower lip, "and I do mean, anything..."
"Anything?" he slid his hand between her buttcheeks and playfully tapped around her tailbone while he pressed his hips into hers, grinning as she closed her eyes at the movement before playfully slapping his chest
"Okay, anything but that, Barlow," she giggled at him, "not yet anyways..."
"So you're not ruling it out in the future then?"
"Well, I guess you'll just have to stick around and find out, won't you?" she said as she captured his lips with hers once more...
"Mrs. C?"
"Yes, Kirk?" Carla responded, her eyes not leaving the clipboard that she used to check off the inventory of material in the bins next to the machinists
"We're starting to run low of them small packing boxes," Kirk said, "you know, them ones with the lids for the special orders?"
"The garment boxes?" she responded, as she continued to make notes on the paper
"Yeah, those ones,"
"Okay, which sizes are we running low on?"
"Uhh," Kirk looked down at the paper he had written down on and handed it to her, "18 x 14 x 2.4" he said,
"Alright, thanks Kirky leave it with me," she said taking the paper and placing it under the butterfly clip. As she turned to check on the bin filled with lace trimmed elastic, she heard a panicked "Carla!" from behind her before someone crashed into her back and she lurched forward, barely stopping herself from tumbling over in her heels. She looked down to see two small arms wrap around her waist tightly and squeeze. She shifted slightly, twisting in the embrace and lifting the clipboard up above her head,
"Simon?" she questioned as the little lad continued to press his cheek into her side, "hey, hey, what's the matter?" she asked worriedly, handing the clipboard and lace to Maria's outstretched hands, before cradling the head of the sniffling boy
"Si!" a voice trilled from the entranceway
"Please Carla, I don't want to talk to her," Simon gritted out, his cheek pressing into Carla's ribcage as she continued to stroke his hair and pat his back
"Okay," Carla hushed him, "it's okay, Si-"
"Oh great," Leanne rolled her eyes as she halted in front of the image before her, trying to offset the hurt she was feeling at being replaced in the young boy's life, "look Carla, this has nowt to do with you, alright?"
"Uhh, excuse me, madam," Carla clapped back sharply, "it might 'ave escaped your awareness, but you are in my fact'ry so I can assure you, it very much has to do with me!"
"Look, Si," Leanne said in a soft voice ignoring Carla, "Please can I just talk to you for a little bit?" Simon shook his head, squeezing his arms tighter around Carla's waist, "Come on Si, we can go for one of them milkshakes you like at the cafe, if you want."
"I don't want to go anywhere with you!" Simon stated angrily. And as Leanne's eyes filled with tears, Carla couldn't help but feel sorry for her former friend. She carefully pried Simon's arms from around her and knelt down so she was at his eye level and grasped him by the shoulders
"Look Simon," Carla said calmly, "look, you don't have to go if you don't to, okay?" he nodded at her, his eyes filled with tears and damn near breaking her heart, "but Si, I think Leanne just really, really misses you, and I think she just wants to spend a bit of time with you, that's all."
"Would you come too, then?" he asked
"Ummm," she glanced up at Leanne, who looked defeated at the suggestion, before looking back into the young boy's eyes, "yeah, if you want me to be there, I'll come along." Simon nodded his head enthusiastically and Carla licked her lips, "right," she nodded before standing up and facing Maria, "Umm, it's almost time for them to clock off anyway, are you alright to close up?"
"Of course, go on!" Maria smiled at her
Carla placed her hands on Simon's shoulders, and looked somewhat apprehensively at Leanne, "I'll just grab me coat and purse, then..." she gestured to the office and headed over at Leanne's somewhat reluctant nod.
She shrugged her coat on and placed a few scattered items, including her mobile, into her purse just as her office door opened, "Ohh catch you at a bad time, then?" Frank's voice pierced the office space and she glanced up and offered him a half hearted smile,
"Oh, uhh yeah," she said, pulling her hair out from the back of her coat, and gesturing to Simon, "just gotta a bit of an unexpected emergency, you know," Frank swivelled to look out to where Simon and Leanne stood awkwardly near the door,
"Nothing too serious I hope," he asked with a smirk as he turned back to face her,
She waved her hand dismissively, "nah, nothing a milkshake and a sticky bun can't fix, I'm sure," she chuckled, "is there something you needed, Frank?"
"Yes, but not about business. This is more of a personal question,"
"Okay..." she leaned a hand on her desk, smiling at Maria as she too entered the office
"Hi Maria," Frank smiled
"Hello," Maria responded curtly,
"Umm the question, Frank?" Carla pressed with a soft smile, "Sorry, to rush you I just don't want to keep the lad waiting too long, you know?"
"Yes, of course, umm" Frank swallowed, "Tracy Barlow," he began his eyes raising to meet Carla's, "do you know her?"
"I know of her," Carla responded carefully, "but don't really know her, know her, why?"
"Well, we were supposed to have dinner tomorrow evening, you know like a date, but she, for some reason, wants to meet us both; something about an idea she has for the business,"
"Ahh," Carla responded, her brows furrowing, 'not exactly my ideal evening,' she thought before shrugging nonchalantly, "okay, I suppose I can arrange to pop by for a bit."
"Well, actually, I thought why don't you bring Peter along," Frank said, not catching the pointed glare Maria threw his way,
"Peter?" Carla repeated
"Yeah he is her brother, right?"
"Half brother, yeah,"
"Well, I thought maybe, she might feel more comfortable with her brother there instead of just the two of us," he smirked at her slyly, "and also of course so you wouldn't feel like a third wheel, either..."
"Ahh," Carla resisted the urge to laugh at that comment, "well I can't guarantee he'll be interested in an evening of shop talk and uhhh crashing his half-sister's dating life and all that. But I'll uhh I'll run it by him and I'll let you know?"
"Sure, give me a ring on my mobile," He smiled at her opening the door for her as she floated towards it
"Will do," she smiled at him, "See you Frank, Thanks for closing up, Maria"
"Ta, Carla," Maria called out, her eyes narrowing at Frank as he watched Carla gesture towards Simon, waiting for him to grab hold of her hand, before they walked out behind Leanne.
"That little lad's quite fond of her, isn't he?" Frank said to Maria as he eyed Carla lustfully as she exited the factory, "I can understand why of course, she's quite spectacular after all..." When Maria failed to respond, he glanced up, seeing her agitatedly organizing a number of files on her desk, "something the matter?"
"Why would anything be the matter?" She huffed continuing to shuffle the folders on her desk,
"Oh I dunno," Frank answered sarcastically, "maybe because you've been acting considerably cool towards me for the past couple weeks, now?" At her continued silence, he tried a softer approach, "Look, Maria, if I've done something to offend you-"
"Oh don't even with that," she spun around to face him, chuckling humourlessly
"Don't even with what?"
"Look, don't play innocent with me, alright?" she gritted out, her eyes quickly glancing to the machinists outside, ensuring they couldn't hear the conversation between her and Frank, "I know what you did," she hissed
"Oh," Frank sighed, "okay, I know what this is about. Look, Maria: Carla and I have already discussed this and put it past us, weeks ago," he said softly as he took a step towards her, "I've already admitted to being entirely at fault for using an unfortunate situation to try to score a date with her,"
Maria huffed, "really,"
"Yes," he said, his eyes lowering to the ground soberly, "and I feel absolutely disgusted with myself for playing such a dirty trick. And had I known that she had been drugged that night, I can assure you I never would have done what I did,"
"Is that right?" she crossed her arms in front of her chest, as he raised his gaze back to her, looking convincingly appalled
...almost...
"Just what are you inferring exactly, Maria?" he asked pointedly
"It's just a bit funny Frank, that you were in a business mixer with her and no more than ten others, and yet you were the only one who didn't see that she had had fizzy water and lemonade all night, except for that one drink? I mean, what exactly were you doing to think she was kicking back multiple wines when everyone else there knew she was refusing them?" She glanced back to the machinists who were still busily working away and chatting, before stepping closer to Frank, "No, I think you knew that she was slipped something that night,"
"And how would I know that Maria?" Frank asked, his voice lowering to a menacing register,
Maria swallowed hard and stepped back from him, the glint in his eye causing her stomach to flip nervously but still not wanting to back down now,
"I think we both know how you know that..." she responded
Carla sat beside Simon in the cafe, her leg nervously jolting up and down as the young boy sipped on his milkshake. Leanne had carried most of the conversation since they had arrived; asking Simon question after question about school, and his mates. Simon had answered using mostly one word answers, looking to Carla at times before responding. But Carla could see he was slowly softening towards Leanne; every time she would go quiet and lower her gaze from the young boy, Simon would glance up, almost ensuring she was okay before quickly looking away before she could catch him.
"Can you watch my milkshake, Carla?" he asked her suddenly, "I need to go to the washroom,"
"Hey, I'd ask Leanne to watch it if I were you. How'd you know I'm not going to polish it off?" she teased him with a poke
Simon giggled slightly and poked her back, "because you don't drink milkshakes, you like coffee!"
"I'll 'ave you know, I 'appen to love a good milkshake, me!" she defended herself, her fingers reaching out and grasping the straw and giving it a stir, "especially chocolate-y ones like this!"
"Mum!" Simon laughed as he looked at Leanne, her face lighting up at the term he bestowed upon her as he pushed the glass towards her, "make sure Carla doesn't drink me milkshake,"
"Well, I'll do me best, Si," Leanne smiled, watching him as he hopped off the chair and headed towards the washroom. She awkwardly glanced up at Carla and offered her a lopsided smile, "Thanks, Carla," she said
"Hey," Carla raised both her hands on either side of her head, "I did nothing except threaten to steal his milkshake," she chuckled
Leanne smiled before turning serious, "no really, though," she whispered, "I appreciate this. Coming here with us so I can spend a bit of time with him. I know he'll never forgive me, but it means alot that he doesn't seem to despise me anymore,"
"Leanne he never despised you, and he certainly never hated you," Carla assured her, "he's just hurt, and confused. No matter what happened between you and Peter, Simon will always see you as a mum; he just needs to come back to you on his own, that's all," she smiled at her, "give him time." She took a sip of her coffee, "I am a little confused though, I thought Peter would be picking him up from school?"
"Yeah," Leanne scratched her head, "Something came up at the Bookies, and he had ringed Ken and asked him to pick him up. I happened to see him on the way and asked him if I could go instead,"
"And he just agreed?"
"Okay, I begged more like," Leanne admitted, "but he eventually agreed, saying he thinks it might do us both some good. Simon wasn't best pleased. Basically ran all the way here, and then straight into the factory."
"Well he seems to be okay, now," Carla said encouragingly, taking another sip of her coffee, "though I don't imagine Peter will be best pleased when he finds out,"
"No, probably not," Leanne shook her head, "but I'll deal with that when it comes to it," Leanne sighed her eyes locking onto the woman across from her, "Look Carla, about what I said to you the other week-"
"Lea," Carla waved her hand at her dismissively, "please don't, it's forgotten," she whispered, her voice cracking as tears pricked the corners of her eyes, "but I am sorry for everything though; I were a rubbish friend to you when you needed me, and whether you believe it or not I bitterly regret everything I did-"
"Yeah well I weren't much better when you needed me, though was I?" Leanne responded honestly, "Look, I can't forget what you did, Carla," she stated, "using our friendship to try to bed my fiancee behind my back," she raised a finger to wipe the stray tear that fell down her own cheek, "but I can't get too high up on me high horse either since I was the one having the affair, can I? But I can forgive you. And maybe we can, I dunno, find a way to move on. I don't want to carry this around any longer than you do."
"I'll take that," Carla nodded and smiled.
"Not interrupting am I?" Nick's voice called from behind her, as he came around the table, leaning down and kissing Leanne softly on the lips, before gesturing between the two of them, "should I take this to mean they'll be no handbags at dusk, then?"
"Ohhh, with that cunning wit of his, how do you manage not to constantly jump his bones, Leanne?" Carla drawled sarcastically, smirking at Nick who winked back at her
"Carla managed to convince Simon to come out for a milkshake with me, but I'm not sure how he'll react if he sees you, Nick," Leanne whispered, her head darting around to ensure Simon hadn't emerged from the toilets yet, "or Peter for that matter."
"Understandable," Nick smiled, "I'm just going to get a coffee and head back to the Bistro to finalize the repair work."
"Oh, when do you expect to be re-opened?" Carla asked him
"Uhh in about two weeks if all goes well," he responded before leaning down and kissing Leanne softly once more, "see you later," he rose up to his full height and mouthed a 'thank you for this,' to Carla who nodded and smiled at him as he turned to head to the counter, just as Simon came rushing back to the table and climbed onto his seat next to Carla. They had fallen into an easy conversation again, before Carla caught sight of Leanne's face dropping, the colour draining from her face, and she herself swallowed nervously.
Turning her head over her shoulder and looking upwards, she locked eyes on an unimpressed and angry-looking Peter Barlow, and an apologetic Ken standing just behind him.
"Just what the hell do you think you're playing at, Carla?" Peter questioned her angrily as she rose to her feet and faced him
"Peter," she placed both hands softly on his chest only to have him smack them away, the movement catching her offguard,
"It's my fault," Leanne piped up, "I convinced Ken to let me pick Si up from school and I wanted to take him out for a milkshake; but he really only came out because Carla agreed to come with us-"
"And you didn't think to tell me-" Peter hissed, his eyes unmoving from Carla as he stepped closer to her, his lips curling into a sneer, "after what I said earlier today? I thought I could trust you-"
"Peter," Carla tried again, "you can, I-I was just doing what I thought was best for Simon-"
"Oh, and what? You hangin' around his dad and having dinner with him a couple times now suddenly makes you an expert on knowing what's best for him, does it?" He shouted at her and she recoiled slightly at the anger permeating off of him
"Peter..." Ken admonished him
"That's below the belt, Pe'er," she whispered, her eyebrows furrowing at his demeanour,
"Look Peter, this isn't Carla's fault, okay -" Leanne rose to her feet, "It's mine and look, you and I can hash it out if you want to, but not in front of Si, alright-"
Peter shifted his gaze to his estranged wife, "You stay out of this, because he is not seeing you again, and that's that!" Peter stated categorically, his eyes coming back to blaze into Carla's
Carla exhaled, as she felt Simon stand next to her, wrapping his arms around her waist, and she placed her hand protectively upon his head, "come on, Peter holding onto this grudge is not going to help anybody, especially your son," she said in a low voice, before licking her lips, "look, Leanne's his mum and he loves her, you see how his face lights up when he looks at her-"
"Ohh and that would just suit you down to the ground wouldn't it, eh?" Peter snarled stepping in ever closer to her face, "just palm him off on Leanne, eh? You'd be shot of him then wouldn't you, huh? Have me all to yourself without some kid getting under your designer shoes? Just the way you like it..."
"Why are you saying these things, Peter?" she shook her head as tears pricked her eyes
"You're the Ice Queen," he hissed at her, and she felt her face drain of colour, "not a maternal bone in your body-"
"Alright, I think that's enough now," Nick interrupted coming to stand behind Leanne, his eyes gazing sympathetically towards Carla, but Peter pointedly ignored him; the anger and rage he felt at being betrayed by Carla was rearing its ugly head. This was the second time that she withheld a secret from him and he felt that same hurt and betrayal coursing through him today as he did back in early February...and he wanted to make her hurt as much as he was. He could see he was accomplishing this; he could see it by the way she pressed her lips together as she willed the tears not to fall, and he knew in his heart he should stop and beg her forgiveness, but he couldn't seem to shake this feeling of being betrayed by her, yet again...
"...Just want to keep palming him off on whatever person you can: me dad, Dierdre, and now her," Peter sniped, "All so that you can have my undivided attention completely and not have to share me with anyone else, especially some kid knowing you'll never be the centre of my attention..."
"Peter, stop this now!" Ken gritted out as Simon sniffled and pressed his face into Carla's side, but Peter couldn't hear him either; the tears that sprouted in the green eyes he was focused on spurring him on in his anger,
"Simon, go stand with Hayley please, love, " Carla gently pried the young boy's hands off her waist,
"Yeah, c-come on Simon," Hayley offered her hand out to him,
"No I want to stay 'ere!" Simon protested, but Carla pulled her gaze from Peter and smiled down at the young boy,
"Please Simon, for me, alright?"
Simon nodded reluctantly and took Hayley's hand as she quickly carted him away behind the counter, and out of earshot
Carla folded her arms across her chest and stood staring at Peter, "Are you quite finished now?" she prodded him, trying to contain her anger at his lashing out at her. When he didn't respond, simply staring at her instead, she muttered a simple, "right," before reaching over and grabbing her coat and purse, not missing the apologetic look Leanne threw her way. Nor did Peter, and this just fueled the unjustifiable anger in him even further, and as Carla brushed past him and headed for the door, he went for the jugular...
"Looks like Liam had chosen wisely then, at least with Maria he stood a chance of having a fam-"
His head snapped to the side as Carla's hand made swift contact with his cheek.
It was as though the sharp slap was what was needed to lift the cloud of misguided rage from his mind, and as he gazed into her tear-filled eyes, his hand cupping the stinging flesh on his face, he felt an unbelievable amount of guilt course through him, "Carla-"
She took a step closer to him, her finger coming warningly close to his face,"You stay the hell away from me," she whispered ferociously before swinging open the cafe door and marching out
"Carla!" Simon shouted from behind the counter and pushed his way out the kitchen exit
"Simon come back!" Hayley shouted, "Ken!" she gestured towards the back door
"Oh no," Ken huffed
Peter pushed past Nick who muttered a low, "smooth, Barlow" as he headed round the counter and out the opened kitchen door, Leanne and Nick on his heels, while Ken went out the front door
Carla marched towards Streetcars, "Lloyd?" she called out shakily to the man sitting on the bonnet of his car, her hand still prickling from the slap she had landed on Peter and trying to contain her emotions from overflowing, "you free?"
"Yeah, need a lift?" he asked as he slid off, his brow furrowing at the look on her face. Before she could answer she heard her name being called,
"Oi! Carla!"
Closing her eyes and throwing her head back in an attempt to contain herself, she exhaled and turned to face the man now approaching her,
"Frank," she offered a lopsided smile, "Umm look it's not a good time right now-"
"Just what the hell do you think you're playing at?" He stated angrily, as he strode towards her
"Excuse me?" she responded, taken aback by the look of anger on his face
"Don't play coy with me," he spat as he marched closer to her,
"Hey, hey, hey, back off," Lloyd placed his arm out in front of Carla, the other raising towards Frank in a calming fashion,
Frank eyed Lloyd for a moment, and took a deep breath, trying to collect himself before speaking eerily calmly to her, "I'm cancelling my order!"
"Wh-what?" She shifted her stance, her face contorting in sheer confusion,
"You heard,"
"Frank, you can't do that!"
"Oh, I can," he stated menacingly, "watch me!"
"But, why?" she asked just as Simon came racing around the corner onto Victoria Street, stopped by his grandfather from approaching the scene as Peter, Leanne and Nick followed suit
Frank's eyes traipsed the length of her body, "I won't work with people who slander me behind my back."
"Hang on," Carla shook her head, "I 'aven't got a clue what you're talking about,"
"Ask Maria..." he whispered a smirk playing across his face
She didn't know why, but it was the look on his face that seemed to push her over the edge, almost like he knew he had her over a barrel and was enjoying it.
"Oh you know what," she shook her head, "As it has just been charmingly thrown in me face, I 'avent got a maternal bone in my body, so I am not about to start playing 'mummy' in whatever back and forth you've got going on with my P.A., alright? You've got a problem with her, deal with it like a grown-up, and if you can't, then cancel your flamin' order, alright?" Her voice had reached an almost screeching pitch, and it was only then that Frank saw the tears that had been lining her absolutely anguished eyes, and he took a step back
"Okay, Carla-" he softened his tone, worry actually taking over at seeing her so emotional, and his eyes quickly caught sight of Peter and his son standing with others nearby, and he started to piece things together, "look, I'm sorry why don't we go somewhere and talk this out, calmly, okay?"
Carla scoffed frustratedly, her hands rising up and pulling at the hair on either side of her head, "Oh, I can't keep up with you men, you're all like a flamin' Jekyll and Hyde," she whispered, trying to calm herself down and failing miserably. She lowered her hands back down to her side, narrowing her eyes at the man standing across the car from her, "If you think I'm going anywhere with you after that little outburst you can think again," she gritted out angrily, "I am through being everyone's punch bag for the day, alright! Now leave me the hell alone!"
"Carla-" Frank tried apologetically again, but she ignored him, whipping open the passenger door of the cab and sliding inside, as Lloyd climbed into the driver's side and started the ignition, his car pulling off down the street, past Peter, Ken, Leanne, Nick and a distraught Simon.
Peter watched the cab drive away before turning towards Frank, "what the hell did you say to her?" he accused as he strode towards him
"Me?" Frank recoiled back defensively, "I can assure you that that," he pointed in the direction that cab had sped off, "has nowt to do with me, but I'm more than sure it has everything to do with you."
"Oh, know that for a fact do you?" Peter squared up to Frank, getting into his personal space and staring up at the taller man menacingly
"Well she was fine when she left the factory earlier, so yeah, I know that for a fact!"
"Peter!" Ken shouted at his son, drawing his attention back to where Simon stood visibly upset
Peter felt his heart breaking and shook his head before turning back to Frank, "you just stay away from her," he warned him as he jogged back to his son
Frank was about to retort but thought better of it. He wasn't going to risk the plan he had devised for the past week to drive a permanent wedge between Peter and Carla, just to get into a petty scrap with the bookie in the street. Instead he swallowed the biting remark he had, and headed towards the pub.
He had bigger fish to fry right now. Just one blonde one to be precise...
Peter dropped to his knees in front of his son, who now stood with his arms wrapped around Leanne's waist, tears streaming down his face
"Si, I'm sorry mate,"
"Why'd you have to be so mean to her?" Simon cried, "she didn't do anything!"
"I know, son, I'm sorry. I took it out on Carla and I shouldn't have," he glanced up at Leanne who simply looked away, "but I'm going to make it right, right now, okay?"
"Are you going to apologize?" Simon sniffled
And Peter nodded, "Oh yeah, big time," Simon threw his arms around his dad's neck and hugged him as Peter looked up to Ken, "can you have him tonight dad, please? I don't know how long I'll be..."
"Of course, I've got your spare keys so we can grab his overnight bag," Ken smiled and nodded
Peter pulled back from Simon and stood in front of Leanne, "Look, if you're free tomorrow, we can talk about this 'seeing Si' business, if you want,"
"Really?" Leanne's eyes widened hopefully,
"Yeah, I'm not making any promises, though..."
"Okay ummm just uhhh send me a message where you wanna meet and I'll be there," Leanne smiled at Peter through her tears
Peter turned to Ken,""look I better go grab a cab," he bent down to hug his son once more, "I'll see you tomorrow, okay son?"
Simon nodded as Peter pushed himself to his feet and jogged towards the cab office
Peter banged on the door of number 4 Draper Mills flat, having finally been let in by a neighbour who was leaving the building, as Carla refused to answer her buzzer for well over an hour.
"Carla!" he shouted, "I'm not going anywhere until you let me in!" he banged on the door again before it was whipped open and he stood face to face with the factory boss' tear stained visage.
"Can't you take a hint?" she sniped. turning her back on him, and downing the remainder of the whiskey she had in her glass down before standing at the counter and pouring herself another.
Peter stepped into the flat and closed the door, his head nodding towards the bottle on the counter as he shrugged off his coat, "is that really the best option right now?" he asked kindly
"Don't you even start with me," she gritted out, as she raised the glass to her lips, taking a large gulp and swallowing quickly as the liquid as it burned deliciously down the back of her throat, "don't you lecture me about drinking after all you just threw at me in the cafe,"
"Carla, I'm sorry-"
"Sorry-" she scoffed, taking another sip of the drink in her hand, "yeah right,"
"I am," he stood in front of her, prying the glass out of her hand and placing it on the counter, "I really, really am," he whispered as he placed his hands delicately on her hips and pulled her into him as he leaned his back against the countertop, "I was lashing out and I took it all out on you. I'm sorry," he reached up and wiped the tears that had fallen down her face, with the back of his fingers
"You hurt me, Pe'er," she croaked out,
"I know," he pressed his forehead against hers, "And I'm so sorry-"
"You said them cruel things on purpose,"
'I did, yeah,"
"To hurt me?"
"Yeah,"
"You're a prat-"
"I know,"
"I hated you," she sniffled
He felt his heart snap in two, "I don't blame you. I did warn you all them months ago that your feelings for me may fade, especially when you get to know me properly," He exhaled, his hands coming up and cupping her face between his palms, "have they, hmmm?" he brushed his nose next to hers, "have they faded?"
She looked into his warm eyes, so different from the ones that blazed at her angrily just an hour earlier in the cafe, and shook her head slowly, "no," she whispered
He let out the breath he didn't realize he had been holding and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in as close to him as possible.
"Am I forgiven, then?" he whispered into her hair
"No," she answered abruptly, pulling back from him and crossing her arms over her chest, "but at least I don't hate you right now..."
He nodded, "look, why don't you hop in the shower, and I'll rustle us up a takeaway," he eyed her carefully, "that is, if you want me to stay with you?"
She brushed past him, taking the glass of whiskey with her to the bathroom, "let's just see, shall we?" she stated quietly before entering the bathroom and closing the door behind her...
After ordering up a takeaway, and once Carla emerged from her shower, she had poured herself one final glass of whiskey, her eyes almost begging for him to challenge her so she could have an excuse to throw him out, but he didn't rise to it. She barely sipped on it as they ate their dinner in silence, her eyes downtrodden the entire time as she played with the food on her plate. He cleaned up the plates and assuming she didn't want him to stay, was about to reluctantly grab his coat to leave when he heard her speak softly from her place on the sofa,
"Paul never wanted kids you know," she said and he turned slowly to look at her, "neither did Tony. And that suited me fine. I mean, I would hardly make a decent mother, especially if I base it off the one I have,"
Peter sat down next to her, his hand gently stroking her hair as she spoke
"I never saw myself as a mum. Didn't really think it were fair to bring a kid into my care knowing I would be rubbish. But I cared about Ryan though," she said softly, "I always enjoyed being his Auntie Carla. I liked having him around with me and Paul, and I also liked the appeal of giving him back to 'Chelle at the end of the day,"
Peter chuckled and pressed a kiss to her temple
"I really like Simon, Peter."
"I know you do," he pulled her into his arms, "I know you do and he really, really likes you too."
"I know Liam wanted kids..."
"Carla..." he whispered, feeling his heart snap as he remembered the harshness of his words earlier
"That's why I couldn't run off with him, not when I knew Maria were pregnant and could give him what I couldn't..." she sobbed, "He would have chosen her in the end, I know that..."
"Carla, stop," he turned her to face him, "Liam didn't choose Maria, he chose you. And you gave him up; you gave up your chance at happiness for him, for Maria and for that little baby," he wiped the tears that fell down her cheeks, "now you may think you'd make a rubbish mum, but I know differently. Being a parent means often sacrificing your happiness for theirs. You've already shown that you have that about you, Carla...when you selflessly gave up your happiness for them..." He pulled her against him and hugged her to him, softly stroking her hair and rubbing gentle circles on her back until she faintly asked him to stay with her.
She had gone to the bedroom to change, and he had sat there, eyeing the remainder of the whiskey she left in her tumbler before finally pouring it down the sink.
And now, as Peter stared at the door to her bedroom, she finally emerged in a pair of satin pajama pants and a vest. Her now dry hair was brushed and fell about her shoulders as she approached him. He got himself comfortable on the chaise lounge of her sofa, lifting his arm for her to snuggle into. And as she curled up next to him, him lifting the duvet over them both as she flipped on the television and scrolled to find a movie, he gently kissed the top of her head, promising himself he would never cause he pain like that again.
He had not just fallen head over heels for Carla Connor.
He was madly in love with her...
"See you love," Maria called to Fiz as she walked across the cobbles from the Rovers Return towards her flat. Just as she was about to put the key in the door she jumped in fright at the man who appeared from the shadows next to her.
"Frank!" she narrowed her eyes angrily at him, "what the hell do you think you're playing at?"
Frank simply stared at her, and she took a reluctant step back before he spoke, "I'm going to ask you, just once Maria, to drop this ridiculous allegation you've made about me."
"And why should I?" Maria swallowed back, "if it was you that did it, she deserves to know..."
"You can't prove it was me, Maria," he smirked evilly, "no one can..."
"You sick-"
"Ah ah ah," he interrupted her, "if you continue making these unfounded claims against me I will pull out of my contract with Underworld."
"Yeah?" Maria said, stepping close to him, "well good riddance!" She was just about to enter her flat when his voice boomed from behind her,
"And how would your little mates feel about you then, eh? All those workers - your friends, Maria - feel about losing all the work I had pumping into the business."
"We'll find more work."
"Not after I start spreading some claims of my own," he smirked as her face fell, "what? Did you think it doesn't work both ways?"
"This is blackmail..."
"And how would the lovely Carla Connor feel, eh? Watching the business she worked so hard for, go into liquidation, having to close the doors forever...?" He watched as the turmoil passed along her face, "is it worth all the pain you're going to cause? Just to sling some mud and see what sticks?"
"What do you want from me?"
"I want you to stop making the ridiculous accusations you're making, and I want us to get back to the professional relationship we had before all this unpleasantness," he took a menacing step towards her as she backed up into the door behind her, "because I can promise you Maria, I can make your life far more unpleasant than you're trying to make mine."
She swallowed hard, her eyes widening in fear at him as he smiled down at her and pushed himself away, walking backwards down her pathway, "See you tomorrow, Maria." He winked, before turning and walking away, leaving Maria shaking as she leaned against the door of her flat.