Chapter Six

Peter was rushing around the flat trying to get Simon ready for school. He was annoyed with himself for sleeping in. Carla came in after spending the night staying at Michelle's.

"Want some help?" Carla asked

"No I'm fine thanks" Peter replied

"I'm sorry, can we talk?" Carla asked

"As you can see I'm trying to get Si ready for school and we are running late" Peter replied

"Ok, later then?" Carla asked

"Maybe, Si come on!" Peter shouted

Carla sighed watching Peter and Simon left. Carla went to make herself a tea and in the corner of her eye, she noticed an empty whiskey bottle and sighed.

Carla was at work in a world of her own. Michelle kept looking at Carla concerned for her best friend.

"Did you manage to talk to Peter earlier?" Michelle asked

"Didn't get the chance, Peter slept in and was running late, dropping Simon off at school" Carla sighed

"There's something else isn't there?" Michelle asked

"Peter is drinking again, I found an empty whiskey bottle" Carla sighed

"Go and speak to him before it's too late, take the rest of the day off," Michelle said

"I don't know, work is distracting me," Carla said

" IS it, all you have done this morning is sit there staring into space worrying about Peter, just go" Michelle said

"Are you sure?" Carla asked

"Yes, now go!" Michelle told Carla

"Ok" Carla sighed and headed out

As Carla was leaving the factory she bumped into Tom

"Cara I need to talk to you" Tom said

"No isn't a good time" Carla sighed annoyed

"Now is the right time, your carrying my baby" Tom said

"Might be yours" Carla corrected him

"Ok, it might be mine, we need to talk about this" Tom sighed

"I need to see Peter" Carla replied

"Come on, it's just lunch and a chat" Tom smiled

"Ok fin" Carla sighed, giving up

Tom smiled leading Carla to he is car opening the door. Carla sighed and got in and they drove off together. Peter was watching from afar tears down his face.

Peter shut the bookies for the rest of the day. He needed to get away and clear his head. As he was walking through town he stopped at an estate agent. He knew he needed to act quickly to keep the love of his life. He was determined to fight Carla.

Meanwhile, Carla was having lunch with Tom. Despite Carla trying every attempt to hate it deep down, she was enjoying herself.

"We need to talk about the baby" Tom said

"Yes we do" Carla agreed

"Let's start again, just the three of us. I can give everything you and the baby want" Tom smiled

" I love Peter and the baby could be his" Carla said

"This is about what's best for the baby, I can provide a more stable lifestyle than Peter. I know about his drinking" Tom said

"You what, what gives you the right to go behind our backs like that" Carla glared at Tom

"It's hardly a secret, Peter's drinking" Tom sighed

"I know" Carla softened towards Tom again thinking about the empty whiskey bottle

"So what do you say?" Tom asked

"I'll think about it" Carla replied

" That's good" Tom smiled taking Carla's hand

Carla looked deep into Tom's eyes, full of love and care. She realised he meant every word. Peter on the other hand was drinking and couldn't care less. Little did Carla know, Peter was actually planning their future and didn't drink that bottle of whiskey.

Carla smiled getting out of Tom's car and heading into the factory. Michelle looked at Carla and smiled thinking things were back on track with Peter.

"So your chat with Peter went well?" Michelle asked

"I went out for lunch with Tom instead" Carla smiled

"After the way he treated you!" Michelle said annoyed

"He has changed, he really wants to be there for me and the baby. Can't say the same for Peter" Carla replied

"Well I think you're making a big mistake," Michelle said

" I just want a stable life for my baby, Peter can't provide that. Tom can" Carla said, just as Peter walked in

"Peter!" Michelle smiled awkwardly

"You are getting back together with Tom!" Peter said

"I didn't say I will" Carla sighed

"Well all this has been a waste of time" Peter shouted as he slammed the information about some houses down on the table

" Peter what's all this?" Carla asked

"I was going to sell the bookies so we can buy a house together for our family. Also, my dad poured the whiskey down the sink when he dropped Simon off" Peter cried

"Peter, I'm sorry" Carla cried

"I've been planning our future for our family while yo7 have been on a date with him" Peter shouted

"Peter we can talk about this" Carla said

"No, just go back to me and I will go back to booze and lose Simon. That's what you lot think of me" Peter shouted before walking off

"Peter I love you, I want you" Carla shouted before breaking down crying

Carla had stayed at Michelle's again. Carla asked Michelle if she could pick up some clothes as she couldn't face peter. Carla was looking at the houses that Peter had chosen wishing she had never agreed to lunch with Tom. Suddenly the buzzer went which made Carla jump. She got up to answer it

"Who is it?" Carla asked

"It's me" Tom replied

Carla let him in

"How did you know I was here?" Carla asked

"Michelle told me" Tom replied

" Ok" Carla sighed going to sit down

"So have you decided?" Tom asked

"I don't know, everything is so complicated and such a mess" Carla sighed, pining for Peter

"Come here" Tom sighed holding his arms out

Carla accepted the hug and looked into Tom' eyes wishing they were Peter's. Carla just needed comforting she started to kiss Tom eventually it became more passionate.

Meanwhile, Peter was in the flat. He asked Ken if he could have Simon for the night, which made him suspicious and worried about his son. Michelle was getting Carla's clothes, she looked at Peter and sat down next to him

"Carla is sorry, she does love you," Michelle said

"Really, then why did she go for lunch with him," Peter asked

"She saw the empty bottle and panicked. Tom was offering her this new life. But she doesn't want it, she loves you" Michelle said

Peter started crying as Michelle gave him a hug, they started to kiss for a brief moment then jumped apart

" I better go" Michelle said before hurting out of the flat.

When Michelle entered her own she heard an argument between Carla and Tom

"Just get out and stay away! Carla screamed

"You kissed me back and wanted it, you don't love Peter! Tom shouted

"Yes, I do, I love Peter!" Carla screamed n

"Go on get out!" Michelle screamed

Tom sighed before storming out

"What am I going to do" Carla cried, as Peter entered the flat

"I want to talk to you," Peter said

"What do want?" Carla asked

"This" Peter replied

He walked up to Carla and kissed her passionately

"Come home with me" Peter whispered as Carla smiled

They walked home and into the flat. They ripped each other's clothes off and started kissing hungrily. Peter picked Carla up and her on the bed. Peter kissed Carla all over her body making Carla moan happily before entering her. Making love with the woman he truly loves. Carla looked up at Peter and smiled "I love you".