It had been ten minutes since Peter had left the flat and Carla was still refusing to tell Roy what had happened. He was sitting beside her on the sofa, seething that her partner had left when she was in such obvious distress. It was so unlike Peter; he had been incredibly supportive and protective of her in recent months and Roy just couldn't understand what would have caused this. All he had managed to extract from Carla so far was that 'it wasn't Peter's fault'; he decided that patience was the best approach, she would talk when she was ready.

"Shall I make us a coffee? Something to eat?" He went to get up but felt Carla's hand on his, keeping him next to her,

"I'm not hungry thanks, can we just sit here for a bit?"

He nodded in agreement, settling back into the seat, pleased he could at least offer comfort, even if she wasn't yet ready for his counsel. They both jumped slightly as her phone started vibrating on the table in front of them. Carla leaned forwards eagerly, her face falling when she saw it wasn't Peter's but Michelle's name on the screen.

"Now's not a good time Shell…. What do you mean asking questions….? What did you tell him?"

Roy watched the last of the colour drain from her face as she ended the call, panic evident in her eyes as she quickly scrolled to find Peter's name and called him, waiting impatiently for him to answer.

"Peter, don't do this, please. Can you just ring me back!"

She jumped up, grabbing her bag from the side and heading for the door. Roy realised he had to act quickly; after all he couldn't help her if he didn't where she was.

"Where are you going? Carla wait! Just tell me what's going on!"

She turned back to face him and nodded,

"Ok, will you drive me? I'll explain everything on the way, but right now I need to find Peter!"

Peter sat in his car outside an unremarkable house in the suburbs, watching and waiting. His call to Michelle had been very insightful. He hadn't told her the true reason for ringing her, in fact he had felt bad deceiving her about his motivations for finding out who this Dominic was, but needs must and she quickly gave him what he wanted, swallowing his story about picking Dominic up as a fare, gladly sharing his surname which was all Peter needed to track him down. A quick internet search and he had everything he needed; it had almost been too easy to discover that Dominic ran a consultancy firm registered to this address. He just had to bide his time, be sure that his target was home before making his next move. What that move was he hadn't yet decided, his anger still clouding any rational plan. He ignored his phone as it once again started flashing with Carla's name. She had been calling constantly but he couldn't face talking to her right now. He knew that she would tell him to come home; but this wasn't up to her. Anyway, it was too late now. He watched as a swish black Mercedes pulled into the driveway in front of him, before a smart looking man in his mid-forties jumped out, quickly moving around to the passenger side and opening the door for a what must have been his wife or girlfriend, smiling animatedly as she took his arm and they moved towards the front door. Peter wondered if she had been on the scene last year, if she knew what her man was capable of. Well she'd find out soon enough.

Dominic looked over at the sound of the car door slamming, he moved in front of his date protectively as Peter made a beeline for him, his smile switching to a look of confusion.

"Can I help you?"

"Are you Dominic?" Peter practically snarled the question.

"Yes but to be honest mate now isn't a good..."

He was silenced by a swift right hook; Peter stood over him as he tried to regain his composure, blood trickling from the side of his mouth where his lip was already starting to swell.

"I'm not your mate and I'm only just getting started."

The woman with him had backed away and Peter felt he owed her an explanation.

"Is this your husband?"

She shook her head "No, I only met him tonight. Whatever this is it's nothing to do with me! Please just leave us alone"

Dominic was now back on his feet, considering his next move. Peter could tell he wasn't a fighter, he looked terrified as he attempted to square up to Peter, he definitely had stature on his side, but Peter was sure he could easily take him anyway.

"What is it you want? I'll call the police. You don't scare me"

Peter scoffed at this blatant lie "I just thought your friend here deserves to know what you're like, how you take advantage of vulnerable women. You've had a lucky escape love!"

Confusion flooded Dominic's expression as he tried to work out what the hell was happening. His date had obviously decided she was better off out of it, she was walking off down the street, fumbling with her phone as she went, no doubt calling 999. Dominic was now standing at his full height, trying to feign confidence.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. I think you've got the wrong guy."

Peter felt the anger surge as he grabbed his adversary round the neck, watching him straining for air as he gave his response.

"The name Carla Connor ring any bells? She's told me what happened last year. You are scum, do you know that?"

"Peter! Stop this right now!"

He turned to see Carla running towards them, his surprise causing him to loosen his grip, allowing Dominic to wriggle free and back away, gasping desperately for air.

"Go home Carla. I'm dealing with this."

He was taken aback as she pushed past him and instead went to stand in front of Dominic, blocking his view.

"Carla what the hell is going on?!

She was now examining Dominic's face, grabbing a tissue from her pocket and trying to stop the blood still trickling down his chin.

"I told you to leave it Peter! You've just made everything worse!"

As if on cue the sound of sirens grabbed all their attention; as Peter looked towards the police car that had pulled up yards away he noticed Roy for the first time, standing back looking disgusted at what he had witnessed. At least he would be there for Carla when the inevitable now happened. He walked towards her, wanting to speak to her before he was taken away but could see her anger as she glared back at him.

"Well done Peter. You are an idiot, do you know that? What did you think would happen?"

He felt a policewoman grab his arm, and turned to let her arrest him, watching Dominic now full of bravado telling the other officer how he had been brutally attacked and wanted to press charges. Carla was right as usual, but if he was being honest he didn't regret it, just that she would be left to pick up the pieces. That bastard had taken advantage whatever Carla said, and he deserved everything he got. This wasn't over.