A/N: In some ways, I guess this is a bit of a filler chapter. However, I felt I needed to include it as it sets up the next chapter nicely. Also, I didn't intentionally mean to involve Daniel in this chapter, but I felt it fit with the way I wanted things to go in this chapter. I'm so not keen on the Carla/Daniel pairing, but I may use him further down the line in this fic with my own take on their pairing.

Chapter 7

Peter's p.o.v:

'Toyah', I called out as I entered the back room. 'Toyah', I repeated. There was no sight of her. However, I could hear sniffling, though. Curiously I followed the muffled cries which lead me behind the sofa. And there she was. Just sitting pathetically on the floor, hiding her head in her knees. 'There you are', I said as I joined her on the carpet, sliding onto my knees and feeling the carpet burn through my tough denim jeans. 'I think we need to… talk'. I cringed at how cliché it sounded, but I didn't know how else to put it… Because we did genuinely need to talk. For once in my life, I had to be honest.

'That's an understatement', she growled as she raised her head, glaring at me, eyes full of contempt.

'Sorry', I said hoping my words would provide her with some comfort.

'Are you?' she asked, extremely mistrusting my words… And who could blame her? 'I told myself that I wouldn't get jealous of her', she whispered. Although I wasn't sure if Toyah was directing her words to me, or if she was talking to herself... It was hard to tell. I guess I didn't know her as well as I'd thought. Love can be blind, I thought to myself.

'She does have a name, y'know. She has feelings just like you and I do'.

'Oh don't I know that she's got feelings… Feelings for you!' she screeched.

'Are we really gonna do this? Look I was hoping we could discuss things like adults, but you're clearly not in a fit enough state to behave maturely', I said, getting extremely fed up that she was showing no signs of wanting to resolve things. So I stood up from my crouching position, and headed for the door. I was really struggling to even look at her.

'Wait!' she shouted. I halted on the spot. I turned around, noticing that she had risen from her position on the floor and had now pulled out a chair, gesturing for me to sit. I had a sudden change of heart after my brief outburst, I accepted the offer, plonking myself down on the hard oak dining chair. 'You're right. We need to talk', she said, 'because there's something you need to know', she sniffled as the took up a chair opposite me.

'I'm listening'. I folded my arms across my chest, releasing a sigh, hoping I wouldn't regret giving in to her demands.

'Today I got phone call - just before lunch… You were busy working and I couldn't find the right chance to grab your attention. I saw you charming Carla. I tried to put it to the back of my mind, I really did try. Then I went to put fresh sheets on our bed and I noticed the whiff of another woman on our bedsheets… I know it was her. Please don't try to tell me otherwise - I recognise the scent. And somehow my emotions managed to get the better of me... It just destroyed me when I came to the realisation that she must've slept in our bed the night I was away visiting our….' She faltered as her tears prevented her from continuing. In an attempt to comfort her, I placed a hand on top of hers. However, she slid her hand away and placing it on her lap, out of my reach.

'Toyah…' I didn't where to start; or what to say.

'Our baby's dead', she whispered.

What on earth was she talking about?!

'What? What did you just say?' Could I be sure she was telling the truth? 'Alright Toyah, I understand you're mad at me right now, but would you really stoop this low?'

'This is all her fault. Life was so good before she returned. Michelle must've told her you were back on the stre-'

'Toyah, ENOUGH!' I had well and truly lost my temper now. I was fed up with all these mind games and her insecurities. This couldn't continue. 'I told you, I'll walk out that door right now if you don't start telling me what's going on'.

'Jacqui, our surrogate, phoned me at eleven today to tell me she was in hospital. She had been having severe stomach cramps. Turns out she's miscarried'. Her voice wobbled as she spoke, and soon enough the tears had returned. 'I mean I must have done something cruel in a past life to deserve this… I don't think I'll ever get the chance to be a mum', she wept. I couldn't quite believe what she was saying. 'And what hurts the most is that she had been totally fine the night before. I stayed over, we chatted, had a laugh. She seemed fine then. And then, between me leaving hers to when she phoned me from the hospital, that's when it must've started... The cramps, I mean'. I honestly didn't know what to say or how to comfort her… Especially when she wouldn't allow me to touch her.

'Sometimes these things… just happen', I said.

'So I tell you that our surrogate has miscarried, and all you have to say is that these things just happen?! I bet that's not what you told Carla when she lost your baby!' Low blow. She knew that would hurt me. I wasn't here to sit and be personally targeted and criticised over my past.

'That is irrelevant!' I screamed, intensely angered by the malevolent grin that spread across her face, realising she'd wounded me. 'And anyway, if you really wanna go down that route, why don't we also discuss the baby I lost with Leanne'. I paused for a moment as I gathered my thoughts. 'I'll admit that I'm far from perfect, but do y'know what? You really are vile… Do you realise how horrible you were to Carla? And for what? She hasn't done anything wrong… She hasn't said a bad word to you or about you. Y'know you could've had a good friend in Carla, but fat chance of that happening now. And do you know what? That's all because of you! You've managed to convince yourself that me n' her are at it behind your back but you couldn't have got it more wrong', I tutted. I was annoyed at myself for letting her get the better of me, but I was truly enraged. I'd never seen her behave like this until now. How could I have ever thought I loved a woman so full of hate?

'Go on then, I'm all ears', she spat back at me, angered by my rant. 'Why don't you tell this vile human being what you've been up to', she screeched as she pointed at herself. She possessed a personal flaw which turned everything sour. It was an ugly part of her personality. A part of her I hadn't previously been exposed to.

'Last night, you know how I didn't go to Chorlton with you because we were short staffed?' She nodded, so I continued, 'well that was all true, that I can vouch for. Anyway, I went outside for five minutes to have a ciggie –' I knew I was bound to get cut off.

'I thought you'd quit?!' she confronted me.

'Yeah, that's what you thought', I responded before recounting the events of last night. 'I was out the back just minding me own business, before I know it Carla's standing in the back yard crying her eyes out. And she'd been so good to me earlier that day so I thought I'd return the favour', I paused for breath.

'What's that supposed to mean?'

'Oh well I should probably explain that too… You know my morning run?' she nodded. 'Well I'm not actually out for a run. I just wander the red wreck, the precinct and come back to the street in time for opening up the pub. Anyway, when I was wandering about the precinct the other day, I noticed Carla sitting on a park bench… She were just killing time. So we got chatting and went for a coffee. Y'know that nice one on Tile Street?'

'Peter, I can't believe I'm hearing this. It's like I've been living a lie... And all because of her'.

'I know, but there's more. I really wanna be honest with you, put all the cards on the table. I don't want to leave you in the dark about anything, ok?' she nodded. 'So we were just shooting the breeze to begin with, catching up on lost time… But when you've had a connection with someone like Carla… I dont think that ever goes away. Sorry, I really don't mean to be insensitive'.

'Oh don't mind me', she silently wept, as tears slid down her puffy cheeks. 'Go on', she stated.

'Anyway, we got very personal very soon. Eventually we got very deep in our topics of conversation. This lead to me talking about you… About the baby', she squeaked in an attempt to supress her hurt. 'And well I told her I wasn't too keen on the thought of having a kid. I mean, I knew you wanted it, so I kind of just… I don't know, went along with it? I was quite happy as long as you were happy'.

'Oh but as soon as it started to get all too real you decided to back out?'

'I'm still sat ere, aren't I? Anyway, we'd just been sitting and chatting for god knows how many hours, but she had somewhere to be so we walked back to Coronation Street together… And I kissed her, ok? She didn't kiss me; I did. I made a move and she pushed me away. She gave me the brush off'. Toyah had miraculously managed to keep silent while I began to explain in more detail. 'However, when I saw her later that day, like I said, she were in a right state… So I invited her in the back. We'd been really quiet in the pub and I knew Liz would be alright if I left her to it, I mean she knows the job inside out, doesn't she?'

'Then what?' she asked, almost desperate to now know.

'We talked for a long time but there were no signs of her calming down, so to try and comfort her I kissed her'.

'Again?!' she raged. 'Twice in one day? Honestly Peter, do you have any self-control?'

'Not where Carla's concerned', I muttered, unable to look Toyah in the eyes.

'Evidently', she huffed and who could blame her? The last twenty four hours have been catastrophic, for her.

'I know this might not be much of an incentive, but we never slept together. I swear on me life. And I realise that my promises might not mean much to you right now, but I can swear by that. Toyah, I slept over there', I said as I pointed to the sofa.

'Oh and you think by telling me that, even if it is true… And that is a very big if, Peter, that I'll be grateful for such a small mercy'

'I'm so sorry Toyah'. There was a long pause. I wasn't sure if it was the end of the conversation. I wasn't sure if it was the end of our relationship.

Both of us as uncertain of where this left us, Toyah croaked, 'We're finished, aren't we?' This didn't require much of a response. I gaged the feeling that we both knew where this was headed.

'Yeah', I said, finally looking her in the eye. It was the least she deserved. I felt defeated while simultaneously feeling relieved. How many women had I let down now? Too many, that's for sure.

'Who was I kidding that I could ever compete with her', she scoffed, attempting to hold back the tears that flooded her eyes.

'Don't talk like that. It's not Carla's fault, is it? It's just circumstances…'

'I can't help how I feel'.

'I really think you ought to apologise to her, though'.

'Me apologise?! To the woman who has wrecked my life'.

'I told you. She hasn't done anything. If you want to blame anyone, blame me. Please. Please let Carla go', I begged her.

'I wish I could say the same to you', she muttered. I did all I could to pretend I hadn't heard that, but her words stung me. I understand that she was hurt after everything that had happened. No wonder she was so bitter. I just wish she'd leave Carla out of the mess I'd managed to cause. I was the only one to blame in all of this.

'Right, well I'll you stay ere. I'll just get a few of me things and I'll be gone', I said as I rose from my chair.

'How big of you', she retorted, crossing her arms across her chest, glaring at me with such resentment.

Not wanting to get angry again, I just said, 'I'll be back for the rest of my stuff soon'.

'Peter', she called out as my hand reached the door handle.

'Yeah?' I spun around. Seeing standing before, eye make-up staining her cheeks which really, for me, brought home the stark reality. I was walking out on her... Giving in. Suddenly, realising that my actions don't only affect me but also the people around me which caused name to feel a pang of guilt. I was officially starting to feel remorse. I'd managed to unintentionally inflict so much pain on her.

'You can't fix her; she can't fix you. She's poison. She'll drag you down to her level and destroy you all over again'. She was such a spiteful cow. It's not as if I was jumping from one woman to another - I wasn't even having an affair with Carla! I was just in love with her... And I needed her to know - properly this time! Completely enraged at Toyah's immaturity, I swung the door open before abruptly slamming it shut behind me, signalling the finality of our relationship.

Despite the warmth my coat provided, I was plagued by the winter chill on my face. The chilly breeze directed my aimless footsteps towards Adam and Daniel's flat.

Once I'd arrived I hastily pressed the buzzer repeatedly until I grabbed someone's attention. 'Who's there?' Asked a thick and husky Scottish accent.

'It's Peter, you gonna let me up?'

'Oh aye, women trouble?' he joked. He didn't realise it but he was spot on. No more was said between us as I was granted access into the boys' flat. Upon entering I noticed Adam sitting, eating a microwave meal for one at the table while he ploughed through an endless pile of paperwork. Did the boy ever stop working?!

'Alright, Pete', he said, not even looking up from his workload.

'I've been better… Mind if I stay the night?'

'Here? Why? You in the doghouse?'

'You don't know the half of it', I attempted a laugh as I took my coat off before taking up seat directly across from Adam, making myself at home.

'Try me', he said as he glanced up from his paperwork for the first time upon my arrival.

'We've split'.

'Pete, I'm sorry. Yeah yeah, course you can stay. It'll have to be on the sofa though'. He smiled sympathetically.

'I think it had run its course', I mumbled. 'Anyway, where's Daniel?' I asked desperate to change the subject.

'Bistro. He's working – won't be home until late', he responded while going back to the mountain of work he'd been going through before I had interrupted his evening.

I just couldn't get comfortable on the sofa. It had more lumps and bumps than the one back at the pub. My back would be done in if I kept sofa surfing. And I knew Adam and Daniel didn't have room for me. They didn't have room to swing a cat… Much like my old flat. The one I'd shared with Carla. A place which was reminiscent with good yet equally bad memories.

As I thought of my old flat, Carla began to float to the surface of my thoughts. And as I couldn't sleep, I thought it would maybe be worth texting her… Maybe she'd fancy meeting up tomorrow. I'd love nothing more than to sit her down and have a proper and honest talk, because up until now we'd been giving each other mixed messages.

To my surprise, she too must have been wide awake as we texted back and forth. However, I was disappointed to say the least, that she wasn't as enthusiastic to arrange a coffee date. I couldn't blame her. I brought chaos to her life. Unnecessary chaos. But that wasn't her reason for rejecting my invite, in fact, it was because she didn't want to come between Toyah and I. Fat chance of that happening now. I just had to get that across to Carla without her feeling like I was on the rebound, hours after finishing things with Toyah. It took me a good thirty minutes to come up with a message that I was happy to send. And this is what it read:

Carla, that's why I need to see ya. Me and Toyah, we've had a serious discussion… If you could call it that. Anyway, I'll be brief with the details but we've decided to split up. Things have been a tad fragile for a while now. I just feel like I would really benefit from your friendship. No one gets things the way you do. And I know as of late I've probably bored ya with the intricacies of my life, but I'd be really grateful if you had the time to hear me out again. And I won't lie, because it's exhausting keeping up a pretence – I can't imagine a day without you. So please, think about it.

Sorry for all the bother I've caused you! And secondly, sorry for the most longwinded response… I hope you'll forgive me for the latter haha. X

I had waited for a reply from her, but nothing came. I glanced at the time display on my phone. 11:50 PM. No doubt she was fast asleep. How I wished I could drift off but it was unbearable on this sofa. I'd definitely need to book into a B&B somewhere tomorrow night because there was no way I was suffering another night on another sofa. No way.

I must have fallen asleep, although I was completely oblivious of when and how I had managed to do so. I realised this when Adam came crashing into the living room cheery as ever, the widest grin spread across his face. 'Morning', he said as he made his way to the kettle, flipping the switch. All he received from me, initially, was a grunt. I hated mornings. I'd need about three cups of black coffee before I could officially allow my day to commence. 'I hope there's enough water in that kettle for a coffee for me as well'.

'Of course', Adam responded as he spooned the coffee into the cafetiere before filling it to the brim with the freshly boiled water. As he did this one of the bedroom doors flung open, bouncing off the hinges. 'Always likes to make a dramatic entrance', Adam joked as Daniel now joined us in the living room. He was rubbing his eyes as he became accustomed to the brightness of day which illuminated the living area.

'Am I seeing things properly? Or am I still dreaming?' he asked Adam in reference to me, sitting on their sofa, with nothing but a sleeping bag to hide my decency.

'Did you not see him when you got in last night?'

'Mustn't have seen him in the dark. Although, I was on a mission to get to my bed as soon as I got in. Work was mad last night', Daniel admitted. 'Anyway, what you doing here? Not that it isn't a pleasure to wake up and see my big brother sitting in my living room in nothing but a sleeping bag wrapped around his privates', Adam and I laughed at his good humour.

'Well, I-'. I was cut off immediately by Adam who was desperate to reveal all.

'Him and his missus have called it a day', Adam smirked, almost revelling in my bad news.

'You and Toyah?' I nodded.

'Listen I'm fed up discussing the goings on of my failed relationship… Do you mind if we talk about summat else?' To which Adam and Daniel were quite happy to do so for which I was eternally grateful.

'Want a coffee?' Adam directed his question towards Daniel, as he began pouring scorching coffee into mugs.

'No thanks. I'm gonna grab a takeaway coffee from Roy's and then I'm heading into town. It's my day off and I've got a first edition copy of Pride and Prejudice reserved at that antique book shop dad took me to last week'.

'Ooooooh bookshop', Adam teased and I laughed. Daniel and our dad were certainly father and son. Where did they get me from?

'Goodbye Adam', he said, ignoring his taunts. 'See ya Peter', he acknowledged me as he grabbed his wallet and coat before exiting the flat.

Carla's p.o.v:

I still hadn't turned my phone on. I couldn't bear to turn it on, almost certain that there would be a message from Peter waiting for me to open. No doubt making some grand gesture or even worse, begging me to see him. And if I read it, I'd be able to hear his voice pleading me, while envisaging his pleading puppy dog eyes. And I'd cave. So it was easier to avoid the likely message which sat in my inbox.

I was impressed with how productive I'd been this morning. It was just gone 9:45 AM and I'd already been at the medical centre, making up for the tasks I failed to do yesterday. Already feeling like I'd managed to accomplish great things, despite it only small and menial tasks. I walked with a spring in my step back to Roy's. I hadn't felt this positive in a while. No all I had to do was-

'Offffft!' my train of thought was put on hold as I literally bumped into a tall and gangly man. 'Watch where you're going', I moaned as I looked up and was met by Daniel Osborne. Peter's brother. I really couldn't escape the Barlows. They were everywhere.

'Sorry, Carla!' He seemed startled to see me. Which was odd. We'd been chatting over the festive period when I'd been in to see Chelle at work. So why did he appear so frosty with me? 'I must have been miles away', he said.

'Ditto', I said, 'Just as much my fault, I suppose. You should count yourself lucky, I don't often admit my own faults'. He released a deep chuckle, seeming to relax the more I chatted. 'I don't suppose you're rushing off anywhere?' I asked to which he shook his head. 'Alright then. Want to go in for a coffee?' I asked as I pointed to the door to Roy's. 'My treat', I offered.

After a brief hesitation, he smiled, looking rather pleased at the idea. 'Well I'm not doing anything. I've not got anything important planned, anyway'.

We'd been sitting in the café at a table for two, drinking coffee and chatting. I was never one for friends… So what I was doing here talking to Daniel, I had no clue… But anyway, here I was. Oddly, while he was nothing like Peter in neither looks nor mentality, which I had managed to deduce within thirty minutes of intense conversation. He was extremely confrontational. I felt like I was under questioning by a police officer. I was physically sweating at some of the questions he demanded from me… And for some odd reason I gave them to him. Truthfully and wholeheartedly.

'So why is it you've come back then?'

'When you've lived a glamorous lifestyle on Coronation Street, nothing quite matches up to the luxury… Not even the tranquil beaches of Devon', I joked as I took a gulp of coffee, allowing him to contribute to the conversation.

He paused for a moment. I was feeling the silence had created a stilted atmosphere, especially as I didn't know him that well. It gradually became more awkward as he tilted his head to the side, eyeing me up, no doubt trying to guess what I was thinking. He was a brainbox after all. 'So…', he said, pausing. Again. 'You're not back for my brother?' He pensively asked. I intended to defend myself.

'No', I retorted. 'Anyway, he's with Toyah'.

A confused look donned his face. 'Oh you haven't heard?'

'Heard what?' He was talking in riddles, enjoying the fact that he had had information on Peter. 'He's not back on the drink, is he?' I panicked. If he had, I would start feeling responsible for his relapse. The grief I've caused him just by being his friend… Well, if you could call us friends. I know that's what I'd told him in our text conversation, but I think both us knew that it would be impossible to keep up pretences.

'Oh no, nothing like that', he admitted as he shook his head. 'Him and Toyah have split up'. He grinned as he practically revelled in his brother's misery. 'So you gonna make a move?'

'No, I didn't say that did I?' I asked rhetorically, while managing to condescend him – much to his annoyance. 'Sorry, Daniel, I didn't intend on it coming out the way it did. Its just a bit more complicated than that, isn't it?'

'But you don't think it's impossible… That you might rekindle, eventually?' He was so nosy. Did I know if I could trust him? After a while of stalling, I realised there was no way out of this question. Even for me. The top liar couldn't blag her way out of this one.

'Well… Hmm. How do I put this?' He could tell I was beginning to open up. I could gage this from his body language, and he leaned in towards the table, out of eagerness or curiosity… It was hard to tell. 'It wasn't what I intended. I didn't come back for Peter; he wasn't what I was looking for. I didn't know what it would be like, three years down the line, seeing him again. Yet, here I am sitting with you – his brother – talking about it. Talking about him. I can't help but feel that we were destined to part on such bad terms, then go to not seeing each other for several years, and now to be where were are with each other. It is so good, we're in a good place with one another. I just don't want to rock the boat. If I finally give in to Peter, I fear everything will go downhill. I don't want to ruin the bridges we've managed to rebuild in such a short space'. Daniel, looking just off my shoulder while his cheeks flushed, as he dragged his chair back, screeching against the linoleum. 'Daniel?' I asked, perplexed by his sudden movement.

'I'm sure it'll sort itself out... In time. Carla, it's been nice chatting, but there's somewhere I need to be', he said getting up and rushing off. Then, suddenly, a large hand pawed at my shoulder. I recoginsed the hand. It wasn't bony and feminine like Chelle's or Maria's. It was a man's: rounded and strong all the way from the palm through to the tips of the fingers. The grip loosened as they drew in towards me, standing so close to me that I couldn't even strain my neck round, to get a glimpse of the 'mystery man'. Not that I needed to. I was pretty sure who it was. And my thoughts were confirmed when he, whose hot breath I could feel blowing against my neck as he whispered in my ear, 'Think it's time we had that chat, don't you?' He walked around the table and took up the seat Daniel had happily been sat in before he fled in a flurry... It is likely Peter overheard our conversation, or fragments of it. No wonder Daniel scarpered quickly. Sitting with his arms crossed as he smirked, looking extremely satisfied; lust clearly expressed through his dilated pupils as he bore his eyes into my own. That's when I knew that he'd heard just about enough of my confession... The confession where I admitted that I still carried a torch for him. So the satisfied expression on his face didn't surprise me in the slightest, likely inflating his ego. And I had been blowing hot and cold, so he was probably relieved to finally hear how I feel, despite that I wasn't directing these details directly to Peter. Maybe it was time I was honest to him. I was just frightened of giving in. I didn't want a repeat of our past. But then, as I stared into his eyes, I was filled with memories. Good and bad. When Peter and I were good, we were great; and when we were at our worst, we were destructive. Too similar for our own good. Sighing as I ran my hand through my hair, still in disbelief that he'd likely heard me exposing my feelings to Daniel. Nevertheless, I still asked him, 'How much of that did you hear?'

'Enough', he uttered back to me, still smirking at me. Cocky as ever. 'I know you wanted space from me, but can we talk? Are you ready?'