When Carla emerged from the toilets, Toyah was once again stood at the bar with Leanne talking to Peter. Carla was overwhelmed by what she had heard and seen this evening. She made her way outside into the smoking area.
"Are you ok?"
Carla gasped and turned to see Nick stood in the doorway.
"I'm ok, thanks Nick" she replied to him.
"You just looked a bit upset in there so I thought I'd come and check on you" he told her, getting closer to her.
She was sitting on the bench. Nick approached her "May I" he asked, gesturing towards the seat next to her.
She nodded in response.
"How are you doing these days?" Nick asked.
"I am ok, especially now we have the pub to run, it gives me something to focus on" she told him truthfully.
Nick and Carla spent half an hour having a catch up until Peter came out to find her.
When he found her he approached a scene of happiness and laughter coming from Carla. He was furious but didn't want to show her, but in typical Peter fashion that was going to be difficult.
"What's going on out here then?" he asked leaning on the garden wall with his arms crossed.
"Nick came out for a catch up that's all"
"What's so funny then?" Peter huffed.
"That is my que to go" Nick said, smiling at Carla. Peter was still staring at him, he wasn't going to look away first.
"Thanks for the chat Nick" she said to him with a small smile.
"Anytime" he replied, leaving the garden in the direction of the bar. Little did anyone know Nick had a secret of his own.
"Well, that looked cosy" Peter smugly said replacing Nick on the bench.
"Peter, do you need to be like that" Cara rolled her eyes.
"I don't like that guy Carla, never have, never will" waving his arms around as a gesture of hate.
"I know that but you don't need to be rude" Carla placed her hand on his to stop him flapping around.
"He was horrible to you after the roof collapsed, he doesn't deserve you talking to him"
"He actually apologised and we had a nice talk"
"Well if it's that nice Carla, why don't you get back with him" he pulled his hand away.
"Peter, don't be like that"
"Like what, Carla" Peter said, crossing his arms as a guard.
"Jealous"
"I am not jealous, I know Nick can not do for you what I do for you" a smirk appeared on his face.
"Not everything is about sex, Peter" Carla stormed past him, into the back room. She slumped herself on the sofa.
"Carla" Peter called after her, following quickly.
Peter lent on the doorway, causing Carla to say "Peter, you know I love you, you have no reason to be rude to Nick"
Peter rolled his eyes and lowered his guard. He sat on the sofa next to Carla and took her hand. "I'm sorry"
"You have nothing to worry about with me and Nick"
"I know that, it's still hard to belief that you married that guy"
"Yeah well I married you too, didn't I" Carla poked him on the nose, causing them both to let out a little laugh.
"True, listen me and you are a team, always will be, so if you need to talk to me, I am always here" Peter told her, giving her a hand a kiss.
Carla placed a kiss onto his lips. Gradually getting more and more passionate, Carla placing her leg over Peter so she was now straddling him. Peter lifted her when he stood, carrying her up the stairs to continue where they left off this morning, leaving Sean in charge.
The next day Peter woke Carla up with a kiss to the forehead.
"Morning beautiful" Peter said to her as she rubbed her eyes.
"Morning sexy" she said reaching her mouth up to give him a kiss.
"I have a plan today" Peter tells her, pulling her into his chest.
"What is it?" Carla asked excitedly watching Peter get out of bed. Carla followed him and stood next to him.
"Get dressed and you'll find out" Peter said, slapping her bum as she walked by him.
An hour later, the couple were out in the street holding hands as they walked without a care in the world.
Carla had called Ryan and asked him to help out Sean when Peter told her about their plans. Ryan was all too happy to help them out.
"Are you going to tell me where we are going?" Carla asked.
"We are just going for a little walk and a catch up" Peter told her "Since your psychosis, it is important to keep talking to each other"
"I agree, you know I am grateful for everything you did whilst I was struggling" Carla told him, walking arm in arm with him.
"I was only concerned with you being safe" Peter said "Nothing else mattered to me"
"That's why it was so hard when I went missing?" Carla asked shyly.
"Yes, I couldn't cope with the idea of something happening to you, and I didn't know where you were, it was killing me"
"That's why you turned to the drink then?" she looked into his eyes.
"Yes, that was the only reason, once I knew you were safe I stopped"
"I know"
"Carla" Peter stopped and positioned himself in front of her "You know i'm not going to drink now don't you?"
"Yes Peter, I trust you" Carla said truthfully. She would have never agreed to run the pub for Johnny if she thought it was too much of a temptation for Peter.
The couple made their way to the park where they had a nice picnic together.
"Look who it is" Leanne said to Nick as they locked arms, noticing Carla and Peter sat on a blanket. They went for a walk with Simon and Oliver to get some fresh air.
"Be nice" Nick said to her.
"Why are you so concerned with her all of a sudden"
"I am not, I just don't want a scene"
"Dad" Simon called to Peter.
"Hey son, want to join us?" Peter asked, tapping the picnic blanket.
"Sure, do you mind mum?" he asked. Even though he was a teenager now and didn't actually need his mum's permission, he knew that it was respectful to ask.
Leanne nodded to her son.
"Afternoon Carla" Nick said, then nodded at Peter. Peter nodded at Nick causing Carla to giggle and roll her eyes.
"Afternoon" Carla said in response.
After some small pleasantries both couples carried on with their day. Obviously Carla's afternoon now involved Simon, which she loved.
Later that evening Carla and Peter had taken the Rovers back, leaving Sean and Ryan to finish their shifts.
Nick walked in, much to Peter's delight.
"Does he not have anything better to do" Peter huft. "I'm going to change a barrel"
"Evening Carla" Nick said approaching the bar "Peter didn't want a chat then" he said with a small smile on his face.
"He has to change a barrel" Carla told him, returning his smile "Did you have a good rest of your day"
"We did thank you, how about your day?" Nick asked her.
"It was nice, after my psychosis, it is important to get out and clear my mind" she told him truthfully. To be honest she didn't really know why she felt the need to tell Nick about that. She always felt comfortable with him.
"I suppose that makes sense, how are you doing with it all now?" Nick asked.
"I have good days and bad still but I'm getting there" Carla smiled, looking down to the ground. She then asked "what can I get you to drink?"
Peter then made a sudden appearance directly behind Carla, staring at Nick. He made sure to give him the look to warn him off.
"I will have a lemonade for now, thank you Carla" He smiled, staring back at Peter.
"I will bring it over Nick" Carla turned to Peter "you need to stop that"
"What do you mean?" Peter asked casually.
"You know what I mean, the male pride you both have"
"Oh honestly, it's just a few looks here and there"
"It's going to end in disaster" Carla told him, making Nicks drink "I'm going to take this over, can I leave you in charge or do you need to continue staring at Nick"
"No, I'm good" Peter smiled at her, slapping her bum as she walked past him.
Carla handed Nick his drink. "If you ever need to talk, please know you can come to me"
"Thanks Nick"
"We were close before and I do care about you" Nick placed his hand on top of Carla's hand that was resting on the table.
Carla nodded in response, but felt something strangely familiar about his touch. It was not that of an ex husband, from when they were together anyway. This feeling sent a shiver down her spine but she tried to cover it so Peter was not suspicious.
Later that night after everything was locked and closed. Carla was sat up in bed rubbing in her night cream.
"You ok?" Peter asked, joining her in bed "Earth to Carla"
"Sorry, yes baby I'm fine" Carla placed her cream on the bedside cabinet and placed a kiss on his lips.
"Carla I am always here to talk"
"I know, that's why I love you"
"That's the only reason?" Peter asked playfully, whilst rubbing her thigh up and down.
"I may need a bit of help remembering the other reasons" Carla licked her lips.
"I am only happy to help my love" Peter said passionately kissing her.
The next morning Peter let Carla have a lay in. One of the side effects of her medication was exhaustion.
He made her a nice breakfast, once he heard her moving around upstairs.
"Morning" she said entering the room.
"Morning" Peter replied "Sit down, I have made breakfast"
"Why didn't you wake me?"
"I wanted to let you sleep, you must be tired after last night"
"I am hungry too, we must have worked up an appetite" Carla laughed.
"Exactly, that's why I made it" Peter pulled out the dining room chair for her to sit at.
Peter handed her some breakfast and took a seat himself. The couple talked through things and had a lovely morning together.
Carla and Sean were scheduled for today, so Peter had the day off. He was going to spend the day with Simon. He also knew Carla needed a break from him too.
After they had eaten and got ready for the day ahead, Peter gave Carla a kiss and made his way to meet Simon.
The day went slow without Peter by her side but she was happy to have Sean there. Since Michelle had left the street, Sean was always there to listen to her whilst they worked and she now considered him a good friend.
Peter had a great day with Simon. The two lads sat outside the chippy with a bag of chips each.
"Can I pinch one?"
Peter turned to see Toyah stood there alone.
"Of course" Simon replied, offering her his bag of chips.
"At least one of you is a gentleman" Toyah teased.
"I would have given you one but my son got in there first"
They got into a conversation about Simon and how things were going. There were a few laughs shared, giving Toyah some hope.
Beth entered the Rovers with Kirk after a long day in the factory.
"Pint please Carla, oh make that two" Beth said.
"Sure, coming right up" Carla said, picking up a glass and beginning to fill it. "Good day Beth?"
"Nothing bad happened but it's not over yet" she answered "Kirk has to cook, so he may burn my dinner"
"It's true, I do that sometimes" Kirk said, Carla passing them one pint.
"I have just seen your other half" Beth said as Carla picked up the other glass.
"Yeah he's spending the day with Simon"
"Simon was with him, but so was Toyah, they were sharing chips and it looked cosy"
"She is his aunt, so they will be friendly"
"Laughing together they were"
"There you go" Carla said, handing over the other pint, swapping it for the money Beth gave her.
The couple made their way to a booth but not before Carla overheard Kirk "I told you not to say anything to her"
"Sean, I need a break" Carla demanded, walking off through the back before Sean could answer.
"Of course" Sean replied.
Carla sat on the sofa, in the back consumed with thoughts of Peter and Toyah. It didn't help that she was in the place they lived together.
"Carla, are you ok?"
Carla looked up to see Nick stood in the doorway.
"Yes thank you, Nick" Carla told him "I was just taking five"
"I heard what Beth was saying"
Nick took a step closer.
"Honestly Nick there is nothing to worry about, I appreciate the thought but I should get back to work"
"I can stay if you want"
"Nick, why are you all of a sudden all over me"
"I am not all over you Carla"
"You seem to be wherever I am these days, and before my psychosis, you didn't show me concern then"
"Carla, do you remember anything from when you were having an episode?" Nick asked cautiously.
"Not really no but I really don't see what it has to do with you"
"Carla, I" Nick started before Peter entered the room.
"What's this then?" Peter asked with an angry tone on the discovery of Nick in the back room with his girlfriend.
"Nothing Nick was just leaving" Carla turned to Nick "Weren't you"
"Yes, bye" Nick turned to the door and made his way out, past an angry Peter.
"That man is everywhere you turn these days" Peter told her.
"Yeah I know the feeling" Carla sarcastically said in reference to him and Toyah. Of course Peter had no idea.
"What was going on then?" Peter asked her, taking a seat on the sofa.
"He just popped back to check on me, that's all" Carla explained.
"That's not his job"
Carla rolled her eyes "how was your day with Simon?" she asks, changing the subject.
Peter explained that he had a good day with Simon, he told her all about their activities and how much fun they had.
"You should come next time" Peter told her "I like doing things as a family" Peter placed a kiss on her lips "I am going up for a shower if you want to join me"
"I would love too but I need to help Sean lock up" Carla told him, placing a hand on his face "I love you"
"I love you too, don't be too long" Peter told her on his exit from the room.
Carla sat on the sofa thinking about today's events. Nick's behaviour was odd to her, all of a sudden showing interest in her. She was going to find out what his behaviour was for.
Thank you so much for the reviews. I really hope you like the direction of this Fic. I have some storylines coming up that will be all drama and possibly get to the bottom of Nick's caring behaviour.
As always your suggestions are welcome.