It was the next morning and Lilah was getting ready to visit Carla in hospital after getting a phone call from Peter. Peter asked for her to get Michelle to pack a bag for her with some comfy clothes and her favourite blanket and hoodie. He also asked her to get Michelle to bring her medication to show the doctor. She then made the short drive to the hospital, picking Michelle up on the way, to find the room Carla was staying in.
"Hey" Lilah whispers entering the room with Michelle
"Hey Li, Chelle" Peter says
"How is she?" Lilah asks
"They gave her a sedative" Peter explains "She won't sleep though"
"Hi Carla" she says holding out her hand for Carla to grasp which she does "Do you want me to read to you?" she asks and receives a nod and Lilah begins to read
"I'm going to see the nurse" Peter says as Lilah nods and a while later Peter returns with the nurse and psychiatrist to see Carla
"Hi Carla my names Dr Lee" he says "I understand you're having a tough time" he says sympathetically
"May I ask who you are?" the doctor asks Lilah and Michelle
"I'm Lilah and this is Michelle" she says
"This girl has been amazing" Peter says pointing at Lilah
"It's ok for them to be here then?" the doctor asks as Peter nods
"We are currently trying to find Carla a local bed in a psychiatric unit as I feel like it may aid her recovery more if there was one which wasn't that far away like last time" the doctor explains
"I agree with you on that" Peter says "Her family really want to be involved fully in her recovery" he explains
"That's understandable, I just want to reassess her though in case we're missing anything" he explains
"Yes that's fine" Peter says
"May I speak to you outside, Lilah?" the doctor asks
"Sure?" she replies confused glancing at Peter
"Could you maybe stick around past visiting times just because I think it might be helpful for us as you talked her down before" the doctor asks
"Yes that's fine" Lilah says "I just don't want her family to feel like they're being replaced in her recovery"
"That's understandable, we just want to know why this has happened and how her mental-wellbeing has been over the past few weeks and I think that you may be able to help Carla communicate better with us so we can find a suitable fix as she trusts you" the doctor explains carefully
"That's understandable I guess" Lilah says "What's the next step then"
"We want to run some general health tests on her in case we're missing anything which may cause a psychiatric reaction but I don't think she's going to allow us anywhere near her so these may need to be done at a later date so we don't distress her further." the doctor says
"Ok, would you like me to let the family know?" Lilah asks
"If you wouldn't mind, I'm going to see if there's an update from my colleagues" the doctor states
Lilah enters the room again and informs Peter and Michelle on the next step in Carla's recovery and that the doctor would catch up with them later. The only thing they could do was to keep Carla comfortable enough so she could feel safe in their company.
"Peter" Carla whispers
"Hey, love" Peter says quietly stroking her hair
"Where's our baby?" she says drowsily
"Oh Carla" he smiles gently "she's safe"
"Chelle?" Carla whispers
"Hey, how are you feeling?" Michelle asks
"Liam" she says trying to fight her eyes from closing
"I know, get some sleep" she smiles turning to Peter "Do you want me to open the bistro?"
"If you wouldn't mind" Peter says handing her the keys
"Right, I will get off, I'll see you all later" Michelle says as she exits the room
"Do you need me to get anything" Lilah asks
"No, thanks, I don't suppose you want to find the nurse?" Peter questions
"Sure, may as well try" she shrugs leaving the room
"Peter" Carla says quietly
"Hey, you" he says gently
"I love you" she says
"I love you too, sweetheart" he says
A while later Lilah enters the room with the psychiatrist, and they talk about moving Carla to the specialist psychiatric unit later that day. Luckily it was in Manchester so her family could visit her and help her recover which should ensure that she got the help and support she needed.
A few hours later Carla arrived at the unit and was being shown to her room, the nurse made sure she was comfortable with her surroundings. The room was painted a cream colour and had the most basic of furniture. Peter helped her settle in, and this gave vivid reminders of the last time they were in this position. He unpacked her clothes, and her toiletries that Michelle packed earlier that day making sure that she felt comfortable before joining her by her bedside gently stroking her hair as she sleeps.
Peter was told when visiting times were and given a copy of her treatment plan. He was informed that things may get worse before they get better meaning that Carla would be weaned off the sedative so they could define the correct treatment for her. Peter made a mental note of all this to tell her family so he could provide them with the proper information on his return home. Visiting times came and ended and he ensured that he would be back tomorrow to see Carla so she had something to look forward to, he made his way home to see the rest of her family and inform the people who needed to know about Carla's recent relapse. He stepped out of the car and headed towards the Rover's before bumping into Leanne.
"Peter" she says sympathetically
"Hi Lea" he smiles slightly
"I heard about Carla" Leanne says gently
"Yeah, she relapsed but she's in the best place now" he says
"Good, I was wondering if you would like Si to stay with you, might give you something positive to focus on" Leanne asks
"I would but Michelle's staying at the flat at the moment" Peter says
"When did she get back?" she laughs
"It's a really long story" he says
"Anyway if you change your mind just give us a ring and I'll send him around" Leanne says before walking off
"Thanks Leanne" Peter says politely
Peter made his way into the Rover's where he was greeted by Sean who was tending the bar.
"Hi Peter, orange juice is it" he asks
"No actually, are Johnny and Jenny here?" Peter questions
"Yes, they're out back with Kate and Michelle" Sean says
"Wait Kate's back?" Peter says shocked
"Yep, go through if you want" he shrugs
"Kate?" Peter questions
"Peter" she smiles "I'm sorry about Carla"
"We saw it coming to be honest" Peter says reflectively
"We?" she questions
"Long story" he smiles "Chelle have you contacted Lilah?" Peter questions
"Um, I can giver her a ring, if you want" she suggests
"That would be great, she needs to be here to hear this" he says firmly as Michelle finds Lilah's contact
"She'll be around in half an hour" Michelle says
"Good" Peter states
"Who's Lilah?" Kate questions
"Lilah is Lilah" he shrugs unable to come up with suitable explanation
"Very helpful, Peter" Kate rolls her eyes
At the bar Sean was serving customers and gossiping with the locals. Nick was sat in a booth with his family when he sees Lilah enter leaning against the bar waiting for Sean to see to her. Nick got up and made his way to the bar standing next to her pretending to get another drink.
"Hi" Nick says
"Hello?" Lilah says while rolling her eyes
"You look stunning" Nick says looking at the short red dress Lilah was wearing
"Thank, you?" she says confused
"It would look better on my bedroom floor though" he whispers in her ear
"I think it looks better still on me, thanks all the same though" she shrugs
"Hello, are you new around here, we don't usually see many newbies" Sean says flamboyantly
"Well thought I'd give it a go" she shrugs "I'm here to see Michelle actually" she says confidently
"Oh right, go through the back" he says allowing her to enter, she walks to the back stopping in the doorway, leaning against it seductively, she gives a wink to Nick. Maybe it was time to play some games.
"Hey you lot" she smiles at the Connor's sitting around the table in the back room
"Hi Lilah" Peter says
"Who are you?" Lilah asks gesturing towards Kate
"Kate, Carla's sister" she says confidently not wanting to be replaced
"Nice to meet you" Lilah says "So why have you bought me here tonight then"
"Well, I have a copy of Carla's care plan here and the visiting times of the unit if any of you want to visit" Peter says
"Right. How is she doing?" Lilah asks
"They're going to take her off the sedative and monitor her, they said that things may get worse before they get better" Peter states
"So, when are we allowed to visit?" Johnny asks
"During the visiting times but she may not want to see you and you have to respect that, all of you" Peter says sternly
"Understandable, I wouldn't want her to get any worse" Johnny explains
"Is that all?" Kate questions
"I don't think I've missed anything, if I think of anything I'll let you know" Peter says "I'm shattered so I'm going to head off"
"Alright see ya Peter" Lilah says "Right, anyone want a drink, I'll buy"
"We should be buying for you" Michelle says "After everything you've done for Carla"
"Michelle it's not going to break the bank" Lilah rolls her eyes
"Nothing will break your bank" Michelle says with raised eyebrows
"What's this?" Kate questions trying to be included
"Lilah's a millionaire or near enough" Michelle says
"Really? What do you do for a living" Kate asks being nosey
"I own a factory and distribution centre" Lilah says
"Well Carla owned a factory and wasn't a millionaire" Kate says
"I have shares in multiple businesses, most are local" Lilah shrugs
"Impressive" Kate states
"Right, I'm going to have a drink" Lilah states before going out to the bar
"Hi Sean, could I have a small red wine and an orange juice, please" she smiles
"Sure coming right up" He says before going to get the drinks "Here you are"
"Thanks, love" Lilah replies
"Come on 'Chelle let's have a natter" she says strutting towards the empty table as they both sit down
"Aye, I reckon he has the hots for you" Michelle says raising an eyebrow
"Who?" Lilah asks
"Nick, he wont stop staring at you" Michelle says
"I'm sure his partner would love that" she rolls her eyes "Right, I'm not having this" she says standing up marching over to Nick who's sitting with his family as Michelle watches in complete amazement
"Nick" Lilah says bluntly
"Lilah" he says repeating her tone
"Can, you please stop staring at me?" Lilah asks as Nick blushes a little
"I wasn't staring at you." He says trying to deny it
"Who were you staring at then? The wall behind me?" Lilah questions sarcastically
"No one" he shrugs
"Well can I give you some advice?" Lilah asks
"I'm sure you will anyway" he smiles sarcastically
"Don't stare into thin air" she smiles "Good evening everyone" she says towards the remainder of the Platts
"What was that about" Sarah says
"Who knows, maybe she just had a bit too much to drink" Nick suggests
"What the hell was that?" Michelle says
"That, Michelle is me telling a man off" Lilah smiles sarcastically
"I wouldn't want to take you on a night out, we'd end up in a cell for the rest of night" Michelle giggles as Lilah dips her head
"Hey, everything alright?" Michelle asks noticing her change of mood
"Last night, he tried to kiss me" Lilah says boldly
"What?" Michelle says taken aback by the revelation
"I ain't being pushed around 'Chelle, if he wants me he has to put up with Mrs Manipulator" Lilah says
"Ok whatever, you're the boss" Michelle giggles
"I'm surprised you said that, encouraging me to manipulate? Anyone would think you held a grudge" Lilah laughs
"As a matter of fact, I do the way he spoke to Carla after they split" Michelle says
"All the more reason then" Lilah states "Cheers" she says holding her drink up