It was a week after Carla was referred to the psychiatric unit. Most of the family, plus Lilah, had visited her and seen the improvements she had made. Peter had noticed that Carla was recovering much quicker than before. He thought that maybe this was because she had the support of her family and friends this time as well as her getting used to excepting help. Carla was getting a day release from the unit today which was a test to see how well she would cope outside the unit. Peter was apprehensive about this because before, when they were in Carlisle, the doctors only talked about day release within the third week of her four week treatment plan. Peter left early this morning to collect Carla from the unit with Michelle in tow
"Do you want to wait here?" Peter asks
"Sure, you go and get her" Michelle says
Peter walked in to the unit and signed in, he then went to the room to see Carla sitting at the desk looking through her toiletries and trying to find some clothes to wear.
"Hey, you" he smiles
"Hi" she smiles getting up to hug him
"Need any help?" he asks
"Find me some clothes to wear" she says
Peter went over to the drawers and picked out some leggings and an oversized t-shirt to wear. He thought that if she wore something comfy then it might help keep her calm.
"What about this?" he asks trying to seek her approval
"Thank you, baby" she says gently giving him a kiss on the cheek before heading to the bathroom to get ready
"Right shall we go then" she says eagerly
"Come on then" he says holding an arm out for her to take
"What are the plans for today then, Mr Barlow" she says as they make their way to the car
"Well what do you want to do?" he asks
"Chill at the flat, if that's ok" she says
"Anything for you, my dear" he says holding the car door for her to get in
"Hiya 'Chelle" Carla smiles
"Heya, babe" Michelle says
"How are you?" Carla asks
"I'm alright, you know pregnancy stuff" she shrugs "What are the plans for today then"
"Chilling in my own home, without any limitations" Carla says slightly downbeat
"I don't blame you" she laughs
"Right lets get going then" Peter says as he starts the car
A short drive later they arrived home. Carla was eager to chill in the flat with Peter and have a duvet day. Peter stepped out the car and guided Carla into Victoria Court.
"Go on then, get the duvet" he says as Carla practically runs off to get the duvet
"That went well" Michelle says
"Yeah I guess so" he shrugs as Carla returns with the duvet and places across the sofa
"I'll get back to the bistro" Michelle says "See ya later"
"Bye 'Chelle" Carla says
"Right then, what movie do you want to watch" he asks
"Just stick anything on" she laughs
"How about this" he chuckles
"Really Peter? Frozen? I'm not a kid" she giggles
"You love it really" he says
"You really are one big kid aren't you?" she questions and they both just laugh settling down to watch the film
As the film finished Carla still had a couple of hours before she needed to go back to the unit. Carla was thinking of things to do
"Can we go for a walk?" she asks
"Sure, why not" he shrugs putting on his shoes
Peter and Carla exited the flat and walked down the street hand in hand like loves young dream. Carla wanted to see everyone again, mainly Lilah and Michelle. They made there way to the Rover's to see Johnny, Jenny and Kate. Then they made their way to the bistro and asked Michelle for a table so they could sit and have a meal.
"So then, the wedding" she says
"What about the wedding?" he asks
"I found a dress I really liked" Carla says with a huge grin on her face
"Oh, really? What does it look like then?" Peter asks inquisitively
"Now that would be telling" she says glancing at the door of the Bistro to see Lilah and Nick asking Michelle for a table
"Table for two please Michelle" Lilah asks
"Carla's over there with Peter" Michelle says pointing towards the couple
"Let me get this business deal over and done with then I'll go say hi" she says
"As long as it's just business" Michelle says with her eyebrows raised
"Michelle! Who do you take me for?" she says mocking a shocked expression
"Lilah, come on, you can play happy families later" Nick says as Lilah walks towards him sitting at the table
"So then, what's this about, I thought my PA contacted you regarding the reoccurring order we have" she says
"She did, yes" Nick states
"Oh please don't, tell me this is a way to get me to have a drink with you" she says rolling her eyes
"So, now you know my true intentions, I'm guessing you're going to up and leave" he says
"Might, might not, give me a good reason to stay" she says fishing for compliments
"You, are one attractive lady, you say everything as it is, and you are one sparky mare" he says taking a sip of his wine
"You haven't seen sparks yet" she says as she glides her heel up Nick's leg almost causing him to almost choke on his wine
"Well, you are very mysterious aren't you?" he says
"Mysterious is my middle name" she smiles "And I think your middle name is desperate"
"So what if it is, thought I'd try my luck" he shrugs
"You don't need luck" she states
"Do I not?" he questions
"No and if you stopped trying so hard you'd see that" she says with her eyebrows raised
"You like the older man then?" he questions
"They're alright" she shrugs
"So if I said 'Do you want to go into town with me' you'd say yes?" he asks hopefully
"You know what, I think that is a great idea, you're paying though" she says "Meet me in my car in about 30 minutes"
"I'll go and get changed then, I'll see you soon" he says then exits the bistro as Lilah takes a sip of her wine trying to hide the biggest grin on her face
"Right what was that about?" Michelle asks sternly
"It was strictly business nothing more" Lilah shrugs
"So you play footsie under the table with all your clients then" Michelle says raising an eyebrow
"Only ones I like" she giggles "I'm going to go join the lovebirds in the corner, I'll see you later Michelle" she says bluntly as Michelle rolls her eyes
"Hey you two" Lilah smiles
"Hi Li" Carla says "I see you've been very busy" she smirks
"What do you mean?" Lilah asks
"You playing footsie with Nick just then" she laughs as Peter almost chokes on his orange juice
"You did what?" Peter asks shocked
"Stop it you two" Lilah exclaims
"Right then how's day release doing for you Carla?" she asks
"Great, I can't wait to leave that place" she says "How's business or should I say pleasure?" she giggles as Peter gives her a kick under the table
"Business is great, thank you" she says emphasising on 'business'
"Good, good" Carla says with a smirk
"Leave her alone, love. I'm sure she knows what she's doing" Peter says trying to be supportive
"At least I don't have all of you ganging up on me" she says with a smile "I've already had Michelle banging on about it"
"Don't worry, Li. I support your decision" Peter says firmly
"You only support her decision because you hate Nick" Carla says with an eyebrow raised
"No" he says sheepishly
"Um yes" Carla giggles
"I don't really want to be part of this petty domestic so I'm going to head off" Lilah states
"Going to paint the town red with Nick are we?" she says
"Maybe" Lilah says
"Ok then have fun!" Carla beams
A while later Lilah was waiting in her car for Nick to arrive whilst catching up with emails on her phone. There was a knock on the window which made her jump slightly and she looked up greeted with Nick's face. She stepped out the car leaning against it with her arms folded trying to contain a laugh when she saw Nick's eyes roam her body.
"So then where are we off too then" she asks
"I thought we could get a cab into town and go to a bar, have a few drinks and see where the night leads us" he suggests
"Sounds good to me" she says as they both walk towards Street Cars
A while later they were in town and going from bar to bar, Lilah was relatively good at self-control when she was a slight bit tipsy. She decided she would cut down on the alcohol for a bit in case things stepped over the line of friendship.
"So then, Nick what would your Leanne say if she saw you having a drink with me" she says
"She would probably punch your lights out" he says
"Great" she says rolling her eyes
"So what was your last relationship like?" he asks out of curiosity
"It wasn't very fun" she says
"Are you having more fun with me?" he asks
"Ten times more fun" she smiles
"Well that's good then" he says "Shall we move on?" he asks
"Sure why not" she shrugs
Nick and Lilah were walking along the street. Lilah spotted an alleyway up ahead and then ran towards it dragging Nick behind her. She started to kiss him passionately as he reciprocated the actions she was making. He moved his hands to her hips before she pulled away and smiled.
"Want to book a hotel for the night?" she asks suggestively
"I would love to do nothing more" he says while kissing her neck
It was a few hours later when Lilah woke up next to Nick. She smiled to herself but after her ordeal she never thought she would go back to seducing blokes but it felt so natural to her. She nudged Nick in the leg causing him to wake.
"Hey" he said
"Hi" she grins
"Last night was fun" he says
"Indeed so but unfortunately I have to get home" she says pouting
"Do you have to?" he asks
"Can you not live without me?" she says smugly
"I'm sure I can cope. We should do this again sometime" he suggests
"Maybe, we'll have to see what happens" she says while getting dressed
"I guess I'll see you around then?" he says
"I guess you will" she states "I'll see you later" she says exiting the room making a quick phone call for a cab.
Back at Peter and Carla's flat, they were getting ready to leave but were waiting for Michelle to come home so she could drive them as they wanted to chat on the way there. Peter made sure Carla was ok with everything and that he would come and visit her tomorrow which she was excited for. They took the short drive to the unit and he settled Carla back in ensuring that she was ok, he gave her a peck on the lips and left to drive himself and Michelle home for the evening. He was happy that Carla had a good day today and that she didn't have a panic attack which left him hopeful for the future.