It was a week later and Lilah was working hard to come up with a care plan for Liam to speed along his recovery, this meant teaching him how to deal with grief and negative emotions due to the fact he had been through so much. Lilah was determined to fulfil all the requests Liam wanted but had to make sure she did it in the correct manner and not to reveal too much in one go. Carla, Michelle and Peter hadn't contacted Lilah because they wanted to ensure that there were no nasty games going on this only left them with more stress and having to watch their backs which none of them were fond about.
Lilah was on her way to see Liam. She wanted to give him the opportunity for her to do some things outside the safehouse so he had something hopeful to look forward to for hoping to speed up his discharge.
"Hi Liam, how are you today?" Lilah asks
"I'm actually doing really well, it feels really good to do well instead of mulling over memories" he says meaningfully
"That's good, is there anything you want me to do?" Lilah asks
"Apart from get me out of here" he chuckles "Urmm maybe talk to Carla make sure no one has any influence"
"I don't know, I can try but they're very protective right now" Lilah says
"That's understandable I guess, but please, try" Liam insists
"Alright, anything else?" Lilah asks
"Um, how's Michelle, she has black hair-" Liam says
"I know who she is and she's doing well" Lilah states
"I literally can't wait to see them all again" Liam says, excited
"I can see that, but you know the drill, recovery first, I will do all the talking" Lilah persists
"Yes doc" Liam grins
"Right I shall head off then" Lilah says
"Bye Lilah" Liam smiles as she exits the room
Carla was sitting on the sofa at the flat. She was looking at wedding dresses knowing that she would have to choose one sooner rather than later. She saved numerous amounts of pictures onto a document to ensure she has picked the right one.
"'Chelle!" Carla shouts
"Ugh what?" Michelle huffs appearing from the spare bedroom
"Charming" Carla rolls her eyes "What do you think of this dress?" Carla says pointing her finger to a chiffon A-line navy blue dress with a halter-neck with a black lace bodice
"A bit goth don't you think?" Michelle says raising her eyebrows
"I want something away from tradition though, and this is definitely going away from traditional white lace cake topper dresses" Carla states
"I guess" Michelle shrugs "Any others you like?"
"Hmm I like this one, only if it wasn't a ball-gown" Carla says getting up the tab on her browser and showing Michelle the dress which had an ivory bodice and a navy-blue skirt covered in rhinestones
"I'm not a fan of ball-gowns either, I like space-saving dresses" Michelle says reflecting on her past weddings
"I think I will go for the first" Carla says
"As long as you're sure" Michelle confirms
"I am certain" Carla giggles
"Right I can tick that off the checklist finally" Michelle rolls her eyes
"Oi! It's a hard decision!" Carla exclaims
"Not when you're on what? Your fifth wedding!" Michelle laughs
"Ok, point taken but I want to look perfect" Carla persists
"Peter's going to be one lucky man" Michelle smiles "Hopefully I would've shed all this baby weight by then"
"How's my niece cooking up in there anyway?" Carla inquires
"I feel like she's going to be one big baby, I'm already twice as big as I was the first time, maybe even three times" Michelle rolls her eyes
"Reckon it will come early then?" Carla asks
"Hopefully because I don't think my skin can stretch much further" Michelle exaggerates "Anyway how's baby making going for you two"
"Well you know how it is, and how good Peter is in bed so, there's your answer" Carla laughs
"Ok I regret my decision of asking" Michelle winces "Want to do something today?"
"Like what?" Carla sighs
"We could have a girly one again, invite more people maybe Maria would like to come and Jenny, hey maybe even Alya?" Michelle asks
"Ew no not Jenny or Alya" Carla says
"Ok, well maybe you can come and play 20 questions with me and my sons" Michelle says sarcastically
"Ugh fine, where we going?" Carla groans
"Bistro?" Michelle laughs
"Should've guessed, I'll get ready" Carla huffs
A while later Carla and Michelle head to the bistro. They take the short walk down Coronation Street to meet Ali and Ryan when Lilah's car pulls up into the loading bay of Underworld.
"It's Lilah" Carla states
"Just leave it otherwise we're going to be late" Michelle persists
"Fine, but I am not letting this go!" Carla exclaims
They walk past the loading bay Lilah stares at them both then smiles but receives a frosty reception from both women. They both enter the bistro and they sit at the table where Ali and Ryan were already waiting.
"So then, fire away I know you have many questions" Michelle sighs
"Who's the father?" Ali asks
"A guy from abroad" Michelle states
"Lies" Ryan replies
"I'm not lying" Michelle replies bluntly
"You're always vague when you lie" Ryan raises his eyebrows
"I am not!" she exclaims
"Isn't she Carla?" Ryan asks
"I'm staying out of it" Carla states before making an excuse to get up and go to the bar. Carla instead heads to Underworld.
Carla lingers outside Underworld staring at the newly refurbished building, she approaches the door, her hands shaky from nerves. She places her hand on the handle and pushes the door open. Carla watches the workers jaw drop, looking for gossip like they always do. Carla heads to the newly refurbished office and enters it.
"Carla in case you didn't realise you don't work here anymore" Nick says bluntly
"Lilah a word" Carla persists ignoring Nicks comment
"Carla, I am in a meeting but if you want to see me you need to phone in advance" Lilah states with a smile
"Don't smile at me you devious cow" Carla says spitefully
"Carla, whatever your problem is with Lilah, this is not the time and place to accuse her of things" Nick persists
"Well I wouldn't have to if she didn't lie" Carla says narrowing her eyes
"Carla like I said, if you want to talk, ring me, right now I'm in a meeting and I wouldn't like to be disturbed" Lilah replies with a smile
"Yes Carla listen to Lilah" Nick smiles sarcastically
"No" Carla replies bluntly
"Lilah, we have a deal right?" Nick replies ignoring Carla's comment
"Yes, we do, want me to deal with her?" Lilah sighs signing the dotted line
"If you wouldn't mind then maybe we could pick this up some other time when we wont be interrupted" Nick replies glancing at Carla
"Oh please I wouldn't want to interrupt after this" Carla replies sourly
"Right where we off to then?" Lilah says collecting her stuff
"My place" Carla replies bluntly leading Lilah out of the factory
Lilah and Carla return to the flat. She makes sure Peter won't be back any time soon so she can work on manipulating Lilah herself. Lilah takes a seat in the armchair making herself comfortable knowing she had to think long and hard about her replies to Carla's questions.
"So why did you do it?" Carla cuts straight to the point
"Do what, Carla?" Lilah replies
"Put those things on Liam's grave" Carla replies
"I think you know why" Lilah retorts
"Well, if I knew why I wouldn't need to be having this conversation with you" Carla states
"Come on Carla, you cant be that thick" Lilah says
"Why are you doing this?" Carla questions
"The truth is a wonderful thing, Carla" Lilah states
"The mistakes I made when I lied to Tony, I cost Liam his life. Why pretend to revive him by leaving some flowers on a grave. Imagine if Maria stumbled across them" Carla exclaims
"She wouldn't have" Lilah replies
"How do you know that? There was an equal chance anyone could have stumble across those" Carla scoffs
"I made sure you saw them I watched you because I know you pretty well" Lilah replies smugly
"You've known me properly for like 3 months, there was no way that was predictable" Carla retorts
"Maybe it was just a lucky guess" Lilah shrugs
"Who are you Lilah?" Carla asks
"I'm Lilah, I own multiple businesses and spent come years studying at Uni" Lilah replies
"How do I know you're not lying?" Carla questions
"Well do you think I am lying?" Lilah cuts-in
"Yes I do" Carla says
"Well you'd be right then" Lilah smiles
"You said, when you were at the grave and placed that card in that bouquet you said, 'Have I done you a favour?' what did you mean?" Carla interrogates
"What did you think I meant?" Lilah asks
"Well I don't think saying that Liam is alive is 'doing me a favour'" Carla replies bluntly
"Or maybe it is?" Lilah retorts
"What are you saying? Liam is alive because I can tell you he is not!" Carla exclaims
"Are you sure about that?" Lilah asks
"Certain more than certain" Carla states confidently
"Well I think you're wrong, actually I know you're wrong" Lilah smiles
"How he's not walking around the street but he's in a graveyard down the road" Carla says
"No, he's not walking down the street but he isn't in a graveyard either" Lilah retorts
"Stop being cryptic you're doing my head in!" Carla shouts
"What do you want me to say?" Lilah asks
"Yes or no to this question. Is Liam alive or are you being a bitch?" Carla asks slowly so Lilah feels patronised
"Yes" Lilah replies
"Liar!" Carla accuses
"Nope I don't think so I would know if I am lying" Lilah smiles sarcastically
"Prove it, I demand that you prove it before I slap you one!" Carla screams
"Gosh calm down, you can come with me to see him if you want but you are not allowed to speak to him" Lilah proposes going against all procedures
"Ok deal, you'll probably gag me and blindfold when we're there to stop me seeing him" Carla rolls her eyes
"Carla I think that will be a bit extreme even for me" Lilah chuckles
"Nothing would surprise me" Carla says as they both leave the flat to get into Lilah's car
They take the drive to the safe house which was in a rural area away from any possible prying eyes. Carla and Lilah entered as they signed in. Lilah led Carla to a small box like room with a one-way mirror so Liam was unable to see her. Carla waited here until Lilah sorted Liam out, she was still sceptical about the situation but she went along with it. Lilah approaches Liam's room and knocks gently but he is very grateful to see her.
"Lilah!" Liam exclaims "Twice in one day I must be popular" he grins
"Well you're lucky to be graced with my presence, how would you like to play a game of something in the consultation room we can just chat?" Lilah proposes
"Sure I would love to talk about the past a bit more" he smiles as he rises from his chair
"Let's go then" she grins as they enter the consultation room
"So then you set up, and I will be right back" she smiles exiting the room.
Lilah enters a side room which contains the one way mirror. She sees Carla who smiles when she enters the room.
"You ready?" Lilah asks
"Stay?" Carla asks looking lost
"I will let me just send one of my colleagues in to play a game with him as I promised" she smiles as she grabs the phone on the side and begins to ring a number to get someone to enter the room while Carla waited to be revealed the truth.