"Is that the time already?" Peter groaned, the alarm ringing through the room, awakening them as a sign that it was time to start their day.

Peter was quick to snooze it, closing his eyes again, before the alarm went off once more.

"Turn it off." Carla moaned, burying her head further into the pillow.

Sensing his girlfriends distress, he wrapped his arm around her and rested his hand on her ever growing bump.

"Have a duvet day if you're exhausted, love." He mumbled into her ear, as she leaned back into his embrace.

"I can't do that," She croaked, opening her eyes. "I can't be pulling sickys everytime I'm tired. I have over 2 months of this yet."

"Everyone deserves a rest."

"I'm not gonna sit here twiddling my thumbs when there's orders to do." She yawned, rubbing her eyes and sitting up.

"Fine," He sat up too, checking the time. "I suppose I better wake up Simon."

"Yeah, first day of year five."

"He's growing up so fast."

"You'll have to do it all again soon." She smiled.

"And I can't wait," He rubbed her stomach once more. "Anyway, best wake him up."

As Peter got out of bed, Carla leaned back against the headboard and rubbed her stomach. She was really big now, bigger than she'd imagine. But it showed that the baby was getting well looked after and was growing on track. Gone was the arrogant woman that only ever cared about her appearance, bank balance and posh handbags. She didn't care about the widening of the hips, or the stretch marks that seemed to pop up everywhere. It was all part of the territory.

"Oh, you'll never guess what!" Peter slammed his phone on the dining table, alerting Carla and Simon who were sat eating breakfast.

"What's wrong?" Carla frowned, putting her spoon down.

"There's an inspector at the bookies," Peter groaned. "He's been waiting outside for ten minutes apparently. I completely forgot it was today."

"Okay, don't panic. It's only downstairs."

"How am I gonna take Si to school? It's his first day back, he can't be late. God knows how long this'll take."

"Leanne?" Carla suggested.

"Please! I want Leanne to take me to school, dad!" Simon jumped, excitedly.

"She has been at Toyah's! She doesn't get back till this afternoon," Peter sighed. "My dad maybe?"

"I can do it."

Simon looked up abruptly, biting his tongue.

"You have a factory to open up."

"Michelle has a spare set of keys. She doesn't mind opening up." Carla shrugged.

"I can walk to school myself." Simon said.

"No you can't, son." Peter replied, before looking at Carla. "Are you sure you don't mind? You've never taken him to school before."

"How hard can it be?" She stifled a laugh.

"Okay, you're a star," He kissed her forehead. "I need to go. Si, be good. Carla, don't overdo it."

"So, do you wanna get your coat?" Carla said, smiling politely.

"It's September." He responded, bluntly.

"I know but," She stuttered. "There's always a chill in the air in the morning, isn't there?"

"I can go by myself, you know. Dads protective."

"Well, I fancy a walk. Come on." She stood up, motioning for him to do the same.

"So, are you excited to see your mates again? What's the name of the one you like, is it Josh?" Carla made conversation, her arms crossed in front of her as Simon balanced on the edge of the pavement, his head down.

"His names Jamie." He said.

"Jamie, Josh…same thing."

"No it isn't."

"Is Jamie in your class?" Carla questioned.

"Yes."

"Fab," She nodded, biting her lip. "I remember when I were at school…I always bunked off. Sneaking into the car park and having a fag."

"You smoked?" He looked up, surprised.

"Not really," She scrunched her face up. "You know Michelle? She had a brother called Liam, we were thick as thieves at school. School didn't matter back then, you see."

"I can't imagine you being like that."

"All of this," She motioned to her clothes. "Took a lot to get here. I didn't have an easy childhood. But then again, who does Ey?"

"My childhood isn't easy."

"I know, love. Is there anything particular that is bothering you at the moment?" She asked, softly.

"I miss Leanne."

"Right," Carla nodded. "Well she'll be back later. And I'll speak to your dad and see if you can stay the night. How does that sound?"

"Are you trying to get rid of me so you can have dad to yourself?"

"Si, of course not. We've spoken about this. I'm just trying to suggest things that would make you happy."

"Well, my friends will make fun of me if they see an adult walking me into school. It makes us look like babies." He changed the subject.

"We're barely even near school yet, I doubt they'd see you." She narrowed her eyes, as he stood still in a street.

"It's only down the road."

"I'll walk you to the gates, how does that sound?"

"I thought you'd understand, you've been at school. I don't want people teasing me." He smirked to himself.

"But Si-…"

"Dad always leaves me from here." He lied.

"I can simply ask you dad, he will tell me if he does or not."

"You want us to get on but you can't trust me."

"Fine!" Carla exhaled. "Make sure you go in please. I'll see you later."

Without saying a goodbye, Simon ran down the street.

"You're late," Michelle said, playfully. "Late night was it?"

"I did text," Cara replied, putting her bag down. "I had to take Simon to school."

"You doing the school run! Things going better then?"

"Sort of, I don't know to be honest. He didn't really have a choice." She laughed, sitting down and turning her computer on.

"Sometimes that's what you have to be like with kids. You'll find that out. The amount of fights me and our Ry have had."

"I know," Carla leaned back. "I tried to relate to the poor lad. I know he's having a hard time, and I didn't exactly have the easiest childhood, did I?"

"See, this is why you'll make an amazing mum."

"Hardly," She scoffed. "I just don't want to make any mistakes."

"That's part of parenthood I'm afraid."

"I guess," Carla sighed. "I might not know kids much but I have been one. And the way my mother and George treated me, you just feel so unheard and wonder why the hell they chose to have kids. I don't want Simon thinking that. But it's like whatever I do, is not good enough."

"He's been through a lot, and unfortunately he is just offloading it all onto you and blaming you. Kids have loads of weird phases but they never last long. He'll get over it soon, darling."

"He is a bright kid, very clued up and he has a right sense of humour." She grinned.

"Sounds like Ryan," Michelle chuckled. "You and Paul were amazing at looking after him when I worked evenings at that pub singing karaoke."

"It was nice looking after him. Until Paul introduced him to video games and then as he got older, you could barely get a word out of him."

"Tell me about it," Michelle nodded. "Nothings changed."

"Would you have anymore?" Carla asked.

"Babies? Hmm, I don't think so. Too much baggage. I think Steve wouldn't mind one though. But come to think of it, he is just one big kid himself. With a receding hairline!"

"You're not wrong there." Carla cackled.

"Did you ever expect to have a baby with an alcoholic bookie?"

"Can't say I had that down on my twenty twelve bingo card," She joked. "But I'm happy."

"I never imagined you getting pregnant, Car. But look at you! You're glowing."

"I feel absolutely enormous," She groaned. "The bare minimum exhausts me. And I couldn't even wear heels today, my feet are so swollen."

"It'll all be worth it though," Michelle said. "Are you going to tell me the sex though because I can't wait."

"I've told you a million times Chelle, you'll have to wait."

"But-…"

"Where is she!" A voice screeched through the main floor, interrupting the pair.

"What the hell?" Michelle stood up, opening the door as Carla looked on in confusion.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Michelle snapped, guarding the door so she didn't get to Carla.

"I need to speak to Cruella." Leanne seethed, dumping her bags onto the floor.

"Well you can think again," Michelle scoffed. "Get out."

"Drama!" Sean clapped his hands, excitedly.

"Shut up, Shaun." Leanne snapped. "Nothing about this is entertaining."

"What exactly has Carla done?" Michelle questioned.

"I'll tell you what she's done," Leanne said. "Simon never showed up at school today. I was on my way home when the school rang me."

"And?"

"What do you mean 'and'," Leanne shouted. "I found him on my way there, sat on a curb. He told me Carla was supposed to take him to school and dumped him there. The things that could've happened to him! Now let me see her, I'm gonna rip her head off."

"Ey!" Carla appeared behind Michelle. "What's this about Simon?"

"You know what! You left him because you couldn't be bothered to take him to school. What sort of woman does that make you? I feel sorry for that kid you're carrying. Has absolutely no idea what a selfish home wrecker it's mum is."

"Excuse me!" Michelle piped up.

"Leanne, I didn't just leave him on the street! What do you take me for!" Carla defended herself, stepping in front of Michelle.

"Go on then, explain."

"He told me he usually gets left there. The school was only down the road! I trusted him." She shrugged.

"Are you thick or what! He's nine years old!"

"Look, is he okay? Where is he now?"

"Like I'd tell you!" She spat.

"Does Peter know?" She asked.

"He didn't answer his phone, the school did ring him. You probably planned this between you, hoping some child snatcher took him so you two could live your brand new lives."

"Oh, don't be so ridiculous!" Michelle shouted.

"I don't think that sounds like Mrs Connor-…"

"Shut up, Hayley." Leanne cut her off.

"Uh! Don't you dare talk to Hayley like that. You know what, get out of my factory, Leanne. Give your big gob a rest."

"I hate you, Carla. You ruin everything you touch." She whispered, angrily.

"You're obsessed with me, Leanne! Yes, I made a mistake. But I genuinely trusted Simon. I didn't know he'd pull a stunt like this!" Carla yelled.

"So now you're blaming him?" She raised her eyebrows.

"No!"

"I'll kill you-…" Leanne spat aggressively, charging at Carla and pouncing onto her, pulling her hair as she continued to shout.

"Get off her!" Michele shouted, trying to pull her off.

But Leanne was on a stride, she continued to pull at the brunettes clothes, indenting her nails into her skin.

"She's pregnant!" Michelle added.

"Hey! What the hell is going on here!" Peter entered the room, sprinting over to the pair and pulling Leanne off, holding her back.

"Let me get her! Get your filthy hands off me!" Leanne panted.

"Carla, are you okay?" Hayley asked, helping the pregnant woman stand up straight.

Carla adjusted her clothes, pulling hair out of her face and breathing heavily, "Get her out of my sight, Peter."

"Get out," Peter Spat. "You can forget seeing Simon again."

"What?" Leanne stopped fighting, looking at him.

"You think I'll let you see my son when you're viscously beating my pregnant girlfriend. Is that the right environment for a young boy? You aren't even his real mum."

"Peter…" She whispered, tearfully, but he walked away and into the office where Carla and Michelle had located to.

As the factory staff looked on at disgust, Leanne slowly left the building.

"Are you okay?" Peter held Carla at arms length, looking at the school scratch marks on her face. "Can you get her a glass of water, Chelle?"

"Of course." Michelle left the office.

"I'm fine." Carla murmured.

"Is the baby okay? I think I should take you to hospital." He panicked.

"The baby is fine, Peter. I'm just dazed." She sighed, sitting down and wincing.

"You're hurt."

"No," She shook her head, annoyed. "But it doesn't feel great getting attacked at almost seven months pregnant."

As Michelle walked back in, bringing the woman a drink, she said, "I'm half tempted to call the police."

"So am I," Peter shook his head, angrily. "How dare she."

"Calm down." Carla sighed.

"Calm down? She could've caused serious damage to you and the baby, Carla!" Peter shouted.

"I need to talk to Simon," Carla said. "Peter, you have got to believe me-…"

"Don't worry, Car. I know what he's like. The only mistake you made was believing the minx." He cut her off.

"I just wanted him to be able to get on with me." She said, tearfully.

"I know, love."

"Kids can be very manipulating, Car." Michelle said.

"What sort of mum am I gonna be? I took Simon to school once and he didn't show up."

"This isn't your fault, love."

"I'll leave you two to it and send the girls for an early lunch." Michelle excused the pair.

"Where is Si now? Is he okay?" She asked, her voice wavering.

"Eva's got him," Peter said. "I checked on him before I came here. I could tell from his eyes that he was lying. I thought Leanne would be able to tell to."

"I'm so sorry for all the stress I've bought you, Peter." She cried.

"Don't be sorry. Come here." He put her head onto his chest, enveloping his arms around her.

"I can't keep dealing with Leanne acting like this. I'm just trying to do right by everyone. It's exhausting me, Peter."

"I know, love."

She continued to cry, whist he repeatedly kissed her forehead.

"How about you call it a day, love? Let's go home." He suggested, getting a small nod in return.

"Oh dear, sit down." Deirdre fussed. "Would you like a brew?"

"There's no need for a fuss," Carla chuckled. "I'm fine."

"You say that but Leanne can be quite vicious when she wants to be." Ken raised his eyebrows.

"Look, we're not staying for long. I just wondered if you could have Si for the night. Eva has him now but I can go pick him up in half an hour." Peter piped up.

"Of course! Focus on Carla tonight." Deidre said, causing Carla to grit her teeth together so she didn't snap.

"I just don't know when he is going to grow out of this," Peter sighed, sitting on the sofa. "He's out of control."

"I really thought he was getting somewhere. He's been a lot better recently." Ken frowned.

"I think he's been trying-..." Carla began.

"We can't keep excusing him," Peter cut her off. "The way he treats Carla is horrible.

"He's a kid, Peter. I wouldn't be too fond if I had that as a step mum." Tracy piped up, walking out of the kitchen.

"Not now, Tracy." Deidre groaned.

Knock knock knock.

"I'll get it." Peter said, standing up and rolling his eyes when he opened the door to Leanne.

"Peter-..."

"Why are you here?" He interrupted.

"Stella saw you come in," Leanne gulped. "I know I shouldn't have attacked Carla but you can't take Simon away from me. Haven't you taken enough?"

"To hell with the victim complex, Leanne. You've been messing with Simon's head for weeks and I won't stand for it anymore."

"You've taken my home, my dignity, that woman took you. You can't take my son away too." She cried.

"You did that all by yourself," He seethed. "And you don't have a son."

"Stop saying that, Peter. Please."

"What's going on?" Carla appeared behind Peter. "Oh, look what the cat dragged in. Coming back for round two are you?"

"Oh, shut your face." Leanne snapped.

"I know I did some unforgivable things, Leanne. But you had it coming for months. Years even. Did you forget what you and Tilsley got up to behind my back?"

"You said you'd forgiven me for that." She swallowed a lump in her throat.

"Yeah, well I lied. Getting away from you was the best thing I could've ever done. And Simon will agree when he's older."

"Peter-..." Carla shook her head.

"No, Carla." He stopped her. "This is my last straw."

He gave her one last look, before slamming the door in her face.