When Tony returned home it was almost 5. Liam had been groggy and disorientated since returning from his outing at lunch time so hadn't been much in the form of company. They had sent the girls home and deciding there was no urgent work to be done knocked off themselves. Setting his bag down onto the leather sofa Carla appeared from the bedroom.
'hey' he smiled. To which she responded positively smiling back.
'how's your day?' she asked walking to him. He wrapped his arms round her waist and pulled her in closer.
'it was alright apart from having to tolerate Liams misery for the day'
'oh what's wrong with him' she asked knowing full well she knew more than Tony.
'god knows but he's walking round wi a face like a slapped arse' lauged Tony. Carla submitted a fake half laugh. 'anyway enough about me. How's your day' she nodded thinking
'alright'
'your bored' he said smiling
'no I just...' she trailed off trying to think of a getaway
'your climbing the Walls with nothing to do' he Began laughing swaying her in his Arms. 'you miss work!'
'okay I'm bored out of my mind!' she admitted
'alright then let's go out' he suggested letting her go and striding to the bedroom
'huh?' she questioned surprised
'yer, why not but just a drink at the rovers nothing to tasking' he warned
'alright' she nodded
'ill just get change we can pick up a takeout on the way hime' he called from the bedroom.
'Michelle!' called Steve up the pub stairs 'michelle' there was no immediately response so he tried calling louder 'Michelle!'
'I could just go up?' Liam suggested standing by steves side. Steve however held up his hand translating to him that. He had the situation in hand. 'michelle!' he screamed. This time the noise of a slamming door could be heard and Michelle appeared at the top of the stairs.
'what!' she shouted back angrily
'no need to shout!' Steve told her defensively to which she answered with a threatening glare. 'your brother wants you' he pointed to Liam before quickly scarpering back to. The front of the bar. Michelle glared after him before redirecting her attention to Liam.
'hi' she grunted moodily
'hey' he said smiling in attempt to lighten the mood.
'what's up'
'I just wanted a quick chat?' he asked gesturing to the front room. She nodded before walking down the stairs and leading into the room. Closing the door behind them they sat at the round breakfast table.
'so?' she asked 'I'm guessing there was something of a conversation in mind?'
'oh, yer' nodded Liam wondering how he could bring up the topic without seeming suspicious.
'spit it out!' she moaned
'this trip with carla' he Baganda
'ahhhh' nodded Michelle
'what?' he asked
'I knew you'd be wanting details.
'well it just Tony sort of sprang it on me'
'well it's not like your busy I'm sure you can let Carla off she did take over for the whole cliff top, wedding and holiday trips that you took!' michell told him
'yer I know' nodded Liam 'wait how do you know were not busy?' he asked defensively
'Tony told me' she replied calmly
'oh.' he nodded 'well it's not that. I just wanted to know what the actuall plans where exactly'
'ah. Well were going to Paris for the weekend. Then Tonys getting out to collect Carla on Monday and there going to venice until Friday then I think he's taking her to rome until the next monday' Michelle said
'right he never mentioned rome'
'well Maybe his plans have changed' she suggested ' but that's all I know, If you want more detail you'll have to ask him yourself.'
'well it's taking the piss a bit I mean this isn't even the honeymoon o joke he'll be getting her off on a world tour for a month or two.!'
'Liam she didn't moan once whilst you where away!' Michelle argued 'actual that's a lie she moaned continuously but that's Carla still she got on with it!'
'still you could have told me 'chell instead of letting me look like a fool in front of Tony!'
'oh get over yourself Liam! Now are we don't cause I've got to get back to work!' Liam grunted angrily. Michelle rose from her chair and had almost reached the door when Liam asked
'you haven't spoken to Carla or tony today have you?' Liam asked.
'no' replied michele turning and pausing where she was 'why?'
'just i heard there had been an accident at her apparent block ambulance was there of something?' he said trying to sound nonchalant.
'really do you think it was to do with Tony and Carla.?' she asked
'well Tony didnt say anything today but Carla wasn't in again and he wouldn't really say why?' Liam said trailing off in suggestion.
'oh I'm sure there fine' Michelle shrugged 'weed have heard about it if not I'm sure!'. She continued out of the room and Liam followed his sister to the front house of the pub.
Liam took his position on a bar stool and Michelle got him a large beer.
'hey' came a voice from behind him. Liam didn't look round but he felt a hand on his shoulder and Maria got onto the stool beside him. Liam just nodded in achnolagement .
'hi' he grunted
'what's up?' she asked removing her jacket.
'nothing' he said not lifting from his position arms crossed leaning on the bar.
'oh right' she said
'ignore him Maria he's just grumpy because Tonys taking Carla away!' Michelle told her gaining them.
'oh' nodded Maria.
'he's just jealous'
'of tony!' he exclaimed laughing 'I am not jealous I'm just annoyed I'm the last to know everything' he insisted
'untrue Carla doesn't know' Michelle reminded him 'so don't ruin the surprise. Liam nodded grunting
'ah so when and where is he taking her' asked Maria.
'ah well first me and her are jetting of to paris' began Michelle before breaking off realising that Carla and Tony had just entered the pub they emerged from the crowd of people around the door.
'right so Paris then what?' asked Maria not seeing Carla or Tony. Michelle didn't respond but subtly shook her head towards them trying to warn Maria. 'what?' she asked
'don't stop your conversation on our account hun' Carla said taking a bar stool next to Maria and Tony standing behind them. 'whose off to Paris.' Tony glared at Michelle who was now holding her head in her hands. 'hello who's going to Paris?' insisted Carla
'us!' shouted Steve who had just enter the pub through the back and was now standing behind Michelle
'huh?' she asked spinning round. Steve was holding two tickets and a piece of paper.
'I just won two tickets to Paris!' he told them
'ah congrats' said Carla
'what on?' Michelle asked snatching them from him.
'some magazine thing. I entered on a shif in the cabbies. I was bored' he admitted as if like a child
'when you off?' Carla asked
'next week!' exclaimed Michelle reading the tickets.
'as long as dedrie will take amy we are off baby!' Steve smiled shooting his arm out into the air. 'I think this calls for champagne!' he said and left to grab a bottle. Michelle still holding the tickets was drawn into a conversation with Maria and Carla examining them.
'you alright Liam?' asked Tony watching him lent miserably on the bar. Carla looked up seeing him
'fine thanks' Liam told him not moving to acnolage him.
'oh leave him Tony he in a bad mood' said Maria before returning to Michelle Carla stayed staring at Liam as if lost in a trance.
'you alright?' Tony asked her stroking her head ' we can go if it's too much?'
'no I'm fine' she in sited smiling thanking him for his concern. Overhearing this Liam looked up and michelle exchanged a worked glance with him.
'Liam said something about an ambulance at you block last night' Michelle began 'that wasn't anything to do with you two?' she asked. Carla and Tony exchanged glances. 'it wasn't?' Michelle persuaded them for an answer. From there silence it was obvious that it was. 'what happened?' asked michelle. The attention of Liam Michelle and Maria was now solely directed to Carla and Tony.
'it was nothing really Carla insisted 'I had a fall and hit my head. Tony called an ambulance and they took me to hospital to check me over. I'm fine'
'apart from the 7 stitches in the back of your head' Tony reminded her. The veils gasped
'got carla' said Michelle rubbing her arm comfortingly. 'i can't believe you didn't tell anyone!'
'I didn't want to make a fuss' she insisted
'did it hurt?'
'no it was fine really' Tony lent to kiss Carla on her head from his position standing behind her. Liam who had been sitting silently felt angry and hurt that he hadn't know what was happening and still didn't have the opportunity to confront Carla about it personally.
Steve returned with a tray holding two bottles of bubbly and 6 glasses. Pouring them all he handed them out.
'cheers' he said Liam had nod risen from his position after several pokes from Maria. He acnolaged his glass and picked it up joining the celebration. They where all emerged in taking there glasses. When Tony said purposely a little to loudly
'Carla!' is voice was soft and subtle but loud enough for Michelle and an already staring Liam to take notice. Carla look to Tony who shifted his eyes towards the glass in her hand. She immediately realised that he was referring to the alcohol. She forced a smile to her face as a silent thank you before subtly placing the glass back onto the bar. Again he kissed her head. To some it was like a condescending reward for her acceptance of his instructions. To him it was a sign of affection, showing Carla he cared and was with her. Meanwhile Michelle and Liam looked on confused at her sister in laws sudden deterrence from the alcohol she loved so much michelle exchange a worried glance with Liam. Silently asking him if he knew anything. Liam shrugged keen to know more.
'I thought they said you where fine?' Michelle asked Carla
'huh?' she responded. Michelle nodded at the glass
'did they put you on tablets?' she suggested. The conversation Maria and steve had been enduring came to an end and the group silent attention was focused solely on Carla. One thing Carla was never short of was word, comebacks, insults they all came to her naturally and effortlessly but in this situation she found herself stuttering desperately grasping for a glint of an excuse. She knew it was liams presence in the group she wasn't ready for her secrets to be reveal especially not to him. Not in front of Tony and the others.
'Carla?' Michelle continued now with a heightened tone of concern to her voice. Feeling Carla tense before him Tony spoke up.
'Hun we should just tell them, it's not like know one will find out' Tony smiled to Carla. She winced at his words clenching her fists and her eyes shut wishing she could be anywhere else in any other situation. Tony took her silence and the four eager and awaiting facing before him to continue. 'we'll' he began 'carla and me,' he paused the tension in the group rising 'were expecting a baby' he smiled. Placing his hands on either side of Carla shoulders. The reactions of the spectators where attention drawing. Michelle clutched her hands to her face in unbelief of the situation. Steve smiled patting a jumping Michelle on the back. Maria held her mouth open and look round the group in as much astonishment as the others. Liam sat silently staring at her and shaking his head. He was angry, he was distraught.
Carla couldn't look up not even to acknowledge the congratulation that drowned her and Tony.
'this is amazing' Michelle giggled
'congratulations it's wonderful' agreed Steve Maria nodding. Suddenly the atmosphere became to much for Carla and without warning she Rose for the stool she at which she was positioned and darted quickly off to the bathrooms and out of sight. The group watched her leave silents before returning the gazes to Tony.
'is she alright?' asked Maria. Liams gaze was still securely fixed on the direction Carla had left.
'i think she's just a bit overwhelmed' Tony told them 'we only found out this morning, and the whole Paul situation probably doesn't help.' they all nodded.
'maybe I should go check on her' began Michelle but before she could follow her words through with actions Liam had risen from his stool and disappeared in carlas departing direction. Tony looked on and deciding to follow he was stopped by Michelle.
'I'd give a minute tony' she suggested 'since Paul died he's been you know protective.' Tony reluctantly returned to is seat staring at the passage to the garden and toilets. Using all his energy to stay calm in his current environment he slowly sipped at his glass silently counting the minutes in his head.