Chapter 2 : Just Friends

"Look.. I know it's a bit short notice, but if there was another way then I would come.." Tony said as he spoke on the phone to his solicitor and he could tell you now that things wasn't going very well. Tony knew that his solicitor fancied him, so cancelling his meeting with her would NOT go down well for her.

"Yeah.. Same time next week should be OK.." he continued as he sat in his car, which had been parked in the perfect spot so he could directly see number one.

"Yeah I know.. Sorry again and I'll see you next week.." Tony said as he ended the call and breathed out frustratedly. He wasn't jealous at all to do with the fact that Peter had returned to the street.. After all, his son and the rest of his family still lived there. The only reason why Tony was bothered was the fact that all of the bad memories would come flooding back to Carla.. The affair.. Tina's death and of course, loosing her baby. He trusted Carla one hundred percent and he knew for a fact that Carla would never go back to him.. It was Peter that Tony didn't trust..


"Why didn't you ring? Of course I'm happy to have you back, but you could of let us know.." Ken said as he returned to the living room at number one with two cups of coffee in in hands. He handed one to Peter who was sat on the sofa before he took a seat himself on his arm chair.

"Well I thought I'd surprise you didn't I.."Peter said as he took a sip of his coffee before continuing, "I can't wait to see the look on Si's face either.. I'm just about getting used to the fact that he's in high school right now.. Time flies 'ey." He said shaking his head in complete and utter disbelief.

"Well, Simon's doing very good and you should be very proud of him.." Ken said smiling at his son.

"I'll always be proud of him Dad, whatever he does. He'll be a better man than what I could ever be that's for certain.." Peter said looking down slightly.

"Enough of that," Ken started as he put his coffee down on the coffee table, "Anyway.. How are you?."

"I'm good you know.." Peter said nodding his head slightly, "In a good place at the moment. Not touched a drop of alcohol in just over three and a half years and I'm never going back there."

"And I'm glad to hear that Peter. I'm so proud of you.. I don't think any of us could face seeing you in such a bad way like you were last time again.."

"You don't need to worry Dad.. I'm back and I'm stronger than ever."

"So you're back for good I take it?." Ken asked his son.

"I am Dad.. Since Tracy is still living here and she hasn't moved up to the flat above the shop, I'm going to go back to my old flat."

"Do you think that's a good idea Peter?." Ken asked him looking a bit concerned.

"What do you mean?." Peter questioned his dad but he knew exactly what he meant.

"All the memories Peter.. Are you strong enough for that?."

"I'm going to have to face up to them one day Dad and like I said..I'm in a good place at the moment." There was a few seconds of silence between the two men, both of them not quite usre on what to say to each other..

"So.. have you seen Carla around lately?." Peter asked. He knew that he was pushing the boundry slightly. Peter always though about Carla, even when he was away from Weatherfield and he still thought about her now. It broke his heart when her solicitor contacted his solicitor to do with the divorce, but he knew deep down somewhere that it was best for both of them. Peter nor Ken had talked about her in all of the three years that they spoke on the phone to each other when Peter was down in Portsmouth. He no longer knew anything about her. She had changed her mobile number and everything. He hadn't even seen a picture of her.

"Peter.. Look you need to move on.." Ken said trying to get through to his son.

"Look Dad I'm only asking.. It's not as If I want us to get back together is it.." He said getting just a tad bit frustrated.. "She was my wife for god's sake."

"Yes exactly.. WAS your wife. She isn't any more. She moved on and just like you she's in a good place at he moment."

"and I'm glad Dad.. Believe it or not I really am.. I just want to clear the air with her that's all.. I'm back here now and I don't want us to carry on arguing. I want us to be civil. I'm not asking her to forgive me because I know what I did was unforgivable.. Just to be civil with each other.. That's all I'm asking."

"Well that's her decision isn't it Peter.. I wish that both of you for both of your sakes, but don't do anything stupid will you.."

"Like what Dad?!."

"You know exactly what I mean Peter.. She's taken now.." Ken said broaching the subject as smoothly as he could with Peter as he didn't know how he would react to the news that Carla was in a new relationship, let alone engaged to be married soon.

"Oh right.. Well, deep down I knew she would be. Women like Carla don't stay single for long do they I mean look at her.. She's stunning." Peter replied looking down to the floor.

"Well.. She's infact engaged Peter.." Ken said.

"Oh right.." Peter said looking up to his Dad nodding slightly. He wasn't going to lie.. He was gutted. "Well do I know him?."

"No.. He's a business man from Scotland. His name is Tony Gordon. He's been Carla's business partner for about a year I should say now." Ken said as he looked at Peter and gave him a smile. "Look, I know it's going to be hard for you.. Seeing Carla with another man, but you should also get on with your life. Who knows.. two years from now you could be married again with maybe another child. God only knows.. All I want is for you to be happy.. That's all Peter.."

Peter looked up and he smiled at his Dad, "Thanks Dad.. and I will be happy. I know it. I just need to clear the air before I do so."

"I understand Peter," Ken said. There was a few seconds silence again between the two men but this time, Ken made the first move, "Look, do you want me to have a word with Carla?."

"Thanks Dad but this is my mess.. and I'm going to have to deal with it myself.. One way or another.."