Chapter 3 : Just Friends

It was now 10pm the same night and Peter sat alone in the living area of number one. Everybody else in the household had gone to bed, well except for Tracy who was out somewhere with Beth. He sat there, thinking about what he was going to do next. Since his arrival on the street, he had only seen his father, Deirdre and Tracy. Amy was spending the night in the Rovers with Steve and Simon was of course still living with Leanne. He had already spoken to Leanne a few hours earlier and he was going to surprise Simon tomorrow morning by paying him a visit and taking him out for the day. He was also going to tell him that he was staying on the street and that he wasn't going anywhere any time soon. He also knew he was going to have to pay Carla a visit but he didn't know how to go around it. After all, she was now living in the new flat with her new fiancee. In a way, he couldn't wait to see her once again, but in another way, he didn't either. He was honestly glad that she was now happy and in a good place, but he wondered to himself how he would actually react to seeing Carla so happy. He sat there for another good hour, smoking nearly one cigarette after another just thinking about what he was going to do. He also knew that he needed to go and see Steve. Ken had already filled him in about Steve. About all the guilt Steve had fely after the court case and how it lead to his depression. He didn't have a problem at all with Steve. He was one out of a handful of friends on the street that he actually felt that he could count on. He wanted to sort everything out with him..

Around 11pm that night, he decided to pop into the Rovers for last orders. It was a Thursday night, so he thought it might have been a bit quieter so he could talk to Steve properly. As he grabbed his leather jacket and put it on, he switched the living room lights off before leaving number one. He made his way to the Rovers, pausing with his hand on the handle before actually entering. He took a big deep breath in and he entered..


He entered the Rovers and he made his way towards the bar. There was only Steve serving behind the bar. Also in the Rovers stood Tony (Liz's Partner), Kevin, Dev and also Beth. Kirk, Sinead and Chesney were sat in one of the booths. They all looked towards the Rovers door when he entered..

"Peter.." A very joyful Dev said as he tapped Peter on the back, "How are you my friend?."

"I'm good you know Dev mate.. How are you?."

All of the men either said a "Hello" or a "How are you?" in turn to Peter all except for Steve. Steve didn't quite know what to say.. All of the lads went to play darts, leaving Steve behind the bar. Peter returned about ten minutes later to get another orange juice. As he ordered his drink with Steve, he said, "You're very quiet Steve.." he said with a nervous laugh.

"Oh yeah sorry.. how are you mate?." Steve replied equally as awkward.

"I'm alright mate.. Good to be back you know.. Look I know that things are pretty awkward between us right now, but I don't want them to be. You've been a good mate to me Steve over the years.."

"Ha!," Steve said, "Do you reckon? I'd reckon it was partly my fault why you got sent down for a bit wouldn't you?."

"You were only telling the truth and look where I am now.. I'm certainly not banged up am I? The truth came out in the end didn't it. Seriously.. Forget about all of that.. Because I have." As Peter handed Steve the money, Steve refused to take it and said, "On the house mate. Glad your back." He said with an honest smile.

"Cheers Steve.. So what's the latest with you then? Are you and Michelle still together?."

"We are yeah.. We did have a rough patch after you left the street but now were back together and stronger than ever." Steve felt a tinge of guilt just after he said that.. mainly because of what happened between Peter and Carla.

"Well I'm chuffed for you mate.. I really am."

"So come on then.. You can't tel me that you stayed singe for all of that three years you were down in Portsmouth.." he said – the banter still evident between them.

"Well I'm single now mate.. That's all you need to know.." Peter said laughing slightly before taking a sip out of his orange juice.

"Come on.. you can't just leave it at that Peter!.."

"Well there was a girl I started seeing a year back.. But I broke up with her about three months ago. Things weren't working out between us. Then I decided that It was time for me to come back.."

Steve wsa about to say something but Peter interrupted him, "and before you say.. No! I didn't come back just to win Carla back.. My son's here, my family's here and so is my mates.."

"I wasn't going to mention Carla actually.." Steve said, but it was so obvious that he was about to mention her.

"Steve. I've known you for long enough now.. Look. On a serious note mate.. I'd appreciate if you didn't say anything to Michelle about me being back on the street.. Not just yet anyway.. If she was here tonight and would of seen me it would have been a different story.. Keep it quiet.. Just until tomorrow night anyway.."

"Why what's the big deal?."

"It's pretty obvious isn't it mate.. Carla and Michelle are best friends. Michelle will tell Carla straight away then Carla will be avoiding me and then I'll never get the chance to clear the air with her. A reunion is not on the cards Steve.. I know she's engaged to another man.. Tommy is it?."

"Tony. Tony Gordon.." Steve corrected him.

"Whatever. Anyway.. I just want us to clear the air and if she wants Tony there then fair enough. We can't keep on living our lives on the street aruging all of the time, it won't do any of us any good. We can at least be civil about it.." Peter stopped for a seconds as he heard the door of the Rovers open and a loud laugh could be heard.. The laugh that he was Oh so familiar with..