Chapter 2
Over the next year David and Alan developed a constant dislike to each other as Alan hated how David was trying to buy Bianca's affection with a car and lots of new clothes. He had also taught her to drive which Alan so desperately wanted to do for her. David couldn't help but gloat to Alan that he was Bianca's biological father and therefore she would always love him more. David and Bianca had managed to build a close father daughter relationship which Carol couldn't help but be pleased to see as she wanted what was best for Bianca. Alan's jealousy only united David and Carol further and they became close friends as David bonded with Bianca. He confided in Carol about his affair with Cindy and loved that he could tell her anything as she understood him and knew exactly what he was like. One night whilst trying to help Bianca and stop Ricky from hurting her at some club in Camden Carol and David chased after them together having a real cosy heart to heart about their past and how they knew each other better than anyone.
"Can you really imagine me and you playing happy families with Bianca" Said Carol
"Yeah I can actually" responded David with a smile.
"Oh come on David we'd have killed each other" Said Carol
"It might have been better than you think" Said David leaving Carol with something to think on.
For a brief moment they both remained silent and both of them began to imagine being a family with Bianca which gave them a warm feeling. David then turned to Carol and said
"It's been a long time since we were alone like this"
"So" said Carol
David didn't respond with words and just looked at Carol lovingly a look she knew from years back. Carol for a brief moment was taken in by this obvious connection they still had but was then brought back to reality
"Come on David I don't want anything happen to Bianca" Said Carol pretending the moment hadn't occurred.
David grew closer to Carol in the wake of the arrival of his estranged son Joe and the revelation that his daughter Karen had died in a car accident. Joe's arrival proved a shock to Bianca who was livid with David for hiding it from her forcing Carol to step in as the voice of reason.
"Darling give him a chance to explain. I know you shouldn't have found out about Joe from somebody else but it must have been hard for David. He was protecting Joe as well." Said Carol with sympathy to David's predicament.
"I just can't believe he left us to go off and marry someone else and have kids" said Bianca.
"What did you expect? You should talk to Joe he's a nice lad he must get it from his mum Lorraine. She seems lovely too" Said Carol with a chuckle.
"I know Pat says she's nice too" said Bianca
"Well if Pat and I agree then Joe and Lorraine are definitely worth giving a chance to then. Oh and forgive David trust me he's done a lot worse" Said Carol.
"Okay mum I'll try" Said Bianca.
"Good girl" Said Carol holding her close and kissing her head.
Bianca eventually forgave David and built a strong bond with her half-brother Joe who she welcomed in to her family. Joe particularly liked Carol as she was kind to him and he felt she understood him which again rattled Alan and pushed him into beginning an affair with Frankie. Bianca attempted to help strengthen David and Joe's relationship and was very understanding as Joe's mental state worsened which was a constant source of concern and distress to David who could not cope and blamed himself for Joe's problems.
Meanwhile David and Carol began having cosy little heart to hearts as the months went by and old feelings really were beginning to resurface with Bianca completely oblivious to her parents growing closeness. One night on the square David found Carol sobbing and took her back to flat for a brandy making sure Joe wasn't in. They began to talk and David confided in Carol about his fears of being a good and reliable dad to Joe who really needed some stability after the death of his little sister Karen.
"I just don't know if I can be there the way he needs be to be Carol" Said David
"He's a good kid David; just show him that you love him and that you will always be there for him. Bianca and him are getting on well which is good" Said Carol.
"Anyway what's up you were the one crying" asked David
"It's Alan I think he's having an affair with Frankie. I mean what is with me? I just can't seem to hold on to my blokes like other people. In a way I can't blame him she's very attractive unlike me; I've just let myself go" said a disheartened Carol
"Listen to me there's nothing wrong with you and if Alan's stupid enough to be messing around that's his problem. He's a fool to risk losing you. I mean it" said David looking into Carol's eyes and cuddling her shoulder.
They both lent in and again fell into a passionate embrace and before they knew they were ripping each other's clothes off. David had his hands in her hair which seemed to turn her on and it was clear he knew exactly what to do to give her pleasure. Even though they knew it was wrong they just couldn't help themselves and continued an ended having passionate sex on the couch. Carol knew what she had done was wrong but in her heart knew Alan had betrayed her too which seemed to justify her actions. She quickly got dressed and said "David this was a mistake it should never have happened. Just forget it and carry on your affair this doesn't mean anything for us". David was upset but couldn't rip Carol's life apart so kept his distance and said nothing which Carol appreciated. They both carried on their cosy little conversations particularly as Carol was convinced of Alan's infidelity and found David's opinion valuable.
One night in October signified the realisation that they were eventually going to give in to temptation and rekindle their love affair. David had come over to console Carol over Alan's betrayal. As they shared a bottle of wine David and Carol chatted for ages about Alan's affair and what Carol should do but eventually the topic came back to them and they both simmered in Nostalgia. David suggested to Carol about Alan
"Maybe he has delayed his seven year itch"
"It doesn't mean he has to scratch it" said Carol
"You still don't know if he is" Said David
"Is that what you suffered from the seven year itch" Said Carol
"Sort of" Said David
"Sort of?" Questioned Carol
"Well other people get an itch every seven years but I get seven itches every year" said David trying not to laugh.
"That's better you're really happy when you frown" Said David
"Oh thanks very much" Said Carol
"Pleasure" Said David seductively
They continued their cosy little chat and discussed their love as teenager and how it all went wrong for them but agreed Bianca was something special and showed their relationship wasn't bad. They chatted flirtatiously joking at each other faults with David confiding in Carol about the man he believes he truly is.
"It's lovely just sitting here with you. I can relax with you and stop pretending what everybody wants me to be"
"What's that?" said Carol
"I dunno Wicks the wide boy I suppose" said David
"You're not then?" Said Carol
"No" Said David
"No don't tell me your different; your sensitive, kind, vulnerable" said Carol
"Thoughtful" said David
"Honest" said Carol
"Hardworking" said David
"Good with children" Said Carol
"And old ladies" Said David
"Ooh yeah especially old ladies" Said Carol
"Yeah maybe that's why I get on so well with you" Said David chuckling
"Oi" responded Carol jabbing him in the side laughing
Eventually they finished the bottle of wine and David offered to go and get some more from the Vic with Carol showing him care by telling him to put his coat on as it was cold outside. She kissed his cheek to show she cared and appreciated his support. As their eyes met only one thought was on their mind and neither of them could resist any longer as they fell into a passionate embrace. After several moments of intense kissing David pulled away and said
"Are you sure about this"
Carol didn't respond and carefully placed her hands on his lips and kissed his neck before giving him a loving hug. He then pulled away and said
"I'll just go and get that bottle now; I won't be a tick"
This showed Carol that David did genuinely care and was not just taking advantage of her vulnerable state. He had pulled away knowing she needed his comfort and support and not just sex. This showed Carol a whole new layer to him and she suddenly felt like she was with the boy she fell in love with all those years ago who she knew was a bit bad but really loved and cared for her as she did him. He was Bianca's father and she felt herself falling for him all over again. After a while she realised David wasn't coming back and assumed it had something to do with the police as Ian had been shot and they had probably discovered he was having an affair with Cindy. Carol couldn't help but feel disappointed as she knew what would've happened had he returned. However she felt relieved she hadn't slept with him again as she would be just as bad as Alan even though it was different as they were childhood sweethearts who just couldn't hold back their undeniably strong feelings. Alan's fling with Frankie was his boredom of Carol and a selfish and thoughtless act against her and the kids. Carol went to bed not long after and couldn't stop thinking about David. She wanted him so badly and all those feelings she had when she was 14 filled inside her little did she realises that history really was repeating itself.