Chapter 12
A few years had now passed and it was now Charlotte's first day at school; David was so excited that he would be able to share with her. She was so excited and looked a beautiful little girl in her brand new Walford primary school uniform. Bianca was so emotional taking pictures of her little sister. Sonia and Billie had both already gone to school and Robbie was on the market. David was so proud of her which brought tears to his eyes. Carol was distant and less excited feeling left out by David, Bianca and even Charlotte. Eventually Carol couldn't handle her discontent anymore and stormed out without even wishing Charlotte the best. Things had not been great between Carol and David in the last few months and Charlotte, Bianca and the others were beginning to sense it which worried them. However Charlotte had got her mum's sprit, determination and courage which gave her the strength to comfort big sister Bianca who was far more vulnerable.
David and Bianca ignored Carol's selfish strop and continued to proudly walk Charlotte to school. David held her hand tightly in an attempt to let her know he would always be there for and Bianca saw her safely into school and then expressed their disappointment in Carol for missing Charlotte's big day
"I can't believe she just left like that. She can be a right cow sometimes" Said Bianca
"Oi, she's your mother. She will have her reasons. I'll talk to her" Said David
"I'll see you later dad, I've got to go to work" Said Bianca as she rushed off.
Meanwhile Carol was in the launderette at work talking to Alan who had popped in for a chat. The two of them had become closer in recent weeks as Carol felt a safety with Alana that was missing for her relationship with David. She constantly feared their relationship would fail and therefore was struggling to come to terms with a long term future with David; the boy who broke her heart a a teenager. Carol and Alan discussed her concerns and little did she realise how jealous and manipulative he had become since she left him for David.
"If you don't think it will work out Carol then you've got to end it for the sake of the kids" Said Alan
"The problem is though that there is something between us that's electric. I felt it the moment he came back to Walford" Said Carol
"Yeah but Carol the last thing you want to do is hurt the kids or give him a chance to take them" Said Alan
"He would never do that; he's not evil. I spent my whole life sacrificing myself for the kids" Said Carol
"Carol he left you to raise Bianca on your own at 14. You can't rely him or trust him" Said Alan
"I'm going to end it today before it's too late. Thanks Alan you've been so good especially after what we've been through" Said Carol
"No worries" Said Alan as he walked out and left Carol. He couldn't help but smile as he knew even if he hadn't ruined their relationship he had surfaced a lot of deep rooted concerns which test their relationship.
Carol had avoided going home all day and even failed to be there to pick Charlotte up from her first day of school. David saw the disappointment in Charlotte's eyes at her mother's absence and was beginning to lose his patience with an unreasonable and distant Carol. David decided to cook dinner and make the house nice for Carol when she arrived home so they could have a chat about what had been going on recently between them. Carol arrived home late passed Charlotte's bed time and David was angry at Carol's disregard of such an important day in Charlotte's life.
"Where you been Carol? Charlotte was devastated when you didn't show up" Said David
"I'm sure she was fine; she had her precious dad. I just couldn't face it" Said Carol
"Carol what's going on? This isn't you; I know you" Said David looking into her eyes
"Let's sit down David" Said Carol seriously
"Carol?" Questioned a confused and anxious David
"It's not working David. I think we should call it a day" Said Carol
"What? Why" Said David confused and upset
"I just don't see us having a future together"
"But I love you Carol; I've been such a better person being with you" Said David
"I know but David I'm not that 14 year old little girl anymore. We cannot go back and find our past" Said Carol
"Carol I know. You are the love of my life sweetheart; please don't do this" Said David
"David my mind is made up. I want you to leave. It's over" Said Carol
"What? Where am I supposed to go? What about the girls?" Said David
"The girls will be fine with me. And I'm sure you will find somewhere to go. If you love me like you say you do then you'll leave Walford for good and spare the girls from heartache" Said Carol
"They are my girls Carol; I can't leave them" Said David
"You left before?" Said Carol
"I can't Carol. I love them; I love you" Said David with tears streaming down his face
"I'm sorry but it's for the best. Please don't make it horrible and shouty. I think maybe you should stay at your mum's tonight and say goodbye to the girls tomorrow" said Carol
"Ok. Carol I will always love you. You have given to special girls and you will always be the girl I first fell in love with. Never forget that will you." Said David
"I won't David but we are not 14 anymore. We both know that" Said Carol
At that moment David tearfully nodded in agreement with Carol and headed over to Pat's trying to think of a way of explaining to Bianca and Charlotte why he had to leave. Pat felt very sorry for David and for the first time in both their lives there was a real sense of a mother son relationsgip wgich had been so damaged over the years.
"What am I going to say mum?" Said David
"I wouldn't go if I was you. The girls need you too David" Said Pat
"I have to mum. I love Carol too much to stick around and make her suffer" Said David
"You'll lose Bianca and Charlotte" Said Pat concerned
"No I won't; they know I'll always love them. Mum you have to promise me that you'll look out for them for me. I know they'll be ok if you're looking out for them" Said David showing carol he forgave her and believed in her to help him make sure his girls were cared for
"I'll make sure they're ok" Said Pat to a clearly devastated David
The next day David was up early and making some arrangements to head off to Spain that evening. He had sold Roy the remainder if the Car lot and given Pat some of the money to ensure Bianca and Charlotte were cared for. David planned to leave in the early evening to ensure he had a good chance to say goodbye to Charlotte and Bianca together. Carol had promised to make sure Bianca and Charlotte were in so David could say his goodbyes. She began to fear that he would tell the girls she had asked him to leave which she knew they wouldn't forgive her for. David headed for the door of Pat's as he put his bags in the car ready to leave as soon as he'd seen the girls.
"You don't have to go David. She can't make you" Said Pat
"Mum, I've ruined enough things in her life. It's the least I can do for her. I love her enough to leave her" Said David
"I'm so proud of you David. Take care of yourself won't you darling?" Said Pat stroking his cheek
"I will mum; I love you. I hope you two are happy together. Just watch out gfor my girks" Said David as he hugged his mum and headed over to Carol's for the goodbye he had been dreading. Although he desperately didn't want to say goodbye to the girls it was the thought of saying goodbye to Carol that made his stomach flip. David nervously banged on the door not knowing what to say whoever opened the it was Bianca who made David feel so relaxed.
"Hi dad. Why didn't you use your key?" Said Bianca as she opened the door and walked away assuming he would follow. Bianca had no idea that her parents had split up which would David realised which make it that much harder to explain
"David, come in" Said Carol as she led him into the living room and shut the door. He hoped she had changed her mind but deep down he knew she was as stubborn as her word/
"Carol" Said David in that seductive and mysterious way
"I don't want you hurting the girl too much. They don't deserve it. Just tell it hasn't worked out" Said Carol
"They are going to think I don't care. Thy are my daughters" Said David
"When it suits you. The girls will do just fine without you" Said Crol
"I know they will. They're amazing. You're their mother Carol; they couldn't wish for better" Said David genuinely to a confused Carol
At that moment their eyes locked and for a moment it looked as though they were going to work things but then they were interrupted by Bianca who took Carol back to her head from her heart.
"What's going on?" Said Bianca realising something was wrong
"David's leaving for good" Said Carol
"What? You can't. What's happened?" Said Bianca hysterically
"We've just realised it's not going to work out so David's for all our sakes" Said Carol
"Mum this isn't fair. What about Charlotte? /has she told you to leave" Said Bianca as she turned to David who saw Carol's fear and shielded her from her actions to save her relationship with Bianca and Charlotte
"No darling. I've just decided that its best if I leave. You don't need me; I ruin people lives. You and Charlotte will do just fine without me" Said David
"Are you leaving now?" Said Bianca
"You're leaving Said Sonia as herself, Billie, Robbie and Charlotte walked in
"Yeah. It's for the best kids. Can I just have 5 minutes with your mum?" Said David
"Of course" Said the kids as they all went and waited in the kitchen
"Thanks. I couldn't bare to lose them" Said Carol
"You won't Carol. They love you" Said David as misty blue began to play in the background
"Oh god" Said Carol as the song flooded back memories of herself and David's teenage love
"Do you remember? Come here" Said David as Carol nodded and joined for a last dance before he left. As she moved towards him she fell into his bronze chest which her head lay so delicately against. Tears were slowly emerging from both their eyes as they held on tightly and danced. Every step took them back to when they were 14 dancing at a school dance and they realised there would always be an electric spark between them. As the song was coming to the end they locked gazes for several seconds before breaking down tightly in each other's arms as the music faded out. It was the perfect way to say goodbye but they both felt devastated over their parting. Carol wanted to stop him leaving but her stubbornness and pride stopped her and she realised they may be last moment she ever has with her true love.
As David left the room he heard a whimper coming from the stairs; it was Charlotte. She had heard the music and being the smart little girl she was quickly concluded that her parents had ended their relationship.
"Daddy are you leaving?" asked Charlotte
"Yes darling" Said David
"Why? Is it me?" Said Charlotte tearfully
"No it's definitely not you; You're perfect. It's just that me and your mum aren't going to work" Said David struggling to explain. Charlotte sensed this and gently put her arm around David to comfort him
"I don't want you to leave" Said Charlotte
"I know darling but I have to for the sake of everyone. I love you though and don't you ever forget it. Also I need you to promise me that you'll always look after your mum and Bianca" Said David
"I will dad; I promise" Said Charlotte as she and David tightly embraced. At that moment Bianca walked in and joined their embrace which lasted for what felt like ever
"Well I'd better be off girls. I promise I'll be in touch. I've already told Joe I'm leaving so don't worry about that" Said David
"I'm really going to miss you" Said Bianca who was clearly more vulnerable and emotional
"See you kids" Said David as he went out to his car followed by Bianca and Charlotte
"Bye girls, I love you so much and don't you forget. I'm so proud of you both. Take care my darlings" Said David as he hugged and kissed both of the heads before getting into his car tearfully as Charlotte and Bianca watched on hopelessly waving goodbye to their dad whilst holding on to each other. Charlotte then realised how alone David would be which really upset her. As they went back inside Charlotte and Bianca saw Carol clutching a photo of herself and David when they were 14 whilst crying at each other. Charlotte and Bianca looked at each other and realised how much Carol needed them so they sat either side of her and comforted her from losing the love of her life.