Chapter 13
It was early the next morning and Carol had been wide awake since 5am. She lay next to the empty space which still smelt like David. Carol became tearful until she heard a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" Said Carol wiping her eyes and putting on her strong front
"Charlotte" Said this soft sweet voice
"Come in darling" Said Carol
"I've brought you a cup of tea. Just like dad did every morning" Said Charlotte with concern for a heartbroken Carol. It was remarkable that a 4 year old could pick up such emotions and make tea in the morning. However Charlotte was very grown up in many ways and had promised her dad she would make sure Carol was ok.
"Thank you sweetheart. You're so gorgeous" said Carol as she hugged and kissed Charlotte who hugged her back. Both just sat on the bed holding and comforting each other over David's departure.
"Come on. We had better get you to school. Go and get dressed and I'll make you some breakfast" Said Carol who quickly got dressed and went downstairs to an unhappy Bianca who was annoyed about losing her dad
"Morning darling. Are you ok?" Said Carol
"Not really. I'll probably never see my dad again" Said Bianca
"I'm sorry darling but it just didn't work out" Said Carol
"Yeah well I'm going to work. I mean we need every penny we can get now he's gone" Said Bianca storming off only thinking of how David's departure had affected her.
Carol took Charlotte to school and they held hands the whole way. Charlotte could see that Carol regretted letting David go and was determined to let her know that David would always be there through her. Afterwards Carol went straight to the laundrette hoping to get back to normal despite every other person coming in asking why David left. Carol was losing her patience and then had to face Pat who looked annoyed
"Do you know what Pat just leave it out because I just don't think I can take it" Said Carol
"Look Carol I haven't come to have a go. I've come to say I'm here for you and the kids" Said Pat
"Thanks. I thought you'd be annoyed at me sending David away" Said Carol
"No. I do understand; it couldn't have been easy. He didn't blame you; you know" Said Pat
"I know but I feel pretty awful now and Bianca hates me" Said Carol
"She doesn't she's just upset and looking for someone to blame. Believe it or not but I do know how you feel. Look at me and frank" Said Pat
"What do you mean" Said Carol
"Well they'll always be something between you two. There always was when you were kids. Something special that I so wished I'd have encouraged you with. I men who knows where you might be now and perhaps I would have seen Bianca grow up. I can imagine you, David and Bianca living with me. He did love you; it broke his little heart when you split when you were 14 and even more so now" Said Pat
"There's an electric spark between is and the moment he takes me back to when I was 14. My mouth goes dry and every touch makes me shiver. I love him and no one else will come close but it just never works out and I can't put myself or the kids through that anymore" Said Carol
"I understand, but you can't run away from love Carol. Let's just make sure we stay close for the sake of Bianca and Charlotte; I am there nana" Said Pat
"Yeah we will and I won't cut you out Pat. Thy need you to stay close to be close to their dad. So do I" Said Carol
"You regret sending him way; don't you?" Said Pat
"I just couldn't believe it would work out. It's hurts too much" said Carol as she broke down in Pat's arms
"It's ok Carol. Don't get upset. David wouldn't want that. It was a comfort to him that you and the girls had each other" Said Pat holding Carol tightly motherly
"He'll be alone which makes him a worse person. He's a better person when he is with the family" Said Carol
"I know but don't worry about Carol he'll look after himself. He's stronger than you think" Said Pat
"Yeah but he's also vulnerable and needy" Said Carol with concern
"You've got to look forward Carol for your sake and the girl's. It's what he would want for you and the girls" Said Pat making sure Carol pulled herself together and used very strength she had to keep her family close and strong through her's and their heartbreak. Bianca and Charlotte were naturally devastated about losing their father but the others also seemed to miss David as he had been a huge part of their lives and looked after them all. Carol had now recognised that sending david away was a mistake and that she would have to live with it for the rest of her life. At that moment just as Carol was leaving to pick Charlotte up from school she bumped into Alan.
"Hi, you alright?" Said Carol
"Yeah good, I heard about David" Said Alan
"Well you were right it was never going to work out" Said Carol putting on her huge strong facade
"No I weren't I just said that because I couldn't stand the sight it thought of you two getting a happy ever after. I feel I've got justice now after what you did to me" Said Alan with cruel smugness
"What?" Said Carol trying not to believe what she had just heard
"I'm leaving now and I'm now satisfied you're going I know how it feel a to be lonely and miserable. I'm moving away" Said Alan
"What about Billy?" Said Carol showing how much she cared for her kids
"I'll stay in touch and see him as much as possible but i can't bare Walford anymore" Said Alan
"Well I hope you'll be very happy. Now if you'll excuse I need to collect my daughter from school. I made have lost David the rough your poison but I'll always have Charlotte and she a the spitting image of him" said Carol as she left feeling some comfort from her words
That evening after dinner Carol sat down with Charlotte and Bianca and had a long chat with them.
"I'm sorry I asked your dad to leave but it was the right decision. If he really has changed hell stay in touch and he knows where we are" Said Carol
"Mum I just want to know why. We deserve that" Said Bianca
"Honestly I was scared it wouldn't work out and couldn't face the prospect of heartbreak" Said Carol
"Oh mum" Said Bianca as she held her mum tightly close to her chest as she broke down. Charlotte knelt in front of both of them and held their hands as they united and vowed to help each other through the loss of David in their lives. It was a beautiful moment between Carol and her two most precious children who were fathered by the love of her life. Carol loved all her children equally but there was something about Bianca and Charlotte which kept her close to David and always made them seem special. Robbie, Sonia and Billie soon joined and the Jackson family united together to save the family. Everyone in the square admired their strength and watched them deal with life without David.
Charlotte over the next couple of years grew very close to Pat who made her feel close to David. She missed him dearly but had to try and adjust to life without him. Carol now had a new boyfriend Dan who Charlotte wasn't sure about. Bianca and Ricky had been married a while now and their relationship was not what it was. Charlotte loved Roy and went as far as calling him granddad believing him to be her granddad despite the fact her biological granddad was Pete Beale. Charlotte also created a strong bond with her uncle Ian and cousins Peter and Lucy who were of similar age. Dan and Charlotte never got along which Carol hated as she was very fond of him but she didn't know what Charlotte knew. Charlotte had discovered Bianca's connection to Dan and further walked in on them in bed together. Charlotte hated hiding this from Carol but knew it would break her heart if she knew. This caused a rift between Bianca and Charlotte who were usually so close. Carol sensed this and eventually the truth came out which ripped the family apart
"You dirty little slapper Bianca! How could you?" Said Carol tearfully after discovering Dan and Bianca's affair
"I'm sorry mum" Said Bianca begging for forgiveness
"What's going on?" Said Charlotte groggily as she had just been woken up.
"Nothing darling Bianca and I are just talking" Said Carol trying to hide Charlotte from the truth.
"She knows; doesn't she?" Said Charlotte to a devastated Bianca
"What? You knew about her and Dan? Why didn't you tell me?" Said Carol to a hesitant Charlotte whom looked directly at Bianca.
"You got your 6 year old sister to lie for you. She's just a kid" Said Carol angrily
"I'm sorry mum but it was over. It only happened twice and when I found out you were pregnant I stayed away and so did he. The last time we were together was in Manchester" Said Bianca hysterically.
"He came to Manchester. He knew I was pregnant then" Said Carol
"What? He can't have. I'm sorry mum I had no idea" Said Bianca
"It's too late Bianca I can't stand the sight of you. I want you gone and out of my life forever" Said Carol
"Mum no please" Said Charlotte not wanting to lose her sister
"Shhh Charlotte. You Bianca have turned out just like your father, selfish and destructive with no care for anyone else. I always thought you'd grow out of it but you're just a slut and I want nothing more to do with you"
"Im still your daughter. Please mum" Said Bianca
"No my daughter's a sweet little five year old with freckles and funny coloured hair. Do you think I want to lose you Bianca? You're my eldest child; I've spent more if my life with you than anyone but it's over, finished. I can't even bare the sight if you" Said Carol pushing Bianca away.
"Mum I'll be there for you; you don't have to be on your own. Please forgive me" Said Bianca
"No Bianca. You've gone too far this time. I want you gone. I was dumped at 15 with a kid and now I'm stuck again. I'm going to have an abortion; I'm not raising another child again alone" Said Carol
"Please don't do this mum" Said Bianca knowing Carol would regret it
"Get out Bianca. I don't want anything else to do with you" Said Carol harshly to a heartbroken Bianca who had also lost Ricky over her fling with Dan
Carol was devastated after letting Bianca go and in desperate need of some love. It was times like these that she desperately missed David and needed his love and care; it was then that 6 year old Charlotte realised that she would have to step up and be there for her mum to help her get through the loss of Bianca and David from her life.
A few days later Carol went for an abortion as she was still angry upset and what Bianca and Dan had done. Carol did not want to raise another child on her own again so knew deep down she had made the right decision. Bianca, Robbie and Sonia all tried to convince their mum to keep the baby vowing to stand by her and help her raise it with or without Dan's support. However Charlotte could understand her thinking and believed the right thing to do was support Carol whatever her choice. This caused a rift between Charlotte and Bianca which upset them both as well as Carol who knew how close they were. Carol was devastated by her decision to abort her baby realising she acted in anger and upset without thinking of the consequences of her actions. However the Jackson family was still in ruins and Carol had no choice but to ask Bianca to leave for everyone's sake. Bianca's relationship with Ricky was in tatters but Carol tried everything in her power to convince Ricky that Bianca loved him and to start a new life in Manchester. Although Carol was heartbroken by Bianca's betrayal she couldn't bear the thought of her eldest and most vulnerable child being all alone to raise her son.
Bianca spent her last days in the square saying goodbye to her loved ones starting with Pat who had supported her and been there ever since David had gone.
"Thanks for everything Pat. I don't know what I would've done without you since dad left" Said Bianca
"You just take good care of yourself Bianca darling and remember I'm always here for you if you need me" Said Pat
"I will and will you watch out for mum and the kids for me. I really thought she'd forgive me but I pushed her too far this time. I just wish Ricky would come and start a new life with me and Liam"
"I know darling but you've got to look to the future now for yours and Liam's sake. You take good care now and stay in touch" Said Pat as she tightly embraced Bianca saying her final goodbyes
It was then that Bianca went to say her goodbyes to her mum and siblings. Bianca was devastated at leaving her family just as her dad was when he left but somehow knew it was what she had to if she loved them. She said an emotional goodbye to Sonia, Billie and Robbie first who were gutted that she was leaving. Next was Carol which was the hardest for Bianca
"I'll see you mum. I'm sorry and I love you. Thank you for everything" Said Bianca as she hugged Carol. It finally felt to Carol like Bianca appreciated everything Carol had done for her raising her in the absence of David. Carol and Bianca had spent most pf their lives with each other which made it all the lot harder to except that they would no longer be together. Both knew it could be years before thy spoke again which brought an immense sadness to their emotional goodbye
"Bye Bianca, I love you forever and always" Said Carol determined to let her little girl walk away knowing she was loved.
Just as Bianca was about say goodbye to Charlotte Ricky appeared. He obviously still loved Bianca nd just wanted to be sure she felt the same and wasn't settling for second best. Bianca looked into Ricky's eyes and tearfully broke down confessing she wasn't sure he was all she wanted which ended their romance. Ricky was choked but kissed Bianca's cheek and wished her all the best in Manchester before leaving. At that moment Bianca sobbed into Charlottes arms. Charlotte was always expected to be strong and was determined to help her sister best she could.
"I'm going to miss you so much Charlotte because having you with me is like having mum and dad rolled into one. You're the best sister ever and I know you're going to do us all proud" Said Bianca to a tearful Charlotte
"I love you B. Always remember that and stay in touch. You're going to be just fine; I so believe in you" Said Charlotte softly to comfort Bianca
"Look after mum" Whispered Bianca into Charlotte's ear as the two sisters embraced and said their goodbyes.
Bianca then picked Liam up and headed off to the tube from the house away from her family who she loved so dearly. It was then that Carol said something to Bianca that she would never forget
"Bianca. Don't look back"
Tears filled Bianca's eyes as she used all her strength and left Walford alone with Liam. Carol felt that same feeling that came across her just after David left and as Sonia, Robbie and Billie headed home Carol and Charlotte stayed and Carol broke down in Charlotte's arms. Carol and Bianca had never been apart before and Carol just couldn't see how she was going to cope but felt a comfort that she still had Charlotte who was like having Bianca and David rolled into one. It was not long after that Carol, Charlotte and Billie moved away to start a new life in Balham with Alan whom Carol had reunited with. However Alan could never get over Carol going off with David and was constantly reminded of it through Charlotte who Alan never liked. Carol, Billie and Charlotte stuck together over the years and Billie was so protective with Charlotte. Charlotte deeply missed Bianca and David but she still had her mum and vowed to keep her promise she made to her Dad that she would look after her mum. Also Charlotte lost touch with Pat who had been her rock since her dad left.
Luckily after over 10 years apart Charlotte, Carol and Billie were reunited with Pat and Bianca who was back with Ricky and had 4 kids: Whitney, Tiffany and Morgan and Liam. Charlotte loved being back with her sister and was delighted to get to know her other family in Albert Square. However her she was devastated when her brother Billie died and Bianca went to prison. Charlotte once again proved to be the strength behind the family also striking u strong bonds with her nieces, nephews and cousins. However Charlotte still missed her dad who she had not seen since she was 4. It was only when Pat fell ill that she would have a chance to be reunited with her father after so many years apart. Also Charlotte was carrying a secret which would connect her more to her parents who she was so similar too already
The End
To be continued in the sequel: Teenage sweethearts happy ever after?