'Mrs Connor! We weren't expecting you back today!' Hayley says as Carla makes her way into the factory and all the employees turn to face her as she pushes Jasmine's pram.
'I wasn't planning on coming back today Hayley. Is Liam in the office?' Carla asks.
'Yes.' Hayley replies.
'He's been in a foul mood all morning!' Janice adds causing Carla to smile.
'I bet he has. Can you do me a favour and keep an eye on her?' Carla asks glancing down at Jasmine who is fast asleep.
'Of course.' Hayley replies.
'Can we have a peek, Mrs C?' Sean asks.
'In a minute. Let me go see Liam then I'll introduce you all to her. In the meantime keep stitching.' Carla replies. Sean nods his head and she watches as they get back to work before making her way into the office.
'I said I didn't want to be disturbed.' Liam says not even looking up at her.
'Well someone is a bit grumpy this morning.' She replies causing him to sigh.
'What do you want?' He asks.
'Well in case you have forgotten I do still own 60% of this factory.' She replies.
'Well maybe you should've remembered that before you went gallivanting around London.' He says.
'I didn't have a choice and you know that. I told Tony there was someone else so I either had to leave or you would have been burying me.' She replies.
'What do you mean?' He asks.
'Do you really think Tony just let me walk out the door? He pinned me up against the wall, he slapped me a few times. He gave me a black eye.' She replies.
'Shit... I had no idea, Carla.' He says.
'That would be because you didn't answer your phone. I left the house at 4 in the morning when I was positive he was sleeping. I was so scared Liam so don't you dare act like I left just because I felt like it, don't you dare.' She says stepping backwards as he moves towards her.
'I'm so sorry, Carla.' He mumbles and she shakes her head.
'You don't get to say sorry and think it makes everything better... I needed you, Liam. I needed you more than I've ever needed anyone.' She says.
'I never wanted to hurt you. Maria told me she was pregnant again and I panicked. I knew if I heard your voice I would come running. But then she had a miscarriage and I just needed to hear your voice.' He replies.
'I don't want to break up your marriage, Liam... I just want to know if I'll ever be able to tell Jasmine who her dad is.' She says.
'Of course you will. I just need some time to tell Maria.' He replies.
'You can take the day off... I can look after this place.' She says.
'Don't be silly you've got Jasmine.' He replies.
'And I can keep her here with me. Liam, go home or wherever you want to go. I can deal with this. I want to deal with this place today.' She says smiling.
'Okay. I don't know if this I'd overstepping the mark but can I give you a hug?' He asks.
'I'd like that.' She replies quietly. Smiling he steps forward and instantly wraps his arms around her.
'I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you.' He says as she rests her head on his shoulder.
'This is Jasmine and she's two weeks old. She weighed 6lbs 2oz when she was born. At the moment I'd rather not have any questions asked about her father.' Carla says smiling as she lifts Jasmine into her arms.
'Oh she's beautiful, Mrs Connor.' Hayley says causing Carla to smile.
'Thank you...' Carla replies glancing down at Jasmine.
'As you can see Liam is away home so you're stuck with me for the day, me and Jasmine.' Carla says smiling.
'I'll be in the office if you need me.' She adds placing Jasmine back in the pram.
'Would you like a coffee, Mrs Connor?' Sean asks.
'I'd love one, Sean... Can you bring it through?' Carla asks and Sean nods his head. She smiles and makes her way onto the office pushing Jasmine's pram.
'Mrs Connor, that's us leaving...' Hayley says peeking her head around the office door where Carla is sitting at her desk, Jasmine curled up against her chest.
'Okay, Hayley... Thanks for today.' Carla replies smiling up at her. Her first day back was an eventful one to say the least.
'Will we see you tomorrow?' Hayley asks.
'Probably. I'm not sure, depends on this little one's schedule.' Carla replies smiling.
'Well I'll see you tomorrow then.' Hayley says turning and leaving the office.
'We can go home in a little bit, baby girl... Mummy just has some more bits and bobs to do.' Carla whispers glancing down at Jasmine as her phone vibrates
From Liam :
Could you get one of the girls to do a bit of cleaning? We have a meeting tomorrow and the place is a tip.
To Liam :
They're all away home. Why didn't you tell me this earlier?
From Liam :
I forgot! Can you give the place a once over then?
Sighing she places her phone back on the table.
'Mummy needs to hire a cleaner.' She says.
'Shhhh... Mummy will be two minutes.' Carla says glancing over at the pram where Jasmine is beginning to whimper. She currently kneeling down scrubbing the floor in an attempt to get a coffee stain off.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
'Oh... Hello?' She says turning around and coming face to face with a tall man wearing a fluorescent vest and black hat.
'Hi, love.' He replies smiling at her.
'Can I help you?' She asks as Jasmine continues to whimper.
'I'm looking for Janice?' He replies.
'Ah well she's just gone home... Wouldn't you like me to let her know you came by?' She asks.
'No, it's okay. I'm Trev, her flatmate or lodger really.' He replies smiling.
I know Carla and Trevor didn't actually meet until 2010 but nothing in this story is going to be the way it was in the show so I hope you like it!