When Carla left her cell the next morning she was battered and bruised beneath all of her frumpy clothing. There was a real chill in the air today and with all the pain she was feeling Carla just wanted to feel comfortable. She had had a horrendous night thanks to Jessica and her attack but Carla was just thankful she had left her face untouched. She sadly headed out into the main area and lined up by the gate where she noted Michelle was missing. As she was herded through to breakfast she wondered what was keeping her friend from appearing today but she took her served breakfast of lumpy porridge and joined Amy at a table.

"Hey" she whispered as she took a seat and Amy looked up at her from her own bowl of cold stodge.

"Hey" whispered Amy back before returning her focus to lumping out spoonfuls of her food and letting it drop slowly back to the bowl.

"Where's Michelle?" asked Carla.

"She wouldn't come out of her cell. One of the guards is talking to her now. They know something is wrong." whispered Amy as she glanced nervously side to side making sure that no one was eaves dropping.

Carla shook her head, too worried now about Michelle to even think about eating. She took her bowl and scooped the food into the bin. Then she swiftly made her way from where everyone was dining to Michelle's cell. As she approached inside she could hear the officer talking. He had a strong Irish accent and seemed to be trying to coax information from Michelle who she just knew was refusing to supply it.. She stood and listened, trying to get a feel for the conversation when she sensed someone hovering behind her. Slowly she turned to see Denzy and Jessica stood side by side with their arms crossed and looking fierce.

"She better know how to keep her mouth closed" Stressed Denzy through gritted teeth in warning as she grabbed Carla's arm and pulled close to make sure she got the message loud and clear. Her eyes were wide and almost popping from their sockets as she glared at Carla before releasing her. Carla stumbled on her own to feet but quickly found her balance. She was breathing heavily as she tried to calm herself from the shock encounter with Denzy.

Carla gulped down the lump in her throat and nodded. "She does"

"Good" snapped Denzy as she walked passed with Jessica following loyally behind.

Most of the morning had passed and as they were being lined up and escorted to visiting Michelle appeared from her cell. It was too late for Carla to turn back though as she was out of the gates and well on her way to Peter who was anxiously waiting for her. He hadn't seen her in a few days, since she'd been sentenced actually and on the phone he had sounded desperate to see her. She had been wondering what it was that had him so but she suspected it probably wasn't good news. She had gotten herself through by telling herself that he just missed her, that was all.

As she came into the visiting room she caught sight of him sat at a far table with his hands knotted on the table and his head down. He didn't look up to see her until she had sat down and as she saw him for the first time she could see clearly he had been crying. What on earth had him so emotional and upset. She tried to make a grab for his hands but he withdrew them and looked away from her. When he didn't say hello she had to say something.

"Peter is something wrong?" she asked, choking on her words.

"I'm sorry Carla" he mumbled and she instantly found herself becoming teary. What was happening?

"What are you sorry for?" she asked in a hushed voice.

All around them was a buzz of noise and emotion as all the other prisoners enjoyed what time they had been given with their loved ones, be it their partner, their children or a parent or friend and here they were lost in their own little bubble and completely oblivious to their surroundings. There was an awkward silence between them as Peter tried to think of the easiest way to tell Carla the news. He didn't want to break her heart he just couldn't cope with all that had happened and with what was going on back home on the street. After she had been convicted along with Michelle it had taken its toll on Peter as he found himself being harassed by Anne and Frank's family and being chased by all the factory workers who wanted paying in Carla's absence. He couldn't do it anymore, him and Simon had to get away from this nightmare.

Throughout the time Carla continued to ask him encouragingly what it was that he was wanting to tell her but Peter kept avoiding it. He seemed pained but Carla didn't dare dig and push too much in case he just got up and walked out on her. She was so pleased to see him and tried to tell him the hell she was going through but he was definitely distracted and his attention focused elsewhere. Halfway through the session she gave up, leant back in her chair and just observed his awkward nature as she pondered the possibilities of what could be bothering him.

The bell started to ring signifying the end of the session and neither of them had said a word for the last half of it. Peter looked up to her and bravely took a deep breath knowing he had to tell her and he had to do it now. A tear ran down his cheek as the prison guard approached and took Carla's arm in an attempt to make her move.

"What is it Peter? Just tell me please" she begged as she was hauled to her feet and the officer started to pull her away.

"I'm leaving you..." he murmured but she couldn't hear. The distance between them increased as he stood up and sadly watched her be dragged away. "I'm leaving you" he muttered again but Carla only caught the word you before she disappeared out of the room. She had no idea what he had tried to tell her and she was annoyed as well as upset that the guard hadn't let her have a second longer to hear it properly. She was returned to the wing and left to wonder.