6.

Running out of the leisure centre Simon headed straight for Leanne, handing her his swimming bag as he headed towards the car.

"Is it 6 o'clock yet?" Simon asked.

Leanne shook her head with a chuckle. "No."

"Can I have my pocket money early?" Simon questioned as he did his seatbelt up, waiting for Leanne to get in the car.

"What do you need money for?" Leanne queried.

"Flowers," Simon replied, as if that one word explained everything.

Frowning Leanne turned to watch her son. "What do you want flowers for?"

"For Carla," Simon shrugged. "Isn't that what you do for people when they've been poorly? Buy then flowers?"

"I guess so yeah," Leanne nodded.

Simon turned in his seat so he was looking in the mirror. "So … Can I have my pocket money early then?"

"I don't see why not," Leanne agreed. "Do you want to stop off at the nice florist near the school?"

Looking down at the ground Simon went quiet. "My real mum was a florist wasn't she?"

"Yeah Buddy she was," Leanne answered.

"I don't want anyone else to die," Simon whispered.

As they stopped at the lights Leanne rested her hand on his. "No one is going to die."

"I was really horrible to Carla in the beginning … I didn't mean to be … not really, I just really wanted you and dad to get back together, but I know that's never going to happen now and I don't mind, not anymore because I still get to see you both and I like Carla, she's funny and she tries really hard to make the food I like. And she's carrying my baby sister and … I don't want anyone else to die," Simon stammered, wiping at his eyes.

"Si, Carla isn't going to die," Leanne tried to reassure the scared young boy.

Simon studied the car behind them in the mirror. "But she was really sick. Right?"

"Yeah she was," Leanne said, remembering a conversation she'd had with Michelle just a few days earlier about how close Carla had come to not only losing her baby but her life as well. "But she's better now. You saw her this morning, did she look like someone that was still really sick to you?"

Slowly Simon shook his head. "No. She just looked sad."

"She's been through a lot," Leanne reminded him.

"It's all my dad's fault," Simon growled. "He made her sad."

Leanne could see the cogs turning in the boy's head. "None of this is your fault Si."

"I know," Simon breathed. "I'd still really like to get her some flowers though, perhaps then she won't be so sad all the time, and I want to see her more often, I know she's not with dad anymore and I don't want her to be alone, I want to help her with my little sister … just not with the dirty nappies."

Leanne couldn't help but smile at her son's kind heart, a part of her aching that he had been forced to grow up way before his time. "I think she'd like that."

"And you don't mind?" Simon asked, not wanting to upset his mum.

"No," Leanne reassured him. "I know Carla and I haven't always gotten along but that's in the past, and while we will probably never be best friends again I don't want her to be sad either Si."

Simon nodded. "I love you."

"I love you too," Leanne whispered as she pulled up outside of the florists, waiting for a car to go by before letting him out onto the path.

Looking around at all of the flowers Simon frowned, picking flowers was a girl's job and he had no idea where to start.

"Can I help you?" the lady behind the counter asked.

"I need some flowers," Simon explained.

The lady smiled. "Well you've come to the right place, are they for someone special? Or a special occasion?"

"Both," Simon replied. "They're for my stepmother, she's having a baby."

"Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?" the lady asked.

"A girl," Simon grinned. "I'm going to have a baby sister."

Walking around the counter she headed towards the front of the shop. "How about we put a custom bunch together? Lots of pink and purples?"

"Cool. I think she'll really like that," Simon agreed.

"How much would you like to spend?" the florist wondered.

Simon considered his options for a moment before replying. "All of my pocket money. So 10 pounds."

"One bunch of flowers coming up," the florist said as she quickly set about gathering a selection of stems in a variety of pinks, purples and a few white roses.

Once she was finished with the flowers she wrapped it in some pink tissue paper and tied a ribbon around it. "So what do you think?"

"I think she'll love it," Simon agreed taking the bunch of flowers from her as Leanne handed over the money.

Watching as Simon admired the flowers Leanne addressed the florist. "That bunch of flowers has got to be worth a lot more than 10 pounds?"

The florist shrugged, smiling knowingly. "He's quite the charmer."

"That he is," Leanne agreed. "Thank you, I think you've just made his day."

As they walked out to the car Simon carefully placed the flowers in between his legs. "Do you think she'll like them?"

"I think she'll love them," Leanne assured him.

"They're very girly," Simon observed. "But I guess that's ok because Carla is a girl and she's having a baby girl so girly is ok, right? Just don't tell her I picked them out she'll think that I'm girly too."

Laughing at his ramblings Leanne shook her head. "It's our little secret."

"Good," Simon hummed as he sat back in the seat watching as they headed back towards Coronation Street. "Can we go straight to Carla's flat?"

Leanne shook her head. "You promised you would have dinner with your dad," she reminded him.

Simon's mood changed in an instant. "I've changed my mind about that."

"Si-"

"I'm allowed to change my mind, you said that I didn't have to do anything I didn't want and I don't want to see him," Simon reasoned.

She didn't want to push the young boy but at the same time Leanne didn't want Simon to have to live with any regrets. "Si, he's still your dad and he's really been making an effort lately, he hasn't had a drink in weeks, he's going to meetings, he's trying to make things right."

"He wouldn't have to make things right if he didn't mess them up in the first place," Simon argued.

"I know that mate, but you promised," Leanne reminded him.

Simon folded his arms across his chest, the flowers still resting in his lap. "Fine. But just because I'm having dinner with him it doesn't mean I forgive him."

"No one is saying you have to," Leanne said, pleased that Simon was willing to make an effort.

"Good. Because I don't," Simon hissed, turning back to look out of the window.

Pulling up outside the café Leanne immediately spotted Peter stood waiting for them, a half smoked cigarette dangling between his lips.

"Sorry we're late," Leanne apologised. "We had to pick something up."

"So I see," Peter nodded, gesturing towards the flowers that Simon held tightly in his hands. "Did I forget someone's birthday?"

Simon walked straight passed his dad and into the café. "No," he mumbled under his breath.

"Ok," Peter breathed, slightly thrown by his son's bad mood, although he hadn't been expecting open arms he hadn't quite expected the pre-teens iciness either.

Sitting down at the table Simon laid the flowers down on the chair next to him. "I'll have a coffee and a ham and cheese toastie."

"Please," Leanne prodded. "And that's a no on the coffee."

"Fine, please," Simon growled.

Peter walked over towards the counter. "Has he been like this with everyone or is it just me?"

"It's just you," Leanne answered honestly.

"I feel honoured," Peter sighed, placing the order before walking back over to the table.

Simon eyed the glass of chocolate milk that Peter placed in front of him the same way a vegetarian eyed raw steak. "That's not a coffee. And I'm not a 3-year-old."

"Chocolate milk is your favourite," Peter said, handing him a straw.

"It was my favourite," Simon corrected as he looked over at the mug his dad was cradling. "So how much whiskey did you add to your coffee today?"

Leanne shot the young boy a warning. "Simon."

"It's ok Leanne, he has every right to be upset with me," Peter pointed out. "And Si … I promise you mate I haven't had a drink in over 2 weeks now."

"Am I supposed to be proud of you for that? Buy you a medal? Throw you a party?" Simon hissed, his anger bubbling over.

Genuinely shocked by Simon's animosity towards his father Leanne shook her head. "Simon there was no need for that."

Standing up Simon almost knocked his chair to the floor as he grabbed the flowers off the chair and stormed out onto the street, heading straight for Carla's flat. Running after him Leanne grabbed the young boy by the arm, being careful not to hurt him.

"Simon you know better than to run off like that," Leanne said, her voice raised in frustration.

Walking across the cobbles Peter cautiously approached his son and ex-wife. "Is everything ok?"

Letting go of Simon's arm Leanne turned to face her ex, her eyes wide in frustration. "Really Peter? Does everything look alright?"

"Si, mate-"

"Shut up," Simon shouted, stamping his foot at his dad.

Kneeling down so she was eye level with the lad Leanne placed her hands on his shoulders in an attempt to calm his temper. "You do not speak to people like that."

"He deserves it," Simon raged, turning his attention back towards Peter, his features tense with unspoken anger. "I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. You ruin everything. I know everyone thinks I'm just a kid but I'm not stupid, I see and I hear everything. First you ruin our family by being with Carla, then just when I've got used to things being that way and Carla being in my life you ruin that … you ruin everything and I hate you. Carla hates you and when she's born my little sister is going to hate you too."

Taking a step back Peter felt physically wounded by his son's words, he had been on the receiving end of Simon's anger before but never had his words been laced with so much venom.

"Si-"

"You don't care about what happens to anyone else do you?" Simon continued, pointing his finger towards his father. "You just do what you want to do, you said you wanted to marry Carla and spend the rest of your life with her but you obviously didn't because you slept with Tina, and now Tina's dead you want Carla back but you can't have her because you made her sad, you broke her heart and you made her sad just like you broke my heart. We could have been a family dad, my little sister could have had a family but you took that away from her too just like you took that away from me," the youngster raged, needing to get everything off of his chest.

Peter dropped to his knees. "I'm so sorry son. I didn't mean for any of this to happen, I love you and I love your baby sister even though she's not here yet and I promise that I'm going to work really hard to be a dad you can be proud of."

"You've made promises you didn't keep before," Simon reminded him, almost deflating as his anger began to subside, he hadn't meant to make his dad cry he just needed him to know how much he had hurt him.

"I know," Peter agreed. "But it's different this time."

"It always is," Simon sighed.

Peter reached out towards his son. "I know mate. But it really is this time, I'm going to get better Si, and I know that anything I say right now will just be empty promises so I'm not going to, instead I'm going to show you, you'll see mate, it really is different this time."

Looking down at the flowers in his hand Simon watched as Carla exited the factory. "I don't really hate you," he admitted, his voice barely audible. "But I meant everything else," he concluded as he walked over towards Carla, leaving Leanne to help Peter to his feet.

Seeing Peter kneeling on the ground Carla felt her heart stop as she watched him stagger to his feet. "I don't believe it," she hissed through gritted teeth. "Are you drunk?"

"No," Leanne, Simon and Peter all insisted in unison.

Leanne was the first to speak again. "He really is sober Carla, I know how that must have looked but … it's complicated, him and Simon where-"

"I made him cry," Simon admitted, looking down at the ground. "I didn't mean-"

"It's ok Si," Peter assured him son. "You have every right to say what you did and I … well I needed to hear it so … it's not your fault, there's only one person to blame for this mess and that's me so … I'm sorry."

Carrying a large gift bag in her hand Carla carried it towards the flat, leaving Peter, Leanne and Simon alone to find a resolution.

"Why did you run towards Carla's flat?" Peter asked, needing to change the subject slightly.

"I'm having a sleepover with her tonight," Simon admitted.

Genuinely pleased that his wife and son were still choosing to spend time together in spite of his actions Peter smiled. "That's great son."

"I have to go," Simon mumbled, wrapping his arms around Leanne's waist as he promised to be good, brush his teeth and get ready for school without any arguments.

Walking towards the door Simon looked over his shoulder at his dad. "I really am sorry I said I hated you. I don't hate you … I just hate what you did," and with that he disappeared into the flat, leaving Peter alone to contemplate his son's words.

Rushing up the stairs Simon entered the flat. "Carla? Carla?" he called out, spotting his stepmother stood making a cup of tea.

"I'm sorry," Simon apologised, his words coming out in a rush. "I didn't mean to scare you. I didn't mean to make you think he was drinking again and I didn't mean to make him cry I just wanted him to know-"

"You have nothing to be sorry for Si," Carla reassured the youngster, not wanting the lad to blame himself for anything.

Slowly Simon put the flowers on the table as he took a deep breath to calm himself. "I-"

"Hey, like I said, no apologies, ok?" Carla said, pulling him in for a hug.

"Ok," Simon agreed.

Looking over at the counter Simon eyed the large gift bag suspiciously. "Is that for your baby?"

"Sort of," Carla smiled coyly.

"I don't-"

"Why don't you have a look," Carla suggested.

Walking over to the bag Simon lifted it down off the counter, grunting at it's weight as he carried it across to the couch he read the card. "To the greatest big brother in the world."

"It's from a little girl who is very lucky to have a fantastic big brother," Carla explained.

Simon's eyes widened. "You mean?"

"Open it," Carla ordered, sitting down on the table so she could see his face as he opened the gift.

Taking the box out of the bag Simon could hardly believe his eyes. "Oh my … wow," he exclaimed.

"Do you like it?" Carla asked.

Simon nodded his head up and down with such enthusiasm Carla was worried he was would hurt his neck. "It's brilliant I love it."

"Leanne said you wanted one and well … I wanted to get you something," Carla explained, resting her hand on her bump. "We wanted to get you something."

Putting the PS4 down on the table Simon wrapped his arms around her. "Thank you, bending down he rested his hand on top of her bump. "And thank you."

"You're more than welcome," Carla whispered.

"I'm going to be such a good big brother," Simon promised.

Wrapping her arms around him Carla rested her head on top of his. "You already are. Now are you ready to watch the movie."

"Yep," Simon sung. "Did you get the-"

Standing up Carla carried a tray over to the table. "So we have popcorn; sweet and salted, strawberry laces, crisps and chocolate."

"Awesome," Simon said, tucking straight into the treats, suddenly regretting running away from his dinner when he realised how hungry he was.

Sitting down next to him Carla put her feet up on the table, her hand subconsciously resting on her bump as Simon put the DVD in and started the movie before curling up next to her, his head resting on her side.

They were 20 minutes into the film when a loud buzzer interrupted them, pausing the movie Carla pushed herself to her feet with a groan.

"Do you think it's dad?" Simon wondered.

Carla shook her head, remembering Peter's promise to stay away. "Nah."

"Hello," Carla greeted, pushing the button.

"Mrs Barlow, it's the police," the female voice on the other end informed her.

Sighing Carla looked over at Simon as the young boy turned in his seat to see what was going on. "Come up."

Opening the door Carla braced herself against the wall. "Look," she said, as they entered, not giving them a chance to sleep. "Now really isn't a good time, I only got out of the hospital yesterday and my stepson is here, he's been through enough-"

"I'm sorry Mrs Barlow but you'll have to make other arrangements for your stepson," the detective ordered.

"I don't-"

"Mrs Barlow," the female detective began, cutting her off. "You're under arrest on suspicion of murder. You do not have to say anything but if you do it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something you later rely on in court, anything you do say may be used against you," she concluded stepping closer towards the distraught pregnant woman.

Carla felt like she was stuck in a nightmare, unable to believe that this was happening just when she was starting to get back on an even footing. "You have got to be kidding-"

"Get off of her," Simon growled, watching as the police officer went to take hold of Carla's arm.

"Si," Carla breathed, not wanting to distress the boy anymore than he already had been.

Simon ignored her and continued glaring at the detective. "Let her go, she didn't do anything, she said she didn't do it and I believe her … let her go … she didn't do it … she didn't do it."

"Si," Carla repeated. "It's going to be ok, right now I need you to get my mobile out of my bag and ring Leanne, once Leanne is here then could you please ask her to ring Rob and have him contact my solicitor?"

Simon shook his head, tears streaming down his face. "They can't take you, I won't let them."

Looking down at the little boy Carla wiped away his tears. "Si I didn't kill Tina, I know that and you know that so this is all just a big misunderstanding, we have the truth buddy and that's what matters."

"Ok," Simon whispered.

Radioing for someone to come and wait with the young boy the female detective directed Carla towards the door, grateful that she wasn't resisting because the last thing she wanted to do was handcuff a pregnant woman.

"Be careful with her," Simon shouted, watching as Carla was taken away. "She's having a baby, she's got my little sister in there and she's been really sick so you have to be careful with her."

Running over to the window Simon watched as Carla was put into the car, he may have only been 11-years-old but he still knew enough to know that an already messed up situation had just got a whole lot worse.

Unable to look away Simon watched as the car backed out of the street, ignoring the young female officers words of reassurance and only looking away when he heard Leanne's voice.

"Mum," Simon cried, wrapping his arms around her, his eyes resting on the table. "I didn't even get to give her the flowers."