I'm sorry for the long delay I have been on holiday and work is mental at the minute stupid global economy! I have not had much time to write and even when I have I have been struggling so I hope that this is ok and as always please review good or bad :)
Carla pulled her coat around herself and tucked her scarf securely inside. The night was cold damp and miserable and she was annoyed that she was going to have to walk home. It just seemed to be the icing on the cake on what had been a shit day. Carla swore that if she had to listen to Anne belittle her one more time in public she would crack especially when in The Rovers of all places. She expected a mother to protect her son but she hadn't expected the torrent of abuse that Anne and Sally little bitch Webster had attacked her with. Sighing Carla walked more briskly in an effort to keep warm. Michelle had left the factory early for a dentist appointment and she had kindly allowed Michelle to take her car. Carla had hoped that it would help ease the tension that had seemed to appear between the pair over the last couple of days. Since she had woken calling for Liam again Michelle seemed to be avoiding her, thinking of that night Carla felt embarrassment burn inside her. When Michelle had bolted from the room Carla became aware that she felt hot, flustered and aroused shame flooded her as she realised she must have been dreaming while calling Liam's name. Carla had lay awake for a long time trying to calm her thudding heart and gain the courage to go and explain to Michelle. She didn't and now conversation was awkward and stilted and Carla had woken to an empty room when the nightmares came and a cold empty bed in the morning. Carla had missed not being able to snuggle up with Michelle in a morning she loved the calming effect and how safe and at ease she felt after such a good night's sleep. They would then get up together and have a coffee chatting about anything and everything before getting ready for work. Instead so far this week Michelle had stayed in her room and the morning coffee had been drank in near silence. Carla couldn't figure out what she had done surely it couldn't just be about Liam Michelle was known for her raucous humour and usually they would have laughed this off and moved on. It created tension within her at the thought that she could have unwittingly upset Michelle.
As the wind began to pick up yawning Carla quickened her pace towards home crossing the cobbles in front of the Rovers Carla was snapped from her thoughts by Peter stumbling out of the pub.
"Hey love where are you off to"
Peter practically beamed and Carla stifled a laugh at his drunken enthusiasm "I'm off home me darlin' just locked the factory up for the night". Carla smiled at Peter as he struggled to spark his lighter and with his cigarette held upside down between his teeth. Leaning forward she took the lighter from Peter's clumsy hands plucked the cigarette from his mouth and proceeded to light it for him. As she slowly inhaled and breathed the smoke back out she passed the now lit cigarette back to Peter and smiled at the look of surprise on his face.
"You don't smoke"
"Well done Sherlock" Carla giggled and winked at Peter "Doesn't mean I've never had one though does it?" smiling nostalgically she remembered another man she once shared a cigarette with as a teen and her heart skipped a beat as the image of Liam appeared in her mind. Nodding to Peter she made to continue walking as much as it was fun chatting to Peter it was too cold to loiter in the street.
"Carla love let me walk you home"
Turning slightly to look over her shoulder Carla called back "Not a chance you'll slow me down with your stumbling" chuckling softly she was surprised when she heard the thud of shoes on the pavement and Peter appeared next to her.
"Cheeky bitch see I can still move when I want to" carefully Peter linked his arm with Carla's and brought a finger to his lips as he took in her hesitancy. "Sshh Lea will never know" winking Peter proceeded to walk forward pulling Carla with him. At his throaty chuckle she shrugged her shoulders and tucked closer into him grateful for his warm presence as they set off into the night.
Michelle was sat curled up on the couch staring aimlessly at the TV screen in front of her. If someone was to ask her what she was watching she wouldn't have been able to answer for the last half an hour she hadn't moved as she had been deep in concentration. Carla had been plaguing Michelle's thoughts all week she knew that she had been trying to talk to her about the other night but Michelle just couldn't face her. She felt guilty, confused and shame burned her face every time her mind settled on those impure thoughts she had had regarding her best friend. Every time Carla spoke she found her eyes drawn to her lips and the memory of them gently caressing her neck sent shivers down her spine as her brain screamed in protest. She found her eye line was drawn to Carla's every movement each time she swore she could still feel Carla's body pushed up against her side.
Michelle was disgusted with herself she was meant to be supporting her best friend through a terrible ordeal and at the moment she could barely look at her let along offer any help. Franks trial was next week and Michelle was determined to see the scumbag behind bars, she needed to clear her mind of all this nonsense so that she could be strong for the both of them. She knew that Carla was worrying about standing up in court and having to relieve her worst nightmare to a room of strangers who she was already convinced were going to judge her. Michelle intended to be there every step of the way fighting tooth and nail to bring comfort and relief to her best friend.
Once Carla had gotten through the trial she would be able to take a step back and hopefully not being so close in proximity the feelings that were currently so all consuming would slowly settle and she and Carla could go back to what was normal the Connor girls feisty, unbreakable and most importantly of all united.
"So love how you feeling about the trial next week"
Peter posed the question delicately he didn't want to upset or worry Carla but he also wanted to offer his support. He also had to take the stand regarding his take on the events that had happened and he knew their relationship would be under scrutiny. He felt Carla tuck in a little closer to him and he squeezed her shoulder reassuringly careful to keep his gaze forward and his hold gentle.
"Terrified to be honest Peter" her voice shook as she answered and Peter leant a gentle kiss to the top of Carla's head.
"It'll be fine love all you've got to do is tell the truth, keep to the facts and if they try to knock you off balance take a deep breath and start again" Carla chuckled lightly and Peter stopped in surprise "What?". Smiling up at him Carla shrugged "When did you get so clever eh" she poked him in the side as she laughed. Peter's heart swelled at the sound of her laughter and he really wished he could just kiss her, hold her, and make her his and his alone. It was moments like this that made Peter regret ever marrying Leanne. If he hadn't been so blind to what was going on around him he wouldn't have continued with Leanne and he would have been with the most gorgeous woman in Weatherfield. Sighing he wished he had the courage to end his unhappy marriage and make a proper go of it with Carla surely everyone would be happier in the end. Peter knew his unhappiness at home was causing him to be distant even with Simon he would rather sit in the pub with his arch enemy alcohol than spend time with his own son just because he didn't want to be in the same space as Leanne.
"Earth to Peter I thought you were meant be walking me home" shaking his head slightly Peter smiled and pushed Carla forward "I am we're nearly there now so stop your moanin". They walked the last couple of streets in contented silence each happy with one another's presence and their own thoughts. As they arrived at Carla's flat block Peter felt his stomach clench in disappointment now he would have to say goodbye.
"Thank you Peter" Carla smiled at him from under her eyelashes and Peter felt warmth spread through him from head to toe and he suddenly felt light headed. "No problem come here" Peter opened his arms and his heart skipped a beat as she enveloped herself in his strong embrace. They stood there for what to Peter only felt like seconds but he felt Carla begin to fidget in his arms regretfully he slowly lowered his arms and released her from his hold. As Carla pulled back and smiled at him Peter in his alcohol addled mind threw caution into the wind and he leant forward gently pressing his lips to hers.
Neither of them noticed the camera flash or the car slowly pull away from the end of the road.
A.N Not to bad I hope?