Hello again everyone all your reviews for the last chapter made me feel so happy and gave me so much inspiration that I immediately started the next chapter. I hope that this does not disappoint as I found it quite difficult to get my ideas down quick enough to actually be able to use and make sense of them. As always if you enjoy please leave a review they really do brighten my day :) (again thank you for all your comments and support so far)
Each step felt like she was dragging her body through treacle her head throbbed with every movement and each breath she took caused her chest to constrict in agony. The tears were still sliding down her cheeks but not of desperation the tears were of hopelessness and pain. After what felt like an eternity Michelle finally reached the bottom of the factory steps sighing heavily she leant against the wall and hastily wiped the tears from her face. Looking at her hands she could see smeared blood on her fingers and she grimaced at the thought of what her face looked like.
Bastard
Frank had her metaphorically trapped in a corner and she didn't know what to do how was she going to convincingly lie to Carla the person who knew her more than she knew herself. Carla would question her, push for details and even if she did manage to hold a story together Carla would then make her go down to the police station and give a statement. Lying to Carla was one thing but lying to the police was an entirely different matter. Shaking her head at the situation, then immediately wishing she hadn't as it throbbed painfully in response, Michelle slowly set off down the street towards home. As she got to the end of the street she caught sight of Peter coming out of the Rovers she tried to hurry up keen to avoid a confrontation over what had transpired earlier with Frank returning to underworld she didn't think she had it in her to say his name let alone talk about his return. Unfortunately due to her injuries her body would not respond to her urging it forward and she stumbled.
"Michelle? You ok love?"
Whimpering Michelle pushed forward silently praying for Peter to turn back into The Rovers. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Peter crossing the street towards her as he reached within distance to get a clear view of her she saw him gasp and recoil a look of horror on his face.
"Oh my god Chelle what the hell happened" Peter grasped hold of Michelle's shoulders and brought her to a stop with her stood directly in front of him Michelle could see him taking in each of her injuries his expression becoming graver by the second "What happened?".
Michelle took a deep breath and promptly fell into Peter her exhausted body just couldn't keep her upright alone. Peter's reflexes were quick and he pulled her into his arms tucking her shaking body under his armpit to steady her.
"I was mugged well he... er... he attempted to mug me" Peter nodded his head encouraging her to continue and Michelle, to her surprise, found the lies tumble easily from her mouth "As I was coming out the factory he was hiding next to Kevin's garage in the shadows, a young lad, and he tried to take my bag. I couldn't let him have it Peter the factory and Carla's car keys are in here and it's all I could think about it."
Michelle choked back a sob as she was relaying her made up story to Peter her mind was replaying Frank's attack the emotion helped her to continue convincingly "He started to beat me when I wouldn't let go of my bag. I tried to cover my face but he wouldn't stop he knocked me to the floor then kicked my side. When my hands fell away from my face he stopped" Michelle's sobs increased and Peter wrapped his arms tightly around her trying to be mindful of her injuries.
"Chelle you need to go the hospital get checked out then they can contact the police" Michelle bolted already knowing that this would be Peter's reaction but needing to respond with horror to continue her web of lies "I can't Peter there was a reason he stopped kicking when he saw my face. The lad used mate about with Ryan when they were kids I know who he is".
Peter couldn't stop the gasp and he stuttered trying to formulate a response "I'm not saying his name and I'm not reporting him Peter I can't I just can't" starting to cry more freely Michelle only had one thought running through her head she had done it, convincingly lied to someone now hopefully it would come easily when telling Carla.
"Oh Chelle eh what a predicament. If we go up the hospital they'll ask questions but some of these injuries need looking at. What do you want to do?" Struggling to stand on her own two feet Michelle sighed and smiled half heartedly at Peter "Will you walk me home?"
Shaking his head slightly Peter pulled Michelle into a piggy back as they set off towards Drapers Mill he sighed "Carla's going to hit the roof when she see's you" Peter felt Michelle nod against his back and he pulled her close and increased his pace. Michelle closed her eyes and prayed, prayed she had the strength to lie and uphold the front she had with Peter so that she wouldn't lose Carla from her life forever.
10 o clock struck and still Michelle wasn't home Carla couldn't sit back and wait any longer marching into her bedroom she threw on her boots and coat. Turning the light off she made her away across the flat taking her keys from the kitchen counter as she went as she turned to grab her phone she was stopped by the sound of a key in the door. Carla paused and put her phone down relief flooding through her Michelle was home. As the door partially opened though Carla could see the shadow of two people
"Hey don't look so worried it'll be ok just tell her what happened" Carla could hear the low baritone of a man and her insides squirmed while she had been sat going out of her mind with worry Michelle had been picking up blokes probably in The Rovers there was no way she was letting whoever it was stop here not a chance. Losing patience and driven by angry emotion Carla marched over to the front door and wrenched it fully open.
She was shocked when she took in the sight of Peter nervously standing in the doorway blocking Michelle from view. She sidestepped to speak to Michelle who was hiding behind him and ask why the hell Peter was with her and why she was so late. As she did Carla's jaw dropped and she brought her hand to her a mouth a strange choked sound uttered from her lips and she struggled to comprehend the sight in front of her. Michelle stood swaying slightly behind Peter clutching his coat for support her face was a bruised mess; blood was trickling down her chin from a deep gash on her lip. Her poor eye had partially swelled shut and a couple of nasty grazes gleamed on her cheeks "Oh my God Chelle darlin' what happened to you!?"
Carla moved quickly forward and gently pulled Michelle into her embrace and slowly led her to the couch. In the harsh glow of her living room light Carla noted that Michelle looked even worse and she struggled to keep calm bile was rising in the back of her throat and her hands had gone cold and clammy. "We need to go to the hospital babe Peter can you call a taxi please" Carla frowned slightly as Peter shook his head and looked up to the ceiling seemingly avoiding her gaze. Carla was about to give him the third degree when Michelle spoke up her voice straining as she wheezed "No Carla I'm not going just clean me up here eh it'll be fine" Carla was shocked and she struggled not to lose her temper she was fearful that someone had caused a serious injury to Michelle and she couldn't believe Michelle was being so blasé about her injuries.
Glaring at Peter Carla struggled to contain the biting retort at, in her eyes, Michelle's idiocy "Listen Car', 'Chelle I need be getting back you going be ok?" Peter shuffled his feet looking like he wanted to do more and he smiled hesitantly at the two Connor women.
"Yeah I'll be fine now I'm here Peter thanks for all your help" Michelle tried to smile but instead just managed to wince painfully Peter looked as if he understood the sentiment and inclined his head while smiling pityingly Michelle turned her head not wanting to see his expression any longer.
"A word before you go Peter" Carla gently unwrapped her arms from Michelle and kissed her on the forehead "Won't be a min babe". Following Peter out into the hallway Carla pulled the door to a close behind her and crossed her arms "Ok what the hell happened and why aren't you making her go to hospital have you seen the state of her!" Peter visibly recoiled at Carla's rage and he stuttered trying to appease Carla but not betray Michelle, he was sure she would want to explain to Carla herself
"She was mugged Car' be patient clean her up and listen to her story there's a reason why she won't go believe me I wanted to take her" Carla's stomach clenched painfully and she couldn't help a real rush of fear from flowing through her veins.
"Peter please tell me it wasn't Frank?" Carla's voice shook with emotion and she couldn't help but clench her eyes tight if her best friend had had to endure pain at Frank's hands she would never forgive herself.
"Carla if it had been Frank do you think I would be calmly standing here talking to you? Right now I would kicking his face in so that he could never so much as look at a woman again!" Fuming Peter continued "That bastard got away lightly with what he did to you I wouldn't be making the same mistake twice!" Carla sighed audibly and pulled Peter into a gentle hug "I'm sorry I know thank you for looking after her" the fear had faded slightly at Peter's words and she took a step towards the door "I best be going see you soon oh an Car' not that I really need say this but keep an eye on her and look after yourself love" Peter smiled and ambled his way down the stairs. Carla took a deep breath and strode purposely back inside Right time to sort out 'Chelle.
"This is going to hurt like hell love I'm sorry" Carla pulled the cloth out of the warm water squeezing it tightly between her hands and dabbed the now damp cloth to Michelle's split lip trying to not cause any unnecessary pain. Michelle winced and clutched at Carla's free hand whimpering as her lip burned and throbbed. Feeling Michelle's grip become vice like tears built in Carla's eyes she wasn't good at this sort of thing she didn't know if she was helping or hindering
"Chelle I know you don't want to go to the hospital but I'm worried love these aren't just a couple of scratches darlin'" Michelle sighed and tucked herself closer to Carla's body revelling in the warmth she found there "You're doing fine carry on".
Carla sighed and continued to clean the split skin and wipe the remaining blood from Michelle's face. She had already cleaned the scratches an antiseptic wipe had cleaned those up easily Michelle's swollen eye had been slightly more difficult but a bag of frozen peas had managed to bring down some of the swelling at least now she could see out of two eyes the bruising though wasn't going to fade that easily and Carla knew in the morning it would look much worse.
Wiping the last of the dried blood Carla stood and took the bowl of now crimson water and tipped it down the sink the sight of it made her feel slightly nauseas and she hurriedly binned the cloth she had been using. Moving to stand in front of Michelle once more she noticed how she was curled in on herself as if to shield herself away from the world Carla's heart broke slightly at the sight and she gently tilted Michelle's head so she could look into her eyes. "Where else does it hurt?"
Michelle's broken gaze looked away from her own "Right here" pointing to her ribs she continued "I got kicked didn't I don't think there broken but they'll be bruised" her voice was expressionless, monotone and Carla feared there was more on Michelle's mind than just the pain something just didn't seem right. Making up her mind to deal with the injuries first Carla pulled Michelle up slowly by her hands and smiled "Right well I think a hot bath is in order that'll take some of the ache out of those ribs and anywhere else that's feeling bruised. Come on I'll help get you undressed".
Michelle stared into Carla's face, her beautiful kind face, and her stomach twisted. The panic and fear of losing Carla was strong she couldn't shake it from her mind. Even if she confessed told the true events from the factory and Carla believed her story Frank was going to make her be cast out by telling Carla that her best friend the one who had supported her through one of the worst times in her life was a twisted pervert. Michelle knew she would be alone, away from this wonderful woman's life and Michelle knew deep down in that moment that there was no way she could live without Carla. Her life would be empty merely going through the motions to keep up appearances. Struggling not to cry at the hopelessness of the situation Michelle slowly made her way into Carla's bedroom. Hearing Carla's steps behind her, following her, where they should always be only made her heart ache more.
Perching on the end of the bed her breath hitched at the look of love expressed in Carla's gaze she only wished it was the look of love for a lover, partner not a friend. She needed a moment to herself her heart was screaming for her to come clean live happily ever after with Carla but her brain overrode it reminding her of what was at stake what damage she could cause with just that one important sentence.
"I can get undressed myself Car' I'm not a complete invalid. You go run the bath eh" Carla nodded unsurely and made her way into the bathroom. Running the bath she tried not to rush back to the bedroom knowing Michelle wouldn't appreciate her mollycoddling she was scared though scared that the injuries on the surface could be harbouring worse underneath. After listening to Michelle's tale of what happened she knew why she didn't want to go to the hospital but that didn't stop Carla from wishing she would get herself checked out by a professional. Once the bath had filled with hot soapy water Carla lifted a fluffy towel out and left it warming on the radiator
"Chelle bath time" Carla chuckled slightly and strained her ears for Michelle's response no doubt a snarky retort about making her sound like a child. Not hearing a reply Carla frowned and made her way to the bedroom door "You ok in there love?" No response came so Carla opened the door slowly as she did she felt her worry increase at the sight Michelle was stood in the middle of the room with her head bowed and tears dripping down her face in just her underwear. Carla rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Michelle careful to mind the bruising that's was already beginning to appear in deep purple marring. Breaking her gaze from Michelle's poor bruised ribs Carla concentrated on her weeping friend
"What's the matter are you hurting?" Michelle snuggled closer into Carla and whispered quietly "I can't take of my bra" hearing Michelle's reply relief flooded through Carla and couldn't help the snort of laughter that erupted from her. She laughed harder at the affronted look on Michelle's face that was peering up from under her chin.
"It's not funny it's agonising you should bloody try it" pulling back Michelle was genuinely miffed Carla was meant to help and support her not laugh at her "You're going to have to undo it for me" that sobered Carla after her confusing thoughts about Michelle earlier having her standing nearly naked in front of her was a worry and she grimaced slightly.
"Is that such a terrible thing?" Michelle felt another pang of upset it was stupid she knew Carla would never be interested but it still hurt to see the shell shocked look on Carla's face. "Is it eck don't be daft" Carla shook her head while smiling slightly it's not that she was bothered it was just an intimate action that she didn't know whether or not would dredge up more feelings that she firmly wanted to keep at bay for the time being. Raising her hand Carla gently tucked Michelle's hair behind her ear and cupped her chin with her hand
"Turn around then" Michelle winced as she turned and as she felt Carla's hands graze her skin ever so slightly she shivered wishing those hands could be run all over her sore body. She felt Carla gently pull the back of her bra and then unclip the fastening. Michelle let the arm straps slip down off her shoulders and she slowly pulled it away from her body. Dropping it to the floor she covered her breasts with one arm and held the other out to Carla "Pass us your dressing gown then love save me limping upstairs for my own".
Carla tried not to blush the sight of Michelle's naked back was strangely appealing she wanted to run her hand from the top of her neck to the small of her back. Realising that she was gawping and not doing as she was asked Carla grabbed her robe from the back of her door and gently draped it over Michelle's shoulders then leant her chin in the crook of Michelle's neck "Come on then, come and get in your bath" kissing Michelle's cheek she pulled her along behind her not giving her a chance to reply.
As Michelle walked into the bathroom she smiled and tears welled in her eyes Carla had lit all the candles, put her luxurious bubble bath in the hot water and left the towels warming on the radiator. Turning round and seeing Carla still there leaning on the bathroom door one of the tears she had been trying to contain fell down her cheek pulling Carla into as strong as an embrace as she could manage Michelle smiled and placed a gentle kiss to Carla's cheek "Thanks babe for everything" "You don't have to thank me darlin' it's what I'm here for". Carla returned the hug and started to pull away slowly catching Michelle's piercing gaze Carla slowed and locked her eyes on Michelle happy to see some of the sparkle had returned. Michelle's stomach leaped as Carla's gaze settled on her own it felt like there were butterflies cavorting inside her and she felt herself becoming lost in Carla's gorgeous eyes.
Almost against her will Michelle tilted her head lightly to the right and ever so slightly leant forward touching her forehead to Carla's she sighed deeply in contentment. She felt Carla's breath against her cheek, her hot moist breath and as shot of arousal settled in the pit of her stomach Michelle's brain went into overdrive. A rush of warmth spread over her and a lust filled haze settled in her mind she could feel her resolve slipping and she was no longer in control of her actions. Glancing down to Carla's plump soft lips she inched closer and closer until her lips were a centimetre of Carla's. Looking up into Carla's gaze once more her brain only had one thought fuck it with that Michelle closed the small gap between them, closed her eyes and gently brought her lips to meet Carla's. Time seemed to stand still like in that moment the world had gone silent and had ceased to spin. Michelle couldn't feel any of her injuries all the pain had been pushed away and all she could feel was the sweet softness of Carla's lips on her own and her heart beating erratically in her chest.
Suddenly she felt Carla break the kiss abruptly and Michelle was brought back to reality with a nasty bump opening her eyes quickly she saw Carla's expression of shock and fear. As they stood in silence staring at one another Michelle felt she couldn't take the tension any longer and she took a step towards Carla
"Carla?" her pleading voice rang in Carla's ears and she shook her head and took a step backwards still in shock at what had transpired. Her best friend, a woman, the woman who not 3 hours ago she had for the first time realised that she held some attraction towards had just kissed her fucking kissed her. Shaking her head again Carla continued to gawp as her brain started to ramble in panic.
Oh god we kissed ... what the hell ... we kissed ... fuck we actually kissed!
Realising she needed to clear her head Carla took a step back towards the door and stumbled as she felt her back come into contact with the door frame
"Carla... I'm sorry I'm so sorry" Seeing Carla move towards the door Michelle panicked she needed to explain stop Carla from leaving, being disgusted by her, she needed Carls to still want her.
"Get in the bath 'Chelle before it goes cold" Carla voice was steady and controlled but she could feel herself losing that control just as quickly as it had appeared quickly she exited the room pulling the door behind her with a loud bang. Sitting at the kitchen counter she tangled her hands into her hair what the hell just happened! grabbing her car keys from Michelle's bag she quickly let herself out the flat desperate for some fresh air and breathing space. As she came to the front door of the building she glanced back up to her window but continued to move purposefully forward she needed to sort her own head before she could even begin to talk to Michelle.
As Carla put the car in reverse and with tyres squealing set off into the night Michelle slid down the bathroom door and sobbed feeling her heart breaking and the pain come rushing back through her body with intensity she wrapped her arms around herself and screamed trying to lessen the intensity of the pain she was feeling and the anger that she held against herself. She needed Carla needed her like she needed oxygen to breath. She had lost her without Frank even interfering in their lives what she had endured tonight had been for nothing and she could only blame herself and her own ridiculous actions. Still crying Michelle rocked back and forth her head in her hands she began mumbling to herself gradually getting louder until her throat burned and tore with effort and emotion
"Carla please come back please... Carla... Carla!"
A/N Poor Michelle! :(