Carla sat watching as Peter chomped away on the toast. "You know it creeps me out people watching me when I eat." He said as Carla bit her lip suppressing a giggle.
"Sorry would you like me to turn round so you can continue." She said as Peter chuckled at her response. "You're a sarcastic cow you know that." He said as Carla smiled.
"Well it were worth the insult I guess if it got you smiling. You know I bet your family are worried about you. You should give them a ring at the very least." She said as she knew that Simon would likely be worried something bad had happened to his Dad or Leanne. "What and listen to Dad talk about how everything would've been fine if I could've stayed off the booze and it's all my fault."
"You don't believe that anymore than I do!" Carla said as she placed her empty cup on the coffee table. Peter smiled at her glad that she was keeping his spirits up. Without her been around he had no doubt he would be currently lying intoxicated on the sofa at the very best.
Leanne stormed round to the flat her heels clacking against the pavement as Norris looked over from where he was putting out the news board. "Where you heading then, Peter or Nick because it might interest you to know I saw a certain factory boss go up to the flat yesterday and she definitely hadn't come out when I finally went to bed. Still was always going to be on the cards wasn't it, two lushes falling for one another." Norris heckled as Leanne shot him a glare.
"Oh Norris do us all a favour hey and for once keep your nose out of everyone's business." Leanne spat as she swore loudly realising she hadn't got her keys on her having left them in the flat prior to the wedding. She banged her fist on the door and pressed the buzzer repeatedly. "Peter open the bloody door!" She yelled as she ignored the looks she was receiving from some of the neighbours. "I doubt he wants to speak to you love." Becky offered as she walked over the road heading for the café.
"Thanks for the advice but I really don't need it." Leanne said as she hammered once more on the door to the flat.
"You know she's only going to stay there all morning. I think you need to at least see to her if only to say that you don't want to speak to her right now. That it's all a bit raw." Carla said as she put a supportive hand on Peter's shoulder. "Will you stay?" He asked in a pained voice as Carla looked a little awkward at his request. "I don't think that it's a conversation you want me to sit in on Peter love. Besides I have a feeling Leanne wants to gouge my eyes out half the time anyway." Carla said as Peter sighed.
"What went on with you two anyway, I mean you two were best mates, you were all set to be her maid of honour and then next thing you can't even look at one another." Peter said as Carla looked down, a slight flush creeping to her cheeks. "Look you really don't need to know this but well since Leanne will likely give me a verbal bashing when she sees me I best tell you myself. I….I wanted you. I know you thought I was just been daft when I threw myself at you that night I were arrested but I really did fall for you. She found out that you'd been helping me with my drinking and then grew suspicious when I was so worried after the tram crash. I kinda said that she didn't care about you, which wasn't true Peter, she was devastated when you were in that hospital and she thought she might lose you." Carla said as she felt Peter's hand tip her chin upwards and he smiled at her. "You know what, of all the things you've said to try cheer me up. It means a lot that. You who could have anyone you put your mind to, fell for pitiful old me." He said as Carla smiled. "You're not pitiful Peter. Look I'll go let Leanne up, you need me or anything you have my number but just be honest. Say what you feel and don't let her talk you into anything you don't want." Carla said as she gently leaned over and brushed her lips against his stubbled cheek.
"Oi Peter get yourself down here now!" Leanne screeched as the door of number 1 opened and Tracey stormed out. "Oi what the hell do you think you're doing you tart! You're making yet another huge scene, what are you doing attempting to provide Norris with all his gossip this week. Peter doesn't want to even look at you right now you slut!" Tracey said as Leanne turned to face her.
"Oi who asked you for an opinion. I want to speak to Peter." Leanne said as Tracey pursed her lips.
"How many times love, I know you're blonde but seriously I thought were a few more cogs turning in that head of yours. You humiliated him, why the hell would he want to see you." Tracey said as Leanne sighed. "I need to see him. Tell him I'm sorry." She said as Tracey nodded.
"Well that's the very least you can do. Look I'm still pissed with you but I love my brother more and I am not letting him sit in solitude wallowing in self-pity." Tracey said as she pressed the buzzer hoping that Peter would let her in. She frowned as she saw a figure approach the door, one that was definitely not the shape of Peter. "You bitch!" Leanne hissed as Carla opened the door leading to the staircase up to the flat. Carla smirked as she stood aside. "Rather like pot calling kettle black don't you think. He's upstairs, devastated you know so be gentle. He loved you Leanne and you actually thought you'd be happier with weasel-features Tilsley!" Carla said as Tracey suppressed a grin at the insult Carla had flung regarding Nick. "Just get out Carla, last thing Peter needs is you raking your mucky paws into him. Just get out." Leanne hissed as Carla nodded and let Leanne pass.