"Ooh this is so exciting Car! I can't believe we're going on a cruise!"
"Yeah well after the year we've 'ad I figured we deserved a treat"
Carla and Michelle linked arms and wondered along Manchester docks, both in awe as they admired the huge vessel that would take them away for a brief few weeks. Away from the insanity that was their lives.
They could hear people whispering in excitement about the famous boat that had been in the headlines of papers for years as it was built. "Eh, what did they say it was called 'Chelle?" Carla asked as they continued walking, taking in the views as they waited to board. "The Titanic" Michelle replied. "The unsinkable ship"
"Yeah well, they've not had me me on it yet 'av they. Knowing my luck we'll be dead within a week" Michelle nudged her friend in mock anger as they made their way up the platform and handed over their tickets for inspection.
She was used to her friend's dark humour by now. If she was honest, she couldn't blame her. Both women had been through hell and back since moving to Weatherfield. The loss of someone you love dearly is almost unbearable but losing two special people in such close concession is a painful ordeal. Michelle knew that that was only the brink of Carla's heartache. She couldn't comprehend knowing that your own husband was your lovers murderer. And they had thought Tony was bad, that was until they'd met Frank Foster. He was beyond evil. Crueller than the devil himself. He had torn away at every last shred of dignity Carla had left, even in death he haunted her.
"Right, Mrs Connor and, er Mrs Connor. Passports please" Neither women missed the young passport inspector eyeing them up, obviously assuming they were lovers rather than sisters.
Michelle took her passport back and he went on to check Carla's. "Eh Mr, we're sisters all right? So you can get those dirty thoughts outta ya head right now please" Carla said, squeezing his cheeks like she might do to a cute young child, leaving the boy bright red with embarrassment.
"Dirty sod!" Michelle laughed as they headed onto the ship.
"Eh yer can't blame the bloke though can ya. Not exactly bad looking are we" The raven haired factory owner winked an re linked arm with Michelle as they headed off to find their room.
A while later and they were on their way back to their room, having spent a good few hours in the bar.
"Oops" Carla laughed as she tripped slightly, falling on the floor next to Michelle, who was now in hysterics. "Shouldn't have had that last glass" Carla giggled, feeling incredibly tipsy. She pulled herself up and carried on walking, bumping into someone as she did. "Oh sorry" She laughed as she caught his eyes, instantly noticing his warm brown pools.
"Eh Car, I'm not sure we're going the right way" Carla didn't respond as she stood in front of the handsome stranger his smile doing something unusual to her insides.
"Carla? Are you listening to me? Woo? Earth to Carla?"
Carla finally turned her head back as the stranger walked out of eye sight, vanishing from view but only after turning around to admire the dark head beauty one last time.
"Sorry 'Chelle what were you saying?"