Sorry for slow update, but here's chapter 2. Hope you enjoy & reviews always appreciated!

As Peter sat, his head still buried in his hands, he was thinking fast. Although his secret was out, at least he had time to defend himself. His only hope was to convince his dad not to tell Leanne. Everything could still be saved.

Ken was busying himself, pouring more coffee, doing anything to avoid acknowledging Peter. The atmosphere in the room felt oppressive with judgment.

Eventually Ken spoke, his anger seemingly dissipated for now. He just sounded sad, almost resigned to another failing from his ever-disappointing son.

"I just don't understand how you could do this Peter. After everything Leanne's done for you and Simon."

Peter refused to let himself rise to it, keeping calm as he insisted.

"Can you just hear me out first?"

Although he didn't want to hurt his dad, he realised he was prepared to use any argument needed to make his point.

"I fell in love with someone else. Of all people, surely you can understand."

Irritation flashed across Ken's face, but after a moment he nodded.

"I'll listen before I decide anything. But don't expect me to have any sympathy. Or to condone any of your actions."

"I guess that's fair" Peter replied. "But you'll have to get used to it soon enough"

Ken sighed.

"So it's serious then?"

"As serious as it can be. There are reasons we can't be together yet, but as soon as we can, I'm telling Leanne it's over.."

Ken looked aghast.

"You can't mean that."

Rather than answering, Peter glared at his dad, silencing him, before continuing at his own pace.

"We've been close for a long time. I tried to kid myself until last month that we were just friends. But it's been more than that for ages…"

"So who is she then?"

Peter was taken aback. Maybe he'd covered his tracks better than he realised.

"So you still don't know?"

Ken looked puzzled.

"Well you'd said she didn't live here… ". Then noticing Peter's expression, he corrected himself

"So she does. I don't know then. There were those awful allegations Frank made about you and Carla but you said that was just…." His voice faded away as Peter nodded slowly.

Ken looked at him, astonished.

"You and Carla?"

"Yes." As inappropriate as it was, Peter found himself smiling.

"I love Carla". The words sounded unfamiliar on his lips, but it was such a release finally being able to say it aloud. Then realising he needed to clarify things though, he continued.

"But I didn't even admit to myself how I felt until December. Frank was lying. The rumours were all wrong."

He stood up, speaking emphatically now, pacing across the room, knowing if he couldn't convince his own father, he'd have no chance of winning over everyone else.

"Nothing happened until months later. But that's why it needs to stay secret until after the trial. If it looks like it backs up Frank's lies, he might go free"

But turning, seeing Ken now lowering his face in his hands, Peter stopped abruptly. He realised he was rushing this.

"I am sorry dad, you know." He softened his voice.

"This isn't just some fling. Carla and I want to be together. If it wasn't for the trial, I'd have been straight with Leanne long ago. And you wouldn't have had to find out this way"

But Ken couldn't speak, obviously struggling to absorb what he'd just found out.

.

Through the silence, Peter could hear the hum of voices from the Rovers. He found himself thinking of other places he might have been now. Why hadn't he gone for a drink instead of meeting his dad? Even if he'd fallen off the wagon, it would have been less destructive than this conversation. Even the worst hangovers wear off more quickly than the truth.

He felt his throat tighten, craving a drink in a way he hadn't since he'd been with Carla. But clenching his fist tightly, drawing on all his willpower, he managed to keep control. He needed a clear head now.

Suddenly Ken spoke, interrupting his internal battle.

"I should have known it was Carla. Even at the blessing, you told everyone how she felt. "

He looked at Peter, bewilderment in his eyes, doubting if he'd ever really known his son.

"But I had no idea you felt the same…. I didn't know you were even friends."

"Like I said we were close for a long time." Suddenly realising the reason for their secret friendship wouldn't do much to reassure Ken, he moved on quickly.

"But it wasn't until July I really understood how she felt. And I was so tempted…"

Ken nodded sadly.

"I remember. But you didn't act on it then… surely that still means something?"

Peter breathed out slowly, trying to keep the rush of guilt at bay.

"I thought I could fight it."

Suddenly his mind was back there, in the factory, as Carla prepared for her holiday. Walking in, convincing himself he was doing the right thing, he'd seen the hope in her eyes before he destroyed it. He'd finally admitted he had feelings for her, but claimed he loved Leanne more. Had he really still believed he could make something true, just by saying it.

He thought he'd closed the door on his feelings for Carla. Blocked them out completely, as he played happy families, as Carla seemed to be making a new life for herself.

For a while it had worked. Until suddenly he found it hadn't worked at all. When she called off the wedding and then was attacked, all his reasoning had collapsed, and his feelings were the only thing left.

With effort, he brought himself back to the conversation.

"I know now I should have left Leanne then. I would have… if I hadn't felt I owed it to Simon… if I hadn't wanted to keep my wedding vows, for once". He laughed bitterly.

Ken turned on him angrily, as if he was a spoilt kid.

"But those are both good reasons. Are you forgetting you've got responsibilities now?"

Peter resisted lashing out at Ken's tone, but couldn't help his annoyance. Was there anything Ken wouldn't forgive for the sake of Simon?

"Well, it would have saved a lot of heartache all round if I had left then."

He shuddered involuntarily, thinking of the hurt his decision had caused Carla. He knew she didn't blame him any more: she'd assured him of that. But it still pained him that with one different decision he could have saved her from all of it.

Then sighing, he acknowledged his dad's point.

"Maybe they were the right reasons, but it was still the wrong decision. Not just for me, for all of us."

"How can you say that Peter?" Ken looked at him angrily. "Leanne loves you, more than ever. And Simon needs you both"

"Because it's not just about Carla, dad" he insisted, his mind certain now. "Back then, I thought my marriage was worth saving … I don't any more."

…