Chapter 6: Drowned in ivory silk, chocking on intricate lace
'I'll get the drinks in, go and ask Carla what she wants?' Peter said as he and Leanne entered the pub, sighting Carla sat in a corner, looking out of the window, a pile of untouched paper work beside her.
'Car, hey, Peter's getting a round in, what do you want?' Leanne asked.
'Ta, glass of red' Carla said as Leanne turned to tell Peter before sitting next to Carla.
'Put your paperwork away woman' Leanne said.
'You don't run a business Leanne, full time job you know' Carla said but she did as Leanne said and pushed the papers to one side.
'Carla, I have to show you this!' Leanne said pulling out a brochure of her bag.
'Kill me now' Carla said as she sighted the 'Cakes for Wonderful Weddnings' magazine.
'Oh don't be like that, Peter's bad enough, says he couldn't care less what cake we have, need some enthusiasm from someone' Leanne said as Peter sat down, bringing the drinks over.
'Well you wont find enthusiasm from me, just choose a cake and be done with it, cheers Peter' Carla said.
'Well thanks a bunch you two, neither of you are a help!' Leanne said visibly annoyed.
'Oh give it here then' Carla said snatching the magazine from Leanne and flicking through it.
'Give her a rest Lea, she doesn't want to be going through all this wedding stuff all the time' Peter said, defending Carla.
Leanne sighed, 'Fine, I'll see if Deirdre is free this after noon'.
'Now there's a good idea, she'll organise the whole thing for you' Carla said running her hand through her hair, feeling slightly guilty, but she couldn't pretend she cared.
'In fact, I'll give her a ring now' Leanne said taking a large sip of her wine.
She got up and went to stand outside, to make the call.
'Sorry, I didn't mean to be sharp with her' Carla said sitting back.
Peter looked serious. 'It's fine.. to be honest, it grates on me too.. but Carla, I'm worried about you' Peter said.
'Why?' Carla asked.
'I don't know, you just don't seem happy' Peter said.
'I'm officially touched' Carla said.
'Carla.. do you want to talk about it all?' Peter asked her.
'What now? Not really, anyway, I've said it all.. I'm just having a mid life crisis or what not' Carla said.
'Tell you what, if Leanne is seeing Deirdre tonight, and Si is having a sleepover, I can come over, just talk.. it seemed to help the other day' Peter said.
'Peter, honestly, I'm grateful, but talking is just.. talking' Carla said.
'Are you saying you don't like my company?' Peter said winking, lightening the tone.
Carla responded with a smile 'No Peter, I'm not'
'So then I'll come round, about sixish?' Peter asked.
'Fine, don't expect me to pour my heart out though' Carla said.
'No, we'll just have a sit down and chat, you know, I'm here for you' Peter said.
Carla sighed. 'Thank you Peter' she said catching his honest smile, reciprocating it with hers.