Merle took the pram and started pushing it down the street, hoping the women would follow the baby, he could hear the start of the parade, there was music playing one street over. He was like the pide piper with both women moving fast to keep up with him that by the time they got to the main street they were out of breath. He moved the pram through the foot path clearing a way until he come up beside Maggie and Glenn who were standing by a lamp post, Lori was there and smiled hello, Shanes, girlfriend Sasha gave a little wave and went back talking to a blonde girl on her other side.

'My sister, Beth, meet Carol, Ma wants you to baby sit her little girl sometime so they can go out one night,' Maggie called across to the blonde girl. She looked up and come across looking into the pram asking with her eyes if she could pick the baby up, Carol nodded and Beth picked her up and cuddled her.

'She's like a little doll, I heard at school Daryl had a kid, she's pretty cute,' Beth told Carol.

Carol stared at her, 'You heard at high school Daryl had a baby?'

'Yeah big gossip around here, he's a hottie, my girlfriends hope its him that will pull them over for ticket and stuff, they were heart broken,' Beth told her, 'I'll look after her, ask Ma, she's darling, oh there's Zac.'

Beth handed the baby back and hugged Maggie, she then headed towards a group of boys that were waving from across the road, she ducked across, Carol and Andrea watched her kiss a boy and wander off holding hands.

'Now if I did that at 17, Dad would have chased him down the road with a shot gun,' Maggie stated.

'Come on Maggie, we all know you were saving yourself for me!' Glenn stated.

All the women giggled, Lori held her hands out to hold Sophia, Andrea had Carl and they started to watch the parade, Carol looked around for Daryl, feeling embarrassed with Beth stating the whole town thought Sophia was his.

She couldn't see him anywhere, she fell into comfortable conversation with Maggie, Lori and Andrea. She could tell already Glenn was a gossip and had information and tit-bits to tell everyone about everyone they saw. Carol watched him wondering what he had heard about her. How he knew so much she didn't know. She knew he owned the pizza shop in town, lots of local hung out there as it wasn't really a bar but had pool tables and games for everyone.

Glenn caught Carol watching him as he was gossiping, 'Don't worry I don't gossip about Daryl, he would put me on my butt.' He winked at her and went back to talking about the person riding on the float passing them. Glenn certainly had his finger on the pie.

When it was over they walked with the crowd slowly towards the park where music, food and the carnival was still going. Carol pulled on her baby carrier to feed Sophia while they made their way down to the park. The others stopped and waited for her to get sorted. Andrea fussed and got the back fixed so it was all clicked up.

Maggie dug around in the pram and pulled out a little sun hat and a light muslin wrap to tuck around the baby carrier so her wee legs wouldn't' get sun burnt. When they were finally sorted the crowd was thinning and Carol spotted Daryl directing people beside Shane into the park. She smiled taking in how handsome he looked in dress uniform. She watched as other women stopped to talk to him also. Carol watched as they walked near, he seemed to be deflecting women who were too close and personal.

'Hey,' Shane called out, as if they couldn't notice them standing there, they all wandered over to where they were. Daryl gave her a wink.

'Enjoy that?' He asked her as she moved near his side. He was extremely good looking dress up, women were looking twice at him taking in his good looks and the uniform was a real turn on for women.

'I got a running commentary from Glenn so now I know everything, so if you need to know anything ask me,' She giggled.

'Hit me with something,' Daryl asked her.

'Apparently your the talk of the high school,'

'Hit me with something I don't know, I'm freaken hot, you got a drink in there?' Daryl looked towards the pram, Carol nodded and pointed towards the water bottle which he grabbed and drank from. 'What are they talking about now?'

'Your Sophia's father and stuff, Maggies sister told me.' Carol watched his face to see how he would react to that.

'Maggies sisters a bigger gossip than Glenn.' Daryl muttered. 'Tell me gossip I don't know, any new gossip?'

Daryl looked at Glenn and he shook his head and held his palm's up, 'Only you brother, and I'm not going there.'

'So how is my baby girl,' He pulled out the baby wrap and got a eyeful, Sophia was half asleep and half drinking and gave a lopsided burp. Carol raised her eyebrows, wondering if they were going to get another one.

'So your not wearing a bra with that dress then?' Daryl asked.

Carol shook her head.

'You got panties on right?' Daryl asked her bending over and saying it in her ear. She looked up at him with surprise, as if she would go out and about without underwear on. In a sundress in the middle of a parade. she then realised he was joking and teasing her. She tapped him on the arm the others started wandering off.

'I'll see you in the park, I'm off at two, I'll change then come back.' He told her.

'You mean your not going to be wearing that tonight watching a movie?' Carol asked him.

'I can put it back on if you want me too?'

Carol shook her head and followed the others into the park. Daryl and Shane watched everyone going into the park they looked at the time, they only had to stand looking pretty at the gates for another half an hour then they were off duty for two day. Daryl was excited. He wanted to spend some quality time with Carol and get this relationship worked out.