It was amazing how quickly Peter had adjusted to being back onto the street. At first he wasn't quite sure how people would react to him being back and when Ken and Tracy suggested going to the pub on Tuesday night, he was feeling rather apprehensive about it.

After Deidre's funeral everyone could see how much Ken needed his son around, they immediately saw how much happier he seemed and almost everyone seemed to be supportive of the fact that Peter was back. The only person who still seemed to have a real issue was Steph, she glared at Peter from across the pub but she didn't say anything to him as even she could see that he was here for his family and didn't want any trouble.

Carla had walked into the pub that night with Roy by her side, She had forced him to come out for a drink with her as they needed a catch up and when she sat down at table with him, it was almost as if everyone was looking between her and Peter expecting something to kick off. They both acknowledged each other with a few smiles and got on with their evening. Peter was desperate to go over and say hi but he didn't want to interrupt Carla and Roy's drink so he left them to it. He was unaware that across the room Carla felt the exact same way about interrupting his drink with his family.

Peter spent his daytimes with his Dad, both of them talked about how everything had been since being apart from each other. When Peter had come back for the funeral he had barley spoke about his life in Portsmouth, all he had cared about was being there for his Dad, so it was good for him to finally have a chance to explain what he'd been up to down south. He told Ken about his new Doctor and how helpful he had been, giving Peter new ways to help deal with his alcohol issues and talking him through any other problems that he had. Peter also told Ken about how he had been doing a lot of exercise and how it honestly made him feel better when he was having a rough day. Ken was so pleased to hear how well his son was doing and hated that eventually he would probably return to Portsmouth. Peter assured him not to worry about that and for now he would stay and spend some well earned time with his family. Ken then spoke about how he had been getting on with out Deirdre and whilst he kept a brave face on, Peter could tell that his Dad was broken apart and that he would probably never be the same again.

The evenings were mostly spent with Simon. They also spent their time catching up on everything that each other had missed as well. Simon talked about how it felt loosing his Grandma and how he was so disappointed when his Dad had left so quickly, he spoke about how he was finding his new school and he even ended up telling Peter about the boy he had hit. Peter took the high road on this subject and expressively forbid Simon to do such a thing again but he had to admit he was secretly proud that Simon had begun to stick up for himself.

There was one thing, one person, that they hadn't got round to talking about yet and whilst Peter was desperate to bring her up he decided to wait for Simon to do it first. He didn't want to seem too intrusive and like he was sticking his nose in where it didn't belong but he was desperate to find out more about how Simon and Carla started to become friends.

It was on Friday night, when they were sat in the back room, on the sofa watching something on the television when Simon received a text message from his Mum that said

"Hi Si, Just spoke to Carla bout 2morrow, She wants to know what time to get to the bowling alley xx"

"Mum said what time should we tell Carla to meet us at the bowling alley?" Simon said to his Dad. They had decided to make a whole day out of it and go to the cinema first, to watch this new movie that Simon was desperate to see. They would then go and get something to eat before bowling, which is where Carla would meet them.

"I don't know, how about half eight?" Peter suggested as he assumed that they would be finished with their movie and meal by then. As Simon texted his Mum back and told her the time. Peter decided that there was probably no time like the present, he cleared his throat and casually asked

"So… how did you and Carla get to be such good friends then?" Simon put his phone down next to him on the sofa.

"She came over to Mum's to babysit one night and I dunno we just got talking" Simon said as Peter watched him "She's alright y'know" Simon said gently, almost as if he was trying to downplay his relationship with Carla.

"Oh I think you think she's more than alright Si" Peter said smirking at his son because he could tell by the look on Simon's face when he spoke about Carla, that he obviously adored her.

"Okay… so she's really cool." Simon admitted sheepishly, Peter nodded at him "She's been through a lot Dad" Simon paused a little and looked down at his lap

"I know she has son… mostly thanks to me." Peter said sighing, there was a moment of silence before Simon spoke up again

"She told me." he said quietly,

"Told you what?" Peter said watching him closely

"She told me all about when she was little, her Mum and stuff and..." Simon paused and bit his lip "About your baby" Simon looked back up at Peter.

"What?" Peter asked a little shocked, he hadn't realised that Simon and Carla had got that close, he thought that they maybe enjoyed each other's company but it looked as if like it was a lot more than that.

"It wasn't her fault Dad, I practically forced it out of her" Simon quickly said because he thought that Peter might have been annoyed about Carla telling him about the baby. Peter shook his head at Simon

"Si it's not that it's just... I can't believe Carla told you." Peter said softly reassuring Simon that he wasn't cross "She's not the kinda person who just goes around telling anyone that sort of stuff that's all." Peter said realising how much Carla must have trusted Simon not just to tell him about the baby but also about her childhood too.

"I know" Simon said

"How long ave you known?" Peter asked wondering why Simon hadn't of mentioned it to him sooner.

"Since last Friday. When you phoned me? I was round Carla's and we watched the movie and had some food and anyway I started talking to her about how I wanted a baby sister and she just started crying" Simon said still feeling guilty about making Carla cry, he looked at Peter who's eyes were glassy, as if he was about to start crying too. "Dad...I've made you upset now aven't I?" Simon said dismally

"No Simon you haven't" Peter assured as he put his arm around Simon and pulled him close. "I hadn't realised just how close you and Carla had got that's all, it really warms my heart to hear that you two ave bonded so well. It's just a shame it wasn't like that before Eh" Peter said sniffing and giving Simon half a smile.

"I was just a kid back then." Simon said smirking at his Dad smugly trying to defuse the situation before either of them got too upset.

"Oh yeah, so what are you now then?" Peter asked amused

"Well I am turning twelve on Monday so I'd say... Young adult" Simon said Peter laughed at him and let go of him as Tracy came into the back room clutching a pink spotty bag, which she kept all her nail polishes in. She looked at her brother and nephew and raised an eyebrow at them both

"Uh oh, what have I interrupted then?" She asked sitting down on the armchair that was across from them.

"Nothing" Simon said smiling, Tracy looked at Peter who still looked a little distressed.

"Peter?" Tracy asked but he just smiled back at her

"We were just talking about tomorrow night, Si's really looking forward to it." Peter said trying to change the subject, Tracy knew enough about Peter to know that, he was lying but she decided to pretend other wise.

"Oh yeah about that, I'm afraid Amy's got a mate's party tomorrow afternoon, so is it okay if we meet you lot at the bowling alley?" Tracy asked getting out a nail file and beginning to work on one of her long nails.

"That's fine" Simon said nodding enthusiastically because the less time he had to spend with Amy the better "That's what Carla's doing anyway." He said, Tracy stopped filing her nail and looked at Peter

"Carla's coming?" She said with her eyebrow expertly raised again

"Yeah… why is that a problem?" Peter asked a little defensively, he knew that his sister and Carla had had their differences in the past and that it might not be such a good idea to get them together in confined space with lots of heavy objects. He was still oblivious to the fact that Tracy and Carla were almost on good terms at the moment.

"Not for me it's not" Tracy said grinning at Peter's reaction "I don't actually know why I'm surprised after all, her and Simon are practically besties now."

"I know, Carla was actually invited before I was" Peter said looking at Simon in a jokey fashion

"Hey, I didn't know you would be back for it did I?" Simon said giving his Dad a poke "Anyways me Dad and Carla are going to be friends" he said looking at Tracy before picking up his phone again.

"Friends?" Tracy smirked

"Yes friends" Peter said knowing how ridiculous it probably sounded to someone like Tracy.

"If you say so" Tracy said and she went back to filing her nails.

It was around half seven the next night when Carla's buzzer went off. She knew exactly who it was and ran over to her door.

"Come in Chelle" Carla said excitedly into the intercom and opening her door, she was in the middle of doing her make up when her best friend had knocked on the door. She was so excited to see Michelle, as the surprise Steve had planned was actually five days in Ireland. They had left on the Sunday morning and whilst they had been gone Carla had spent the week deciding whether to tell her about her visit to the prison or not, In the end she decided against it because Michelle was on a surprised holiday and she didn't want her to spend her time worrying.

A very tired looking Michelle came through the front door sighing heavily,

"Hiya!" Carla cried but when she looked at her best friend properly she bit her lip "Uh oh" she said putting her arms around Michelle and hugging her tight

"Hi babe" Michelle said hugging her back.

"What's wrong? Did ya not have a good time?" Carla asked as they walked over to the sofa where she had her make up bag and her mirror waiting for her to continue.

"No it were great, it was so nice to see everyone and introduce em all to Steve" She said throwing herself down on the sofa "Everyone asked about you even me Mum" Michelle said kicking off her shoes.

"So who's managed to rattle ya cage in the small space of time since ya been back then?" She asked opening her power compact and inspecting her make up

"Oh it's just one of me clients, She just driving me up the wall that's all. I literally stepped off of the plane and she'd called me three times. One minute she wants a harpist the next she wants a whole orchestra I mean she's worse than Tracy was" She had began telling Carla all about it but she stopped talking when she saw what Carla was wearing, She was still bare foot but she had on a tight pair of dark blue jeans with rips at the knees, On top she was wearing a black fitted jumper with tiny little silver sparkles which shone when ever they caught the light, Michelle looked her friend up and down suspiciously

"What?" Carla said feeling slightly paranoid

"Nice jumper" Michelle said sure that she had never seen it before, Whilst the outfit Carla had on was rather casual for her usual style, Michelle knew that all together probably still cost her a bit of money. Carla was now fiddling about in her makeup bag, she pulled out a lip-gloss and looked at it as Michelle asked "Where's it from?" Carla looked down at her jumper before saying

"Topshop" she then applied lip-gloss to her lips, Michelle watched her

"What about your jeans?" She asked admiring them as well, She was sure it was a completely new outfit

"Zara, I went shopping yesterday and bought em" Carla said checking her reflection in a mirror before closing her lip-gloss, There was a small silence between them as Carla looked in the mirror again, Michelle knew that it definitely looked as if Carla was getting ready for something.

"You going out?" Michelle asked, Carla nodded

"Uh huh" she said putting all her make up into her make up bag, Michelle sat up straight and looked at her best friend.

"Where?" She asked intrigued Carla hesitated for a moment

"Out"

"Out where?" Michelle asked again

"Okay, if you must know I'm going bowling" Carla said rolling her eyes because she knew Michelle wouldn't let up

"Bowling?" Michelle raised her eyebrows as Carla was not someone who you would usually find down the local bowling alley.

"Yeah bowling, ya know where ya chuck a really heavy ball at a bunch of pins in the hope of knocking em all down." Carla said sarcastically because Michelle had acted like she didn't have a clue what bowling was.

"I know what bowling is you idiot." Michelle said nudging Carla in the ribs

"Ow" Carla cried rubbing the space where Michelle had nudged her.

"I'm just surprised that's all, I mean you bowling? Who you going with?" Michelle asked now more than intrigued than ever before, Carla rolled her eyes and took a deep breath.

"It's for Simon's birthday" she said, Michelle raised her eyebrows again

"Is it now?" Michelle began, Carla nodded knowing what would be coming next.

"Yes Peter will be there" she began "and No it's not like it's a date or anything" Carla said because she could tell by the smug look on Michelle's face that she was thinking it was going to be some sort of romantic date.

"Hmmm let me see. You ... and Peter going out ... at night time... together? That sounds like a date to me" Michelle said grinning, much to Carla's annoyance. She shook her head at Michelle

"It's not a date. Leanne and Kal will be there and Amy's coming too… didn't she mention it to you and Steve?"

"Well I haven't seen her yet, She's gone to a friends party this afternoon." Michelle paused for a moment and thought about Carla and Peter out at this bowling alley, along with two kids and a couple, She grinned at Carla "Oh this is so a date" She said making Carla sigh and shake her head in disagreement

"Chelle, Si asked me to come before Peter was even coming." Carla said, "Let's not forget he wasn't supposed to be back until tomorrow… It's really not a big deal alright" she added before getting up and looking down at her outfit, She had spent ages deciding what to wear and now she wasn't sure if the jumper and jeans combination was the right fit.

"Do I look okay?" Carla looked up at Michelle with her green eyes wide, hoping for some assurance. Michelle smirked back at her

"If it's not a big deal why are you so bothered about what you look like?" She asked smugly

"Well I dunno… I aven't been bowling in forever I don't know what people wear." Carla said pained

"You look gorgeous babe... I'm sure Peter will love it" Michelle simply had to throw that bit in the end about Peter, Carla shot her a look that could kill "I'm kidding" Michelle chuckled before putting her shoes back on as Carla ventured into her bedroom. "Well I was gonna mooch around ere tonight so that we could catch up but as you have more important plans, I guess I'll head back home." Michelle called, She pretended to look sad as Carla came back with a pair of heeled boots and a hair brush

"It's not more important, I just I promised Simon I'd go that's all" Carla said "He's a good kid, he deserves to have a really good time" She said putting on some socks.

"Carla I'm joking" she said "I want you to go. I'll be looking forward to hearing how this whole bowling thing goes tomorrow."

"Well I'm glad my life is so entertaining for ya Michelle" Carla said brushing through her recently straightened locks.

"So is Peter coming to meet you here or?" Michelle asked

"No they've all gone to watch a movie beforehand so I'm just meeting everyone there" Michelle nodded and suddenly remembered something, She looked at Carla, now highly amused "What now?" Carla asked because knew Michelle was finding something very entertaining.

"How could I forget?" Carla stared at her best friend

"Forget what?" She asked, Michelle raised her eyebrows again

"So when me and Steve got back earlier, Some of your factory lot were in the pub and I happened to overhear em talking about you and Peter cuddling in the office on Monday"

"Oh for gods sake, It wasn't a cuddle it was a hug" Carla tutted she thought that she had gotten away with it and that it was only Simon who had noticed them.

"What's the difference Carla?" Michelle laughed

"Well ya know... a cuddle implies a long period of time, it were literally a ten second hug, twenty at most" she said putting her hair brush down on the table irritatedly "Wait until Monday, I'm gonna give em all a right earful, they should ave been concentrating on that order we've got, not me and Peter, No wonder they are so behind at the moment."

"Well what I wanna know is, what did Peter do that constitutes a hug from you then eh?" Michelle asked ignoring Carla's attempt to get past the part of the conversation which had her and Peter hugging. Carla looked down at her feet, not wanting to talk about trying to see Rob with Michelle, not tonight anyway.

"I just… had a slight moment of weakness and he said some things that made me feel better that's all" Carla sighed knowing full well that that wouldn't be a sufficient enough answer for her best friend.

"Why? What were wrong?" Michelle asked Carla who didn't answer her. She was still looking down at her boots. After a moment of silence Michelle said "Alright I can see you don't want to talk about it." She was majorly disappointed that Carla felt like she couldn't talk her about whatever had made her feel so evidently down.

"It's not that I don't want to talk to you about it Chelle" Carla started, She had sensed Michelle was feeling a little upset and looked up at her "He just got me at a bad time" her voice then cracked making Michelle reach over and put her arms around Carla.

"Car I'm sorry I didn't mean to push ya, you know what I'm like, I'm too nosy for me own good sometimes" Michelle said sympathetically

"You got that right" Carla grinned as they broke apart, she swallowed and began to look serious again. "I didn't tell you this before because I knew how you would ave reacted but on Monday I went to the prison... To see Rob"

"What?" Michelle said stunned, She hesitated before asking, "How is he?" Michelle had always had a soft spot for Rob and after everything even she couldn't help but think about him in prison and how he was getting on. Carla sighed and shook her head at Michelle slowly.

"Oh I didn't see him in the end" Carla admitted leaving Michelle looking puzzled

"What?" Michelle asked, "Did ya change your mind or something?" Carla shook her head again and continued

"He left me waiting there, he had no intention of seeing me. He got some mate of his to pass on a message. I guess it were his version of revenge." She said miserably

"Oh Carla" Michelle said putting an arm around her again. "That's awful babe." Carla sighed and then said

"I'm not gonna get upset about it again though Chelle, That's what happened on Monday. I were heartbroken and I were in the office helping Simon with something and Peter just burst in, next thing I know, we're alone and I'm telling him everything" She said "I still don't know how he manages to read me like a flamin book"

"He always has done Carla" Michelle said smiling at her

"Yeah well his son has seemed to inherit that little skill as well" Carla said thinking about how Simon had just left them alone together in the office. She smiled at how clever he thought he had been. Michelle let go of her and smiled back at her sympathetically.

"Anyway, Long story short me and Peter had little a chat about things and we've decided to be friends." Carla said

"Friends?" Michelle repeated because in her mind there was no way Peter and Carla would make it very far as just friends.

"Yeah. We were friends before we got together, we can do it again... You know like Ross and Rachel" Carla said and she began putting things into her handbag. She then leant forward and put on her heeled boots

"You do realise that Ross and Rachel got back together in the end though right?" Michelle said smugly and just for a moment she was sure that she saw Carla smile to herself whilst putting on her boots. "It might ave took em six years but they still did it though" Michelle added when Carla sat back up straight, She watched Michelle who still looked as if she didn't think that being friends with Peter was a good idea.

"Trust me Chelle, I've thought this through, it's mainly for Simon's sake and anyways Peter's only staying for a few weeks or so, then he'll be gone."

"Oh you don't need to make excuses for me... So much for not wanting any sort of relationship with him eh?" Michelle smiled remembering what Carla had said in their cab home last weekend.

"Look there is no point in us avoiding each other and acting as if we don't have a past is there?" Carla started "We've both said what we needed to say on everything that happened with Tina before he left the first time around, so there is no reason to drag it all up again is there?"

"I guess you're right, I mean a hell of a lot has happened since then hasn't it." Michelle said thinking about Carla and Simon's new found friendship and Deirdre's unexpected death.

"He's here for his family, not me and that's the way it should be." Carla said but she couldn't help but feel as if she was being way too defensive of the situation and making it out to be a lot more than it was. Michelle nodded at her and said

"Honestly Carla, I'm happy that you and Peter have got to a point where you can be ... friends" Michelle had used air quotes on the word friends. Carla shook her head and rolled her eyes at her friend knowing she was just trying to wind her up some more. "Right well, I better be off then" Michelle said picking up her bag off of the floor.

"Good cause you're really starting to get on me nerves." Carla said truthfully, Michelle laughed as she leant in and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"You better get a move on an all, you've got a bowling alley to get to" Michelle said Carla nodded as they both stood up. Her heart had started beating faster than normal when she glanced at the clock on the wall and saw it was pretty much time for her to leave. She gulped and then looked at Michelle anxiously

"Okay why am I so nervous?" She asked, Michelle shrugged with a wicked smile on her face as she walked over to Carla's front door.

"Oh I don't know..." She said opening it "I mean it's not like it's a date or anything" Michelle chuckled and then she walked out of Carla's flat.