Thank you for all your lovely reviews on the previous chapter.
I really appreciated them so... here is another.
It's a long one so you might wanna grab a cuppa :)
"I promise I'll be here Chelle." Carla said as they both entered the pub after having a late breakfast down the cafe. Michelle and Steve had been planning this quiz night for weeks now and after much stress, it was finally here. She wanted Carla to come along to keep her company whilst Steve played quiz master.
"The quiz starts at seven so make sure you get here a good while before then so we can get a good spot." Michelle said walking behind the bar and leaving Carla on the customers side. She gave Steve a quick kiss and went over to a punter.
Carla glanced around the pub and spotted a miserable Peter sitting on his own in one of the booths. She looked around her to check if any one in the pub might have been sitting with him but it seemed like he was definitely alone. It had been a week since the school disco and the way Peter had left things between them (by saying that he fancied her) had left her feeling extremely frustrated.
Carla knew it was just a flirty comment but it made her feel really exciting to know that she definitely had that effect on Peter. She hadn't seen him much in the week as she had been busy down the factory so she had been looking forward to spending a little bit of time with him today.
"Alright there Peter" Carla said. He didn't answer her so she moved a little closer to him. She was worried because it didn't look like he was alright. He had a glass in his hands, she inspected it closely. "Peter?" He rolled his eyes at her concerned tone of voice.
"I'm not drinking if that's what you're looking so worried about." he snapped, Carla nodded
"Oh I see... You're in that kinda mood are you?" she said, she was able to tell just by his tone that something was definitely bothering him.
"Well maybe I wouldn't be in a mood if people just left me alone." He said bluntly, Carla rolled her eyes and turned her back on him, choosing not to argue back because she was not in the mood to entertain one of Peter's mood swings.
It took him all but a few seconds to realise that he had probably upset Carla, He was taking his bad mood out on her and she didn't deserve that. She was stood still at the bar, with her back to him, making sure that she didn't give him the time of day. He sighed and leant forward
"Carla" he said apologetically, She ignored him the first time so he said her name again, only this time a little louder "Carla!"
Michelle who was busy pulling a pint looked at her and rolled her eyes "Carla"
"I know" Carla said sighing and then Peter spoke again even louder then before
"Carla I'm sorry!" he said, She turned around because people were beginning to look at them both. She sighed and sat down next to him reluctantly, taking her bag off of her shoulders and placing it on the table.
"I'm sorry."
"Alright you've said that twice now, so come on..." she nudged him with her elbow "What's wrong?"
"I'm just having a bad day…" he said, Carla raised an eyebrow wondering if he was just being dramatic.
"Peter it's only half past twelve in the afternoon, Just how bad can your day ave been?"
"Well I've been up since about four, so right now it feels like it's about five pm." Peter said yawning practically on cue.
"Four? How come?" Carla asked,
"I had this dream... A nightmare if I'm honest" Peter said stiffly
"About what?" Carla asked edging closer to him so that their knees were now touching.
"The tram crash, Prison, You..." He paused again because he wasn't sure what would happen if he mentioned the next part "Tina, basically everything bad that has happened round here and how it was mainly because of me" he said Carla watched him sympathetically not even flinching at Tina's name.
"Peter… the tram crash was not your fault" Carla said quietly although she couldn't really comment on the rest and Peter knew why.
"The rest were though… Anyways I woke up in a right state and since then I've been having some… worrying thoughts"
"Thoughts" Carla swallowed. She was dreading what he might say next.
"Yeah thoughts… thoughts about having a drink." he said hating that he felt this way after doing so well for so long.
"Yeah well I'm sure that sitting in a pub all alone isn't helping to control those thoughts Peter" Carla said softly "It's understandable to feel like this sometimes, You've been doing so well, Please don't let a bad night ruin things for you."
"I know and feeling like this just makes me think… it was all for nothing." Peter mumbled, Carla shook her head at him
"Do you remember what you said to me down the factory that time? Y'know about how the pain will still be here after all the drinking is done?" She said trying not to freak out too much and keep calm for Peter's sake. He nodded at her
"Yeah I remember all that but you know what they say, Taking your own advice is the hardest pill to swallow." Peter said sighing again.
"Peter you will get past this" Carla said firmly "Seriously this is just a bad day and you just have to remember that you are strong enough to beat any cravings that you might ave." She took hold of his hand that was rested on the table "Peter, I honestly believe that you can do this, you've got to try and stay as positive as you can and if you get through today I know that you'll wake up in the morning feeling a hundred times better." She said smiling at him reassuringly, He sniffed and tried his best to give her a smile back
"It's me Dad's birthday today... It's his first one without Deirdre and I'm in ere feeling sorry for me self instead of with him." he sighed while Carla nodded.
"I remembered and I've got his card and present in me bag, I was gonna drop it round in a little while. So why don't you finish off your orange juice and come with me?" She said still smiling at him supportively.
"Sounds like a plan" Peter said feeling relived that Carla still understood him so well. Then again she always had done when it came to the drink.
She let go of his hand and he gulped down the rest of his juice as she got up off the sofa. Michelle watched as Carla and Peter made their way over to the door. She smiled at them both
"Seven o'clock Carla" She reminded because Carla had tendency to become distracted especially whilst she was with Peter.
"Yes Chelle" Carla called back.
"What's at Seven o Clock?" Peter asked as they left the pub
"Oh that quiz that Steve and Chelle have been planning." Carla said as Peter took his keys out of his pocket so he could open his Dad's door.
"Oh yeah me Dad's put me, him and Tracy down for a team." he said, Carla smirked at him
"Really? I mean your Dad's a clever man but you and Tracy..."
"What are you trying to say eh?" Peter said grinning as he walked into the house. Carla followed him inside and closed the door behind her.
"Dad?" Peter called as they walked down the hall, he and Carla walked into the back room to find Ken sitting at the table wearing a pair of white headphones. Tracy and Amy were also sat with him, both looking rather amused. Ken took his headphones out of his ears as Tracy frowned at Peter.
"Peter where have you been?" she said because when they had all woken up Peter was nowhere to be seen.
"Never mind about that" Peter said because he didn't want to worry any of his family. He patted his Dad on the back and said "Happy Birthday Dad, Don't worry I haven't forgot you, I promised Simon I'd wait for him before giving you our present" He said, Ken was now holding up the headphones.
"Tracy and Amy bought me this... iPod" he said with his eyebrows raised slightly, Carla held in her smirk as she could tell Ken wasn't exactly overjoyed with this gift, especially because Tracy seemed to have a knack of acquiring some dodgy electrical goods recently.
"It's about time you joined the twenty first century Dad. You can still listen to all your old tunes on there and that way we don't ave to hear them" Tracy laughed nudging Peter who was now stood next to her.
"Happy Birthday Ken" Carla said handing him a card and then bending down and kissing him on the cheek. Peter patted his Dad on the back again as she stood up straight again.
"Eh Dad if that ain't a good birthday gift than I don't know what is" he said playfully winking at Carla as Ken opened his present from her. She had bought him a notepad but it wasn't just any old notepad, each page had a different quote from a book or a poem. There were three hundred and sixty five pages, just enough for the whole year.
"Thank you so much Carla. I love it" Ken said smiling at her appreciatively, Carla was delighted that Ken liked her present so much because she had obviously put a lot of thought into it.
"You're welcome." she said
"You will stay for a while won't you Carla?" Ken asked his eyes full of hope,
"Of course I will." She said and Peter pulled a chair out for her to sit down on.
"Right you sit ere then." he said taking her by the shoulders, she giggled as he pushed her into the seat.
"So what are you're plans for the rest of today then Ken?" She asked resting her arms on the table in front of her.
"Well Tracy's supposed to be cooking lunch and then we've got that quiz down the Rover's a bit later" Ken said rather excitedly as he had been looking forward to this quiz all week.
"Tracy's cooking eh" Peter said looking both surprise and concerned because Tracy wasn't the best cook.
"Yes I am." she said proudly, although she frowned when she saw Peter's face "Why are you pulling that face? I don't see you offering to cook for us" She said peeved.
"Do you ave to cook? Can't we just go and get some fish and chips instead?" Amy asked.
"Ha! Even your own daughter doesn't want to eat your food!" Peter scoffed
"That's not true you love my cooking, don't you Amy?" Tracy said looking at Amy desperately for back up.
"I do, I just think Granddad would prefer it if we had a treat" Amy said smartly, although she wasn't quite looking Tracy in the eye as she spoke.
"Hmmm I'm not sure I believe you Amy" Peter started "But it's your birthday Dad so if you want chips we'll get chips."
Ken decided that it was probably better to get chips for lunch, So Peter and Tracy went to the chip shop leaving Carla with Ken and Amy. Carla wasn't too happy about being left with Amy but soon enough Simon turned up with a card and present. He was delighted to see that Carla was round and sat next to her at the table after he had given Ken his present, which was a set of old books that Ken had loved when he was a younger man.
As Amy got up and said she was getting something from and room, Carla looked at Simon and said
"Where's your Mum Si?"
"Where d'ya think?" Simon said rather bitterly with his elbow on the table "She's working at the bistro of course" Carla had sensed that Simon wasn't too happy with how much Leanne worked these days but he had never really said much on the matter until now.
"She works a lot doesn't she" Carla said cautiously, not trying to say too much because she had been getting on quite well with Leanne and she didn't want anything that she might say getting back to her.
"Yeah she does, I mean I go to school and when I come home she's at work and sometimes she's there until after nine. I barley see her" He said
"Have you spoke to your Mum about this?" Carla asked but Simon just shook his head. "Maybe you should" She said
"Me Mum will only say she's working for us, so we can stay in the flat and stuff"
"Well if you ever feel lonely you can always come over to mine, we could watch a movie or play the Wii, If you've done all your homework that is." Carla said
"Thanks Carla" Simon said and then he grinned "I know I'll be okay though"
"And why's that then" Carla said dubiously because Simon's grin was intriguing.
"Well I've got me Dad and You, aven't I?"
"Yeah Course"
"Even If you're not back together… yet" Simon said, Carla tried her best not to be affected by this comment but she just couldn't keep a smirk from forming on her face.
"Yet?" she said
"Yeah yet. Santana said her older sister always used to say that she was just friends with her ex boyfriend all the time." Simon said
"So…?" Carla said still grinning at her stepson
"Well they got back together in the summer, Santana said that She reckons you and me Dad will too."
"Well if Santana says it then it must be true eh" Carla said ruffling Simon's hair.
"Oi" he said backing away from her but she kept trying to reach for him playfully, so he got up off of the chair almost laughing.
"So does that mean that you're gonna get with Santana then? Seeing as your just friends." Carla teased
"No way... It's different" Simon said
"How exactly?"
"It just…is" He said blushing and sitting back down next to Carla on the chair.
"Oh come on Si this is me you're talking to, I thought we said we'd tell each other stuff?" Carla said reminding him of the deal they'd made months ago. "You like her don't you" She said Simon sighed and then looked up at Carla.
"Yes" Simon admitted, Carla smiled at him smugly
"Awwww" She cooed making Simon blush again
"Don't say nothing though, It's a secret" he said
"Who am I gonna tell? It's not like we run in the same circles is it Si?" Carla said almost laughing again and putting her arm around Simon lovingly. "I've got me eye on someone too. If that makes you feel any better."
"Oh yeah" Simon smirked sure that she was talking about his Dad "Who's that then?" Carla gave him a knowing smile and was about to reveal all as Ken came back in followed by Tracy and Peter who was carrying a bag full of fish and chips. Peter looked at Carla who still had her arm around Simon and smiled at them fondly.
"We'll continue this conversation later." Simon said giving Carla a wink and making Peter laugh.
"And what conversation was that eh?" Peter asked fascinated, Simon and Carla both gave each other a look and started laughing.
"Never you mind" Carla said as Tracy went into the kitchen and came back with plates for everyone. Peter shared out the fish and chips between everyone and he sat down on the other side of Carla.
"I have to say I'm glad you mentioned getting chips so I didn't have to cook" Tracy said sitting down with her plate on the sofa next Amy who had come in from her bedroom to have some lunch.
"Yeah so are we" Peter laughed, Tracy threw a chip at him but Peter managed to dodge it by moving to the side suddenly almost knocking Carla off of her chair in the process.
"Watch it," she cried clinging onto the table, Peter picked up one of his chips with a wicked look in his eye.
"You better not throw that at your sister Peter" Ken said firmly because he knew that Peter and Tracy could act very childish. Peter put the chip into his mouth although he had been planning to use it to get his own back on Tracy.
Once they had finished up their fish and chips, Carla insisted on helping to wash up, even though she hated it she thought she should really do something to help out. Ken dug out an old monopoly board and suggested that they all played together. As it was his birthday they all agreed and as Carla came back in from the kitchen, they realised there weren't quite enough seats for everyone and that they were one short, which led to Peter kindly offering the space on his lap for Carla to sit on. She raised her eyebrows at him and declined his offer as Simon eventually got up off his chair and offered it to Carla, saying he would kneel up at the table instead.
"Well at least your son knows how to be a gentleman." Carla said
"I were only joking you know" Peter said as Simon got up out of his chair
"Yeah because if Carla had of gone and sat on your lap you would have told her to get off" Tracy said sarcastically. Carla sat down next to Peter as Ken got out the Monopoly board
"Who's going to be the banker?" He asked
"Not me Dad" Simon said instantly, Carla chuckled as Peter looked offended
"Honestly you help yourself to a few extra notes during one game and you're never trusted again." he said
"I'll do it" Tracy said but it was Peter who objected this time.
"Oh no you don't Tracy, let's have Carla do it" He said because he remembered Tracy could be quite crafty whilst playing board games too.
"Really" Carla frowned "I hate having all that responsibility."
"I'll do it then" Simon sighed and he took the money tray off of Ken.
It was a very quick game of monopoly due to the fact that there were so many of them and it was over in less than two hours with Peter as the winner. He was very smug about his win although Tracy still reckoned that he cheated somehow.
Ken flicked through the channels on the TV as Simon and Amy went out to take Eccles for a walk. Tracy was still sitting at the table flicking through a magazine and Peter and Carla were both sat on the sofa.
"How are you feeling?" Carla asked turning to face Peter as he yawned, he nodded at her and then shrugged
"Yeah"
"Yeah? what does yeah mean?" Carla asked puzzled
"It means I'm fine" Peter assured,
"Good... Because I'm not gonna lie, you almost scared the life out of me earlier." Carla said "and it's not because I don't trust you, it's because I know how scary that feeling of not being in control can be."
"Honestly Carla, thanks to you I'm feeling so much better." Peter insisted as Ken pointed at the TV excitedly.
"Guess what's on in a minute?" He said, Carla and Peter looked at him blankly "The Great Gatsby." Ken said delightedly
"On you're birthday too" Peter said because he knew how much Ken loved the film that was about to come on.
"You guys don't mind if I watch it do you?" Ken asked looking back at Tracy, which Carla found ridiculous as it was his house and he was asking his grown up kids if he could watch something on his own telly.
"Nope" Tracy said
"Don't be silly Dad" Peter said he then looked at Carla "You don't have to stay ere just to be polite you know." He said because he was sure she'd have better things to do with her afternoon. She shook her head at him
"I know, I'm fine besides I love The Great Gatsby." She said smiling, Ken looked at Carla, surprised.
"Really, I didn't know you were a Fitzgerald fan." He said
"Well… I'm not really…" Carla said awkwardly "I'm a Leonardo Di Caprio fan though." She laughed
"Oh well this is actually the 1974 version with Robert Redford playing Gatsby" Ken said, Peter was trying his very best not too laugh at Carla as she sat next to him. She shot him a quick look and said
"Oh right" Ken could tell she was a little disappointed "Well I've always wanted to get round to watching this one, so there's no time like the present is there?" She said casually.
"Are you sure?" Ken asked, worried that he would be boring her, She smiled at Ken warmly and nodded.
"Yes Ken" she said looking at him still sitting up at the table "D'ya wanna come and sit here on the sofa with Peter?" Ken shook his head at her
"No I'm fine here Carla, honestly" he said certainly. Carla sat back on the sofa as the film was beginning to start, Peter leant forward slightly
"You sure you wanna stay now?" he whispered into Carla's ear, She nodded without turning to look at him and because the TV was at an angle in the Barlow's back room she had turned her body slightly so she was able to see.
By the time they were fifteen minutes into the movie, Carla had already decided that she wasn't comfortable anymore, She glanced over at Ken who was already absorbed into the film and then at Tracy who was still reading her magazine. Peter could tell that Carla was finding it hard to sit comfortably. He moved back a little, so that his back was up against the arm of the sofa.
"Carla" He whispered, She turned her head to look at him
"Yeah…" She whispered back,
He beckoned for her to stand up so she did,
"Peter what are you doing?" She wondered as he sat all the way back and then put both legs up onto the sofa. She raised an eyebrow at him as he beckoned her to sit back down in the space between his legs but she desperately wanted to sit back down with him.
"Hurry up then." He said still whispering because he didn't want to disturb Ken, Tracy was watching them and rolled her eyes as Carla sat back down in between Peter's legs. She leant against him and he put an arm around her. It felt a little weird at first to be cuddled so close to Peter in front of his Dad and his sister but after a few minutes, Carla let her self relax against him and she smiled to herself as they continued to watch the film.
Ken smiled as the end credits of The Great Gatsby began to run onto the screen.
"I really love that movie, what did you think of it Carla?" He asked turning to look at her, She was fast asleep in Peter's arms and he was sleeping too. Ken smiled at the two of them and then looked back at Tracy "I reckon we should get down to the pub so we can get our table ready before the quiz starts" He said, She got up and nodded it was then that she realised that Peter and Carla were both asleep on the sofa.
"And are we just going to leave those two here?" she said, "Peter's supposed to be on our team" Ken sighed
"Tracy it's only half past five? We'll let them sleep for a little while longer eh" Ken said. "I know Peter had rather a rough nights sleep last night"
"Fine" Tracy said and she picked up her bag and went with Ken to the pub.
It was a few minutes to seven when Carla woke up first. She smiled to herself as she lay on top of Peter. She knew that she shouldn't be allowing herself to get so close to him as they were supposed to be just friends but she let her self have a few minutes more before trying to wake him up.
"Peter" She said giving him a little shake "Peter wake up" He stirred a little and then opened his eyes. He grinned at her "We're beginning to make a habit of this aren't we." Carla said sitting up a little. They both looked around the empty room "Where is everyone?" Carla asked, Peter looked at his watch
"I reckon they've probably gone next door" He said as Carla got up,
"It can't be time for the quiz already can it?" She said picking up her bag Peter looked over at the clock.
"It's almost seven" Peter said standing up and stretching "We better go before me Dad and Michelle go mental." He said
"What about Simon and Amy?" Carla said as they made their way into the hallway.
"They should be next door as well, Liz said they could stay out the back whilst the quiz was on" Peter said opening the front door. They both walked outside and as Peter closed the door Carla shivered.
"Ah it's freezing" she said "I should ave bought me jacket."
"Car it's only next door." he said sighing
"Yeah but what if it's cold inside? I'm gonna run home and grab a jacket just in case."
"You can't we're already late" Peter took his keys and opened the door again and went back inside, he came back out clutching his black jacket
"Here" he said handing it to Carla, she grinned
"Has Tracy not got something I could borrow?" She asked putting on Peter's jacket. He just smiled at her and entered the pub.
When they walked in they were both greeted by Michelle who was standing by the door, She sighed when she saw Peter and Carla come in together.
"You're late" She said to Carla
"I know I'm sorry Chelle I fell asleep"
"You feel asleep?" Michelle asked suspiciously
"What can I say? This mans arms are like my kryptonite" Carla said squeezing Peter's biceps with each hand. He grinned as Michelle rose her eyebrows.
"Peter your Dad's been waiting for you." she said pointing over to the table where Ken was sat with Tracy.
There were various teams that had entered the quiz. Including The Barlow's there were The Roy's Rolls team that consisted of Roy, Anna and Garry, The Nazirs had a team and so did the factory workers. Carla glanced over at underworld team, which consisted of Sean, Sally, Beth and Sinead. She had to admit that she wasn't feeling too optimistic about their chances of winning and then she saw who else they were sitting with, It was none other than Marc. He was sat with them grinning away at Carla when he realised that she had seen him.
"What's he doing here?" Carla asked sighing,
"He said he's come to apologize for his behaviour last week." Michelle said
"God really? He's already said Sorry to me like a thousand times" Carla said as Michelle was watching her.
"Who's jacket is that?" Michelle asked because whilst it looked rather good on Carla, it was obvious that it didn't belong to her.
"Peter's" Carla said and she didn't give Michelle the chance to reply with a smart comment because she walked swiftly over to the underworld table.
"I didn't realise you were one of me employees." she said irritatedly because after last week and the fact that Marc had started texting her a lot, he had become quite a bother.
"Well I thought I'd come and support the team, seeing as I'm putting so much money into the business after all... I'm kind of paying your employees." He said smirking, Carla didn't like his tone at all and looked at Sally and the others.
"And you don't mind him gate crashing your team?" they all shook their heads and smiled at Marc admiringly. Carla rolled her eyes "Right well good luck" she said giving Marc a look as Steve was getting ready to start the quiz. She went back and sat down next to Michelle who had sat on a table chair behind Steve. "You know he's really starting to get on my nerves" Carla said still watching Marc "and not in a good way."
"Is there a good way of someone getting on your nerves?" Michelle asked
"Yeah of course there is."
"Really?"
"Yeah I mean you can still like someone who gets on your nerves. Like Peter gets on my nerves and he just does these little things that drive me crazy but I still... You know" Carla trailed off because Steve cleared his throat, Michelle smirked at Carla as the quiz begun.
Carla couldn't seem to get Marc out of her head at first. Who did he think he was, acting like he was the only client the factory had? They didn't even need his business if Carla was truly honest and she was starting to regret even working with him in the first place. Yes he was charming and handsome but Carla couldn't help but feel there was something familiarly off about him, something she didn't quite trust.
After the quiz had finished Steve collected the answer sheets up and began to mark them out the back with Liz. Michelle was stood serving more drinks to customers and Carla was near by of course.
"Who do you reckon will win then?" Michelle asked her when she had a free moment.
"Either Roy's team or Ken's team to be quite honest" Carla said grinning at the underworld team as they spent most of the quiz arguing with each other and downing the drinks Marc kept buying them. "It ain't gonna be the underworld team that's for sure" She said as Peter came over to the bar
"Don't you have any faith in your employees?" He said handing the glasses that the Barlow's had been drinking out of over to Michelle.
"Nope... If it were a talking contest then maybe," Carla said rolling her eyes at the underworld team as they all laughed again at something Marc said.
"Cheers Peter" Michelle said collecting them up "Same again?" Peter nodded
"I reckon the Nazirs will have a good chance, They seem like a right clever bunch." he said
"I'm still putting my money on your Dad's team or Roy's" Carla said shaking her head.
"So how d'ya reckon your lot did on the quiz then Peter?" Michelle asked
"Alright actually, Tracy weren't much help but me Dad enjoyed himself and that's the important part eh" Peter said. Michelle then went over to serve a customer on the other side of the bar. Carla nodded in agreement Peter looked at her up and down grinning
"What?" She said sheepishly
"Nothing, You look good in my jacket that's all."
"You wanna be careful Peter, I've had a lot of compliments on this jacket. I might just ave to keep it." Carla warned him, she frowned when she saw Marc approaching them.
"I'm buying another round for team underworld, what you having Carla?" He said blatantly ignoring Peter just like he always did.
"Nothing thanks" Carla said bluntly, Marc was rather taken aback by her tone and looked at Peter who was standing very close to Carla at this point.
"I don't think we've officially met, I'm Marc Matthews" He said holding out his hand, Peter raised an eyebrow but he shook Marc's hand politely
"Peter"
"Peter..." Marc said waiting for Peter to give him his full name.
"Barlow" Peter said, Marc knew that he'd seen or heard that name before but he couldn't quite place it.
"Well it was nice to finally meet you properly." Marc said, They stood silently for a moment, then Carla said she was going to the toilet and had left Marc and Peter stood next to each other. She hoped whilst she was gone that Marc would go back and sit down again but he didn't, he stayed with Peter at the bar.
"You and Carla spend a lot of time together, it seems like you're both very good friends." Marc said rather awkwardly.
"Yeah we are" Peter said not actually looking at Marc and staring ahead, as if he wasn't interested in any conversation with Marc, which he wasn't.
"And that's your jacket she's wearing?" Marc said
"Yeah" Peter nodded, not too sure what this Marc guy was getting at with all these questions. Michelle came back over to Peter with the drinks he had ordered.
"There you are Peter." She said glancing around for Carla, Peter knew who she was looking for and said
"She's gone to the toilet." Michelle nodded and then she looked at Marc
"What can I get you?" she asked him and after he'd ordered a round of drinks for Team Underworld he looked back at Peter
"So how long have you two known each other then?" Marc asked getting straight back onto the topic of Carla.
"What me and Carla? erm ages. I mean ever since she moved here really."
"And you just became friends over time?" Marc asked, he then realised that Peter was beginning to wonder why he was asking so many questions. "I'm sorry, it's just... I really like Carla and I'm finding it quite difficult to get close to her you know…" Marc said, Peter couldn't help but feel smug that this guy wanted to be so close to Carla and it truly seemed like she wasn't letting him in.
"Erm... Well Carla's an amazing woman, it doesn't surprise me that you want to get to know her a bit more." Peter started not really knowing what to say but he stopped talking when she came back from the toilets. He looked at her thankfully, glad that she was back to ease the obvious awkwardness between him and Marc.
"Should my ears be burning?" Carla said glancing between the pair of them, Marc laughed and Peter nodded
"Peter!" Tracy called suddenly from the table that her and Ken were sitting at. They had been waiting for their drinks for a while now. Peter picked up the drinks he had ordered and smiled apologetically at Carla.
"Another wine please Chelle and make it quick" She said as Marc moved up so he was next to her instead. They made some more small talk until Steve came back to the bar excitedly, with the results of the quiz in his hands.
"Okay I've got the results here and I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who has taken part." Steve said "In third place is the Nazir family!" The Nazir's looked disappointed but they all clapped graciously.
"In Second place… is Roy's team" he said and as Roy, Garry and Anna clapped. Carla knew who had won the quiz before Steve had even said it.
"The winners are ... The Barlow's" Steve said, Tracy and Peter cheered loudly and Ken smiled delightedly.
"Awwww never mind." Carla cried to the underworld team who weren't too far away from her. Beth mumbled something about it being a fix and Sean demanded a recount but they weren't being serious as Steve continued.
"Yes well done to The Barlow's. Your prize of a one hundred pound bar tab starts right now, Drinks are on The Barlow's everyone" More people cheered and congratulated Ken, as Tracy rushed over to the bar.
"Right I'll have two large brandy's please." Tracy said smugly. Michelle nodded and grinned as she poured the two drinks whilst Carla went and sat down in Tracy's seat, next to Peter and Ken.
"Eh Well done you two" she said patting Ken on the back because she knew it was probably him who had done the most work.
"Thank you Carla" Ken said "It's been a truly wonderful birthday" He said smiling
"Good" Carla said smiling as Tracy came back to the table with two glasses of Brandy.
"Here ya go Dad" she said handing him one, She looked at Peter "Sorry bro" He rolled his eyes at her
"Tracy you could have got Peter a drink" Ken said sighing at his daughters selfishness.
"Oh we're not going to waste our winnings on orange juice are we?" Tracy moaned,
"Our winnings?" Peter scoffed "I don't think you actually answered more than one question Tracy." She was halfway through her brandy and swallowed it down.
"Eh it's not my fault you and Dad are such know it alls."
"Ken I'm really sorry about falling a asleep earlier" Carla smiled "Blame Peter" She said pointing in his direction with her thumb.
"Me?" Peter exclaimed,
"Yes you, I were serious earlier when I said your arms were my kryptonite, they always have been"
"Are you sure he's just not really really boring?" Tracy asked pulling a face. Carla and Peter both laughed at the same time.
They all continued to talk and laugh away together until Ken eventually said that he was tired and wanted to go home. Carla got up and hugged Ken goodbye and Tracy said that she would go with him leaving Carla and Peter sitting together at the table alone.
"Thank you for today." Peter said, Carla who was still sat in his jacket smiled at him
"What for?"
"For everything, I know you didn't plan on spending your whole day with me Dad and Tracy"
"Honestly Peter it's fine, I had a great day"
"So are you gonna tell me what you and Si were talking about earlier?" Peter asked with a cheeky grin. Carla shook her head at him, looking all mysterious
"No way." She said
"Come on, I'm dying to know." Peter begged. Carla was about to speak but she paused because Marc suddenly stormed out of the pub. Michelle waved Carla over. She got up and joined Michelle at the bar
"What's up with him?"
"I didn't realise he didn't know about you and Peter." Michelle said
"Me and Peter?"
"Yeah you know, the fact that you are married... To each other" Michelle said frowning a little at Marc's behaviour.
"Oh right" Carla said sighing.
"He was watching you and he said how well you seemed to get on with Ken and I said something about Ken being your father in law and Marc didn't look happy... At all" Michelle said "I mean I can't believe you didn't tell him."
"Well it never really came up. Anyways maybe he'll leave me alone now." Carla said rather glad that Michelle had told Marc about her and Peter being married.
"Maybe… you'd think he'd take the hint though... I mean you are wearing Peter's jacket." Michelle said smirking, Carla rolled her eyes
"Don't start Michelle." She said grinning and walking back over to Peter.
"What happened?" he asked, Carla sat back down next to him and grinned
"Oh Michelle told Marc we're married." Carla said finding it a little odd because they really didn't talk about that part of their life anymore.
"And that's why he stormed out?" Peter said "Oh dear, he's not going to be happy with me then, He was asking me advice earlier because he wants to get closer to you." Peter said almost laughing and putting air quotes on the words "closer to you"
"Peter!" Carla groaned "it's not funny. Can't you warn him off or summat?" Peter laughed again
"Eh?" He said
"Tell him you're trying to win me back and if he gets in your way there's gonna be big trouble."
"Carla"
"Scare him off… Tell him you've been in prison." Carla said to Peter who was still chuckling
"I can't do that, I mean are trying to send me back to prison?" He asked as Carla rested against him hopelessly, she was silent for a moment and then she looked up at him.
"Please Peter, I've spoken to him but he just won't take a hint."
"Fine... but if I go back to prison for this, You better come and visit me." Peter joked, putting an arm around Carla again. He just couldn't help but want to hold her close to him all the time. Carla didn't mind of course and sat under his arm contently. They were both well aware of the looks they were getting but neither of them seemed to care too much. It was only Carla began to feel her eyelids get heavy again that she sat upright
"Right... I think I need to go home" Peter nodded at her because he was starting to get tired again as well, they said goodbye to everyone before leaving the pub and setting off home.
"So ave you thought about what you're gonna say to Marc yet?" Carla asked as they walked outside the pub, Peter shrugged
"Hmmm I'm not sure yet but I don't think I'm gonna go down the whole I've been in prison route." Peter said grinning as they both crossed the road, Carla had become a custom to Peter walking her home each time they had been anywhere late. As they reached her building she smiled at him
"Alright I can see how the prison thing might be a little over the top but I just have to do something because he's beginning to get a little..." Carla stopped talking
"What?" Peter asked concerned because Carla didn't look like she was finding it funny any more.
"He's just a little overwhelming at times that's all." She said shaking her head
"Well I've got a few things in mind so don't worry I'll talk to him." Peter said Carla looked at him intrigued
"What you gonna say to him then?"
"What if I tell him that I'm desperately trying to get you back" Carla nodded
"Yeah that sounds good." but Peter wasn't finished
"What if I tell him that the more time I spend with you, the more crazy I am becoming about being your husband again, What if I tell him that whenever I'm alone with you, I have to fight the urge not to stick me tongue down your throat and that if he were a good guy, he'd go away and not make it so damn difficult for me." he said, Carla felt her heart start racing as Peter moved closer to her, she couldn't tell if he was speaking truthfully or not "Does that sound like a good idea?"
"Yes" she got out quietly.
"And If he doesn't listen then maybe I'll mention the whole prison thing." Peter smirked putting his arms around Carla.
"Thanks Peter." Carla said a little sadly as she cuddled into Peter, wishing that he didn't always fight this urge to kiss her. She wasn't brave enough to say this though and when he kissed her on the cheek instead and said a cheery goodnight, She sighed a little before going into her building alone.