Chapter Two.
Disclaimer I don't own Coronation Street or any of the characters.
Chapter Two.
The beginning
A hustler and chancer for a dad who was in prison more than he was out and only came to the rundown, filthy, rat ridden council flat when he was looking for something or needed a place to crash.
And an alcoholic excuse for a mum, what chance did a defenceless child have if she didn't have not one hope in hell of a chance, to begin with?
Carla knew poverty, shame and stigma from a very early age and the effects alcoholism can have on the human body and the devastating ripple effects it has on the loved ones of the addict.
The shouting, the banging of doors, a strange man, holding her mum's hair back from her face as she yet again threw up.
Her mum's personality could change in a split second, one minute she was the loving mother Carla had always dreamed of and the next thing Carla knew was a hand had struck her across the face and she had her mum standing there telling her what a burden she was and wished she gotten rid of her when she had the chance.
On one hand, Carla was numb to the spitefulness but on the other, it was like someone has yet again thrust a blade through her heart.
That's how her own mum made her feel useless, worthless, unlovable, nobody would ever want her and she would never belong.
A daughter by DNA, but not by love.
Carla hated her mum, but couldn't help but love at the same time. She was her mum.
The more Carla tried to fix her the more broken and damaged her mum became.
Carla knew what it was like to come second best to addiction, to come second best in general.
Carla spent most of her childhood hiding where she came from and the fact that she was poor, the stigma and shame of it was just too much to bear.
But you know what they say you can take the girl out of the estate but you can't take the estate out of the girl.
Running away
The gravity of her home life and the poverty that she lived in only became more apparent as she got older, the older Carla got the more stigma grew, knowing that it was through no fault of her own.
as soon as she turned 16 Carla packed her bags, she remembered it as if it was yesterday.
It had been pouring rain all day and continued well into the night.
The rain was sharp on Carla's face as soon as she opened the door and the rain slid down her face like a waterfall.
Carla wandered aimlessly for hours with no sense of direction and no destination in mind as long as she got out of the place she called hell on earth.
Carla doesn't remember much of that night or how she ended up in the shop doorway, the next thing she knew was that there was this lady standing over, gently shaking her awake.
"Please don't hurt me. I don't have anything." Carla cried out frightened, shrinking that bit future into the corner.
"Oh sweetheart I'm not going to hurt you, you look frozen to death. Let's get you something to eat." The kind lady offered.
"No thank you. I'm alright." Carla replied as uncertainty covered her features.
"I promise you I'm not going to hurt you, honey. My name is Ann. What's yours?" Ann asked the clearly frightened teen.
"I'm Carla," Carla replied, offering Ann half a smile.
"That's a lovely name. Have you been here long? Ann asked as she sat next to Carla.
"I got lost," Carla replied sheepishly.
"Oh honey, everyone gets lost every now and then. I bet your mum and dad will be worried sick about you." Ann assumed.
"My dad's in prison and my man is a drunk." Carla scuffed.
Ann didn't want to push the teen too much.
"How about that invitation for something to eat?" Ann smiled at her, giving Carla her coat.
"Yes, please," Carla replied, gratefully taking Ann's coat she had offered to her.
The warmth of the cafe was instant relief from the cold for Carla as they took a table in the corner away from prying eyes.
Ann told Carla to order anything she liked.
"Tell me a bit about yourself, Carla," Ann asked, softly.
Carla didn't know what it was about this kind lady that sat in front of her, Carla couldn't put her finger on it. But she felt like she could tell her anything and she'd never tell a living soul.
So, that's exactly what Carla did and for the next 2 hours, Carla told this lady she'd only just met her life story. Chapter and verse.
Ann didn't know what made her stop that morning, she could have just as easily walked past like everyone else had, she just couldn't tell you why.
"I have a friend who runs a homeless shelter. Give him a call and tell him I sent you." Ann told her, writing the number down on a napkin.
"Thank you so much. Maybe one day we'll see each other again." Carla smiled at her and left the cafe.
Ann smiled sadly as she watched the young teenager leave the cafe and knew at that moment. She'd stay with her forever.
A/N I hope you enjoyed this. Any questions, PM me
Many thanks
M
Shutouts
Amymikk
Great chapter beautifully written and loved how you Ethelred certain sentences too. It was soo sweet and love the name Corben and Kai there adorable. I can't wait to see where this story leads. X
.
.
.
Awe thank you! I thought I'd put a personal eminent to it. Corben and Kai are the names of my nephews. I really hope that you enjoy this chapter! Happy reading!
CarlaConnor Lover
I loved the other version of this story (even though it got a little confusing at times) and I hope that you update this soon xxx
.
.
.
Thank you! I hope you like this version just as much. Sorry about that! I hope this is more understandable. Here's your update. Happy reading! Xxx