Chapter 6

Disclaimer I don't own Coronation Street or any of its characters.

6 months later- 3rd July.

Roy's Cafe

Carla was in the cafe, grabbing her much needed morning coffee, chatting with Hailey as she waited.

"So, you're sure you don't mind holding the forte unit and I get back? The conference is 2 days and we used to be back by the afternoon." Carla asked for the tenth ten tgwr morning.

"Mrs Connor, of course, I'm sure, it's my job," Hayley replied, handing her morning coffee.

"You're a star! Will you keep an eye on Maddie for me? Sally's up to her old tricks and here I thought jealousy was for kids." Carla asked, rolling her eyes.

"I know what you mean, I'll keep an eye on her for you. Anything else?" Hayley asked as they made their way out of the cafe.

"Oh now that you mention it, it's Frank's birthday on Sunday and it's also 6 months since we've been together. If I give you my credit card, could you get me a present for his birthday and a little something for our 6 months anniversary?" Carla whispered to Hailey as she didn't want the girls and Sean to hear them as they walked past into the factory.

"No Mr Foster this morning?" Beth piped up.

"No Beth, not this morning. Come on you lot, there is work to be done." Carla replied with a tight smile.

Later that day - Underworld Factory

"Right, you lot listen up, I'm going to Rome for 2 days, so Hailey is in charge. That's all, thank you." Carla told them and went into her office again.

"Swooning off whenever she feels like it and some of us actually have to work." Beth moaned, rolling her eyes.

"Eh, she's the one who actually employs you, Beth." Sean pointed out to her sarcastically.

Back in the office.

"Maddie, have you got a second?" Carla asked the teen as she finished some filing.

"Yeah, sure Mrs Connor," Maddie replied nervously, taking a seat.

"Don't worry you haven't done anything, I know Sally has been on your case and don't try and defend her, I won't stand for it in the workplace. It won't be tolerated. How long has it been going on?" Carla asked softly.

"Since you promoted me in here, she says that despite the job and the nice suit, scratch the surface and I'll always be street trash, who mum never wanted her," Maddie whispered, as she wiped away a single tear from her cheek.

"She said what? I'm not having that!" Carla hissed, absolutely furious that this had been going on under her employment and in her factory and right under her nose.

Carla was disgusted, she never realised that it had been going this far, had she known. She would have nipped it in the bud straight away.

It made her feel physically sick, she knew Sally had a chip on her shoulder, but this was taking it too far. This was bullying.

"Please don't! She'll only deny it, there were no witnesses and I have no proof and she's worked here for years and well, no one is going to believe me, are they?" Maddie pleaded, hanging her head in shame.

"Don't do that! Don't you dare hang your head in shame, you have nothing, absolutely nothing to be ashamed of? I believe you, Maddie. Leave it with me, I promise you I will sort this. Go on a break." Carla promised her.

She was going to sort thus once and for all.

Roy's cafe

Later that afternoon Carla made her way to Roy's cafe, still fuming over the conversation that took place in her office that morning. How dare she?!. Who to hell did she think she was?

"Roy, I need you to talk some sense into me before I do something I regret, like kill Sally Webster!" Carla seethed as she took the table closest to the counter.

"You'll need to explain the situation before I can be of any assistance," Roy told her.

Carla explained everything to him and waited patiently for him to digest the information.

"I personally myself would survey the goings-on in the factory, have proof before you confront her otherwise I'd presume she'd only deny her involvement," Roy advised, disgusted at what he had just heard.

"I must say though if the allegations are true, this is quite disturbing and despicable. As deemed by the law, although she is 17. Madeline is still legally a child." Roy offered.

"I know, Thank you, Roy, you're an angel," Carla replied, getting up and kissing him on the cheek before she left.

On her way back to the factory, Carla bumped into Leanne.

"Alright, Lee. How're things? Feels like ages since we saw each other." Carla smiled giving her friend a big hug.

"I know, not bad, Ta, you are coming to my hen night?" Leanne asked, excitably.

"Try and stop me! It'll be great for us all to go out, paint the town red and have a good old catch up at the same time." Carla replied, as her phone rang.

"Sorry love, I have to take this." Carla apologized to her.

"No worries, we'll meet in the Rovers later? Yeah?" Leanne replied giving her friend a hug before they parted ways.

"Hiya love, what's up?" Carla asked her boyfriend on the other end of the phone.

"I've just had Sally Webster on the phone, asking about the sale of the factory and she said that and I quote " As a valued client of the underworld, she felt I should know what's going on, Carla?" Frank asked her, wanting to get to the bottom of the situation.

"What? What sale? I'm not selling the factory! How the hell did she even get your number?" Carla fumed.

How dare she?!

"I'm not sure, but you're definitely not selling the business?" Frank double-checked.

"No love, I'm not selling the business, wait until I see Webster!" Carla hissed.

"Ok that's a relief, I'll see you tonight then?" Frank asked, checking they were still on for tonight.

"Yeah, I'll see you tonight, that's if you don't have to come and bail me out," Carla replied.

"Why? What's happened now?" Frank sighed, Carla didn't need this. Especially from Sally Webster.

"She's been bullying Maddie at work, as for outside of work, I'm not sure but I'd stick my reputation on it," Carla told him.

"Are you serious? Maddie's what? 17? 18? And the poor kid has already had it rough." Frank replied, disgusted.

"I know, I'm going to speak to her about it and believe you me, she'll hear what I have to say." Carla angrily replied.

"Carla, don't go off the deep end, love that's exactly what she wants you to do and then oh what do you know, she's suing you for God knows what," Frank advised her.

"I know, I know. Roy said the same thing earlier. He had an idea, he said to watch and catch her at it, but frank the thought of that going on in my factory and letting Maddie still go through that and let it willing happen just to catch her out? I don't like it, it doesn't sit right with me." Carla told him.

"I know love, but realistically there's nothing else you can do. Sally isn't going to admit to it without evidence, is she?" Frank concluded.

"I know, I know you're right. Doesn't mean that I have to like it, does it?" Carla sighed, frustrated.

"Set up a trap for her to walk right into," Frank suggested.

"What? Like a secret camera or something?" Carla asked.

"Yeah, why not? That way you have concrete proof." Frank replied.

"Would you come over and install it for me?" Carla asked.

"Yeah, you get it and call me back," Frank replied.

"Ok, I'll see you in a bit," Carla told him.

"I'll see you in a bit, love you," Frank replied, ending the phone call.

"I love you too, bye," Carla replied softly.

Underworld Factory

A little while later Carla had gotten the camera and her and Frank were in the office.

"Do you think this is going to work?" Carla asked, handing him a coffee.

"Yeah, I think so I mean she doesn't know that you're on to her, does she?" Frank asked.

"I doubt it, she's more interested in you." Carla sighed.

"Hey, listen I'm not remotely interested in Sally Webster. There's only one girl I have my eye on." Frank smirked, winking at Carla.

"Good to know." Carla flirted back.

Frank had the camera up and running in no time at all.

"Hi, Mr Foster I thought I saw you! Is there anything I can get you?" Sally batted her eyelashes at him.

"No Sally, thank you," Frank replied, suppressing a sigh of annoyance.

Carla just turned her head and bit her tongue.

"Well if you're sure I'm only out here if you need me, anything at all," Sally told him.

"Thank you," Frank replied, politely.

"Oh does she have too, it's nauseating to watch," Carla muttered.

"Just think of it this way, she's wasting her time.", Frank replied, giving Carla a soft kiss.

"Do you have to go?" Carla asked, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"I have to go I'm afraid." Frank sighed as he gently played with her hair.

Out on the factory floor.

"Do you think it'll last this time?" Sally asked spitefully.

"Leave them alone, Sally, he'll never be interested in you. Get over it!" Sean told her. Bluntly.

"I was only saying, mind you given her track record in that department." Sally spate. Jealousy ouzing from every pour.

"I tell you what Sally, go be jealous somewhere else." Sean snapped at her.

"Even I'm not that bad, give it a rest, Sally," Beth told her, rolling her eyes.

"And that's coming from her." Sinead piped up.

"Who asked you?" Sally snapped at her,

"Oi don't speak to her like or you'll have me to deal with.' Beth warned her.

"I was saying." Sinead defended herself.

"Right, everyone back to work, please." Hailey tried to bring calm and order before it erupted.

That seemed to do the trick.

A few days later

2 days later the couple returned from Rome, getting out of the cab, Carla bumped into Leanne.

"I'll leave you, two ladies, to it," Frank commented playfully rolling his eyes.

"So how was Rome you lucky cow!" Leanne exclaimed giving her best friend a massive hug.

"Oh, it was amazing! I have so much to tell you!" Carla laughed and was glad to be home.

"I bet, I saw the pictures you posted. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't jealous!" Leanne laughed good naturally.

"I bet you were, catch up in the Rovers at dinner time?" Carla asked.

"You bet, I want to hear all about Rome," Leanne replied as the two friends hugged goodbye.

Underworld Factory

Carla entered the factory to a bombard of questions.

"Dinner time, I'll fill you all in. Just not the saucy bits. That's private." Carla laughed, heading into the office.

Carla took one look at Frank's face and knew it was about to hit the fan.

"I've met some brass necks in my time, but this is disgusting!" Frank hissed as he slammed his fist down on the desk.

"It's that bad, and I left her here to deal with it on her own while I jetted off to Rome," Carla replied as a single tear rolled down her cheek.

"No, you don't get to feel guilty, you haven't done anything wrong. So don't you dare!" Frank reprimanded softly.

"I'm sick to the stomach, we're dealing with this today." Carla hissed, heading for the factory floor.

"SALLY! MY OFFICE, NOW!" Carla's voice cut through the quiet hum of chatter throughout the factory.

"Yes, Mrs Connor?" Sally asked sweetly, going to close the door.

"That door stays open! Did anything happen while I was away?" Carla asked, trying to keep her anger at bay.

"No, Mrs Connor. Why has somebody said something? I bet you it was that little madam Maddie, running to the boss, telling tales." Sally scoffed in annoyance.

"Telling tales?" Carla smirked.

"Yes, I mean ever since you give her that promotion, although I don't see why you did, Mrs Connor." Sally put her two cents worth in.

"Keep digging, Sally. Just wait for it." Frank thought to himself.

"SHUT UP! I KNOW WHAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING TO THAT POOR GIRL. IT'S DISGUSTING!" Carla raged at her.

"And there it is." Frank thought smugly to himself.

"I don't know what.." Carla cut her off.

"You don't know what I'm talking about? Is that it? Is that what you were going to say, Sally?" Carla hissed.

"Quite frankly yes, I don't know what she's been saying but I strongly…" Again Carla cut her off.

"You what? Come on, you what? Strongly refute the allegations? Is that what you were going to say? You see Sally, I caught you red-handed." Carla sneered, showing her the secret camera footage.

Sally at least had the decency to hang her head in shame for what she had done.

"How could you? You make me sick, after everything that poor girl has been through. God Sally, you have daughters the same age. What if that had been one of them?" Carla asked in disgust.

"There are no words or actions that could ever make up for my disgraceful behaviour. No amount of apologies could ever be enough. But that's all I have." Sally whispered.

"It's not me you owe an apology to, is it?" Carla asked, looking her up and down.

"I'll do everything in my power to make it up to Maddie," Sally whispered.

"Get out, you're fired. Now leave before I say something I'm going to regret." Carla told her.

Sally turned round to see the whole factory staring back at her in stunned and disgusted silence.

"And I thought I was a cow, you ought to be ashamed of yourself!" Beth sneered at her.

"Get out and don't come back," Sean told her coldly, turning away from her.

"Yeah, nobody wants you here." Izzie hissed.

"I think it's best for everyone concerned that you leave," Hayley told her, giving her a look of disappointment.

Sally knew she'd overstepped the mark by a mile and there was no excuse that could ever justify here actions.

This was nothing more than she deserved.

A/N I hope you enjoyed reading it! Thank you for all the wonderful feed back. Keep reviewing!

Shoutouts

CarlaConnor Love

I think that if they had parted on better terms them maybe more people would ship them although I am not too sure about that as no-one really ships Carla/Paul, Carla/Tony, Carla/Trevor, Carla/Luke, Carla/Daniel, Carla/Ali and probably others too! I love how in this chapter that they didn't go to that fancy restaurant as with Carla's past I think she doesn't need big fancy gestures when she knows it's the one she just needs TLC and Frank is willing to give that to her no-strings-attached so I think he's a keeper xxx

Thank you. Yeah, I've always thought that too! Phenomenonal acting! I thought I'd cut out the sterio type with them having money. To just go back to badics.

I think if the storyline had of been different, that would have been so interesting. There could have been so many avenues tbey could have gone down. Xxx

Amymikk (

I hope this happiness continues and she will surely hate everyone gossiping about there relationship but I just want her to be happy and he really is a gentleman. X

Thank you. It might, it might not, who knows! She sure would. She might with a few bumps along the way! Do you think so?

Thank you for your others reviews as well! X