The sun beat through the windows of the rovers shining onto Carla's head as she rested it on the table in the pub.
"Car what are you doing? It's 8 o'clock," Michelle asked softly walking through to the pub from the back, her eyes squinted in the light.
"I couldn't sleep," Carla replied looking up at her, her head heavy and her eyes sad.
"Why didn't you come in the back, staying in here isn't any good for you," Michelle smiled sympathetically as she went and sat opposite her, holding Carla's hand.
"It's bad enough we've kicked you and Steve out of your bed I'm not gonna wake you up as well," Carla answered.
"You didn't kick us out of bed at all," Michelle commented, "Steve offered to go and stay at Lloyd and Andrea's and you and Lia needed a bed more than I did last night."
"Thank you again, for letting us stay," Carla smiled putting her other hand on top of Michelle's.
"Of course babe, anytime you know that," Michelle smiled back before a loud bang pummelled against the Rover's doors.
Michelle raised her eyebrows and went to unlock the door to reveal Rob stood in the frame, "Could you knock any louder?"
"Good job we weren't sleeping," Carla commented sarcastically as Rob rolled his eyes and sat opposite her, Michelle joining him.
"Did you sleep at all, you look knackered," Rob stated.
"And you look as fresh as a daisy I suppose," Carla retorted rolling her eyes before sighing, "And no I didn't and neither did Lia, we were both awake all night it was only about an hour go when she finally went off so I came down here save waking her up."
"Have the police been in touch?" Rob asked.
"No not yet but they will be sooner rather than later," Carla sighed as silence descended on the three.
After a few minutes Rob decided to speak up, "You know Car, I am sorry about knowing about Peter and that. I didn't tell you only cause of the baby, he promised he would stop. I was stupid enough to believe him for some reason."
"Don't worry about it," Carla gave him a sympathetic smile, "I understand, honestly. Anyway has he graced the Barlow residence or is he in a gutter."
"I don't know but he wants to hope he doesn't run into me again," Rob murmured.
"Again?" Carla tilted her head as Michelle looked in the man's direction.
"I gave him a little punch in the rovers after you left," Rob mumbled as Michelle scoffed.
"A little?" Michelle questioned, "Rob, Steve had to drag you off him."
"Rob!" Carla exclaimed sighing.
"I'm sorry but he needed to know he had no right to treat you like that," Rob defended.
"I think he got the message," Carla rolled her eyes before looking up at her brother sympathetically, "Thank you, for looking out for me."
"Why don't we go in the back, I'll put the kettle on," Michelle suggested as the nodded and began to get up.
"Thanks Chelle," Carla smiled as she grabbed the cup from her friend's hands.
"So we need to talk about what your gonna say to the police," Rob started, "They'll want to know what happened after they hear what these lot round here have got to say."
"I went to go and see Tina, she didn't answer so I went back to the flat, I flung a few things around and then went back round, yeah," Carla ran through quickly as Michelle and Rob nodded, "The door was open so I went up to the flat and she was unpacking her bags, I confronted her she apologised and cried etcetera, I slapped her about a bit and then I left."
"And that was it," Rob asked.
"Yes, when I left she was in the flat alive, kicking and crying," Carla replied before sighing and putting her head in her hands.
As her head rested in her hands she could see Michelle and Rob looking between each other, "Yous do believe me don't you, I didn't do that, you know that don't you?!"
"Yes of course we know that!" Michelle exclaimed rubbing her arm in comfort.
"Of course," Rob agreed, "They wanna be talking to Peter, he had as much motive as anyone."
"That's if they can find him," Carla muttered as her attention was brought to the door as it squeaked open.
"Hi baby, you okay?" Carla smiled slightly in her daughters direction opening her arm out to hug Lia.
Lia nodded as she rubbed her eyes and dropped down next to her mum, cuddling into her neck, "Mum."
"Yeah darling," Carla responded stroking her hair.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Peter, I didn't want you getting upset, I know how much you loved him," Lia explained.
"Oh Lia sweetie," Carla soothed moving her daughters head so she could face her, "I know you would never keep anything from me to hurt me. It is not your fault whatsoever."
"You promise?" Lia questioned.
"I promise," Carla repeated before nudging her daughter with a smirk, "Hey and I've even forgave Rob, now that's saying something."
The girl chuckled followed by Rob before nodding," It really is."
"Do you want a drink babe," Michelle asked the girl.
"Do you have any hot chocolate?" Lia asked hopeful.
"Of course I do," Michelle grinned getting up, "Marshmallows?"
"Always," Lia smiled as Michelle nodded walking into the kitchen.
"Anyway how did you end up with Roy last night?" Carla asked Lia stroking her hair.
"Cause Peter was just going on and on about how he never meant to hurt us like it was an accident he had an affair!" Lia exclaimed, "So I stormed out and I went round to Tina's. She was stood outside with her bags waiting for a taxi so I had a go at her, the taxi came and she sent it away she got all sad then she went defensive. Roy saw us and he told me to come inside so then I went and sat with Roy."
"You didn't touch her though?" Carla assured.
"I slapped her, only the once though mum, I promise she's just infuriating!" Lia defended.
"Alright darling that's fine it's all I needed to know," Carla nodded, "I mean it's not fine you slapped her but I get it, as long as you don't do it again."
"I know, but mum I didn't hurt her like I wasn't the reason she's in hospital right?" Lia enquired.
"No, no of course not!" Carla fretted.
"There you go sweetheart," Michelle smiled bringing her drink.
"Why don't you go back upstairs and watch some TV in Chelle and Steve's bed I know you won't want to sleep but at least go and try and relax, take your mind off everything," Carla suggested.
Lia nodded in agreement before heading to the door, "Mum, I love you."
"I love you more baby," Carla smiled as the teenager made her way up the stairs.
"This is such a mess," Carla muttered as she rested her head on her hand.
"I know," Rob said moving over to sit next to his sister, "But me and Chelle we're gonna be here for you and Lia and this baby, all the way."
"Thanks you both," Carla smiled slightly, "I don't know what I would do without yous. I'm gonna go in the shower if that's alright Chelle."
"Yeah of course it is darling," Michelle replied.
A bit later, Liz was in the front, setting up the pub while Rob sat and talked to her, Steve had came back from Lloyd's and was sat in the back with Michelle. Carla came down the stairs and walked into the back room smiling at the couple and sitting at the table.
"Lia's asleep, she must off drifted off," Carla told them.
"I'm not surprised she must be exhausted," Michelle commented, "You must be as well, why don't you go lie down with Lia?"
"No I'm fine there's not much point," Carla shook her head, "I might go back to the flat."
"Is that a good idea?" Michelle asked.
"What if Peter's there?" Steve wondered.
"Well I'll just have to kick him out won't I," Carla sighed going silent for a minute, "Chelle do you still have the spare keys, Peter's got the key."
"Yeah course I'll go grab it," Michelle smiled placing her hand on Carla's leg in comfort.
"Steve will you go change the barrel, Liz is asking," Rob asked as Steve nodded.
"Yeah we'll be opening soon anyway," Steve replied walking out at the same time as Michelle.
"Are you okay?" Rob asked his sister as she looked at him, "Stupid question I know."
"No, no I'm fine, I just wanna move on," Carla sighed as a knock came at the door.
"Carla, the police are here," Liz introduced as Carla turned around to face them.
"How can I help you?" Carla asked.
"Mr Donovan, you're here as well how helpful," The detective smirked, "I don't suppose Michelle Connor's here as well?"
"Can I help you?" Michelle asked coming down the stairs.
"The three of you are needed down the station, we need to ask some questions," The detective continued.
"Well how long is it going to take cause my daughter's upstairs?" Carla questioned huffing.
"Yeah and me and Chelle have work to get to," Rob agreed.
"It's shouldn't take long," The officer stood behind the detective piped up with a small smile.
"Right fine," Carla sighed getting up from her seat, "Liz if Lia wakes up will you just make sure she stays here, just say we've gone for a walk."
"Of course love," Liz gave her a reassuring smile as the three began to walk to the door.
A/N: Hi all, thank you for all these reviews they mean so much, it makes me want to write even more. I've had to split this one in half as it was so long but I have started on the other chapter already so hopefully should be up soon.
L xx