Back to normality?

Chapter 84

Throughout the night, Carla slept pitifully; every time Peter thought she had finally settled down for the night, she'd moan or wake up again. The sooner the results came in the better, he thought as he watched her whimper again before her eyes fluttered open and focused on him; he could see the fear and confusion in them.

"It's okay, close your eyes; it's still early" he whispered, stroking her hair as she settled on his shoulder.

"I can't sleep," she moaned.

"Want to try a drink?" He offered.

She nodded and followed him into the kitchen, waiting for him to hand her a mug of tea before they sat on the sofa, a blanket covering them.

"What's going on in that mind of yours?" He asked, resting a hand on her leg.

"I don't know,"

"Can you try and tell me? I might be able to help"

"I feel...out of sorts; there's so much confusion and noise in there"

"Just noise or voices?"

"Noises, I'm not psychotic Peter; I don't know what this is but it's different to last time"

"That's good that you can recognize the difference; what do you think will help?"

"I don't know, there's so much noise around here; there's always a siren or a horn or lorries. Sometimes it's too much..."

"And that's causing your anxiety?"

"Some of it"

"What else? Is there something else that can help you to face going outside? Or at least to go next door to see Michelle?"

"I...feel safe in here; I know the likelihood of anything happening outside is minimal but I'm afraid of the unknown"

"Okay, we can take it a step at a time; how about we start with you answering the door when it goes? You can look through the peephole and if you really don't want to see them, you don't have to answer" he suggested.

"How will that help?" She asked, sipping her drink.

"You'll slowly be interacting with people but on your terms and in your own home; you haven't seen or spoken to Roy since Olivia was born. He's concerned about you and wishes he could help you but he's respecting your wishes by staying away"

"I miss him" she admitted.

"Maybe we can start there; Roy won't pressure you to talk if you don't want to but he's always had a calming effect on you when you've been anxious or triggered"

"You won't leave me?"

"I promise; why don't I give him a call and see if he can bring some breakfast for us?"

"Okay," she whispered.

An hour later, when there was a knock on the door, with Peter holding her hand, Carla looked through the peephole before opening the door.

"Breakfast," Roy said, with a small smile, holding out two paper bags.

"Hi Roy," she said softly, letting him in.

"How are you?" He asked as they sat up at the table whilst Peter made him a drink before joining them to eat his bacon sandwich.

"Not good" she admitted. "I'm sorry"

"Whatever for?"

"Keeping you away; you always keep me safe"

"It's not your fault love," Peter said, losing count of how many times he'd said that over the last twenty-four hours.