Another Love

Part 12. Michelle's dicovery, Peter's jealousy and Leanne's doubts

2 weeks after Peter's discovery, Leanne and Peter wanted to burry the hatchet for Simon's sake, and they planned an evening of drinks in the Rovers for them and their (cheating) partners. Leanne was the first to arrive at the Rovers. She planned to meet Nick there after his shift in the Bistro. She ordered a white whine as Stella asked her how everything was going.
"So how are the wedding plans going?" Stella asked while grabbing the best bottle of white whine they had in the backstreet pub.
"Hmm... Alright." Leanne replied, not sounding very certain.
"Alright? Why? You're not having last minute doubts are you?" Stella asked.
"No, no way! I'm happy, I'm excited. I'm getting married in America in two months!" Leanne laughed, still not convincing Stella.
"But?" Stella knew something wasn't right.
"But... I don't think Nick is happy or excited. Recently he's been pretty distant. He doesn't talk to me as much, he's always picking up more shifts in the Bistro and we're not even getting much excitement anymore if you know what... I mean." Leanne coughed, realising she was talking to her mother about her sex life, every girl's nightmare.
Just before Stella could reply, Nick entered through the small double doors and walked towards them. "Alright? Can I get an orange juice please Stella?" He asked, clueless about the fact they were gossiping about him a few seconds before. That's when Peter and Carla arrived. Carla was totally dreading that night. She made up every excuse she could not to go, but none of them were good enough. Peter thought she didn't want to go due to the fact that Steve works in the Rovers, but that was not the case at all. Nick and Carla started at each other as she walked over to the bar. Carla ordered herself the usual and Peter just got water and they all grabbed a free booth. Carla and Nick sat opposite each other and they felt a lot more comfortable. As Carla and Nick had no idea that Peter knew Carla was having an affair, Carla still noticed something was slightly wrong.
Michelle came out from the back to start her shift and once she noticed Carla there she waved and Carla replied with a cheeky wink. Michelle still had no idea about her and Nick, and Carla wanted to keep it that way until she breaks it off with Peter. The less people know, the better. A few seconds later, Steve came out into the bar with that look he always has on his face. Carla smiled at him and Peter noticed this, his cheeks turning red.
Carla couldn't take it anymore, sitting there watching Leanne cuddling Nick. Neither could Nick watch Peter wrap his arm around Carla. Michelle noticed there was something quite not right with Carla. Her body language and her facial expressions had jealousy written all over. Michelle wasn't stupid, especially when it came to Carla.
"I'm going to go get some air, it's warm in here." Carla said, getting up from her seat.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Peter asked, hoping she wasn't going to see Steve.
"No, no it's okay. I won't be long." Carla said shuffling out of the booth and she then walked towards the back. As she passed the bar, she felt something grab her arm softly.
"Hey, is everything alright?" Michelle asked, folding her arms.
"Yeah. Yeah I'm fine." As much as Carla wanted to tell Michelle, she just couldn't. Carla continued to walk in her sassy way out to the back of the Rovers. A few moments later, Nick excused himself to go to the bathroom. Peter was too busy watching Steve like a hawk while Leanne didn't even care to know where he was going, but Michelle noticed Nick's awkwardness. She also noticed how he walked straight passed the entrance to the men's room and how he headed straight for outside, where Carla was.

Nick exited the Rovers to see Carla sitting there in the silence, playing with a coaster. As Carla heard footsteps coming nearer towards her, she turned around and stood up when she noticed it was Nick.
"I can't go back in there. Not while she's attached to you like a tattoo." Carla said looking to her side.
"I know, it's not exactly nice for me either to see you and Peter. Let's just get through tonight and we can see each other tomorrow before you go to Michelle's hen night? How does that sound? You can come to the flat while Leanne is watching Simon's football match?" Nick whispered to her. Carla smiled at him and nodded. He wrapped his arms around her lower waist.
"Yeah that sounds brilliant, is she at practice for long?" Carla whispered back while holding herself close towards him.
"A very long time." Nick smiled back.
"Because you know I don't like to rush." Carla smiled and said in a seductive tone before kissing him.
Suddenly, Michelle coughed to announce her presence. Carla and a Nick broke the kiss immediately and stood with an inch gap between them.
"You two seem very cosy." Michelle said with her arms folded. "Would you care to tell me what's going on?"
Carla looked at Michelle and felt guilty. She also felt quite relieved. Relieved that it was Michelle and not Leanne or Peter.