Back to normality?

Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I don't own coronation street or any of its characters. Some of the dialogue at the beginning may be similar to that of the return episode and I will be adding a few characters of my own as the story progresses. I haven't watched the show in years but have caught up on the carla and peter clips online from when they returned from Carlisle. Also, there will be characters who aren't in the show now but who I used to like watching. So bear with me whilst I get into the swing of things and I hope everyone enjoys it.

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As the car pulled up outside Roy's Rolls, a dark-haired, scruffy-bearded Male turned to his girlfriend in the passenger asleep, still dozing as she had been for most of the journey; after a month's stay in Carlisle, they were finally home. Although she had made enough progress to be discharged from the psychiatric clinic, she was still to be seen daily by her key worker, Scott, until he was sure she was ready to reduce his visits; knowing the first visit was just a couple of hours away, Peter knew he would have to wake Carla up, albeit reluctantly. Sighing softly, he gently moved her dark raven hair from her face and stroked her cheek; watching her eyes flutter back open, he gave her a small smile.

"We here?" She asked, rubbing her tired, dull eyes, having lost their sparkle.

"Yeah, love; you were bothsparkoo for most of the journey," he said, referring to the sixteen-year-old in the back seat.

"That's cos you got us up at a stupid time" Simon piped up. "Why did we have to leave so early?"

"Because, we have someone coming in a  couple of hours and Carla needs time to settle in" he explained, choosing his words carefully but ensuring Simon understood the reasoning behind the decision.

"Sorry Carla, dad; I'm gonna go see mom"

"Okay Si; I'll come and find you later"

"Bye"

"Bye Si," Carla said, still feeling spaced out.

As Simon got out of the vehicle, Peter turned back to Carla; taking her hand and squeezing it.

"Sure you're ready for this? We can always go somewhere else for a few days?" He offered.

"What's that gonna achieve? Besides, Roy is expecting us; staying away isn't gonna make it any easier"

"Anytime you need time out, just say; we're here for you, Michelle included"

"I know" she smiled slightly. "Let's get this over with.

Stepping out of the car, she took a moment to look at the iconic building in front of her; she thought back to all the times she'd visited Hayley before she passed, then her friendship with Roy afterward, the times she'd escaped her reality and problems and hid away with her surrogate father figure.

"Ready?" Peter asked as he appeared next to her, squeezing her hand in comfort.

"Yeah" she whispered.

Heading through the open door, she was well aware of people staring at her; she wasn't naive enough to think people would have forgotten what had happened and even though she wasn't directly to blame for the accident, she still felt guilty and responsible. Feeling claustrophobic, she looked to Peter who ushered her upstairs with Roy following behind them, having left the cafe to Anna; once inside the flat, Carla wrapped her arms around herself as she looked around, awkwardly as the memories of the last time she was here clouded her memory.

"You okay love?" Peter asked, sensing her nervousness.

"It's the same," she noticed.

"Well, you know Roy; he doesn't like change" He grinned, holding her close as Roy made them a drink. "You'll get there; you're exhausted"

"Mm,m" she agreed as they took a seat at the table, joined by Roy.

"Are you sure it's okay, us been here?" Carla asked her friend, a hand on his. "We can go somewhere else"

"This, this is your home as long as you need it to be" Roy answered.

"Thank you"

"Can I get you anything else?" Peter asked.

"I'm gonna grab a quick shower," she said, picking up her coffee and standing up.

"Love, Scott will be here soon"

"Hence why I said quick"

"Maybe..."

"Peter, I just want five minutes to shower without having to ask or be watched twenty-four seven" she snapped, heading for the bathroom before turning around. "Sorry, I'm tired"

As she disappeared out of sight, Peter quickly grabbed their cases from the boot of the car; locking up the vehicle, he saw Michelle approaching.

"How is she?" She asked, helping him with the cases.

"Quiet, tired; we have the key worker coming soon"

"Why?"

"To see how she's settling in, see if she needs any extra support" he answered as they entered the flat as Carla emerged with a fluffy white robe on and her wet hair left loose around her shoulders.

Hugging her close, Michelle stroked her hair, needing reassurance for herself that her best friend was on the mend; eventually, she reluctantly pulled away as there was a knock on the door.

"That'll be Scott" Carla murmured as she and Michelle joined Roy at the table whilst Peter let the visitor in.

As the meeting began, Peter kept a hand on Carla's thigh for reassurance as Scott asked her some basic questions before turning to her medication.

"So you understand what you need to take and when?"

"Yeah, want me to...?" She asked and seeing him nod, she continued, picking each box up as she spoke, "Two blood pressure tablets, twice a day; two different types of autosuppresents two times, twice a day and last but not least, my favorite, antipsychotics that makes my head feel like cotton wool"

"Blimey, I'm surprised you don't rattle when you walk" Michelle joked.

"They can have that effect on people along with tiredness; do you have any other questions?"

Carla shook her head.

"What about the rest of you? I'm here for you as much as Carla"

"I don't think so" they all agreed.

"Okay, well, I'll be around daily to start with and then as time goes on, we can reduce them; any problems, you have my number"

"Thanks, Scott," Peter said as he showed the gentleman out, followed soon after by Michelle.

"Why don't you have a lie-down love?" He suggested to Carla as he kissed the top of her head.

Nodding, she headed into the bedroom where she lay on the bed, a light blanket over her as Peter watched her drift off.