Back to normality?

Chapter 3

Watching her later that evening, content and asleep in his arms in the safe haven of Roy's spare bedroom, he couldn't help but worry about her; she'd barely eaten more than a couple of bites of dinner before pushing it away and retreating to the corner of the sofa. He made sure she had eaten enough to safely take her medication and gave her a glass of warm milk to drink but he knew the sooner he could get her out, the better she would start to feel; knowing he wouldn't get to sleep any time soon, he carefully moved Carla onto the pillow before going through to the kitchenette.

"Peter..." Roy said, startling him as he poured himself a glass of water.

"Sorry, did I wake you?"

"I was just reading a book; everything okay?"

"I couldn't sleep" he answered, taking his glass and sitting up at the table. "Usually, at times like this, I would've grabbed a can or summat"

"You haven't?"

"I wouldn't do that to Carla again; she's trying so hard to get back to normality. She doesn't need me screwing up again, not after everything I've put her through; that's why I'm sat here with water"

"She asleep?" He asked, taking a seat.

"Finally; took her taking an anxiety tablet to settle her. She's worried about going out, and seeing people; wouldn't even come down to the cafe earlier to see you"

"It's bound to take time"

"I know; Scott said the same. I wish I knew that everything would turn out okay in the end; I want my fun, loving Carla back"

"She'll get there; you have to trust she will come back to you"

"Thanks, Roy"

Heading back into the spare room, he saw Carla was still asleep; the anxiety tablet had had a calming effect on her; sliding back next to her, he brushed the hair from her eyes and kissed her forehead.

"I'm gonna protect you, no matter what" he whispered, closing his eyes as his arm draped over her waist.

Having slept on and off all night, he woke again around six the following morning to the sounds of Roy making a drink before getting the cafe ready; turning back to Carla, she groaned and rubbed her eyes as she finally looked at him.

"What time is it?" She muttered, snuggling into his embrace, burying her head into his shoulder.

"Early, go back to sleep"

It was nearing ten am when she finally awoke fully; she found Peter sitting up at the kitchen table with Scott talking.

"What's going on? Why didn't you wake me? I thought our visit was lunchtime" she questioned, feeling confused; pangs of paranoia coming to the forefront of her mind.

"Love, it's okay" Peter said, standing in front of her, his hands resting on her arms.

"Please don't send me back; I'll try harder" she pleaded in a desperate tone that broke his heart into a million pieces.

"Carla, you're not going anywhere" Scott confirmed. "I had a cancellation and was in the area; Peter said you had a rough night so I told him not to wake you until necessary"

"Oh," she responded, not sure what else to say.

"Let me get you a coffee and some toast," Peter said, kissing her forehead.

"How are you feeling Carla?" Scott asked as she took a seat.

"I don't know, scared I guess"

"Of been sent back?"