Back to normality?

Chapter 5

The next day, with no visit from Scott until Monday, having been rearranged the previous evening, Peter had let Carla sleep in; after they'd eaten the previous night, they had both cleared up and watched a film before retiring to bed. She had a bit of a restless night again but not as bad as the night before; having grabbed a coffee and some toast, he was sat back next to her when she rubbed her eyes and sat up.

"Morning love; do you want a coffee?"

She nodded and took a piece of his toast; he was back five minutes later with her coffee and more toast.

"Did you sleep okay?" He asked as she held her coffee, still eating.

"The usual"

"I said I'd go to lunch at my dads with Si; do you want to come or see if Michelle or Kate want to come round?"

"I don't know" she answered, in between taking her medications.

"Okay, you don't have to decided just yet; can I get you anything else?"

"No. Peter, stop worrying, I'm fine; yesterday was just a bit too much, that's all"

"We can take it easy today, okay? Just spend the day together, whatever you decide"

"Thank you" she said, snuggling against him.

After a lazy couple of hours, Carla had decided to join Peter and Simon for lunch; after a quick shower and minimal make up, she'd got changed into her jeans and long length tee shirt and trainers with her signature leather jacket.

"I'm ready" she said, slipped her phone into her back pocket as she entered the room.

"You look amazing" Peter said, taking both her hands. "You sure you're upto this?"

"I'm sure; can we take the car though? I don't think I'm up to seeing anyone else if i can help it"

"Whatever you want; if you really feel like it's too much, just let me know?"

"I promise; I'm feeling good right now. Last night, I just started overthinking everything that happened yesterday, that's all"

"Okay"

Grabbing the keys off the side, he held her hand down to the car; as they pulled up outside 1 Coronation Street, Peter noticed Carla hesitating and looking round before getting out the car. As they waited for Ken to open the door, he took her hand and gave it a squeeze; they didn't have to wait too long and just minutes later, they were sat on the sofa with a drink each.

"How have you been Carla?" Ken asked.

"Getting there, thanks to this one here" she answered, gesturing to Peter next to her. "And Si was great too while we were away, weren't you?"

"I didn't do anything" Simon said.

"You did more than you think; you kept your dad going" Carla said, looking at him. "And you were great visiting me every day  too"

"She's right son, you were brilliant and so grown up; you spent the whole time, looking after me and worrying about Carla" Peter agreed.

Simon shrugged, feeling embarrassed; a few hours later, lunch was over, the washing up done and they were ready to leave; as the door shut behind them, Carla looked down towards The Bistro and the boarded up factory.

"Ready to go home?" Peter asked, taking her hand.

"What's happening with the factory?" She asked, looking at him.

"I'm not sure, Michelle may know"

"Or Sarah, she was taking over at the Community Centre, wasn't she?"

"I'll see if I can find out but you don't need to worry about the factory right now; its gonna be months before it's open again"

"It doesn't matter anymore; its brought nothing but heartache and pain"

"It was where you got started"

"And so much else happened as well; it wasn't doing so well before the accident. I don't want anything more to do with it; I'm gonna split my shares between the workers. After that, Nick can do what he wants; time to do something different"

"Are you sure? Maybe you should take the time to think about it properly"

"It's what I want to do; and now...I want to see my best friend"

"Is she working today?"

"Yeah"

"One drink? Then back home?"

"Would you mind? I'd just feel safer with you there"

"Come on then"

With her hand firmly in his, they entered the Bistro to find it fairly empty during a quiet period between lunch and evening service; at the bar, stood Michelle and Kate.

"Carla..." Michelle grinned, walking round to hug her properly. "You look amazing"

"We've just had lunch at Kens"

"Do you two want a drink?" Kate asked.

"Orange juice please" Carla answered.

"Same for thanks Kate" Peter answered.

"And me please; I'm on my break" Michelle said, guiding them over to a table in the corner.

"You really do look good"

"Today's a good day, last night was a bad" Carla responded. "I just got overwhelmed"

"Its bound to take time to find a routine but here you are, in a public place after only been home three days"

"Here we go; I'll keep things going while you take as long as you need" Kate said, placing the orange juice on the table before leaving.

"It's so good seeing you out and about again"

"I wasn't planning on it; it was just go to Ken's and then home but...it felt the right time"

"I'm glad you did" she grinned, putting a hand upon hers. "Has he been looking after you?"

"Hasn't stopped since we went away if I'm honest; we're working through everything, starting afresh, aren't we?"

"Everything is at Carla's pace; we do what she wants, when she wants. Anything else can wait..." Peter answered.

"I don't suppose you know what's happening with the factory?"

"I don't but I will find out for you, if you want?"

"I'm not going back; I'm done with that place. I want to give my shares to the girls and Sean, they deserve it"

"Really?"

"Yeah, I'll talk to them when I'm ready"

"That's a big decision to make"

"But the right one; I'll find something else to do"

"Michelle, its Robert" Kate called from behind the bar, phone in her hand.

"Back to work I go, it really was good to see you" Michelle smiled, hugging Carla again before leaving them to it.