New year

A new year a new start, that's what they said. No more past mistakes no more hate and upset. We needed some luck in our lives maybe this was the year for it. As the smell of party poppers and the sound of corks popping fills the air the countdown begins for the end of a turbulent year. After everything that has happened this year the deaths, mental breakdowns and departures it was about time to look into the future. As upsetting it was for all the family to see Michelle and Kate leave to go travelling together it bought tears to our eyes. Michelle was like a sister to Carla and Kate.

Kate, she forgave Carla for the factory roof collapse which helped her in more ways than she was willing to admit. Carla still blames herself for what happens she's getting better that's the main thing. She was upset to see Michelle and Kate leave as they helped her recover from her horrible ordeal but she knew that after what Robert did to her she needed to go and clear her head for a while. Turns out Kate wanted to go travelling so they agreed to do this together.

"Peter" my thoughts were interrupted by that cheeky grin of Carla's. "What were you thinking, you were in a world of your own" Carla said "Nothing that concerns you, love" he replies with a meaningful tone.

"Peter if it's too much you being here we can go you know" she says, concerned. "It's not that, I was just thinking about how fair you have come in the last year. I'm so proud of you" he flashes a smile at her.

"Enough of the soppy stuff Barlow" as she rolls her eyes in a true Carla Connor sarcastic tone, "Its almost time to welcome the new year together as lovers" she says in a suggestive tone. She walks away from me while winking at me, so I give her a sarcastic eye roll in return. As the countdown finishes we share a passionate kiss whilst the celebrations heighten.

"Get a room you two" Ryan playfully nudges Carla as he comes out of the kitchen of the Bistro with intricate platters of food.

An hour or so later we decide it's time to close as most of the guests have left now. Carla says goodbye to the staff and thanks them for the help they have provided especially as it was new years eve. "Michelle's going to be impressed with you, that till it literally full to the brim" he says as Carla neatens all the bottles on the shelves to make the place look professional and tidy ready for opening tomorrow.

"That reminds me I must phone her tomorrow to make sure that her and Kate had a good Christmas and New year" she says in an upbeat tone. "Now shall we get home, I'm shattered" she grabs her bag and makes her way to put the alarm on. "We could stay here" I walk up behind her and put my arms around her slender figure and nuzzle into her neck and push her hair out of the way. "Peter I'm not having a quick little fumble in a closed restaurant when there's a perfectly good bed waiting at home" she says in a stern tone. "I know you want me Carla" I say in a low husky voice making sure that my breath tickles her neck. "Peter I do want you but not here" she grabs my arm and drags me down the cobbles to our flat in Victoria Court.

The next day we wake up next to each other with Carla's head lying on my chest while her hands trace around the tattoos on my arm. "Happy new year baby" I whisper. "mm I love you too" Carla mumbles her voice tired from sleep.

"I could stay like this forever you know" I kiss her on the lips as she looks up from me. She flashes a sleepy smile at me

"Well I can't exactly stay like this forever Peter, we have a business to open and I have medication to take" she says in a saddened tone. I know she hates taking her medication, but she needs to do this to make herself better.

"Just remember love, you're getting stronger more resilient each day and I fully support you in every way" I smile at her as she rolls her eyes. "What did I say last night Barlow, enough of the soppy stuff" she walks off to get ready for the rest of the day.

"I need to phone Michelle at some point today" she says "Might even ask to see if I can get away with not opening the bistro for today as I would like to spend it with this really handsome guy I like"

"Who's that then? Do I know him?" I play along with her joke

"You might do" she replies casually. "I mean I might go out on a date with him see where the mood takes us and all that" she replies slyly.

"Well do I need to have a word with this handsome fella then about this date he's meant to be taking you on then" I reply, still playing along with her joke.

"I think you might, I must clear it with the boss though otherwise I could get in a lot of trouble" Carla replies.

"Right love, just popping out to get some stuff from the shops, hope you don't miss me too much" little does she know Peter has a big surprise for her.

I drive to the airport only to be greeted by Kate and Michelle as a surprise for Carla's birthday. "Hi Kate, hi Michelle" I say.

"Let me help you with those" Peter lifts the luggage into the boot of the car as Kate and Michelle get into the car.

"So then Peter," Michelle begins, "She definitely has no idea that that we're coming, right" she says sternly.

"No she doesn't 'Chelle" I say "She will be made up to see you both though she's-" I get cut off by the sound of a mobile phone

"Hey Carla, Did you have a good new year" Michelle says positively trying to contain her laugh.

"Yes I had a really good new year actually, filled up your till for you so you're welcome" she replies knowing all well she's probably rolling her eyes

"I was wondering if I could close the bistro for the day so that me and Peter can have some alone time" Carla proposes this question to Michelle

"Sure I mean as long as that till is full to the brim I'm more than happy to allow you have some alone time with him" she says firmly.

"Anyway Car, I have to go so I'll talk to you later" she replies then says goodbye.

Peter pull's his car up to his space in Victoria court. Michelle, Peter and Kate make their way up to Peter and Carla's flat he unlocks the door.

"Carla?" he shouts she appears from the bedroom and her face lights up at the sight of Michelle and Kate.

"Oh my god!" she slaps me playfully on the arm. "You said you were going to the shops then you come back with these two!" she says in complete shock. She goes over to hug Michelle and Kate while I make the drinks for all of us.

"So then tell me where you have been and what you have been doing whilst abroad" she says with complete interest.

"Well first we went to Greece didn't we Kate" Kate nods in response. "It was amazing Car you would've wished you were there" she says in complete awe.

"I even got Michelle to go clubbing and to dance on a dance floor" Kate responds.

After hours of Carla and Peter listening to Kate and Michelle'd adventures abroad we decided that we would go and see Johnny and Jenny in the Rover's and have a toast to the new year.

"Hi dad" Kate says with a smile as wide as the Cheshire cat.

"Kate!" Johnny runs over and hugs his daughter. "What brings you here then?" he goes to pour her favourite drink

"Well it's actually a surprise for Carla's birthday if you must know, Chelle's coming over in a minute so" she says "She has to unpack properly apparently" Kate rolls her eyes.

A while later we're all sat down at a booth and we are talking about trivial things such as new years resolutions and plans for the future.

"So then Peter," Michelle starts "Are we going to hear wedding bells any time soon?" She questions.

"What's this?" Carla appears behind Michelle "Wedding bells did I hear? Is it anyone I know, Peter?" She giggles

"Well you never know what the future holds, love" Peter winks at Carla which doesn't go unnoticed by Michelle granting an eye roll in return.

"Another round people?" They all nod, Peter gets up and heads to the bar and orders everyone's drinks.

"Mum?" Ryan enters the pub as Michelle's rises to give him an over enthusiastic hug. "I hope you've been looking out for him Carla" she turns to say. Carla rolls her eyes in return.

"When did you get back?" Ryan asks inquisitively "and how did you do it without anyone knowing?" he asks, confused.

"Well actually Peter approached me and Kate asking if we could return for Carla's birthday and as I love my best friend more than the world how could I resist?" she confirms.

"Oi, enough of the soppy stuff missy" Carla playfully slaps Michelle on the hand

After talking about trivial topics with their family Peter notices Carla becoming agitated. He knew that Carla can get anxious in social situations when she feels pressurised into socialising.

"I want go now" Carla whispers in Peter's ear.

Sensing that Carla was becoming anxious he agrees and announces that they will be heading off and that Michelle and Kate are ok to stay on if they want.

Back at the flat Carla starts pacing the living room in a frantic state. Knowing that her recovery was going to be hard Peter let her continue as he didn't want to pressurise her into answering questions she was in no fit state to answer yet. He knew that her recovery would take time and that she could have states of prolonged anxiety and paranoia when feeling pressured into socialising which may make her feel uncomfortable, this even includes family.

"Do you want a drink of water, love?" Peter prompts to see if she's ready to talk yet.

Carla turns around and shakes her head and instead walks over to the sofa and sits on it tapping her nails on her legs trying to relieve the uncomfortable feeling of anxiety that washed over her. Peter situates himself in front of her and takes her hands in his to see if he can bring her back to reality.

"Carla look at me" Peter says quietly ensuring that he doesn't scare her. Peter sees that she is reluctant to look at her. "Carla close your eyes for me, love" Peter says in an attempt to stop her looking frantically around the room.

"Remember your breathing, like your psychologist suggested" Peter prompts her. Carla's refused "Do it with me?" he suggests

After 20 minutes of Peter helping Carla regulate her breathing it finally returns to normal. Peter pulls Carla onto his lap so that she can fall asleep. He strokes her hair as she drifts off into a perfect slumber no longer plagued by paranoia and anxiety. After an hour or so he lifts Carla up and places her in bed. He knew that a new year was meant to be a new start but somehow the horrific memories of last year may resurface now and then but at least they were able to control it better now.