It had been the most difficult day and now it was coming to an end, Carla began to feel a wave of relief and exhaustion come over her. Roy had left, Anna and Fiz not far behind as well as most of the other people. Peter propped up the bar whilst Carla occupied a table.

"Do you want another drink love?" Peter asked his wife.
"You know what I'd really like?" She asked, biting her lip whilst trying to not to smile. She walked closer to him and snaked her arms around his neck. "A quiet night in, cuddled up in front of the tele with a cuppa"
"Really?!" Peter asked, a little shocked, expecting a different proposition. He had never known Carla to turn down wine, or want a night in front of the tele, but today he wasn't going to deny her anything. He was proud of her, he wanted to comfort her but felt so helpless. Seeing her cry, watching her break down broke his heart, but no words could make it any easier, or bring Hayley back.
"Yes really" she replied, pulling her bag onto her shoulder and standing from the table. There was no one left to say goodbye to so hand in hand, Carla and Peter left the Rovers. The pair walked home in silence and Carla rested her head on her husband's shoulder whilst still keeping a firm grip of his hand. She decided she was going to hold him so tight and never let him go.

Inside, Peter boiled the kettle and switched on the television as Carla got into her soft cotton pjyamas and wiped the day from her face. With each wet wipe of foundation she took off, Carla chipped another layer of her armour away. She'd painted on a smile, a brave face, because she knew that was what Hayley wanted, but she missed her, she needed to grieve, and in the privacy of her own home, in her husband's arms, that was exactly what she was going to do.

When Carla returned Peter was sat on the settee with his head in his hands. "Peter" Carla whispered, a little concerned. There was no reply. She walked over to him and placed an arm around his shoulders. "Darling, are you alright?" She asked. This time he looked up.

"Yeah. I was just thinking about Roy, how I'd feel if I were him now. He's known Hayley for years, they've been together for years; she was his rock, how is he meant to cope without her? If I lost you now I don't know if I could cope and we've only been married a few weeks. I love you Carla, I don't ever want to lose you" Peter confessed a little teary.

"Oh Peter" Carla spoke through a long breath. "I'm not going anywhere, you aren't going to lose me, alright" she tried to reassure him.

Peter straightened up and took his wife in his arms. She buried her head in his chest, his arms holding her in place. "When it's our time" Peter began, the expression changing to horror on Carla's face. "I want you to go in my arms, just like Hayley and Roy; together until the end"

Carla turned her head to look at Peter. "But darling, you do have to remember you're that bit older than me, so you will go before me" she smerked with smugness.

"Not unless I bump you off" Peter shot back jokingly.

"Yeah, you try it and I'll come back to haunt you"

"Oh I don't doubt that for a second" Peter said, a more serious tone he spoke in. He knew her too well.

Smiles spread across both of their faces for the first time that day. Peter stroked the side of Carla's face and placed a kiss on the top of her head. He whispered into her hair "I love you"