What if

Lisa had just left the pub after telling Carla that she wasn't ready for anything more, Carla knew she was running away from her feelings again but she was tired of chasing her and constantly running after her. She was almost 50 and was not about to go chasing after someone no matter how much she liked the detective, and she had spent most of her life making men chase after her so if the detective wanted her she'd have to chase Carla not the other way round.

It was later that night and Carla was at home nursing a glass of wine as she flicked through the TV after what felt like the longest day of her life. Ryan had then came home with a pizza for them to share that he'd picked up after his shift at the pub. Ryan knew he had to talk to Carla about what he'd seen in the pub today, he had to know what happened but he wanted to give her a moment to decompress before he made her open up the can of worms. Carla had spoken to him about other street gossip and gave him an update on some factory contracts and then at the right moment Ryan shooted his shot.

"so are we going to talk about it then" Ryan raised his eyebrows in a knowing manner.

"ughhh do we have to" Carla covered her face after remembering being slapped with rejection and the fact she was going to have to re live it.

"come on talk to me, I saw what happened I just didn’t hear anything with Jenny squawking in my ear"

"well long story short and that’s all your getting because I don't want to remind myself of the rejection…. She basically said that between Betsy and the job she doesn’t want and isn't ready for anything more and she also thought that she'd bring us sleeping together into it and then had the cheek to say it only happened once after she verbally dragged me into that bedroom for round two!"

Ryan had to take a minute before he said anything else to process that much information that he was given in a sentence before he came up with something to say.

"wow…I…erm…. She just ended it like that."

"yep and she said she doesn’t do causal" Carla scoffed "well clearly that was a lie"

"so what you gonna do now then…you gonna let her cool off and give it another go or try be her friend again orrr…."

"nope, I'm done with it Ry I'm too old to be chasing after someone who's just gonna run away and she has also said somethings in the last few days that have made me question her a bit."

Ryan frowned and snapped his head back up to look at Carla

"How'd you mean, what has she said"

"well it's just….I told her that she lets Betsy get away with murder and that she is this strong detective that takes all these risks but when it comes to her love life she's a bit of a coward and she bit back by telling me and I quote "and what makes you an expert, how many kids have you raised".

Ryan's face dropped, of all the things Lisa could of said she had to say that. Ryan felt for Carla as his mum told her about what Carla had gone through with her miscarriage and he knew how much of a touchy subject it was for her. He wanted to console her straight away but he sensed that she hadn't finished.

"……. I mean I know she doesn't know what happened but I still think that was a bit of a low blow like I've done nothing but listen and be there for her and yet she barely knows anything about me….. And to say something so hurtful I just didn't know she had it in her, rose tinted glasses and all that."

"she shouldn't of said that regardless of knowing or not and I'm sorry if it's brought anything back up but you know I'm here if you need to talk."

Carla weakly smiled

"thanks Ry, she has taught me one thing though"

"which is" Ryan quizzed her

"I don't want to be alone for the rest of my life, I do want to be with someone."

"I think that's great you deserve happiness, so what you gonna do about it"

"nothing"

"huh…you just said-"

"I know what I said Ryan but I'm not going looking I'm just gonna let it come to me when it's ready, man or woman this time"

"I'm proud of ya you know"

Ryan pulled Carla in for a comforting hug before they called it a night

_______________________________

Lisa had just gotten home on what was possibly the longest and tiring days of her life, between ending things with Carla and Kit absolutely gnawing her ear off at work all afternoon.

Betsy was layed on the couch on her phone in a surprisingly good mood.

"Bets I'm home"

"Okay I'm in here" she shouted from the living room.

"hey, how was your day"

"yeah was okay just college and work, college was busy but work was quiet Carla wasn't there so it was just us with Sally complaining every five minutes.".

Lisa was shocked to hear Carla hadn't gone to work, she thought she'd go in and have to listen to Betsy complain that she was being snappy all day. She didn't expect for her to not go in at all.

"did anyone say why Carla wasn't in"

"Nope"

"listen Bets speaking of Carla, I want to talk to you about something"

Betsy sat up abruptly giving space for her mum to sit down after sensing the tone in her voice.

"what's wrong"

Lisa took Betsy's hand in between hers

"I just want you to know you have nothing to worry about"

"what'd you mean" Betsy frowned but her tone was light and delicate actually taking in and listening to her mother.

"I just…I need you to know that there is nothing going on between me and Carla"

"look mum you don't have to lie-"

"I'm not….I promise….. Yes something did happen I won't lie and I know it shouldn't have but I put an end to it today, you and work are my only priorities right now okay and I made that very clear to Carla and she understands I think"

"I just…I'm sorry mum I didn't react in the best way and I shouldn't have chucked a drink over you and I probably shouldn't have said those mean things to Carla but I just…I…-"

"It's okay Bets you can talk to me"

"I just thought you were trying to replace mum, thought you'd forgotten about her"

Betsy couldn't look at Lisa when she said it, she just put her head down.

"oh Bets, no I could never. I know I forgot her birthday and I'm so sorry it’s just so much is happening I keep losing track of time and it slipped my mind but I'd never ever forget her. I loved and still love her so much and I always will but I have overlooked the best thing she gave me….you. Having you makes the days a little easier as I see her little mannerisms in you every day and it keeps me going, you are my constant reminder of her and a constant reminder of the best thing she gave me and left for me to look after and you know she's always here watching over you."

"I love you mum"

"I love you too sweetheart".