What if

Lisa couldn’t sleep. She was exhausted but her mind would not shut off. All she could think about was one tall, leggy, brunette factory owner. She kept having flashbacks to when they were intimate together and while it was full of passion, desire and want there was also a closeness that was impossible to describe and so much generosity from both parties. It just felt right……perfect for that matter.

Carla was the one person who she felt understood her, who no matter how hard she pushed her away she was still there with open ears and no judgement. Lisa didn't open up to anyone and everyone knew that but something about Carla made her different but in the best way possible. Carla never judged Lisa and always seemed to know exactly what she needed or needed to hear.

After she stormed out of Carla's flat the most recent time she was too angry and upset to reflect on what Carla had said but now looking back Lisa realised that she might actually have a point. Yes Betsy was grieving but there was no excuse for her irrational behaviour and she let her get away with it time and time again and she knew that but once again her pride got in the way and she snapped at Carla. Lisa then also realised that she was being a coward when it came to her love life (another thing Carla was right about) she was just scared to allow herself to allow anyone in and to love anyone else after Becky. But here she was laying in bed realising that even though she said she'd never let anyone in Carla soon made her way into Lisa's heart and she couldn't get her out of it.

Had she made a mistake ending things with Carla?

She was now regretting her life choices and held her hands to her face at her stupidity but it was too late now Carla would never forgive her, she didn't evem know if they were friends anymore.

___________________________

Carla Connor was back in full swing. Hot, sexy and glamorous all in one. She was all dressed up today as she had her first ever meeting with her new client today and she needed to make a good first impression, a little flirt and charm should do the job. She had tried not to think about Lisa even though it's all she could do but she knew she had to move on, she couldn't just keep getting entranced by her past friend so she just had to suck it up and be open to new people. She didn't want to be alone forever,, she has so much to offer and just wants someone to love and appreciate her as much she does them. 

Carla was finishing up some paperwork before going onto the factory floor to give a lecture to her workers before her big meeting.

"right you lot listen up, I want best behaviour I mean it. No chatting. No commotion. Nothing at all but sewing in silence until after the clients gone. This deal is really important you can gossip later. Got it!"

"yes Ms Connor"  they all said in sync as if they were getting told off by the teacher.

The clock ticked fast, Carla was flying through paper work until Sarah interrupted her.

"Carla your 2 o'clock with Miss Simmons is here, are you ready for her?"

"oh yes send her through please Sarah and shut the door on your way out."

Carla was just putting all the paperwork away and pulling the file she needed for the meeting until she looked up and was taken back by the beauty of her client.

"Hi Ms Connor it's a pleasure.

The tall red head held out her hand to Carla for a handshake and Carla quickly jumped out of her drooling state.

"Hi Miss Simmons please have a seat" Carla said taking up the offer of the handshake.

"please call me Carla though, just this lot that I make call me Ms Connor" she laughed nervously

"well Carla if you're going off first name basis no more Miss Simmons just call me Kim."

Carla smiled "right shall we make a start"

The two women spoke about the contract and established the terms they were committing too before they signed the contract. They laughed and giggled together in each moment of silence and there was a very heavy but warming tension of nervousness in the air. Both women had clearly been flirting with each other throughout the meeting and not just the casual meeting flirt either.

"right so I think Kim that that is everything we needed to cover." Carla looked over the file to make sure everything was covered.

"well it's our pleasure that we get to work with you. I have to say I've been following Underworld for a while now and your leadership and owner skills have me in awe honestly you may run a tight ship but you get the job done and you do it well. Them lot are lucky they have you as a boss."

Now Carla was blushing "well that is very nice of you to say Kim and we are looking forward to doing business with you too, it's my honour although if you asked this lot they'd probably call me the boss from hell"

Both women laughed

"it's only because they are intimidated of the strong, successful and insanely hot boss that they have."

"Look Carla this may be really unprofessional and I am only here for a couple of days and you can turn me down but you seem like a really intriguing person and you’re the hottest woman I've ever seen and I really want to get to know you as you not Ms Carla Connor… so would you may be like to meet up for a drink later maybe as a date….. Oh my god I just realised I assumed that you were into women oh god this is so embarrassing." Kim lifted her hand to her head, burying her face in her palm.

This was it an opportunity to take the bull by its horns.

"don't worry I am into women I have no preference and I would love to go on a date with you. I finish at five so do you maybe want to meet in the bistro at 7?.

"yeah that'd be great, gives me time to go calm my nerves and make myself look a bit more presentable."

"well you look incredible already so if you manage to make yourself look good anymore I'd be amazed.

Kim blushed and gave Carla a quick hug before saying goodbye.

___________________

It was almost half 4 and all Carla could think about was her date and how excited she was and luckily it was keeping her thoughts of a certain blonde detective at bay. Well, that was until a knock at the door broke her imagination back into reality.

"Carla"

"Yes Betsy."

"Can I come in?" Betsy hesitated even asking.

"Sure"

Betsy came into Carla's office and shut the door behind her.

"look Betsy your gonna have to make this quick as I have places to be and people to see today" Carla kept her gaze on her computer.

"I'll be quick I just wanted to apologise about the things I said the other day it wasn't fair or true of me to say and I guess I just took my anger out on you"

"It's fine Betsy your forgiven, is that all" Carla still hadn't looked at Betsy, her eyes where fixed on her work in front of her which made Betsy feel strange as Carla always stopped to acknowledge her but this time she didn’t.

"I erm also just wanted to apologise if I've ruined things for you with my mum I know you seemed to like her….a lot. I just got defensive because mum forgot Becky's birthday then she got with you so I thought you were trying to replace her."

Carla took a deep breathe before finally looking at Betsy.

"don't worry me and your mam were friends…That’s it so you don’t need to panic you didn't ruin anything." Carla turned back to her work.

"were?" Betsy was confused and had an oddly strange feeling.

"what"

"you said that you and mum were friends, you're not even friends anymore?"

"It's complicated, I don't think so"

"what?! Why?!"

"like I said Betsy it's complicated and I don't want to talk about it."

"so you're not gonna talk to her, look I know I've made things weird but that doesn’t mean-"

Carla cut Betsy off before she could finish her sentence.

"no I'm not going to talk to her about it Betsy because I'm tired of it. By the last conversation I had with your mum she doesn't want me to be in her life anymore and I think that that's probably for the best. Don't worry it doesn't change anything about your job as long as you keep your head down but that’s it so now please can you go as you all have an early finish so I can get this done and get to where I need to be."

Betsy didn't say anything she just calmly turned and left Carla's office, as soon as the door closed Carla's head dropped into her hands. No. she couldn't be doing this right now she had to go and get ready for her date with Kim. This was the final clarification she needed that whatever she and Lisa had was maybe just a quick fever dream that let her to a realisation.