What if

Carla had finally managed to get the factory lot home, she thought giving them an early finish would make her day easier but of course on the day she needed things to go smooth sailing they all wanted to play a game of a 101 questions instead of going home. She needed this date to go well it kind of felt that it was her only chance to try and moved past Lisa. Even though she's been distracting herself to try not think about her all week, she was still in her mind, of course she was but she's not the one who put an end to things Lisa did and she said a lot of hurtful things along the way that has set Carla back in time a bit. She just wants to put all of her guards up again but this date was maybe the thing she needed to regain her power.

She headed back to the flat to start getting ready, she wanted to change because even though she already looked incredible she had to go all out. She messaged Ryan earlier in the day to tell him about the date so it brought a smile to her face when she say a note he'd left her on the kitchen worktop.

'You've got this, go sweep her off her feet and have fun'

She pinned the note on the fridge and went to go shower.

She then picked a tight fitted black long sleeved lacy top, paired with leather jeans and her signature heels from back in the day. She put more makeup on then usual but made it still subtle enough to look natural and she put light curls through her hair. She looked hot, as always. She still had an hour or so to kill so poured herself a glass of red and tried to relax a bit before her date.

_____________________

Today was Lisa's day off so she just spent it in the house giving it a deep clean off all the mess Betsy and the cat have made but also used it as a distraction from thinking about a certain someone. She'd finally relaxed on the couch flicking through the channels when a confused, upset and slightly guilty Betsy peered round the doorframe.

"hey mum you okay"

"yeah sweetheart, are you okay….you look a little flushed."

"yeah I'm fine just had a weird day at work that was all."

"why what happened, come sit" Lisa patted the space on the couch next to her to get Betsy to accompany her sensing a shift in her daughters feelings.

"What's going on darling" She wrapped Betsy's hand in hers

"well, I went to go and apologise to Carla you know about the things I said, but she was just a bit weird…..and……dismissive"

"How'd you mean" Lisa was confused. No matter if they have a disagreement she never brings Betsy into it and is always so warm hearted towards the girl.

"well when I go to see her even if I've done something wrong she always look me in the eyes and just speaks in a gentle tone like she's trying to understand me but today she was different. She looked at me once and that was when I brought up you but before and after that she just looked at her work and was very short in what she was saying to me."

"she might be having a bad day Bets, when did I get brought into it." Lisa made sure her tone was gentle, she didn't want Betsy to get the wrong impression and cave back in.

"well I'd gone in to apologise and she just said that it was fine and I was forgiven and if that’s all I needed to say to her because she had people to see and then I said that I was sorry if I ruined things between you and her because I could tell that she liked you and she just said that I didn't ruin things and that you used to be friends and that was is it."

"used to be?!"

"that’s what I said! She then said it was complicated and when I pushed more she said that she didn't think you were friends anymore and that it was probably for the best and by the last conversation the two of you had you made it clear you didn't want her in your life anymore."

"what?!" Lisa thought that this would brush over and they could move on but clearly she underestimated how hurt Carla actually was but that gave her no right to start on Betsy.

"I'm sorry mum….if I've ruined things…I didn't mean to I was just hurt…but she was the only friend you had and now you don't even have her anymore because of me." Betsy's eye's flooded with tears and she broke down in Lisa's arms.

"oh Bets I know I know none of this is not your fault okay. This whole thing was between me and Carla and you should never be put in that position she had no right to do that." Lisa was reeling with anger at this point "just you keep your head down and ignore her and if she keeps being this way I'll speak to her because at the end of the day you are a child and shouldn't be brought into this regardless of whatever has happened okay."

Lisa just held Betsy in her arms and soothed her daughter but she knew she and Carla would have to talk at some point because now it had gone too far.

"look why don't you go get dressed and clean up them tears and I'll take you out to the bistro for tea"

"okay mum love you."

"I love you too"

_________________________

Carla arrived at the bistro a couple of minutes late as she didn't want to be the first one there, fashionably late as always. She saw Kim sat in a booth waiting for her with two glasses of red poured on the table.

"hey"

"oh hey I took the liberty of getting a bottle, I hope that’s okay"

"yeah of course,  I'm never gonna turn down wine am I?" both of the women giggled and had some small talk.

"so I hope you don't mind me asking but how on earth are you still single, like I really don't understand have you not wanted to date."

"what makes you think it's me that puts that restriction down" Carla laughed

"well no one in their right mind could ever turn you down or fail to ask you out so I'm guessing it's been you shutting people down because you can't tell me no one's asked because look at you."

"well that's very kind of you to say and it's quite a long story" Carla was blushing at this point.

"well it's a good job I have all the time in the world"

"I dated men for a longgg time and I'll save all of them for a later date as we could be here forever if I explained each one of them but my ex-husband Peter and I had a long and complicated past, we were married twice and over the past year we realised that yes we loved each other but we weren't in love anymore and it was time to move on. So he and his son went sailing around the world so we got a divorce and I've been single ever since."

"so were did liking women come into all of this or am I just an exception" Kim was very confident and flirty in her words which made Carla blush even more.

"well I became friends with someone new in town and I ended up catching feelings for her and I could tell she felt something too but she just kept running away from it and then she shut it down and kinda broke my heart but I wasn't just going to wait around for her. I want to invest my time into people who are going to do the same you know." 

And as if on cue Lisa and Betsy walk through the doors and immediately lock eyes with Carla. They quickly are escorted to a table that has a direct view of Carla's booth.

"well I think she's stupid for shutting you down and im guessing by the shift that's her who just walked through the door."

"yes. Yes it is but I 'm not even focusing on that right now like I said time to move on so the only thing I'm focusing on is the women sat in front of me."

Kim blushed.

Lisa and Betsy were not only in direct eyeshot of the new blossoming couple but also close enough to hear every word that was being said.

"mum who's that girl with Carla"

"I don't know Bets but anyways that's not what were hear for so let's just have a look at what we want yeah."

Lisa had her menu open but her gaze was fixed on Carla and the red head. Was she just having a meeting? Lisa thought but she knew Carla wouldn't schedule one so late. Was she just a friend? But surely Carla would of told her about her. Was she a date? Well that was one Lisa couldn't answer so she continued her dinner with Betsy but both blondes were eavesdropping on Carla and the new chicks conversation.

"I'm glad that’s your mind set because believe it or not I do really like you"

"trust me you don't have to worry about that anymore. It's done so I'm ready for this and what it could become." deep down Carla knew that was a lie.

"well that’s good then" Kim linked her and Carla's fingers together gently toying together as they spoke.

Lisa did not miss the new couple holding hands and it set off a little fire in her stomach. What on earth was going on. Was Carla really moving on that quick. Lisa knew she had every right to, they weren't together but it still sparked jealousy as she knew she wanted to be with Carla.

Carla and her date giggled and laughed the whole night still holding hands and Lisa and Betsy tried to focus on each other as Lisa really didn't want to hear the brunette flirting with anyone that wasn't hers, that was until Kim asked Carla a question that Lisa and Betsy for that matter wanted to know the answer to.

"what do you think you would've done if I came around when you were having your little thing with the other women, would you have given me a shot?"

"oh gosh now you're asking…..honestly, I don't know she had me that infixed that I don't even think I'd have noticed if you were flirting with me"

Both Lisa and Betsy shared a smirk to one another.

"well at least your honest and I'm very glad that our original meeting got pushed back." they laughed again.

"but."

Lisa and Betsy's eyes widened. What on earth was Carla about to say.

"now I've reflected on the whole situation without being all doe eyed, if you were to have come around back then I probably should've given you a shot."

Now none of them were expecting Carla to say that but Carla was hurting what Lisa said even though it was small cut deep so she had every right to be mad.

"How'd you mean"

"well for one I don't think you'd run away at every possible chance but towards the end emotions for both were high and I get saying this in the heat of the moment trust me but certain things were said that were out of order to say whether she knew why or not and I didn't think she had that in her you know but clearly I was wrong….so you have to promise if we have a disagreement or whatever you'll be careful with what you say."

"I promise" both women shared a smile before they finished their meal.

Lisa was now racking her brain trying to think of what she has said to Carla that would've hurt Carla and she literally couldn't remember anything she was too angry. She was so annoyed at all the things Carla had said to the woman in front of her as well as how they flirted and also on top of the situation that happened with Betsy.

Both sets finished up their meal and headed out of the bistro within minutes of each other. Carla and Kim where the first to leave.

"well I have really loved tonight, thank you for asking me out."

"any time, how could I not have asked you out. We will have to do this again when I'm next in town."

"definitely"

"and maybe" Kim moved into Carla's personal space a little more looking at her dead in the eyes. "things could go a little further than this" Kim put her hands on either side of Carla's face and gave her a slow and passionate kiss.

Before Carla could say anything Kim turned on her heals and got into her car giving a flirty wave to Carla before she headed back to her hometown.

Carla was stood with a little smile on her face that soon faded when she went to go turn and walk down the street but bumped right into Lisa and Betsy almost knocking Betsy over.

"oh gosh I'm sorry Betsy I didn't see you there." Carla's apology was genuine as she didn't mean to knock Betsy over.

"it's okay Ms Connor honestly you didn't see me so it's all good" Betsy weakly and awkwardly smiled.

All three of them stood in silence for a moment.

"Betsy take the keys and go wait in the car please" Lisa's tone was firm

"mum don't pl-"

"car" Betsy didn't even try to argue so she got in the Car and rolled down the window slightly so she could still hear, her eyes fixed on the wing mirror were she could see both women.

"I need to talk to you"

"go on"

"what here?!"

"well where else, you just told your daughter to get in the car I'm assuming why we speak. If you wanted to meet somewhere else you could've texted even though I don't see what we need to speak about"

Both women's tone was firm and angry.

"we need to talk about Betsy"

"riigghhttt…." Carla dragged the word out in confusion

"she came home upset and balling her eyes out after the conversation she had with you."

"I don’t know why I told her she was forgiven and nothing was her fault so.."

"Carla you didn't even have the decency to look her in the face."

"I was busy, I am trying to run a business you know!"

"that’s never stopped you before"

"yeah well somethings change don't they"

"Carla you both know all this isn't about Betsy it's about me and you're taking it out on her"

"one no I'm not and two not everything in my life revolves around you and three I apologise if I've made Betsy upset you know that would never be my intention and you know that!"

Carla went to turn away until she heard Lisa mutter "Clearly" under her breath

"you know if you have anything else to say you can say it to my face, or are you going to be a coward in that area to"

Lisa scoffed "I said clearly your life doesn't revolve around me…you know with your little date."

Carla sarcastically laughed

"are you being for real. Your mad at me for going on a date and actually getting on with someone that isn't you and your angry. Your angry when it was you who was the one to end things. Not me. That’s honestly ridiculous."

"well you had plenty to say on me"

"nice to know you were eavesdropping instead of spending time with your daughter and she asked so I answered what did you want to me to do lie or run away like you do."

"you know what I thought we were still mates and could work past it and then you say to Betsy otherwise and now you're doing all this"

"ha you seriously thought we could go back to how we were after sleeping together twice yes TWICE not once and after all that in the flat and then in the pub are you being serious. Look I know you're going through it but aren't we all and I think I've had more genuine and nice conversations with Betsy in the last few months that I've known her than you have in the last three and a half years."

Lisa was stunned. Carla had turned away from her ready to walk off but Lisa saw red and bit back.

"it’s a good thing that you're not a mum you know"

Carla stopped immediately. Did she really just say that. She turned to face Lisa.

"and why's that Lisa" she crossed her arms waiting for a response.

"you wouldn't be good at it yeah you look after your nephews who are grown men but you don't know what it's like to go through everything that we have. You have your own little responsibility free life with your factory and all your cash. Yes you've lost people but you don't know what it's like to raise a child with the person you love and have it ripped away and not know what to do. You don't have a selfless or resilient bone in your body Carla. Everything I do is for that girl and yeah I may make mistakes but I'm there. You wouldn't be you can't even have one conversation with a 16 year old without making her want to ball her eyes out never mind an actual child. And no child deserves to have a mother like that!"

Betsy was stunned to hear her mum say something so cruel especially with the rumours she heard at the factory about Carla's baby. Carla was mortified. She done it again but this time she went too low. Carla was so upset but the anger took over.

"you know what no I don't know what it's like but you're out hear bitching over what I said in there and yet you're doing it again. You seriously don't know anything about me."

"I know enough"

Carla scoffed with tears in her eyes

"oh do you now other than the divorce with Peter and the fact Ryan and Bobby are my nephews what do you actually know about me."

Silence

"exactly you don't and I know a hell of a lot about you so here we go. You a good mother who has a busy job and yes you put your job first sometimes and you shouldn't do that and I get why Betsy feels let down by it because when that girl needed her mum to grieve with her she didn't have that and she had to do it on her own. And you didn't grieve you just tried to distract yourself and it doesn't work. I know a hell of a lot about you Lisa your likes and your dislikes and all the trauma in between and you know absolutely nothing about me or what my past is so don't you even dare begin to tell me what type of person I am and how much of a shitty mother I'd be!"

Carla stormed off when the tears started to stream down her face.

Lisa didn't know what to do so she just got back in the car.

There was silence as the engine started.

"she's right you know and she has a point" Betsy stared out the window not looking at her mum. She was so disappointed that she said those things to Carla but she didn't want to get into a fight right now even though she knew Carla hit the nail on the head.

"please don't start Bets"

"you don't know anything about her" Betsy sighed under her breath even though Lisa heard she didn't say anything. She was too angry so she just drove home.