Chapter 21
Carla had text Michelle asking her to meet in The Rovers. Normally, she’d have offered to pick her friend up from the airport, but the weight of her driving ban loomed large in her mind, reminding her of her limitations. It felt unfair to impose on Lisa to drive as well, especially with everything she was juggling at work and in her life. The last thing Carla wanted was to add any more stress to Lisa’s plate.
Michelle had always been independent, more than capable of getting a cab to the pub, but when Ryan surprised her by offering to pick her up, a wave of relief washed over Carla. It was nice knowing Michelle would get to catch up with her son before diving into whatever conversation they were about to have. The thought made Carla smile, envisioning the playful banter they’d share—a sweet distraction before the storm of emotions she felt hovering just beneath the surface.
When Carla and Lisa finally settled at the bar in The Rovers, the atmosphere felt charged with a renewed sense of freedom. They ordered their drinks—Carla opting for a bottle of red wine, which Lisa quickly agreed to share—each sip promising to wash away the weight that had shrouded them in uncertainty. Here, amid the soft chatter and the clinking of glasses, they could be themselves, their relationship blossoming under the warm light of acceptance.
It was a relief to be in public together; a tangible release of the tension that had built up over the last few weeks. The locals might have raised a few eyebrows when Carla first started dating Lisa, comments and whispers trailing behind them like shadows. However, none of the remarks had been unkind. In fact, most were curious or supportive, and that realisation lifted some of the apprehension Carla had initially felt. Like a veil slowly being pulled back, she felt lighter with Lisa at her side, reclaiming space for their love in a way she had never done before.
Looking at Lisa, sitting comfortably in her barstool, something stirred deeply within Carla. It was as though the rest of her life had faded away—the noise of the pub blending into a distant hum—leaving only the two of them in their own little world. Yes, this was different from anything she had ever experienced with men, but the warmth radiating from Lisa’s smile felt like home. She had given herself permission to love freely, and there was nothing anyone could say or do to make her change that.
After an hour of laughter and clinking glasses, Carla and Lisa were savoring the last drops of their wine when the pub door swung open with a suddenness that startled everyone inside. Carla barely registered the commotion until she caught sight of Jenny’s face lighting up from behind the bar, recognising the unmistakable figure that had just entered.
Her heart skipped a beat as she turned around, eyes widening with pure joy. There stood Michelle, her best friend, hair slightly tousled from travel but radiant as ever. Without a moment’s hesitation, Carla leaped off her barstool, her excitement bubbling over. She raced toward Michelle, enveloping her in a crushing embrace. “Chelle!” she squealed, her voice echoing through the bustling pub as she squeezed her tight, the distance and time apart melting away in that moment.
They clung to each other, laughter erupting from both of them as Carla pulled back just enough to plant a quick, affectionate peck on Michelle’s cheek. All of the pent-up energy from the anticipation of their reunion surged through Carla. She had missed this—missing her friend, the warmth of their connection, the comfort of being together.
As they broke apart, Michelle’s gaze shifted, a playful gleam igniting in her eyes as she noticed Lisa standing slightly behind Carla, shifting awkwardly but with a warm smile. “Hey, Lisa, isn’t it?” Michelle said, extending her hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Not from this one, though.” She pointed an accusing finger at Carla, a teasing grin spreading across her face. “I had to get all the details from Ryan.”
Carla shot Michelle a mock glare, crossing her arms with an exaggerated pout. “It’s not my fault i’m always so flamin’ busy every time you try to call,” she shot back, laughter dancing in her voice.
Lisa looked from Carla to Michelle, her heart swelling with affection for the playful banter between them. “Nice to meet you, Michelle.” She cleared her throat, feeling a mixture of nerves and curiosity. “So…What’s Ryan been saying about me? All good, I hope?”
“Oh, just that you’re both completely smitten,” Michelle replied with a chuckle, leaning closer. “And before you got together, Carla wouldn’t stop talking about you and—”
“Chelle!” Carla interjected, her cheeks flushing a shade of pink. She could practically feel the heat radiating from her face as she shot her friend a desperate look, hoping to stop her before any further embarrassment could ensue.
But the laughter was infectious, and Michelle leaned into Lisa conspiratorially to whisper, “Don’t worry, I’ll fill you in later.” The mischievous smirk on her face hinted at a joke only she would get to tell.
Carla, however, didn’t find the humor in it as she yanked Michelle back playfully, wide-eyed with faux disbelief. “Umm… no, you will not! If you’ve come all the way back here just to embarrass me, then you can get on the first plane back!” Her laughter mingled with her mock indignation. The trio broke into a fit of laughter, their chemistry creating a vibrant energy that lit up The Rovers.
As they all gathered around a table, laughter and clinking glasses filled the air, creating a warm atmosphere that wrapped around them like a comforting blanket. Carla beamed, unable to hide the joy bubbling within her as she watched her best friend and her girlfriend—was that really what they were now?—connecting effortlessly. Their chemistry was palpable, each shared joke lighting up their faces with smiles as bright as the lights above.
“Shall I get the next round in?” Michelle asked, her eyes sparkling with that familiar mischief that Carla adored.
“Actually…” Lisa’s voice trailed off, a hint of reluctance weaving through her words. She let out a soft sigh, casting her gaze downward for a moment before meeting their eyes. “I’m going to have to head off. I promised I would have dinner with Betsy.” The disappointment in her voice was evident, but she quickly added, “Hopefully, I’ll see you again before you go, Michelle?”
“Of course.” Michelle rose from her seat, her smile brightening like a sunrise. She stepped forward to embrace Lisa, their hug warm but brief. “I’ll definitely have to meet this daughter of yours,” she added, her voice genuine and affectionate.
“Definitely,” Lisa replied, a playful glint in her eyes as she leaned down to press a soft kiss on Carla’s lips. It was tender and sweet, a moment that felt like it could stretch on forever.
“See you later, love. Have fun with Betsy,” Carla said, her heart swelling with both pride and a touch of longing, watching as Lisa made her way to the door. The connection they shared, so strong and effortless, painted her heart a beautiful shade of warmth, even as she felt the bittersweet pang of missing her.
Once Lisa had stepped out of the pub, the warmth of laughter and chatter seemed to dim, leaving Michelle poised and serious as she faced Carla. “Come on,” she said, her brow furrowed with concern. “You look like you’re on cloud nine, but I can see through that smile. Something’s bothering you, isn’t it?”
Carla forced a bright grin, trying to mask the turmoil within. “Nope, I’m peachy,” she replied, her voice cheerfully defiant, but a flicker of nervousness betrayed her.
“Carla.” Michelle’s voice turned steely, the weight of their friendship anchoring her words. She knew her friend too well and wasn’t falling for the facade.
“Michelle.” Carla shot back with equal firmness, a hint of playful challenge dancing in her eyes, but her heart sank at the knowing look in Michelle’s gaze.
Realising this back-and-forth was getting them nowhere, Michelle let out a sigh of resignation, slipping out of the booth and rising to her feet. She made her way to the bar, catching Jenny’s eye. “Can me and Carla use the back room? I think we need to talk.”
From her spot in the booth, Carla could hear the exchange, and her heart raced. She moved over to the bar, urgency fueling her, turning to Jenny. “She’s been back for all of two minutes and she’s already staging an intervention,” she said, exasperation lacing her words. “You’d think she would’ve untwisted her knickers on the flight!” Carla rolled her eyes dramatically, but there was an underlying tension in her voice, a blend of anxiety and affection for her friend.
Jenny watched her with a mix of sympathy and amusement, unable to hide a chuckle. “Of course, go through,” Jenny replied softly, her eyes glimmering with understanding.
———————-
Once the door to the back room clicked shut, a hush enveloped them, intimate and cocooned away from the bustling crowd outside. Carla took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her heart's secrets settle on her tongue as she began to share her story with Michelle. As they settled into their conversation, she recounted the whirlwind of events that had brought Lisa into her life, her voice tinged with a mix of nostalgia and affection.
“Can you believe it?” Carla chuckled softly, swirling her glass of wine. “She was the one who arrested me, of all people! But from that moment, she became my rock, the steady presence who never wavered, especially through those dark times.” Each word dripped with admiration, illuminating how deeply Lisa had impacted her life—even in the face of adversity. “Now, it’s just so hard. She’s been buried under work lately, struggling with a case she can’t even share with me. I see how heavy it weighs on her, and I just…” Carla’s voice trailed off, her gaze flickering with concern as she took a sip of her wine, the warmth of the alcohol spreading through her and momentarily soothing her anxious thoughts.
After a few more sips of wine, Carla felt a surge of courage rising within her, urging her to voice the feelings that had been swirling in her mind for weeks. She hesitated only a moment before voicing her fears. “Chelle… I’ve told her I understand about the job, that I don’t need to know every detail, but…” Her heart raced as the words poured out almost hesitantly, “I just worry about her all the time. Every time her phone buzzes with a work call or a message, my stomach drops. And when I see her in the mornings, it’s like she hasn’t slept in days. I’m going out of my mind not being able to fix it for her. Is that—is that silly?”
“Carla…” Michelle’s hand reached across the table, warmth enveloping Carla's own, a familiar gesture filled with compassion. “It’s not silly at all. But have you considered—do you think…” Michelle faltered slightly, choosing her words with care, not wanting to make her best friend bolt at the thought.
“Oh come on, just spit it out, Chelle! I’m a big girl.” Carla’s voice held a hint of exasperation, nerves taut with a mix of impatience and anticipation.
“Okay, fine, but don’t shoot the messenger.” With a playful laugh, Michelle held her hands up in mock defeat, though her expression quickly turned serious again. “Do you think it’s possible that you’re feeling this way because you’re in love with her?”
A rush of heat bloomed in Carla's cheeks as Michelle’s words hit her. Great, she thought, of course, Michelle would see right through her facade. “Alright, fine,” Carla huffed in mock annoyance, though her heart raced at the truth surfacing. “I do think, maybe, possibly that I might be in love with her.”
“Eeeeek!” Michelle squealed, leaping from her seat to envelop Carla in an enthusiastic hug, her excitement palpable like electricity in the air.
Carla laughed, though she quickly pushed Michelle back, raising an eyebrow in inquisitive curiosity. “Why are you so invested, anyway? You’ve never been this devoted to my love life before. Most of the time, you tell me to get shot of them.”
With a soft smile, Michelle leaned back, her laughter subsiding into something more sincere. “Because, Carla, this feels different. I can see how much she means to you and how bright she makes you shine. You deserve this kind of love.” She paused briefly before continuing, “I’ve known you since we were kids,” Michelle said softly, her gaze steady and heartfelt. “And I can say with certainty that this is the happiest I’ve ever seen you. The way you talk about Lisa, the way you light up when she starts talking… even just from the brief moments I’ve witnessed, it’s clear to me that she’s the one for you.”
A warm smile spread across Carla’s face, but it quickly turned to a shimmer of tears gathering in her eyes. “I really am happy. It’s like magic, you know? Whenever I’m with her, everything else just fades into the background.”
Michelle smiled back, her heart swelling at the joy radiating from her best friend. She reached over and gently brushed a stray tear from Carla’s cheek. “So… are you going to tell her how you truly feel?”
Carla let out a small sigh, shaking her head. “It’s just… I don’t know, Chelle. It’s too soon.”
Michelle leaned in closer, her expression earnest. “But when will it be the right time? Feelings like this don’t come around often. You can’t let fear hold you back.”
Carla looked down, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her shirt. “You don’t understand. What if I ruin this? What if she doesn’t feel the same way?”
“Then you’ll know,” Michelle replied gently. “But isn’t it better to take that risk than to wonder ‘what if’ for the rest of your life? You owe it to yourself to be honest.”
Taking a deep breath, Carla met Michelle’s gaze again, seeking assurance in her friend’s eyes. “I know you’re right, but…”
“There’s no ‘but,’ Carla,” Michelle interrupted. “You deserve happiness, and Lisa could be that for you. Don’t let this pass you by.”
Carla felt her heart race at the thought of confessing her feelings. The image of Lisa’s warm smile flashed in her mind, and she felt a rush of longing. “Okay, maybe… maybe I’ll think about it. I just need a little more time.”
“Time is great, but don’t wait too long,” Michelle urged. “You might miss your chance.”
Nodding thoughtfully, Carla felt a flicker of determination ignite within her. “You’re right. I should talk to her. I just need to find the right moment.”