Chapter 1
Carla was lost in thought.
“You alright?” Ryan asked, puzzled.
“Yeah, just thinking.” Carla replied as she looked around the open living area of the cottage. “I think we could do with a lick of paint in here, then we could put up some pictures…..memories, you know, seen as we plan on staying here. Make this more of a home.” She smiled at Ryan.
“I saw a card actually, pinned on your noticeboard in the café the other day, something about odd-jobs, painting, decorating, feng shui…” Ryan veered off.
“Feng shui?” Carla asked, smirking.
“Well…maybe not in so many words. Swains. I think, seemed local.” Ryan remarked, smirking back.
“Okay, I’ll pop into the cafè and give this Swains a call”
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Carla walked into the café and smiled warmly at Roy. “Morning Royston”
“Morning Carla” Roy acknowledged.
When Carla had sat Roy and Ryan down back in Weatherfield, and spoke to them about her thoughts of selling the factory and using the money to move to Devon, they both also felt like there was nothing left for them either, and so ultimately - with a lot of persuading Carla, had joined her in Devon - much to her reluctance at first.
Carla didn’t like other people doing things for her. She saw herself as a very strong, independent women and without the need to rely on anyone really - even though she knew she had relied on Roy and her best friend Michelle, (who was now living in Ireland) in the past. So when she found out that Roy and Ryan wanted to join her - she was adamant no one would leave their life behind for her. No one would sacrifice all they had built for her. This was her decision, she had to do alone and she had to own it.
But Roy had explained, if it wasn’t for Carla, since losing Hayley - what would he have? Yes, there was Nina, and Roy loved Nina and she loved him, but he was also very aware that her and Aisha were building a life together and more than ever, the only person to ever lean on him was in fact, Carla.
Ryan felt the same. He had been living with Carla for so long that he felt there was nothing for him if Carla wasn’t there. With his mum living in Ireland and his relationship that had broken down with Daisy - that was quite frankly, completely irreparable, Carla had become his crutch, supporting him through his heartbreak and so much more.
So Carla sold the flat and the factory. Roy handed down Roy’s Rolls to Nina and Aisha on the basis that Shona carries on working there. Ryan called his mum to share the news of what was happening between the three of them, and that was that. Goodbye Weatherfield.
Carla was skeptical of this whole thing at first, adamant that she would be fine - alone - but the love she had for both Roy and Ryan - and the love they had for her - she caved and was actually pretty excited for the three of them. She’d never admit it, although at times she thought both men could see right through her, but she was overwhelmed with joy and love at the thought of being in Devon with two people she cherished the most.
Carla had bought a 4 bedroom spacious cottage, along with the café next door, with a flat upstairs - as a surprise for Roy. She felt in her heart that he would miss his little business, being a listening ear for the community and so the café became Roy’s and he lived upstairs in the flat. There was plenty of space for him in the cottage, but given the option, Roy had opted for the flat upstairs, a familiar similarity to what once was home.
Carla and Roy ran the café together, much to Roy’s delight and Ryan settled in as a full-time manager at the local pub. He was always great with the punters in Weatherfield. Had a cheeky charm about him. He sometimes stayed in the living space above the pub, a perk to him for being manager - having to be there for most opening, closing, deliveries and the like, but occasionally he headed back to the cottage, residing with his favourite aunt.
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“Something you’re looking for Carla?” Roy questioned as Carla browsed the various leaflets and business cards pinned up on their notice board in the cafe.
“A-ha!” Carla exclaimed, pulling a small baby blue card from the noticeboard and smiling. She looked over at Roy, “Ryan had said something about a handy-odd-job business card, Swains - this is what I was looking for” she held it up to Roy. She read the card.
SWAINS
No job too big, or small.
Painter, decorator, all-rounder.
Call for more details and quotes.
She spun the card round, finding the number on the back. “Call anytime” it said. All in beautiful gold printing.
“Im thinking it’s time to put a homely spin on the cottage” Carla hummed.
“Ah yes, a house is not a home without a touch of love” Roy pondered. He always had a way with his words.
“Right, I’m going to give this Swain a call. I’ll catch you later Royston” Carla smiled as she left the café.
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Carla pulled out her phone and dialled the number on the back of the little baby blue card.
“Hello?” A soft female voice answered.
Carla hadn’t known what to expect exactly when she dialled the number, but she certainly didn’t expect a female voice to answer. Let alone a soft female voice. She had half thought it would be some old bloke who had been a handy man for years - specialising in all things…handy.
“Hello?” The female voice spoke again, a little louder this time. Swain was used to getting calls from the elderly, even if it was just to change a lightbulb, so she was very aware that perhaps a hard of hearing elderly person was on the end of the line.
“Oh, hi, sorry I…” Carla stuttered, clearly flustered.
Lisa, Swain went by. Lisa Swain. Lisa smiled as she could sense something on the other end of the phone. A nervous woman perhaps, she thought to herself. Some folk were just not good on the phone. She tried to lighten the mood.
“You know, when you call someone and they pick up and answer hello, that’s normally your cue to talk next” Lisa jested, a little laugh to follow. Suddenly feeling shy hoping that she hadn’t just lost a potential customer with her outspoken humour.
Carla sensed warmth and teasing in the other woman’s tone. “Yes, I know how to have a phone conversation - thank you” Carla poked back, a smile catching. “I was just a bit taken aback, that’s all. Reading your business card, I just didn’t expect…well, a woman” Carla blurted out. Hoping not to sound sexist but it was too late. She closed her eyes, in anticipation, cursing herself in the process.
“Assumptions lead you down the wrong path” Lisa threw back, teasing again. She wasn’t sure why she was acting like this. Borderline teasing, borderline flirting. She wasn’t really sure what you’d call it and she certainly had never done either with a customer before but nor had she had someone equally as witty on the other end of the line.
“Well, yes. That told me didn’t it” Carla remarked.
Both women laughed.
“How can I help?” Lisa asked quizzically, sensing the conversation had taken an interesting turn with a stranger she’d never met, let alone even spoken to before.
“Well, I’ve moved here fairly recently with my nephew and my adopted Dad and I feel it’s time I made the cottage a bit more…homely, and Ryan, my nephew had seen your card in the cafe and well, suggested I gave you a call as what’s better than a bit of local help” Carla shared.
Lisa was intrigued by the use of the term “adopted Dad” and stored this for another day. The woman she was talking to sounded warm and charismatic.
Lisa hadn’t made many friends since her move to Devon, so she had put herself out there to help as many people as possible with jobs - however big or small - but also, to pass the time really. She loved getting creative, but had just lost the spark for it being a DS for so long up North. When she’d taken a sabbatical some time too late after her wife’s passing, and her daughter, Betsy had grown up and flown the nest so to speak, she’d moved to Devon with no real time frame - just to see where life took her.
“What were you thinking?” Lisa asked.
“Well, maybe, a lick of paint to begin with. I’m not really sure, I haven’t thought about it a great deal and I don’t have much input moving here with two men but maybe another woman’s perspective could help rack my brain” Carla suggested.
“I could pop round today, say around 4pm? Take a look, discuss some colours. I have a colour sheet and we could go through some ideas. I just have to let you know in no way am I a professional! I mean, I’m good at what I do and I always do the best I can but this hasn’t been my lifelong living - more of a, shall we say, a hobby” Lisa announced shyly, unsure how the other woman would take her declaration.
Carla was intrigued how something like this was just a hobby for the other woman, and filed that away for another day. “4pm sounds good, I didn’t catch your name Swain?” Carla asked.
“Lisa” The other woman replied warmly.
“Carla, pleasure speaking to you Lisa. I live in the blue cottage up on the hill, overlooking the seafront. The one with “Roy’s” next door.” Carla announced, matter-of-fact.
“Pleasures all mine, Carla” Lisa cringed at what she just said, quickly saying she’d see her at 4pm and hung up the phone as quickly as possible. Her cheeks reddening with embarrassment. Lisa was pleased this conversation had been over a phone.
Pleasures all mine? She muttered to herself. Get a grip of yourself, Lisa! She cringed at herself, again. Lisa had equally been quite taken aback by the soft, strong voice of the female on the other end of the line. Both women were taken aback by each other, as it happened. Although they’d never admit it, they both found a warmth and kindness to each others’ voice, and perhaps something else that they couldn’t quite pin anything on.