Chapter 7
Lisa messaged Carla she was home safe, not wanting to delay her and have her worry, before she got changed and comfy in bed to chill for the rest of the night.
She was certainly feeling the effects of the wine hitting her stronger now she’d walked home in the cold, sea air, but she also was eager to continue getting to know each other, on a deeper level and so also prompted a conversation.
L: I’m home safe 💕
So, Carla Connor, what’s your ideal first date? Xx
C: Thank you for texting me 💕
Well, detective. That, would be telling. 😉 Xx
L: No question is off the cards, remember? 😇 Xx
C: Oh, we’re still playing that game are we… 😏 Well if I’m being entirely truthful, and I’m really not trying to get out of the question but I’d really like you to surprise me - that would be my ideal first date - with you. If what you’ve done for me already is anything to go by, I’ll absolutely love whatever you’ve got up your sleeve. Xx
L: No pressure then. 🫣 Xx
C: Lisa, you could show up here with a microwave meal and a bottle of wine and I would be blown away because all I want to do is spend time with you. Xxx
L: Carla Connor, there is no way on this Earth you are getting a microwave meal as our first date……however sweet you just managed to make that sentence. Xxx
C: ❤️
Tell me your favourite thing about yourself. Xxx
L: There isn’t one. Xxx
Carla didn’t reply on purpose, but instead let Lisa stew. She knew if Lisa wanted to play this game, she’d have to answer the question. She could see the speech bubble appear, disappear and re-appear again.
L: I suppose…
L: I like that I’m good at what I do. As much as I’ve put my job on hold, I am a bloody good detective. I put bad people away and hopefully make the world a safer place. I always wanted that at least, for my daughter. Xxx
C: You are quite possibly the kindest person I have ever met, Lisa Swain. Xxx
L: Stop it 😳
Have you been on many dates since…? Xxx
C: Since I packed my now ex-husband off? He was called Peter, and I don’t mind you mentioning things in more descriptive terms. I mean, you don’t have to dance around things. I don’t want you to feel you can’t ask me anything about my past. Xxx
L: Thank you for clarifying. It’s difficult texting you, I can’t read your emotions as well and I’d hate to think that I’d upset you at any point…Have you been on many dates since Peter? Xxx
C: You will be my first, Lisa Swain. Xxx
C: And don’t forget, we agreed no question is off the cards. Xxx
L: You’re joking, right? About the date situation… Xxx
L: No pressure again 🫣 I’m just shocked Carla, a beautiful woman like you. Xxx
C: Hey, I’ve told you a microwave meal, a bottle of wine and your company is all I’d need. I really mean that Lisa. I really do. Xxx
L: You’re not getting a microwave meal, so you might be very disappointed. Xxx
C: I could never be disappointed. Xxx
C: What do you value most in a partner? Xxx
L: Patience is a big thing with me. I need someone to be patient with me. I haven’t always been the best person to be around. I suppose I learnt a lot about myself when I lost Becky, and things I still didn’t change for my daughter when she lost her mum, and the months and years after…That’s why I had to do this for myself, now she’s older and moved on away from home. I’m still learning and I want to be better. Xxx
C: You’re incredible ❤️ Xxx
L: You can’t say that… Xxx
C: I just did. This version of you who I’ve met…who you’ve introduced me to, who you’ve let me be a part of - is incredible to be around. You’re so much fun Lisa, I don’t think you even realise. I feel honoured for you to have let me in like you have, so yes, I can say you’re incredible. Xxx
L: Have I told you I’m so glad I met you Carla Connor? Xxx
C: You have, but you can always tell me again. 😉 Xxx
L: Don’t push it. 🤨 Xxx
C: Worth a try. 😇 Xxx
L: Can I ask you about the café? Xxx
C: The café is Roy’s, but I help him out a lot. I suppose you could say I work for him, but I bought him the café. It was perfect really. Back at what was home, before here became home, Roy had a café he ran with his late wife - and believe it or not they lived in the flat above the café there…it kind of felt like fate finding one here with the exact same setting. Xxx
L: Roy’s incredibly lucky to have you Carla. I am incredibly lucky to have met you. Xxx
C: No, I’m the lucky one there with Roy. Believe me. And as for you…well I think I’m the lucky one…Xxx
C: So what do you wear to bed? 😜 Xxx
L: Trust you to change the tone of the conversation, Carla 🫣 Xxx
C: Are you blushing Lisa Swain? Xxx
L: 😳😳😳 Xxx
C: Sorry…I don’t know what came over me. I’m still feeling the effects of the wine, and I’m tired, and I can’t stop thinking about you. You make me feel things… Xxx
L: Do you want to talk about it? Xxx
C: I don’t think I can right now. I’ve already said too much. Xxx
L: Are you blushing now Carla Connor? Xxx
C: Stop it. Change the subject, please. Xxx
C: I like you too much to…rush this. Xxx
L: Noted 😉 What would be your dream job here in Devon? …If you do plan on staying that is. Xxx
Carla smiled at the question and also wondered if Lisa was trying to gauge whether she would be around for a long time, and Carla wondered what this meant but didn’t want to draw too much attention to the end of Lisa’s text, as Carla was also aware that Lisa was on sabbatical and really didn’t want to think of the thought of her going back to work…
Speech bubbles popped up as Lisa appeared to be sending another text.
L: An oversized t shirt and boxers, if you must know. Xxx
C: Are you flirting with me Detective? Xxx
L: You started it! 😉 xxx
C: I told you, you make me feel things… Xxx
C: I’d like to open a gift shop here. Xxx
L: Oh Carla, that’d be wonderful. Xxx
C: I just need the right space first. But it’s not important yet, plenty of time for that. I need my time for other things at the moment. Xxx
L: I understand. It’s very sweet of you supporting Roy like you do. It just shows what kind of person you are, Carla. Xxx
C: I feel like this is going to sound bad now after what you just said, but I was meaning I need my time for other things, meaning you. Xxx
L: Oh…OH…Well, It doesn’t sound bad at all. It’s still very sweet. Now I feel honoured that you want to spend your time with me and prioritise your time to spend it with me. Xxx
C: Will you tell me about your daughter, Betsy. What’s she like? Xxx
L: Oh where do I start. She’s at university studying some fashion course, following on from college. She’s 19, has a boyfriend - Mason - who she’s absolutely smitten with. We have a good relationship now. Better than it has been. We’ve always clashed I guess, but Becky was the peacemaker. She was always able to ground the both of us. When she died….well, it all went wrong. I threw myself into work, neglected my daughter and all we seemed to do was fight. Betsy just found any and every way possible to hurt me and it worked. The more she wore me down, the more and more I worked. I worked so much at one point, just so I didn’t have to see her, just to avoid the conflict. Betsy was just 13 when she lost her mum Carla. She may as well have lost me too. But….going to university, meeting Mason, and not living with me, well, it’s all helped us rebuild. Xxx
Lisa’s phone started to ring a few minutes after she’d sent that text. Oh gosh. Lisa muttered to herself as she saw Carla’s name flash up. She quickly wiped her tears away - chuckling to herself as she suddenly realised Carla wouldn’t see her crying - so instead, she took a deep breath trying to compose herself and answered the phone.
“Hi” Lisa answered quietly.
“I just wanted to check in. That was quite an emotional text and I wanted to know that you’re okay” Carla asked tentatively.
Carla could hear Lisa’s deep breaths, but she was patient with her and wanted to give her the space to reply. Lisa had asked for patience after all, and Carla wanted to show her that’s exactly what she could offer, as well as so much more.
“Yeah…I’m…okay…it’s just…it’s just brought…a…lot…of it…back” Lisa couldn’t hold the tears in as she sobbed through that sentence.
Carla’s heart hurt for Lisa. “Let it out, if you want. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.” Carla spoke softly. “I’ll even come to you right now, if that’s what you need.”
Lisa glanced at the clock. Wow. She thought to herself. She knew it was late, but she didn’t realise how late. “Carla it’s…3am” Lisa threw back, still struggling to form a sentence through her sobs, but getting there. Steadying herself through hearing Carla’s voice.
“It could be 3am, midnight, 6am, I don’t care. If you need me Lisa…” Carla’s voice firmer this time, but not pushy. She just wanted the other woman to know, she meant every word. It wasn’t just a passing suggestion.
“Ugh, Carla Connor. You have no idea what you do to me.” A smile now tugging on Lisa’s lips. Her heart had leapt a thousand times at Carla’s suggestion, laced with such care and compassion. “Would you just stay on the phone with me? Until I fell asleep.” Lisa asked, unsure if Carla would find it weird, but Lisa felt closer to Carla, just knowing her voice was right there.
“Of course, I will sweetheart.” Carla blushed. Suddenly very grateful that Lisa couldn’t see her reddening cheeks. Carla cursed herself. Sweetheart?! Really?! She said to herself. Carla had no idea where that came from. I mean, yes, she could imagine using that world in the future, but thought right now was maybe too soon. Luckily for her, Lisa didn’t seem to mind at all.
Lisa let out a gentle breath and hummed. Now that certainly made her smile. Sweetheart. She could get used to that, she thought to herself.
“Can I come round for a cuddle tomorrow? I could really use one.” Lisa asked Carla.
“Yes, absolutely.” Carla exclaimed. “Come on now, close your eyes. I’m here, I’m not going anywhere.” Carla spoke softly into the other end of the phone, as she waited patiently for Lisa to fall asleep.