Chapter Text
“Do you fancy a nightcap?” Carla asked, arms crossed as Lisa held the door of the Rovers open for her. She assumed Lisa would say no, given that she’d just had a lemonade in the pub. It was worth a go, she was enjoying Lisa’s company and after the day she’d had, she didn’t particularly want to be alone.
Lisa paused, holding the door open. She nodded and walked over the threshold. “Sure.” She said casually. She had gone years without being invited for a drink, now Carla had asked her out twice in one night. She followed Carla’s lead, though she knew her address.
“I can’t promise I’ve got much. Maybe a few packets of crisps and a bottle of red. Will that do?” Carla asked, suddenly a bit self-conscious.
Lisa smiled at her. “I’m sure I’ll manage.” She said as Carla opened her front door and led them up the stairs.
Thankfully, Ryan was out. She turned the light on and poured a couple of glasses of wine. Lisa noticed the subtle differences since the last time she had been here. Pictures in frames had been swapped out, most photos of Peter had been replaced with pictures of Carla and Ryan, Roy and a woman Lisa didn’t know, and Carla and a brunette she didn’t recognise. Those were pouty and overly-posed, which Lisa found amusing. She took a bowl Carla was holding out in the kitchen and placed it on the coffee table, starting on a few crisps while Carla brought the wine over.
Carla still felt tense from her encounter with Joel in the cafe. She was worried about Roy, all alone in that flat. If she wasn’t overrun with lodgers she would have offered for him to stay here. The incident had left her not wanting to be alone, which was part of the reason she had invited Lisa back to the empty flat.
“What’s up?” Lisa asked, suspicious of Carla’s silence.
Carla shook her head. “Nothing. Just angry. Wish I’d got hold of him.”
Lisa nodded. “Imagine how I feel.” She tried to joke, sipping her wine. “Sorry, that was dismissive.”
Carla shook her head again. “You don’t need to apologise all the time. Besides, it’s nice to hear you crack a joke.”
Lisa gave her a small, tight smile and picked up a handful of crisps. “It’s not easy making you laugh when I usually see you at a crime scene or in an interview room.”
“Or when you’re arresting my husband, we’ve done that too, remember?” Carla teased, smirking. She sipped her wine.
Lisa held her gaze. She didn’t feel guilty about that, despite being Carla’s friend now. It was all part of the job. “I’ll try to be a bit less serious, when I can.”
“I’ll believe that when I see it, Lisa.” Carla teased again, earning a look from Lisa, which amused her. “Well, it’s nice to see you outside of work for a change.”
Lisa nodded. “Likewise.” She sat in a comfortable silence with Carla. She couldn’t remember the last time she had spent an evening with a friend.
Carla had a sudden urge to ask if they could do this more often, which seemed an odd question to ask a friend. Of course they would do this again. She sipped her wine. She watched as Lisa studied the framed photo next to the telly. “That’s my best mate, Michelle. Ryan’s mum. You’d like her, I think. She’s sort of like me, if I was less of a cow.”
“You are not a cow.” Lisa scoffed. “Or maybe I’m a cow too, so I can’t tell if you are.”
“Ah, see, that’s where you’re wrong.” Carla pointed at Lisa, setting down her nearly empty glass. “It takes a right cow to know a cow.”
Lisa chuckled. Carla thought it might have been the first time she had heard her laugh. “Can we stop talking about cows now please?” Lisa asked. “Who’s the lady in the photo with Roy then?” She said, pointing.
“Hayley, his wife. Proper salt of the earth, they don’t make ‘em like her anymore.” Carla smiled sadly and finished her glass of wine.
“Sounds like a lovely woman.” Lisa finished her glass. Carla stood up to fetch another but Lisa shook her head.
“I should get going. Work tomorrow.” Lisa said. “Thanks for this though.”
“Thank you for your company.” Carla said as Lisa headed for the door. “Er, don’t think you’re getting away that easily.” She held out her arms for a hug.
Lisa was hesitant at first. She hadn’t hugged anyone except Betsy in years, and that wasn’t often these days. She took a step closer and let Carla pull her in. She made a soft hum in response to the closeness, holding on for just a little bit too long.
Carla wasn’t sure if it was the talk of Hayley making her soppy, the wine messing with her head, or her recent lack of physical affection. She held on a bit longer than usual, hoping Lisa hadn’t noticed. When she pulled away, the wide smile on her face mirrored Lisa’s.
Lisa didn’t move. Carla kissed her on the lips, quickly, gently, casually. It was too quick for Lisa to kiss back.
“See you, Lisa.” Carla said, letting her go.
“See you.” Lisa responded, turning around and heading out of the door calmly so Carla didn’t see her wide eyes.