Sally's Nightmare

[eithne]

This story is also being posted on the Soap Fan Fiction (soapfanfic.bravepages.com/cs/sn.htm) and Yahoo Group Coronation Street Stories(tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/Coronationstreetstories/)

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Part 1

Sally Webster smiled as she walked through the door of her home. She felt happy and upbeat. Things seemed to be going well between her and Kevin. Also Rosie had just gotten her first leading role, and looked like she might get a scholarship to a London stage school.

And Sally was doing well at work, where the new owner was treating her with respect. Sally walked into the kitchen of her home and left down the bags.

Sally turned around as she heard the door open behind her.

"Kevin... is that you?" She asked, walking back towards the front door.

Sally walked towards the front door, but saw that there was nobody there.

"Hiya." Kevin said, popping out from the living room. Sally was scared for a minute, until she realised it was her husband.

"What are you doing back so early?" She asked, smiling.

"I thought I'd come home early, since Rosie is rehearsing and Sophie is at her friend's." Kevin said. He leaned closer towards Sally and kissed her on the lips.

[eithne]

Part 2

Sally walked through the doors of the bookies, thinking of all the changes there had been here recently. She preferred working there now that Peter had left. Sally walked up to the counter and turned on the tv screens.

Sally looked up and saw a man walking in the door, the first customer of the day. She noticed that he wasn't a regular customer.

"Hello." She greeted.

"Hi." He said. "Can I put a bet on?"

"Yeah sure."

"How much?"

"£10."

"On?"

"Lucky."

"Even though the odds are..."

"Yes."

Sally did as she was told, puzzled by the man.

"So are you new to the area?"

"Yes, I've just moved here from London."

"Really, what part?"

"Sorry, can I get in here?" Said another customer. The man gave Sally a quick smile.

[eithne]

"Come on, come on Lucky." The man shouted, as his horse was in the lead. Sally looked over at him. Their eyes briefly met, before she turned away to another customer.

He turned back to the screen and started to scream as his horse won the race.

"Are you okay?" Asked another customer.

"I've just won three hundred quid." The man said, obviously delighted. He walked over to Sally and handed her the slip. "There you go." He said with a smile.

"Thanks." Sally said, slightly embarrassed that she'd been proven wrong and 'Lucky' had actually been lucky when it came to the race. "I'm surprised your not rubbing it in."

"Would I do such a thing? I've just made three hundred quid. I should be buying you a drink, not rubbing it in."

"There you go. Don't spend it all at once."

"Yeah, thanks. I hope I see you around." Said the man, before walking away.

"Thanks. Next please." Sally said.

[eithne]

Part 4

Sally forgot about the man pretty quickly, as a busy day at the bookies left her exhausted. As she went home that night, she remembered that it was her birthday. Thankfully nobody had remembered, except Sophie that morning at breakfast. But Rosie and Kevin hadn't remembered. Sally hated a fuss being made over her birthday.

As Sally pushed the key through the door, she heard Kevin's voice from inside but couldn't make out what he was saying. She listened for another moment, but when she couldn't hear anything pushed the door open.

"Hello." She called, wondering where Kevin had disappeared to. She walked through to the dining room, and was surprised to see Rosie, Kevin and Sophie all waiting for her, with a birthday cake on the table. There were also a few balloons and a small banner, wishing happy birthday.

"Surprise." They all shouted.

"Kevin, girls! You shouldn't have." Sally said, still surprised that they'd remembered.

"We did Sal, Happy Birthday." Kevin said.

"Oh Kevin."

"And later I've organised for Rita to look after the girls while we go out for a birthday drink."

"I'm old enough to look after myself." Rosie said, slightly angry.

"So am I!" Sophie added.

"We'll see." Kevin answered.

"I'll go and get a knife to cut the cake." Sally said, beaming.

[eithne]

Part 5

"Thank you Kevin." Sally said as she and Kevin walked down the street to the Rovers.

"What for?"

"For just being Kevin." Sally said, with a smile.

She and Kevin walked in and saw that there were a quite a few in the pub. Betty and Shelly were behind the bar, and Ashley and Fred were sitting with Clare. Also Norris, Ken, Blanche and Deirdre were sitting at a table. Tyrone and Tommy were playing the machines.

"I'll get them. You get a table." Kevin suggested.

"No, it's okay. I'll get them. You go over and talk to Tyrone and Tommy for a bit." Sally answered.

"Okay then, birthday girl."

"Don't call me that!" Sally joked. "Hi Betty. How are you?"

"I'm fine love. What about you?"

"I'm okay. Can I have...?"

"Hello again." Came a voice from beside Sally. She turned and saw the man from the shop.

"Oh hello."

"I'll get these." The man said, turning to Betty.

"There's no need." Sally answered.

"Hey, there's every need. You were probably the one who's luck rubbed off on me."

"I don't know." Sally said.

"So what'll it be then love?" Betty interupted.

"Oh, sorry Betty. I'll have mine and Kevin's usuals."

"Okay love." Betty answered.

"I'm Simon by the way." The man said. Sally looked at him. He had short, dark hair which was going grey in some places and was tall. He wore a blue and white shirt, and wasn't overweight. Sally secretly thought he was quite handsome, though she'd never admit it.

"Sally."

[sootycat]

I had a feeling the mystery punter would show up again.
Good story eithne

[Charity's Neck Brace]

Sounds good so far!

[eithne]

Thank you. I'm glad the both of you like it. I really love writing it. There's another part below, and it's totally different from what we've had so far (character wise).

But all will be revealed soon, as to how Janice is featured in Sally's Nightmare.

[eithne]

Part 6

Janice Battersby sat, looking down towards the bottom of her empty glass. Karen McDonald walked towards the bar, and arrived beside Janice.

"Jan, you okay?" Karen asked.

"Fine." Janice answered.

"It's just we've been, ah, wondering if you're okay. You ain't been saying much."

"I said I'm fine didn't I?"

"Okay, okay." Karen said. She turned around and walked back to the rest of the factory girls, who were all huddled in one of the Rovers booths.

"You try Hayley. She wouldn't say anything to me."

"What do you think is wrong with her Karen?" Hayley asked.

"She needs a man."

"Yeah, that's right." Sonia answered.

Les walked through the door at that exact moment. The factory girls burst into laughter. Cilla Brown followed Les through the doors, and spotted a chance to wind up Janice.

"Lesley," She said, grabbing hold of her boyfriend's hand, "me and Chesney are just so happy with you."

"Well..."

"Come 'ere and give us a kiss." Cilla said. Before Les could say anything, she had leant in and kissed him. Janice turned around, to watch.

"Thought I could smell some cheap perfume."

Cilla pushed Les back. "You say'n something about me?"

"You 'eard."

"You should look at yourself sometime love. Your face ain't exactly an oil painting is it?"

"Watch your tongue lady, or I'll."

"What? Hit me? Come on then."

Fiz jumped up from the booth. "Jan don't or she'll have you up in court."

"Don't worry. I wouldn't lay a finger on trash like her." Janice said, with a sneer.

"Trust you to stand up for her Fiz." Cilla said.

"See you Fiz. I'm off cause the smell is giving me a headache." Janice said.

[eithne]

Part 7

"So do you live around here then?" Simon asked Sally a couple of day's later in the bookies.

"Yeah, I live on Coronation Street." Sally answered.

"Oh right. I'm renting the flat above the corner shop. I'm moving in soon enough though."

"You know Dev then?"

"Dev Alahan? Yeah, he'll be my landlord after his wedding."

"I know. It was so nice when he and Sunita finally got together."

"Suinta? That's the girl who lives there now."

"Yeah, she's moving in with Dev soon though. Dev's ex Maya went crazy a few months back with a knife and nearly killed poor Sunita, after Dev broke things off. She's now locked up in an institution though. He and Sunita then got engaged. They've known each other for years."

"Same with me and..." Simon began, but stopped.

"You and who?" Sally asked.

"My wife, Christine. We knew each other for years before we got married as well."

"Is she moving up here as well?"

"No, she died a couple of years ago with my daughter." Simon said, sadly. "In a car crash." He added.

Sally's face suddenly changed from a pleasant smile, to a sombre frown. "Oh, I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It's all in the past now."

There was an awkward silence between the two for a while, until both spoke together.

"You go first." Simon said.

"Okay then. What are you working as?"

"I'm opening up a restaurant beside Roy's Rolls. You know it?"

"Yeah. My friends, Roy and Hayley, own it."

"Christine and I used to own a chain of Chinese restaurants and take aways down south, but I sold them after her and Holly died. Since then I've lived off the profits from the sale, but now I want something to get my teeth into."

"And the restaurant is going to be it, eh?"

"Yeah, definitley." Simon answered with a smile. He liked Sally, liked her a lot and hoped that their friendship would continue to grow.

[sootycat]

H'm, do I believe Simon's story.

[eithne]

Oh? What are you thinking? I'm curious? Please tell! ;D

[eithne]

Anyone want to comment? ;D

[pearly queen]

This is really good. Sally just can't seem to help flirting, even though she's supposed to be happy to be back with Kevin. A man up to no good would be attracted to someone like that. Have you abandoned this story now, or doing any more? I'd like to know how it continues, and I'm assuming this mystery man is the cause of the 'nightmare' of the title?

[eithne]

I want to continue it someday, but just never can find the momentum to actually do it. I've planned it all out though, and I can tell you it will get shocking - if I ever reach the "Nightmare" bit of the story.

It's a long, long nightmare by the way.

[Norris Cole]

just read it and it definately had the mysterious vibe right from the start. Very well done

[eithne]

Short, yet sweet...

Part 8

"That man over the bar, you know him?"

"Yes." Sally said relucantly.

"And what do you think? Is he nice?"

"Well, yes I suppose so. Why?"

Fiz leaned closer, and lowered her voice a little. "Don't tell him, but I'm thinkin' of askin' him if he wants a blind date."

"With who?"

"Janice."

"Oh." Sally said, not knowing how to react.

"Yeah, I think they'd make a really good couple. Don't you?"

"
Ahem..."

"Anyway, I better go. See you later Sal."

"Yeah, see you Fiz." Sally said. She turned and watched as Fiz headed towards Simon. She could feel little pangs of jealousy deep inside.

[eithne]

Part 9

"She's gonna go mad at you. You know that don't you?" One of the factory girls said.

"I know. But she'll thank me when she walks into that restaurant."

"I can't believe you done it though. Went up to him." Another factory girl added.

"Well it was easy." Fiz Brown boasted. The factory girls (with Sean) were sat around their machines, on a break. Janice and a few of the others were outside on a fag break.

They were discussing Janice's upcoming blind date with Simon. Fiz, after getting Sally's advice, had asked Simon and he was reluctant at first but after a lot of persuasion, not to mention a few white lies, eventually changed his mind.

"When's this big date happening then?" Sean asked.

"Friday night."

"Fiz, it mightn't be such a good idea. Janice won't like it at all." Hayley interuppted.

"So. That don't matter."

"Where are they meeting up?" Sean butted back in.

"The Rovers. Hey, do you think she'll mind if we go with her just to, you know, back her up a bit?"

"Oohhh. I wouldn't say so. Just one little thing though, Fiz ."

"What?"

"How are you going to tell Janice?"

"I don't..." Fiz started, but stopped mid sentence and looked up at the doorway.

"Tell me what?" Janice said, staring at Fiz. Her face looked at thunderous and terrifying as ever.

"Well..." Fiz said, suddenly going silent.

"It's a blind date you see. For you!" Sean explained.

"Fiz, you've got some explaining to do lady."
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A few hours later Sally was sat alone in the Rovers, on her lunch break. Kevin had just left and she still had another couple of minutes. They usually didn't meet up for lunch, but today they'd decided a change was good. Sally was deep in thought - a mirriad of thoughts quickly flashing through her mind.

"Mind if I join you?"

Sally looked up to see Simon standing over her. She smiled up at him. "No, of course not."

"Thanks." He said, taking a seat.

"So, how are things?"

"They're fine."

"That's good."

"What about yourself?"

"The same."

"Oh good."

"So..."

"Yeah, so..."

"I heard you've got a date."

"How did you know?"

"Fiz asked my advice on whether or not you would suit Janice."

"And what did you say?" Simon asked.

"I can't say." Sally flirted.

"Disappointing. So, what is this Janice like then?"

"Ahem..."

"What does that ahem mean?"

"I wont say anything about her for fear of getting attacked."

"Wow. That bad is she?"

"No, I'm only joking."

"Good."

"I better get back to work." Sally said, standing up.

"Already."

"Yeah. Bye."

"See you." Simon said, watching as Sally turned and left. That had been a quick conversation.

[eithne]

Part 10

"Don't forget to pick up a bottle of wine for tonight Kevin."

"What wine?"

"The wine for tonight." Sally repeated. When she saw no reaction from Kevin she explained. "We're meeting up

with Ian and Justine. It's Justine's birthday remember."

"Oh yeah... But why the wine if we are going to the restaurant."

"For a present." Sally said, rolling her eyes. "I better go. See you later."

"Bye." Kevin said. He and Sally exchanged a quick peck on the cheek, before she left. He finished off his toast.
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"Excited about tonight?" Leanne asked Janice, as they ate breakfast in Janice's flat.

"No. I could kill that Fiz."

"It might be fun. You don't even know who it is, do you?"

"No, none of them will tell me."

"Maybe it'll be some rich millionaire."

"Fiz said it was a friend of a friend. I can't see Fiz having any friends who are friends with a millionaire."

"Suppose."

"Well maybe it's some sexy, hunky fireman or something then. A bit like my Jamie. Hey, if it works out we can

even go on double dates."

"Yeah sure."

"So, what are you wearing?"

"I don't know."

"What? You haven't bought anything new?"

"No. Why?"

"It's your first date in years Jan. Least you could'a done was buy a new top or something."

"I'm off. I'll see you later." Janice said, as she stood up. She reached for her coat, and headed for the door.

Leanne pressed down the on switch on the radio.
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The factory girls were standing outside, waiting for their boss to arrive. Sean comes over to Fiz, Kelly, Karen,

Angela and the rest.

"Where is Janice?" He asks, happy as ever.

"Not here yet." Karen replies.

"Why?" Angela asks.

"I want to know what she is wearing tonight. I read this article in a magazine about how what you wear can

instantly decide whether a date leads to marraige and kids or not."

"Well I doubt Janice will want a marraige and kids." Karen said.

"Are you going tonight then?" Sean asked.

"Where?" Fiz wondered.

"On the date."

"On the date?"

"Yeah."

"I can't."

"Yeah, as bad as she is Fiz usually don't go on her mate's dates." Karen joked.

"I meant to spy. I thought we could go and spy on them, see how things are going. If they aren't going well

maybe we could try to help."

"That sounds a little bit like we are interfering."

"So... we interfered in the first place didn't we by organising tonight."

"I was actually the one who organised it."

"Whatever." Sean said. "So are we or not?"

Fiz looked down the Street, and saw Janice heading to work. "I suppose."

"Good. Looks like we'll all be enjoying Italian tonight."

[MiRaNdA]

when does karen come back in Canada steves just kicked her out?!?!?!?!?!

[RitaLittlewood]

She doesn't come back I'm afraid.

Patsy