Coronation Street business woman Carla Connor berates Peter for gambling away their joint business with his crazy offers this week.
Despite having won a massive 35 grand, Carla's brother Rob and Tracy start blackmailing Peter when he can't pay up, threatening to sue him.
However, Carla soon comes up with a double proposal - a business partnership and marriage.
Here, Alison King - who plays Carla - reveals the reasoning behind her character's big decision.
Is Carla sick and tired of having to appease both Rob and Peter? Does she just wish they'd stop acting like kids and grow up?
"Yes she is totally sick of it - she wishes she could just knock their heads together. She can't mend or build any bridges with Rob. She would desperately like to but Peter keeps getting in the way and she can't help Peter because Rob keeps winding him up. They are never going to get on so she just has to deal with it."
Is there nothing she can do about Rob and Tracy's threat to sue over Rob's betting winnings?
"She is very angry - she would do anything to help Peter but to be honest he has been such an idiot. She has asked him to stop and she has tried to stop Rob but all she can do is beg and Rob is all about the power and that is what he really wants, he still wants Carla to always be on his side and try and help him, but how can she do that after the way he behaved?"
How angry does she feel about the situation?
"She feels angry and frustrated and let down by both of them really."
Does Carla feel she has to be constantly biting her tongue because she knows Peter feels emasculated by her being the breadwinner?
"Sometimes she is more aware of it than others, she hasn't seen it as a big issue at the moment. She is a strong woman and she is aware that he is a bull in a china shop, sometimes she lets that go and sometimes she is more sensitive about it but when he has annoyed her she just feels he should grow up and deal with it."
Is she surprised at the mess he has made of things?
"Yes she is really surprised, he has been running that shop for years and it has been a great business so she is surprised that his pride has literally messed up his whole business, also she feels guilty that it is Rob who has been the person behind it and she knows somewhere down the line that it is about her so she has guilt over that too."
Does it ever honestly bother Carla that he's not the main breadwinner? Would she secretly like him to be loaded and so calling the shots - or does she like being the partner in control?
"Carla has been with successful businessmen in the past, she was attracted to that and it has always ended badly so I think for once she did put love first and went through so much to get there with him - he is the love of her life, he is everything to her, flaws and all. You can tell by the chemistry between them, they are made for each other."
What gives her the idea of the double whammy proposal - marriage and the business partnership at Underworld?
"Well, it is Deirdre really who speaks to her and tells her that sometimes men can feel emasculated by strong women and that maybe if they were husband and wife he would feel a bit better about things. He might be able to swallow his pride and get on with it and feel a bit more easy about it."
Is marriage something Carla has ever been interested in before with Peter, has she seen it as a necessity?
"No, neither of them have seen it as something they need but now she has thought about it she thinks, 'Why not?' because she wants him to feel more of an equal."
How does Peter react? Is she pleased with his reactions? Does it fit into her plan?
"He is shocked but I think he knows deep down why she is doing it, but he does love her so much, he is really lovely about it, although he does question it briefly and says he didn't think it was something they would ever do. He does want to do it."
Do you think she is someone who would have preferred to have been proposed to and swept off her feet?
"In an ideal world yes, I guess so, but she has had that before and I just think she knows it is for good with Peter and she does want to get it right."
Does she see Leanne as a threat any more or does she see the threat more from his behaviour with the business?
"Leanne will always be a threat to her because she is the sensible one, although Carla has got her act together recently and is more sensible than she used to be, more level-headed than Peter. But she knows that Leanne will always hold a piece of his heart because she was his family unit and Carla can't provide that."
Carla's not as hot-headed as she used to be and she's more compassionate - as proved when she accompanies Hayley to hospital. Why does she do that for Hayley and do you like this more human version of Carla?
"I love playing that because you don't get to see it often and Hayley is the person who brings Carla's barriers down. They have shared so much with the siege and other things. With Hayley there is no bull, it is just always the truth, she has seen Carla at her most vulnerable, only Hayley and Peter, and Michelle sometimes, really see that. It is lovely to play and funny with Hayley because they are the odd couple."
It is nice that she is there for Hayley over the cancer diagnosis? Are you pleased that Carla is involved in that journey with Hayley?
"I absolutely love it - for one I love working with Julie and she is a brilliant actress. I am so glad that I am part of this beautiful but sad story."
How do you see Peter and Carla's working relationship panning out? Could it split them up if it goes wrong? If it works out, could it strengthen their relationship?
"They are made for each other but it will be interesting to see how they go on working together every day - how much control she will let him have at the factory - will she be able to let go and leave him to it or will it be in the back of her mind the mess he made at the bookies? We will have to wait and see if it puts a strain on their relationship - she will still be holding the purse strings which could cause problems."
When's the wedding?
"Not sure of the exact date but towards the end of the year - if all goes to plan!"
Love many, trust few, always paddle your own canoe
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Originally Posted by Perdita
