Decided to start a new story. In this Rachel is married to Paul (not a character from Waterloo Road) and they have four children together. Charlotte (17), Thomas (14), Emily (12) and Poppy (10).

Life inside the Mason household was extremely hectic at the moment, as in a few days' time the family were moving from Bedfordshire up to Manchester as Paul had got a new job. Paul was a surgeon, and previously had to commute into London every day. Even though, they knew it was a massive change for them all they hoped that it would work out in the end and their children would all be happy up there.

Charlotte was about to start her summer exams, so couldn't move up with them yet. She said she was more than happy to stay with Paul's sister, Karen, until her exams were over.

Although, she was a bit nervous about moving and leaving all of her friends she understood why they were going as did Thomas and Poppy really didn't mind. Emily on the other hand was still angry with her Mum and Dad for making them move.

Rachel had just got back from doing the school run.

"Mum can I go swimming tonight?" Emily asked

"I wanted you to help me do some packing tonight, everyone else is pretty much packed up now. Also Auntie Karen and Uncle Lee are coming over for a BBQ tonight"

"Why can't you just do it and I'll only be gone for a few hours"

"Because we don't need to take everything with us, so I want you to stay here to tell me stuff you don't mind getting rid of"

"Great so your making me move hours away from my friends and now you're not even letting me spend time with them for the few days we have left here"

"Come on Em, don't be like that. You had a sleepover with them all at the weekend and you're going out for a meal tomorrow with them before we leave"

"Well that makes it okay then, I'm not going to miss them anymore"

"Oh Emily. Right well how about you help me for a bit now, and then you can go swimming after that?"

"Fine" Emily said before storming off

Rachel got a snack for Emily.

"You go and get changed out of your uniform love, and then how about you play in the garden for a bit"

"Okay" Poppy said flashing her Mum her big grin

Poppy was such a sweet girl, however she was struggling with school a lot at the moment because she had dyspraxia. Rachel was hoping the move to Manchester would be a good thing, as they'd found a good primary school which specialised in Special Educational Needs.

Once Poppy was playing in the garden, Rachel made herself a cup of coffee before heading up to Emily's bedroom.

Rachel sighed when Emily was on her iPad and not packing.

"Come on love, the sooner we start the sooner you'll be done"

Emily didn't say anything so Rachel went over to her.

Rachel noticed Emily was going through some old photos of her and her friends, it wasn't until then that Rachel noticed that Emily was crying.

"Come here Ems" Rachel said sitting down on the bed and putting her arms around her daughter

"I know how hard this is for you love"

"Well why are you making me leave then?"

"Because it's the best thing to do for your family. I completely understand why you're upset at the moment, but I know that once you're settled in Manchester and you've made new friends you'll be just as happy there as you are here"

"What if I don't make new friends?"

"You will make new friends. Why would anyone not want to be friends with you?"

"But I don't need new friends, I've got the best friends ever here"

"And you can still keep in touch with them, as well as having new friends up in Manchester. Trust me love, it's all going to work out in the end"

"I am looking forward to living in the new house, I just wish it was around here and not in Manchester"

"I know you do, but it's a fresh start for all of us"

Emily did cheer up a bit and helped her Mum packing.

The two of them started talking about lots of things from when Emily was younger and they had a good laugh together.

Charlotte came into the bedroom and was pleased to see Emily laughing again. Her sister was normally moody all the time since finding out about the move.

"Mum, Dad's just got back from the supermarket so we're going to go for a quick drive"

"Okay love, not too long though because Auntie Karen's coming over at 5"

Charlotte was in the middle of learning to drive, and was desperate to pass her test.

"I think we've done a good job in here. I'll drop you to the pool now if you like"

"I think I might just stay here instead"

"Really?"

"Yeah, well I'm going to miss Auntie Karen and Ellie and Liv too"

Ellie and Liv were Karen and Lee's daughters'. Ellie was 16 and Liv was 13.

"That will be nice love, well do you want to give me a hand in the kitchen?"

Ellie rolled her eyes, but she liked helping her Mum out really.

The pair of them went downstairs. Thomas was playing with Poppy in the garden.

"Are you two okay out here?"

"Yes Mummy when's Auntie Karen coming?"

"They should be here anytime now"

"I've made a mud cake for her"

"I'm sure she'll be delighted" Rachel said laughing "we're just going to get some food ready for the BBQ"

When Rachel went back to the kitchen Emily had just let her Auntie and Uncle and cousins in.

Karen handed her a bottle of prosecco.

"Will you get some glasses out for me please Em?"

"How many?"

"Urmm do you want some Els?"

"Yes please"

"Didn't really need to ask did I? How about you two?" Rachel asked looking at Emily and Olivia who both shook their heads

"Lee?"

"No I'll have a beer instead please"

"Just three then, oh no actually four Charl will be back soon and she'll definitely want one"

Lee went into the garden and kicked a ball around with Thomas.

Emily went into the garden with her cousins and Karen and Rachel stayed in the kitchen to cook. Rachel got on really well with Paul's sister and was going to miss having them round all the time.

It wasn't long before Charlotte and Paul arrived back at the house.

"Ooh prosecco, can I have a glass" Charlotte asked as soon as she walked into the kitchen

"How did I know you'd want some? Em got a glass out for you"

"Can you get me a beer Charl please?" Paul asked

Charlotte passed her Dad a beer before pouring a glass of prosecco for herself.

"I better get the barby going then"

Once the food was prepared Karen and Rachel went into the garden too.

They had such a nice evening together with a lot of laughter.

Rachel was going to miss this so much and really did hope they were doing the right thing, by moving to Manchester.

Please review and let me know what you think xxx