(A/N): So, I was watching series 5 of Waterloo Road, and the Lindsay storyline. I know that later in the programme, Lindsay gets out but doesn't go back to school or home because she can't face it. But, I couldn't see Rachel giving up on her or breaking the promise that Lindsay could go back whenever. So, this is where this story comes in. Lindsay has only just gone to the youth offenders' place, and I can't see Rachel abandoning her. I also love Reddie, and hated it when Rachel's sister showed up at the end, and Eddie left. So, this will be eventual Reddie too, I hope. This is my first Waterloo Road fanfic, so please, tell me what you think.
I do not own Waterloo Road or any of the characters. I just manipulate them to fit my own storylines. They belong to Kudos and whoever else owns them. Trust me, Eddie would not have left if I owned it.
A Second Chance
Chapter 1
When Lindsay James had been sent to prison, the first emotion that had run through her mind was relief. Relief that she no longer had to lie about everything, relief that her father couldn't hurt anyone anymore and relief that her little sister Emily would have her mother home to look after her. Lindsay had been put into a cell by herself, as she was one of the more violent offenders in there, or so she'd been told. Her solicitor had informed her that it would likely only be for a few months at most, until the jury agreed that Lindsay had acted in self-defence. Oddly enough, Lindsay didn't care. She just didn't have the energy. Each morning she got up, ate breakfast, read for a while, ate lunch, went to the television room for an hour, exercised for an hour, read some more, ate dinner, read even more, and went to sleep. It was monotonous, but also soothing.
Two weeks after being sent to the youth offender prison, Lindsay was disturbed from her reading by one of her more sympathetic guards.
"James, you have a visitor." The guard told her kindly, keys in hand. Lindsay frowned as she set the book down, Of Mice and Men, which she had already started reading in class before the trial.
"Who is it? I don't get visitors." Lindsay responded slowly even as she stood up. She'd had no visitors whatsoever, including from her mother or sister. Her mother hadn't even sent a letter in, which had hurt the sixteen year old, but hadn't come as much of a surprise.
"I don't know, but she was insistent on being able to see you. Auburn-ish hair, kind expression, long skirt?" The guard answered for her as she unlocked the cell and placed cuffs on Lindsay's hands, something that Lindsay had heard happened from other inmates when they went to their visitors. The cuffs only came off if the visitor asked for it, or the guards decided there wasn't a risk of escape or contraband exchanging hands.
Lindsay frowned at the description as the guard led her down the corridor to a small visitors' room, slightly more private than the large one. She'd only ever known one person that really matched that description, but after the trial and all Lindsay had confessed, she'd doubted that the woman ever wanted to see her again.
The guard stopped outside the room and unlocked it. "Just tell me if you want to leave." She murmured reassuringly as she led Lindsay into the room. Lindsay stopped before the table in shock, for sat in front of her was none other than Rachel Mason, who was smiling slightly at her.
"Miss." Lindsay breathed as she practically fell into the seat opposite her headmistress. Rachel's smile widened slightly as she gestured for the guard to remove the cuffs, which the guard did with a similar smile. With her hands free, Lindsay ran them nervously through her hair. "What're you doing here?" She asked in shock, praying that the teacher wouldn't find offence in her words.
Rachel shrugged. "Oh, I wanted a walk and thought this might be a good place." She teased before sobering slightly. "I came to see you, Lindsay, and how you're holding up."
"Uh, thanks, miss." Lindsay blushed. "You don't have to, you know."
"I know." Rachel assured her. "I wanted to. Prison's a little… different, huh?"
"Just a bit." Lindsay's mouth turned up a little. "How's Em?" She asked worriedly.
"Emily's fine. She's more worried about you than anything else." Rachel told her, placing one hand over Lindsay's gently. "She thinks it's her fault, that if she'd done something differently, then you wouldn't be in here."
"That's crap. Em's blameless in all of this."
"So are you, Lindsay."
"I killed my dad."
"In self-defence."
"I'm a murderer."
"No, you're not. You did what you had to."
Lindsay sighed. She wanted to believe Rachel so badly. "How's my mum?" She asked in a tiny voice, not sure that she wanted to know the answer. Rachel's jaw clenched a little, but she made no other outward sign of her feelings.
"Your mother is… well." Rachel managed before sighing. "Look, Lindsay, do you want the truth?" Lindsay nodded immediately. "Well, love, your mum's a little, well, she's in denial." Rachel concluded in a rush. "She tries to deny you're in prison, that you even exist half the time, and the other half is spent in guilt over how she didn't protect you."
"She's being good to Em though?" Lindsay checked.
"Of course. I'd never let anything happen to Emily whilst her big sister can no longer protect her from the world."
"Promise me, miss?" Lindsay pleaded, uncaring of how it made her look. It was for her sister, after all.
"Yes, Lindsay, I promise I will look after your little sister for you." Rachel swore.
"James, it's time for you to go back to your cell." The guard told her. Lindsay nodded and stood, a grateful tear sliding down her face. Rachel reached into her bag and pulled out two books and a pencil. One was a paperback of Pride and Prejudice, whilst the other was a jumbo book of Sudoku.
"I figured you may need something to pass the time." Rachel told her as she handed them over to the shocked teenager, who darted around the table and engulfed the teacher in a warm hug.
"Thank you miss, for everything." Lindsay whispered as Rachel hugged her back.
"Anytime, Lindsay. I'll be here next week, I promise."
To Be Continued…?