Hi, this first chapter will seem very similar to Series 8 Episode 24, but I am going my own way with it from the next chapter and adding some sneaky twists. Thanks to anyone who reads and if you leave a review, I'd really appreciate it. I'm just gonna say that some people may find the scene between Lorraine and her Mother upsetting if you've experienced what its like to know someone with Alzheimer's, so just be warned.
Nikki laid on one on the white indoor pool loungers, her knees up as she flicked through the local newspaper, starting to read out an article focused on Lorraine, "Miss Donnegan, 32." Her near black hair was wet from her early morning swim in Lorraine's luxury heated pool, her red blouse top damp from her placing it straight over her black bikini along with her dark denim washed jeans.
She watched her girlfriend who swam lengths up and down the pool, the soft water creating a little ripple. Lorraine swam so gracefully, her beautifully toned body displayed in a luscious black bikini, similar to Nikki's, her oceans of thick blonde locks piled up into a tight bun.
Lorraine glided to a gentle halt before removing herself from the depths of the water, climbing out and wrapping her dressing gown around herself, padding across the non slip floor and over to the mirror, sighing at her appearance. She'd lacked in sleep last night and her eyes showed it, "More like 52 after last night with you. My eyes. I knew last night was a mistake." she huffed.
Nikki sat up, "Lorraine you look absolutely fine. Anyway, it was worth it wasn't it?" she smiled, sneaking up behind her new lover, snaking her arms around her petite waist.
Lorraine pulled away out of Nikki's grasp, "I'm not some slapper that stays up all night!" she snapped.
Nikki was a little taken back by Lorraine's sudden change in attitude - she'd been fine last night. "Okay I'm going." she picked up her bag and leather jacket, "You know it'd be much easier if I just had a few things here, save the rushing around." she joked.
Lorraine didn't see the funny side, she just headed across to the door on the penthouse, clutching the newspaper which featured an article about her in her hand. She had other things on her mind at the moment; private things that she hadn't confessed to anyone about.
Both women shared a quick kiss before Nikki opened the door and left Lorraine's penthouse, neither knowing that at the end of Lorraine's drive was Sonya, precariously balancing a tear of boxes, peeping round the corner of the bush watching her sister and what she could only describe as her sisters new girlfriend. Excitement filled her as she couldn't wait to start gossiping about her older siblings new love relationship.
Lorraine had opened the door to Sonya on her way back into her kitchen, allowing her sister in. "So what that a certain Nikki Boston I've just seen leaving?" Sonya chuckled teasingly.
"Oh grow up Sonya, it's nothing to do with you." Lorraine retorted heading over to her fridge and retrieving the orange juice, pouring herself a glass.
Sonya frowned following Lorraine.
Lorraine finally looked up at her younger sibling, "What the hell happened to you?"
"It's this new beauty product I've been using, brill isn't it?" Sonya grinned.
Lorraine raised her eye brow, diverting her eyes, "Hmm." she said heading over to the table, sitting down.
Sonya sat down next to her.
"Why're you here Son?" Lorraine asked as she pulled out her eye brow make-up from her make-up bag.
"Well you know, I've just stopped by for some sister time, the latest gossip." Sonya giggled.
Lorraine shot a deadly look at her, "Yeah right, like that's gonna happen. You can keep your mouth shut at school too, don't want you mouthing off about what you saw this morning." she warned.
Sonya nodded, "You can trust me you know Lor."
Lorraine sighed and focused her deep blue eyes on her sister, "Son what do you want?"
"Well..." Sonya started, "I'm going to see Mum later, it's her birthday today. And I just wondered..."
After hearing that, Lorraine turned away, looking at herself in the circular mirror which was in front of her, dabbing the fine brush into the dark powder and applying it to her eye brows stroke by stroke. "No, next question."
"I've got her a present but it could be from both of us, I think it would mean the world to her." Sonya continued.
"It wouldn't mean anything to her." Emotionlessly the older sibling replied.
"I ain't being funny Lor, but how would you know." Sonya continued to push her luck.
"Look, I'm paying the bills aren't I? So don't give me a guilt trip, if you wanna play the devoted daughter, go for it. I've got a life to get on with." Lorraine snapped, really not in the mood for this this morning.
Sonya got up huffing, she grabbed her things and turned around, leaving.
Lorraine sighed, tears glistening her eyes as she rested her head in her hands. She hadn't meant to snap at both her girlfriend and poor sister. She just had a lot on her mind and unable to control herself. Furiously she swiped away the few stray tears that fell, "Pull yourself together Lorraine." she told herself as she continued to apply her make-up. She was so pale hence why the lack of sleep stood out so shocking, yet she was glowing. Nor did she feel one hundred-percent, waves of sickness taking her at the least expected moments.
Nikki hadn't stopped home long, just long enough to change and dry her hair. She was soon at work early, determind to try and finish the staffing rota she'd been working so hard on with Lorraine. The last tweaks were proving a nightmare though. She rubbed her forehead as she starred aimlessly at Sonya's computer.
Sonya, still rattled by her sisters behaviour, walked into the office, "Make yourself at home." she sighed.
Nikki sighed looking over at Sonya, "Sorry. I'm just checking the new time table against the diary."
"Yeah well um, I don't usually bother with the online one..." Sonya said placing her things down by her desk. "There's always someone who forgets to sync in."
"What do you use?" Nikki asked, playing with her fingers, intrigued into Sonya's way of things.
"This." Sonya said opening a black diary, "Its colour coded...down to number of staff, subject, free period verses personal appointment. I can er, talk you through it if you like."
Nikki looked, not quite believing her eyes, flicking through numerous pages, "No..thank you." she said pushing the diary out of her site, shaking her head, "This system needs stream lining, this is part of the problem." Her north England accent really shining through.
"Right..." Sonya said backing off.
"Look who's come to play." Lorraine smiled as she walked into the office, Josh in tow.
"Hey!" Nikki smiled excitedly getting up, "Josh, how are you?"
"Hiya." Josh exchanged hand shakes with Nikki, sharing a shoulder hug.
"Who's Josh when he's at home?" Sonya questioned claiming her place at her desk.
"Josh is Tom's son." Lorraine explained standing in front of Sonya's desk, "And my new head of division at one of the call centres in Manchester."
"Yeah I was here when Janeece was here." Josh spoke for himself, "Do you know her?"
"No." Sonya simply replied, "I'm Lorraine's sister." she smiled sweetly.
"Oh." Josh said awkwardly, glancing back at Lorraine.
"Yeah spray tan, don't ask." Lorraine quickly said before walking into Michael's segment of the office, turning round at the door way, "I asked him to an awards ceremony tonight and while he was here thought it would be good if he spoke to the sixth formers about life after school."
"Thought we'd give people a real account of what life's like when you get your first job." Josh smiled.
"Smelly, I spent a year at a fish packing factory before secretary college, it was rank." Sonya inputted.
Nikki couldn't help but chuckle, pulling a rather displeased face still trying to work out how she was related to her girlfriend.
"I'm just gonna to make a cuppa tea." Sonya announced before departing the office, Josh following.
"See you later." Nikki smiled then following Lorraine into Michael's office feeling uneasy.
Michael was late again, as usual since he'd got with Christine. Once Sonya returned, the meeting bot under way in the heads office.
"It's all very well combining two AS level English classes but we don't have a room big enough." Michael said watching over Nikki's shoulder at the new staffing rota, Lorraine opposite Nikki yet making no eye contact.
"What about the lecture theatre?" Lorraine suggested.
"Yeah it's big enough." Nikki added wondering why Lorraine was so off, "And its free I think."
"Well its not, Sonya's booked theatre sessions in their twice a week." Michael declared causing both Nikki and Lorraine to look at the slightly loopy secretary. "Look I can ask Christine to observe Tom's English class." Michael decided, scribbling on the newly enforced rota, "But its not gonna put a smile in her race particularly since we've already taken away some of her free periods."
"Well lets try and keep this professional Michael." Lorraine looked at her next in line, figuring it was him, not her that wouldn't be impressed, "Christine's mood swings are the least of my worries."
Michael glared at Lorraine before heading to the door, "Sonya you can go now." he then walked back over to the two women, "That was totally out of line, I was talking purely as head teacher." he huffed, "Christine's just an example, teachers need free periods."
Awkwardly, Nikki collected her files before disappearing unnoticed.
Lorraine sighed, standing up, straightening her hot pink dress suit that was laced with black, "I'm talking about reducing, not eliminating." she then walked out, "Either way its better than the staff using it for personal uses, ey Sonya?"
"Well I've booked your hair appointments often enough." Sonya said.
"I'm not a teacher, I'm your boss!" Lorraine snapped another flurry of sickness consuming her as she fought it off listening and joining in the discussion based on some students.
Sonya was in the lecture theatre, taking one of her two weekly booked spots with some of the year thirteen girls, starting to promote her beauty business she had always dreamt of in hope of building a client list, as well as selling some products she'd been rambling away to the girls about.
"I'll take the lashes." Dynasty smiled handing over some money.
Sonya smiled handing the fake eyelashes and free fake tan injection over.
"Have I really gotta stick a needle in me self?" Dynasty frowned.
"Yeah in your tummy. It's easy when you've done it a few times." Sonya smiled, "I'll show you."
"Can't you show me on yourself?" Dynasty asked, reluctant.
"I've had one today...um any volunteers?" Sonya asked.
Rhiannon instantly volunteered and was chosen - although the injection caused her to have an allergic reaction, resulting in her being rushed to A+E.
"How can you be so stupid!" Lorraine yelled after Michael had bought Sonya to his office where she was working.
"I didn't think it was stupid." Sonya retaliated, defending herself.
"You were selling illegal tanning injections to school kids." Michael said.
"They're not illegal...they've just not been tested properly yet. They were all over 16!" Sonya replied.
"Your a member of staff Sonya, this can't be tolerated. You have a duty of care." Michael retorted.
"I weren't even selling them, they were a free gift to promote my beauty business."
"Business?" Lorraine questioned, "What business, don't make me laugh." she ran a hand through her long blonde hair, "A business isn't injecting daft young girls with unknown chemicals!"
"It was Rhiannon's idea in the first place." Sonya said quietly.
"So now your taking business advice from Rhiannon Salt?" Lorraine snapped.
"It was on the schools time, my time!" Michael shouted, "She could sue!"
"Nah, Rhiannon wouldn't do that." Sonya promised, "She was only trying to help."
"Help with what?" Lorraine spat.
"Help me impress you!" Sonya shouted at her sister who went and sat down, the stress infuriating her.
"I care so much about those kids." Sonya continued, "Unlike her, all she cares about is getting sued, getting money and saving her own arse!" she protested.
Lorraine looked up from her iPhone, frowning.
"What its true." Sonya spat, "Your precious schedules got nothing at all to do with caring, your girlfriend is forcing kids to choose between games and study periods."
Lorraine slammed her phone down on the table, getting up, "Pack it on Sonya!" she yelled.
"Are you telling me that you and Nikki are having a personal relationship?" Michael questioned.
"I'm not telling you anything..." Lorraine started, Michael pulling a face that summed up 'So you are'. "I can't get a word in." she said before storming out, rushing to the staff toilets as the sickness returned and won.
After sorting herself out, Lorraine made her way to the PRU, her black heels clicking as they collided with the corridor floor. She walked in, causing Nikki to smile, "Hi..."
"Hi." Nikki smiled, "Come to take me out to lunch?"
Lorraine stood in front of Nikki, her stunning curves shown off perfectly in her dress suit, she looked flawless, irresistible. "Look I can't do this..."
Nikki gulped, "Do what?" she asked nervously, although deep down knowing the answer.
"This...Michael knows, and I can't be seen to be mixing work with..."
Nikki scoffed, giving a half hearted little laugh, "Please say pleasure or your really gonna offend me."
"Listen." Lorraine said softly, her eyes glistening as she tried to push away her other thoughts, "I've preached enough to Michael about him and Christine and I can't be a hypocrite. It was fun but now its time to be professional." she then departed knowing she needed to calm down.
Nikki looked down, many tears threatening to fall. She was emotionally stunned, had that really just happened? Hurt, upset, guilt that she hadn't been good enough for her filled the inside of her. She felt used, Lorraine had just used her as her little puppy to gather information, she was just the same as the others.
Later on, Lorraine was heading back up to the office in search of Sonya, she wanted to try and sort things out with her sister but on her way Nikki called her from down the corridor. Looking round awkwardly, she listened.
"Lorraine, I've made some adjustments to the time table, quite a few actually, um, I think I've been over zealous with the cost cutting" Nikki said quickly, avoiding eye contact with Lorraine as she spoke hastily.
"Umm...right." Lorraine said, trying to make sense of the words that she had just absorbed into her head full of thoughts. "Well it all seemed good when we discussed it together."
"Yeah, well if I'm being honest, I was probably truing to impress you." she replied coldly, her heart throbbing still as she saw the woman she loved not return the favour. "I should have been protecting the core subjects, it won't happen again." she promised, pirouetting round and heading off.
"Nikki..." Lorraine stopped her in her tracks, walking after her in her stilettoes, "I'm not brilliant at dealing with emotions."
"Yeah, I got that." Nikki whispered, battling fiercely with her tears, not wanting them to fall.
"It makes me feel uncomfortable, I panic, shut down." Lorraine continued, finally pushing the one thing that played on her mind constantly away temporarily.
"Well your missing out on a lot." Nikki quietly replied, choking back her tears as her eyes danced all over the place.
"What I'm trying to say, or ask you is..." Lorraine started before Nikki interrupted her.
"Don't Lorraine. I understand and I sympathise but I'm not willing to put my heart on the line so you get some practice in at being a human being." Nikki whispered, her sapphire blue eyes iced up with tears, "Sorry, it's just the way it is." she then walked away, roughly running her hand through her hair as she forced the tears back knowing well she'd break tonight, once alone.
Lorraine sighed, she'd really ruined things with Nikki, only to protect herself and her pride, stop the staffroom gossip.
Both women headed upstairs, unbeknown to each other that they were both heading into the office.
Nikki began talking to Michael and Sonya while Lorraine hung back. "This timetable incorporates the best of the new time table in with the old."
"I still maintain that we need more staff." Michael said.
Nikki shrugged, "Maybe, part time but your gonna have to take it up with Lorraine." she sighed grabbing her jacket and walking off, she'd finished work for the day and had no intention of returning tomorrow.
Lorraine walked in, "Can you give us a minute Michael." she requested.
Michael nodded walking out, leaving both sisters taking a seat. "I owe you an apology." Lorraine started, "I under estimated you."
"Yeah you did, and I over estimated you!" Sonya replied, "I'm fed up of being second best to everyone." her voice began to waver.
Lorraine sat quietly fiddling with her fingers that lingered on and off her stomach as she watched her sister.
"Mum called me Lorraine today." Sonya sobbed.
Lorraine's eyes widened, "What? She actually called you Lorraine?" she felt bad for how she'd treated Sonya and Nikki for that matter earlier but she couldn't help it. She looked away, her own eyes leaking with tears, "You must really hate me."
"No, I love you babe." Sonya whispered resting her hand on Lorraine's knee, "Only I've just worked it out, I don't wanna be ya..." she then headed off having also had enough for one day.
Lorraine felt guilty, she had to go and see her mother.
On the way to the old people's home where her mother was, Lorraine stopped by at an expensive flower shop, getting her mother a luscious bouquet of flowers.
She arrived at the home and took a deep breath heading in, "Happy Birthday Mum." she smiled putting the flowers on the wooden table.
"Happy Birthday." Her mother replied looking at the flowers and watching Lorraine take a seat by her, "I'm sorry but do I know you?"
"It's Lorraine." Lorraine smiled slipping her expensive jacket off.
"Oh, my daughters called Lorraine." The old lady cheerfully replied.
"Yeah, that's me Mum."
"No, I think you've made a mistake. My daughter as dark hair and comes to visit we all the time, with cake." she continued with her stitching.
"Mum that's Sonya." Lorraine said softly, "My sister."
"No, why are you confusing me?" The old lady protested, "Lorraine was here today...I know who my daughter is, your just an imposter." She panicked, getting upset.
Lorraine looked down, it hurt that her mother didn't even recognise her anymore. She blinked away the tears and went along with her mother, anything to keep her calm.
When Lorraine finally left, she rushed out to the safety of her Ferrari, going as quickly as she could in her dangerously high heels. She just broke down, everything had caught up with her. Tears surfaced and formed streams down her cheek as she
allowed her emotions to run. She was just beginning to realise how important family were. She dabbed her eyes with a tissue. She knew she'd screwed up big style and needed someone who would listen, that person was Nikki.
Nikki had gone home, devastated that she no longer had her flawless girlfriend. When she'd got in, she'd gone straight upstairs to her
room and collapsed into tears. She didn't know why she continued to keep letting people into her life, she was there for a reason; to comfort them, then she'd just be dumped.
Her emotions were running high, the pain in her heart throbbed as she cried. Once again she was an emotional wreck from yet another relationship gone wrong. She didn't know why, she figured it must be something she did that didn't wasn't right.
Knowing she couldn't face the heartache, agony and trauma of seeing Lorraine everyday at work, Nikki began to pack a few bags containing things she would need. She was off back down to Manchester, for the moment anyway. She didn't care about informing Michael, it was him that had made Lorraine re-think their relationship.
She placed plenty of clean clothes into her bag as well as some gym and running stuff. Grabbing her keys and handbag, she headed out to her vehicle before starting the long journey south back to Manchester.
By the time Lorraine had reached Nikki's, Nikki was long gone. Seeing her drive empty made her heart drop. Nikki probably wasn't in. She got out of her car nyway, her make-up smudged badly and truly a mess. She banged on the door. As she thought, no answer. Slowly she dragged herself backto her car, reaching for her iPhone she navigated through it to text messages, creating a new message and selecting the contact as Nikki.
'Nikki...I don't know where to start. I can explain, I'm so sorry. I screwed up big style. Lorraine xx' she pressed the send button.
Nikki's phone was off. It was dark by the time she reached Manchester. She checked in at a hotel and changed before heading out to one of the bars in Manchester, settling down with plenty of strong drinks, aiming to numb her pain.