Nikki forced a smile and shook hands with the last hopeful candidate.

"Thanks for coming in. I'll be in touch." Nikki lied. She wouldn't be in touch. Not with any of the people she'd seen. They all looked good on paper but they lacked passion. Something she had found to be essential when it came to the kids at Waterloo Road. Business studies was going to be challenging enough for the pupils without being taught by a lack lustre teacher.

Her hangover wasn't helping either. She felt awful. Despite the interviews all being unsuccessful she was glad they were over, she couldn't bare to sit and put on an act, trying to not appear hungover had made her feel even worse. She sighed down into her chair. Relaxing for the first time that day.

There was a knock on the door, well more of a tap of false nails against the wood.

"Yes Sonya?" Nikki rolled her eyes. Annoyed that she couldn't even get one minutes peace.

The door opened slowly and Sonya stuck her head through it.

"Hiya... Erm I was just wondering if I could send the last candidate in?" Sonya looked nervous.

"What do you mean? I've seen them all." Nikki held up all the files of each candidate Sonya had clumsily dropped onto her desk earlier that morning.

"Yeah... But there's one more. It's just there wasn't erm... There wasn't a file for this one. It's a bit complicated." Sonya bit her lip. She knew she shouldn't have let herself be talked into this. Nikki looked annoyed.

"For Gods sake Sonya just send them in!" Nikki had no energy to argue.

Sonya nodded and opened the door fully, stepping aside to let the candidate in. Nikki straightened up in her chair.

"Nikki... Hi" a soft voice passed Sonya and entered the office.

Nikki kept her eyes on her desk as her stomach flipped at the sound of the familiar voice. The voice she used to crave. Her nostrils filled with the scent she'd recognise anywhere, the scent that would excite her when she'd smell it in the dreary corridors... Then she looked up and took a deep breath as she took in the vision in front of her. The woman who could clearly still take her breathe away.

Lorraine stood watching Nikki. She found it hard to read what was going through her mind. She wished she'd look into her eyes, or say something to break this awkward silence.

"It's not like you to be lost for words..." Lorraine laughed nervously. Dropping her guard. Wide vulnerable eyes begging to be looked into. Biting on her bottom lip.

"Sorry. Erm. Just a bit of a shock that's all." Nikki forced a smile and made eye contact for the first time. "What are you doing here?"

Lorraine's heart sank. It's not like she was expecting Nikki to rush over and throw her arms around her but she'd at least wanted a genuine smile. And had hoped to see the look in Nikki's eyes she'd missed so much. The silent understanding between them. The look they'd never talk about but they both knew. They wanted each other. That was gone & in its place was a cold, professional glare. Not unfriendly but not what Lorraine was used to. Nikki was looking at her the same way she'd look at anyone and it brought Lorraine's guard right back up.

"Well I would have messaged you but not sure they were getting through?" Lorraine raised an eyebrow sarcastically. Only half joking.

"I just thought a clean break, you know? Would erm.. Do us both good."
Nikki gulped feeling a pang of guilt.

"Forget it" lorraine waved her hand dismissively and sat down in the chair opposite Nikki. "Ancient history, right? Although those words still pierced through Lorraine's chest with the same force as when Nikki had said them, Lorraine did well to hide it and just stared right back at Nikki. Mirroring her cold, in-personable glare. "So come on then Nik."

Nikki looked confused.

"You gonna interview me then or what?" Lorraine laughed, blue eyes twinkling playfully.

"You're here for the job? You can't be serious!" Nikki laughed a bit too hard for Lorraine's liking and she quickly lost her smile. Her perfectly shaped eyebrows furrowing.

"Sorry it's just... You haven't got any-"

"What? Qualifications?" Lorraine cut her off. Like she'd been preparing to be challenged on that.

"Well yeah. I mean I don't mean to offend but..." Nikki spoke softly.

"It's business studies. Business is what I'm about and believe me I know more about it than some stoner teach it properly you need to have passion for it. The fire in your belly. Experience. You found that person yet?" Lorraine had clearly practised this.

"Well no but..." Nikki shrugged, still unconvinced.

"I care about this and I miss this place."

Lorraine leaned forward slightly towards Nikki and looked directly into Nikki's eyes. Her voice almost a whisper. "Come on. You know me, Nik.."

Nikki blushed slightly. She knew Lorraine meant in a professional manner but she could have sworn she'd seen something flash in the blue of Lorraine's eyes. Bringing all too familiar feelings rushing back. The feelings that had taken her months to get over. It had almost killed her but she knew it was the only way. Nikki shook her head. No. She wouldn't let Lorraine do this to her again. No way. She coughed sat back on her chair and away from Lorraine.

"Ok... Let's do this then." Nikki forced a smile and picked up her interview questions.

Lorraine sighed and sat back in her own chair. Annoyed she was having no effect whatsoever on Nikki. Realising she was totally over her. Ancient History, for sure