WHEN I FALL AT YOUR FEET
CHAPTER 3 – The Pub
When the last bell rang at 15.30, Rachel couldn't believe the day was already over, there was so much she still wanted to get done. When Eddie came in to check on her, she'd tried telling him she was going to stay on for a bit but he was having none of it.
"For goodness sake Rach, it's only your first day back!"
She'd smiled to herself when he'd called her Rach, she loved that he was the only person who ever did. She scolded herself, it could never work, now now.
"But Eddie, it'll only take an hour, I'll meet you there"
"Absolutely not Rachel, I know you"
He'd come round to where she was sitting, the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, just as they always did when he was close by, he leaned over her and switched off the computer.
"C'mon, get your jacket, we're leaving!"
"Well, it doesn't seem like I have much choice, does it, Mr Lawson?"
He gave her a cheeky grin which she couldn't help but mirror as a smile spread across her face. She liked the fact that he'd told her to leave, normally it was her bossing him around and she loved that, for once, someone was looking after her.
As the pair walked the 10 minutes from the school to the local pub, Rachel chatted incessantly about work; budgets, reviews, inspections, curriculum, problem kids, problem staff. Eddie went along with it, nodding in all the right places. He was glad to have her back at work, he'd been running the place just fine but he didn't have the enthusiasm or drive that she did, he was much more comfortable inspiring young minds in the classroom, or keeping them out of trouble in the cooler.
When they arrived at the pub, some of the staff were already sitting around one of the tables to the left of the bar but there was no more space. Eddie was secretly pleased, he gave Tom Clarkson and Davina Shackleton a wave before indicating that he and Rachel would take a small sofa near the door for now. As Rachel sat down and checked her mobile, Eddie went to the bar and got the drinks in, he put the two glasses on the table and settled on the sofa beside her.
"Thanks, Eddie" She smiled, before launching into another school relating topic.
"Rachel?" he ventured but she didn't stop.
"Rachel?" he tried again but she was so caught up in talking about an upcoming governor's meeting. He reached out and took her hand.
"Rach?" She stopped.
"Enough about school Rachel, that can all wait until tomorrow, let's talk about something else"
She looked down, now very aware that he was still touching her hand, she moved it to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I'm sorry Eddie. It's just so great to be back"
"And it's great to have you back but I don't want to talk shop all night!" He laughed.
They both picked up their glasses, "A toast" he said, "to being back" Rachel grinned, their glasses clinked and they held each other's gaze for longer than necessary, both smiling with only their eyes. Rachel looked away first, she put her glass back on the table. Rachel began to panic, she had no idea what to say to him that wasn't work related and she could feel him looking at her, she blushed.
For the second time that evening, Eddie reached out to her, he put a finger under her chin and tilted her face so she was looking at him. He looked deep into her eyes, the way that always made her blush despite her best efforts not to
"Can I ask you something?" he said
"You just did!" She replied nervously smiled back at him, he looked at her face, searching for an answer, she closed her eyes and nodded yes.
"How are you, Rachel, really?"
She drew back from him, putting as much distance as she could between them.
"I'm fine, Eddie" she said, tears threatening to spill out. Eddie could tell she was far from fine.
"Rachel, please don't shut me out!" He pleaded. He looked so hurt, Rachel could bear that she'd caused it. She lifted her glass, finished her drink and sighed, just as Eddie was sure she was going to leave, she took a deep breath.
"Ok Eddie, let's talk but not here. My place is just around the corner, let's go there. There's some whisky in the cupboard, think we're both going to need it!" she said with a small smile.
