Hey everyone :) I'm not really sure what I think to this chapter, but the story should start to get more interesting soon with the promise of some Galex and maybe another couple too ;) As always I'd really appreciate your thoughts on this chapter (good or bad), so please review, I hope you enjoy it & the next chapter should be up soon :)

Wednesday 11th May 1983

Strangers When We Meet

'Blimey Bols; thought I was t'one with the reputation 'round here!' Gene stated as Rachel continued to stare at Alex as though she had seen a ghost, but Alex wasn't listening, as she also remained horrorstruck, wondering who on earth this women was.

'Are you; are you from the future?' Alex stuttered, as she finally managed to calm her breathing for long enough to form words, although her heartbeat was racing, hoping that just maybe, she'd finally found someone that could help her.

'Bloody hell Bols; don't go all Mrs. Fruitcake on her, she looks scared enough as it is!'

'Wh…what do you mean?'

'Are you from 2008?'

'Yeah of course I am; look what the hell is going on? The last thing I remember is driving to work and then I, well a Lorry cr…crashed into the side of the car… and….and then I woke up here; wherever here is?'

'Christ another fruit loop Raymundo; I may as well retire now, before it's too late…'

'I don't get it' Ray stated, looking almost as confused as the two women stood merely a few feet in front of him; 'this is 1983, not bloody 2008!'

Rachel gasped in disbelief. If the mingled looks of horror and confusion weren't so genuine she might have thought it was all a wind-up; but this was no wind-up!

She had no idea what the hell was going on, but she was sure that time-travelling wasn't something you heard of in every day conversation; how on earth was it possible to be in 2008 one minute and then 1983 the next?

'I..I..Oh my god!' Rachel mumbled. This could not be happening!

She tried to pinch herself on the arm, while blinking repeatedly for a few moments.

She stared at the people in front of her. Dazed, confused and generally in a state of shock; it wasn't surprising when her sight became blurred, her breathing quickened and the blinking only seemed to make everything spin faster; before eventually her legs gave way and she collapsed onto the muddy ground.

'Oh bloody joy! Gene bellowed 'As if the paperwork ain't bad enough; she best be breathing…'

'She is Guv' Ray confirmed, as he crouched beside the unconscious Rachel, with Alex hovering at the side, still completely astounded by this recent turn of events. Just as she had finally learnt to accept her life here, in 1983 and come to terms with the fact that getting home, might not be as easy as she had first thought it might. And just when she was starting to make the most of her life here; this happens!

'Right Raymundo; shove 'er on the back seat and lets fire up the Quattro!'

**

'Where am I?' Rachel asked; as she slowly regained consciousness for the second time that day, blinking slowly to focus her eyes to surroundings and adjusting herself so that she was in a sitting position and could eventually make out the figure standing in front of her.

'Its alright; you're safe. You're at my place at the moment, but Luigi says he'll clear out the spare flat for you and then you can stay there if you like; because I take it you don't have anywhere else to go…'

'Am I still in 1983?'

Alex nodded; wondering how on earth she could explain everything to the women; who she was quite certain was a time-traveler, just like her and Sam.

'Bloody hell!' Rachel exclaimed, trying in vein to come to terms with her predicament. This wasn't something that happened to you everyday!

'What's you name?' Alex asked, as she sat down beside her on the couch.

'Rachel; Rachel Mason…And I know who you are; you're Alex Drake! But what I don't understand is why we're both here when you're supposed to be lying in a hospital bed and well I guess if the accidents anything to by, then I should be too…Is this like the after-life or something like that?'

Alex sighed, this was going to take some explaining and she had some questions to ask Rachel as well. Rachel? She was sure she recognized that name!

'Are you a police-officer?'

'No; I'm the Head Teacher of Waterloo Road'

She gasped 'Waterloo Road! That's Molly's school! So that means you must be her Head Teacher!'

'Who's Molly?' Rachel asked, completely flabbergasted by the whole situation; if this was the after-life, then it was damn-well confusing!

'Look I don't know the reason for us both being here; but I do know a bit about this world, after all I have been here three years…'

Rachel almost choked in horror 'Three years! Whatever this bloody place is; I can assure you I won't be staying three years!'

'Well Sam stayed here 7 years!'

'Who the hell's Sam?'

'Right just bloody shut up for five seconds yeah because I can't give you all the answers but I can tell you as much as I know; so you're just gonna have to sit tight and listen. Then together, we might be able to finally work out some answers, but believe me Rachel; I wouldn't hold your breath. In this world, anything can happen…'