It was the next week and luckily Daisy was over the worst of her chickenpox, although she did still have a few spots left but they'd scabbed over now.

It was a Friday morning and Rachel was in the middle of waking all the girls up.

She went into Ella's bedroom as quietly as she could. Rachel had been up with her quite a lot through the night as Ella had a really bad stomach ache.

When she got in there she saw that Ella was in bed looking extremely tired.

"How's your stomach love?" Rachel asked sitting on the side of her bed

"It still really hurts"

"Do you think you need the day off?"

Ella just nodded her head, there was no way she felt like sitting through lessons with her stomach killing like this.

"Ok, I'll ring Grandma and see if you can look after you"

"No please don't" Ella said tears glassing her eyes "I want to stay with you"

"I've got to go into work sweetheart, Eddie's on a course today so I can't really work from home"

Tears started rolling down Ella's cheeks, she didn't know why but she was just feeling really emotional.

"You can always come and sit in my office for the day I guess, it won't be that comfy though"

"I'd rather do that than go to Grandma's"

"If you're sure, anyway I'll go and get you some more painkillers"

Rachel came back upstairs a minute later with the tablets so Ella took them.

She sat with Ella for a few minutes before going to get Molly dressed. She changed her into her summer dress before going to do the same with Daisy.

About half an hour later Rachel called the girls down for breakfast.

They all came down and sat around the table.

"Rachel please could I have a piece of toast?" Daisy asked

"Coming right up, anyone else for toast?"

"I'll have some please Mum" Lauren said

Lauren had noticed Ella had come downstairs wearing a pair of white shorts and a crop top so was wondering why she wasn't in school uniform.

"How come you're wearing that Ella?"

"I'm not feeling well so I'm staying in Rachel's office today"

"Why aren't you going to your Grandma's or something"

"Because I don't want to" Ella snapped

"I was only asking"

"Sorry I didn't mean to snap" Ella said, she just wasn't in the best of moods

After she'd had a bit of her breakfast Ella put what was left in the bin and then put her bowl in the dishwasher.

It was only then that Rachel realised that what she was wearing was inappropriate for going into school.

"I hardly think that's appropriate for going into school do you missus?"

"I'm only sitting in your office"

"People will still be in and out of my office all day, the shorts are fine but just put a longer top on"

"Fine" Ella sighed before going upstairs

The morning passed as quickly as ever and before long it was time to head to school.

After dropping Daisy and Molly off Rachel drove to Waterloo Road with the older two girls.

They always got to school quite early so luckily none of the pupils had started arriving yet so Ella managed to get to Rachel's office without them seeing her.

Ella laid down on the sofa as her stomach was still hurting quite a lot.

"How's your stomach feeling now love?"

"Its still really hurting"

"I wonder what's caused that then, just take it easy today and hopefully it will get better"

Rachel sat at her desk and got on with a bit of work.

She kept glancing across at Ella, who did look as if she was in quite a bit of pain.

The bell soon went for the start of period two. Rachel waited for a few minutes before deciding to go for a walk around the school.

"I'm just going to go and check everything's okay, I shouldn't be too long. Are you going to be okay here?"

"Yeah I'll be fine"

"Okay see you in a minute then"

Rachel left her office and went for a little walk around school.

Luckily there didn't seem to be many problems however she was surprised when she walked past the cooler and saw her daughter was in there.

Rachel was going to go in and find out why Lauren was in there but she stopped herself knowing her daughter hated having special treatment because she was Rachel's daughter. Not that she ever complained when it occasionally worked in her favour.

Instead Rachel quickly walked past hoping Lauren hadn't seen her.

After dealing with a misbehaving year 8 class who were playing up a supply teacher she made her way back to her office.

When she got back to her office she found Ella sat up clutching her stomach not really knowing what to do with herself.

Rachel went and sat by her and put her hand on her back. Ella leaned into Rachel so Rachel gave her a cuddle for a while.

After a few minutes Rachel went back to her desk and started doing some more paperwork.

"Rach I'm just going to go the toilet" Ella said a while later

"Okay love"

Ella walked out and went to the nearest toilets.

She was shocked when she pulled her knickers down and noticed they were covered in blood.

Ella hadn't been expecting to start now at all, she thought she'd at least be a year older. Ella began to cry as she felt really scared and she didn't like it at all.

After sitting there for a few minutes and having a little cry Ella stood up and pulled her shorts back up.

When she checked she realised her shorts were covered in blood too so there was no way she could walk back through school especially now as the bell had just gone for break time.

Luckily she had her phone in her pocket so she decided it would be best to call Rachel.

Ella phoned Rachel's mobile and luckily she picked up.

"Ella what's up love?"

"I need you" Ella said and Rachel could tell she was crying

"Okay where are you?"

"I'm in the French toilets"

"Okay I'm on my way"

Rachel immediately went to the French toilets.

When she got there there was a bunch of year 10 girls but no sign of Ella.

"Ella are you in here?"

"Yeah" Ella called from one of the cubicles

"Are you going to come out?"

"No I can't with everyone in here"

Rachel then turned to the year 10 girls.

"I'm really sorry girls, would you mind going to some other toilets?"

Luckily the girls didn't put up much fuss and went straight out.

"Ella they've gone now it's just me in here, are you going to come out sweetheart?"

Slowly, Ella unlocked the door and came out.

"What's wrong?" Rachel asked looking at her tearstained face

Ella didn't say anything but just turned around showing Rachel the big red patch on her shorts.

Rachel realised at once that she must've got her period so instantly wrapped her arms around Ella knowing how worried she was probably feeling.

Ella let the tears fall as Rachel tried to comfort her.

"I know how much of a shock this probably is for you, but after a while it won't seem so bad I promise"

"It feels so weird, I don't like it"

"It's a big thing, it's bound to feel strange at first but everything's going to be okay. I've got some pads in my bag but it's probably best we go home so you can get into some clean clothes and freshen up a bit isn't it?"

"But how am I meant to come out of here? Everyone's going to see"

Luckily Rachel had a cardigan on over her dress so she took it off and gave it to Ella to wrap around her waist.

"How come you didn't notice when I got up before?" Ella asked

"I didn't even look up from my desk, I promise I would of said if I'd seen"

The two of them went up to Rachel's office so she could get her bag and then they went out to the car.

Ella was trying to stop crying but she just felt really tearful because she was quite shaken up by it all.

When they got in Rachel took Ella upstairs.

"You go and get some clean knickers love and I'll go and get you some pads"

Rachel went into Lauren's ensuite and got out the pack out of pads that she'd bought for Lauren as they were smaller ones for teenagers.

It was weird that Ella had started before Lauren considering she was two years younger, however Lauren had only just started developing properly and Ella had been quite an early developer.

Rachel took the pads into the bathroom and gave them to Ella.

"You have a shower and get yourself sorted and then we can have a chat"

After her shower Ella gave her dirty stuff to Rachel so that she could get it in the wash and then the two of them went into the front room.

"How are you feeling now?" Rachel asked and Ella just shrugged as tears formed in her eyes

Rachel put her hand onto Ella's leg.

"I understand how you're feeling. I'm glad you've told me though because when I first got my period I wasn't very close with my Mum at all, as you know, so I kept it to myself for ages and it just made me feel worse. I told a few of my friends but I was the first one to start so there was nothing they could really do to help me"

"Did you tell your Mum in the end?"

"No but my Auntie found out when I was staying at her house and she made me feel a lot better about it all"

"How long will it last for?"

"Well they usually last for anything between 3 and 7 days, and eventually you should get them once every month but to start with you won't be able to tell when they're going to come"

"How often do I need to change my pad?"

"Every few hours"

Rachel and Ella chatted for a while and it did make Ella feel quite a bit calmer than she did before.

"Right I suppose we ought to get back to school"

"Rachel can I have some more paracetamol yet?" Ella asked so Rachel looked at her watch

"Yeah is it still really sore?"

"Yeah it hurts so much"

"Okay I'll go and get you some more"

Rachel came back in with them as well as with a hot water bottle.

"What's that for?"

"To put on your stomach, I always find it helps"

"But won't I look a bit weird walking around school with a hot water bottle?"

"I doubt anyone will really see you its lesson time now, but I can put it in my bag when we walk in if you like"

The two of them went back to school and the rest of the day seemed to pass quite quickly.

Lauren came up to Rachel's office so Rachel started packing all her stuff away.

"Why aren't you wearing what you were wearing this morning Ella?"

Ella didn't know what to say so just looked awkwardly at Rachel, she was way too embarrassed for anyone else to find out.

"Ella had soup for lunch and she spilt it all over her white shorts so I took her home to get changed so I could try and get the stain out. Anyway shall we get going?"

The two girls followed Rachel out and into the car.

Rachel drove to Daisy and Molly's primary school. Ella and Lauren waited in the car while she went into get them.

She was waiting in the playground and saw Daisy coming out first, however she was surprised when she was in her PE kit and not her summer dress.

Daisy's teacher came over with her and handed Rachel a carrier bag.

Rachel looked and saw it was Daisy's uniform.

"I'm afraid Daisy got into a bit of trouble at lunchtime, didn't you Daisy?" Daisy's teacher said sounding quite strict

Daisy nodded her head looking at the ground

"What did she do?"

"Her and a couple of the other girls were filling up their water bottles and having a water fight, they ended up getting absolutely soaking which is why Daisy is now in her PE kit"

"Oh right, well surely the lunchtime supervisor must have noticed what they were up to?"

"No they went round the corner knowing that they wouldn't be seen around there"

"Did you say sorry Daisy?" Rachel asked but she wasn't too angry really, after all it was lunchtime and they were only having a bit of fun

"Yes"

"Okay well come on love, let's go and find Molly"

Rachel took hold of Daisy's hand as they walked up to Molly's classroom.

"Rachel am I in trouble?"

"No not with me by the sounds of it you've already been told off at school. It's not like it was during your lessons and you were only having a bit of fun, but don't do it again eh?"

"I won't"

"Good girl" Rachel said smiling, Daisy always had been quite a mischievous little girl

"Rachel guess what"

"What?"

"I don't have any knickers on" Daisy said giggling

"What they didn't give you a spare pair to put on?"

"Apparently they've run out because no-one ever brings them back"

Rachel couldn't believe they'd let a little girl go around with no knickers all day, she'd have thought they'd have rang her to get her to bring some spare clothes in or something.

"Well I've always sent them back in" Rachel said knowing on the few occasions where Daisy or Molly had had an accident at school she'd always made sure she brought them back into school and didn't keep them

Rachel spotted Molly on the playground playing with a couple of her friends so went over to her.

"Hey love have you had a good day"

"Yeah it was really fun, we got to play with the parachute in PE"

"That does sound like fun"

"We had PE today and we didn't get to use the parachute"

"Well we got to use it because we were really good all of last week when Miss Smith was away so it was a treat"

Rachel took hold of both girls hands and walked them back to the car.

"Right up to your rooms and get changed"

"Mum can we get the paddling pool out?"

"How did I know you'd say that?"

"Because its really hot and sunny outside"

"Okay I'll fill it up get into your swimming costumes then"

Ella went out with Rachel and gave her a hand to fill it up. Lauren came down once she'd changed into a bikini and helped too.

Once it was filled up Rachel went and found the swimsuit and put it on Daisy and Molly.

"You two need this on two, don't think you're getting away with it"

Much to Rachel's surprise Lauren just took the sun cream and started putting it on.

"I must be dreaming, Lauren putting on sun cream without a fuss"

"Well you'll only make me anyway"

"Very true"

Once she was done she passed it to Ella.

"Why don't you put your bikini on, else you'll have lines from your shorts and top"

This panicked Ella a little bit as it wasn't as it she could wear a bikini at the minute.

"No I'm fine in this, I can't be bothered to get changed again"

"Less washing for me" Rachel said smiling

Rachel rubbed sun cream into their backs and then the two girls both laid on a sun lounger.

Rachel went upstairs and changed into a pair of shorts and a vest top before joining them with her book.

A little while later Rachel heard a knock at the front door.

She went out to answer it and saw it was Eddie stood there with a bottle of prosecco in his hand.

Rachel stared at him wondering what this was in occasion of.

"What's that for?"

"To celebrate"

"I'm not going to say no to a glass of fizz but what are we celebrating?"

"Have you checked your emails recently?"

"Not since lunchtime why?"

"We've been nominated for most transformed school at that area school awards thing"

"Seriously?"

"Yep"

"Well that's definitely a cause for celebration, come in we're all out in the garden"

Rachel went and got four champagne glasses out of the cupboard, she was feeling in a good mood so decided to let Ella and Lauren have a glass, and then her and Eddie went back out to the garden.

"What's the prosecco for?"

"Apparently Waterloo Road has been nominated for most transformed school"

"Cool, can I have a glass?"

"Luckily for you I'm in a good mood, so yes but just the one"

Eddie popped the bottle open and poured them a glass each.

They sat in the sun and drank it while the two little girls played in the paddling pool.

Molly got out of the paddling pool and ran up to Rachel.

"Mum I really need the toilet"

"Okay, hang on a second let me dry you off a bit"

"But I really need to go"

Rachel dried her off as best as she could before letting Molly go.

"Don't run because your feet will be all slippery"

Molly had been in there for quite a while and still hadn't come back so Rachel decided to go and check she was okay.

She went to the downstairs loo first presuming she'd have gone in there however there was no sign of her so she went upstairs and saw the door was closed.

Rachel went over and knocked on the door.

"Molly are you okay in there love?"

"I've got a bad tummy"

"Oh dear, well just come out when you're done"

Rachel went back downstairs and saw that the girls glasses seemed to be considerably fuller than when she went inside, as was her own glass.

Molly came back outside a few minutes later and went back into the paddling pool.

"How's your tummy now?"

"Better" Molly said as she got back into the paddling pool

The next thing Rachel knew both Ella and Lauren seemed to go extremely giggly.

"I think that bubbly's gone straight to your heads" Rachel said laughing.

Rachel decided to go in and get some nibbles.

She went into the kitchen and found some pringles and some nuts so she brought those out.

It was getting quite late so Rachel realised she should probably get something sorted for tea. She couldn't be bothered to cook though.

"Anyone fancy fish and chips for tea?" Rachel asked

Everyone seemed happy with this idea.

"Do you want to stay Eddie"

"Yeah okay, I'll walk over and get it if you want"

Everyone told Eddie what they wanted so then Rachel and Eddie went inside.

Rachel went into her bag and found her purse to get some money to give to Eddie.

"I don't want it Rach, you feed me all the time" Eddie said

"Yeah well there's five of us there's only one of you"

"Rachel I won't tell you again, I'm getting this" Eddie said before leaving

Rachel smiled to herself before going back into the garden.

"Lets go and get you two out of your swimming costumes"

"Can't we have a bit longer Mum"

"Tea will be here in a minute, and you'll be all cold if you stay in your swimming costume"

Reluctantly Daisy and Molly went inside with Rachel wrapped in towels.

Rachel ran them a really quick bath so they both got in.

They were still in there when Rachel heard Lauren let Eddie in with the fish and chips so she quickly got them out and got them dried.

She'd got them both a little summer dress out each from their wardrobes so she put them on ad then the three of them went downstairs.

Ella and Lauren had laid up the table outside so they all sat outside to eat their tea.

They stayed in the garden for the whole evening as it was really warm.

At about 7 Rachel took Daisy upstairs and put her to bed as she was getting quite tired.

She then came back down to get Molly and took her up.

"Go to the bathroom love, I'll wait for you in you bedroom"

When Molly came in Rachel got her changed into her pyjamas before getting her into bed.

"Mum my tummy's hurting"

"Has it been hurting all night?"

"No it just started again after we ate"

"Well hopefully it will feel better after you've had a good nights sleep"

Molly closed her eyes as Rachel stroked her hair and after a few minues she was fast asleep.

Rachel went and got herself a jumper before going back out to the garden.

"Where's Ella?"

"Toilet" Lauren said "did she skive today?"

"No she really was poorly but I think she's feeling a lot better now"

"What was wrong with her?"

"Stomach ache"

Ella materialised a few minutes later. She sat down on a chair and brought her knees up to her chest.

"You alright love?"

"My stomach's hurting again"

"Oh dear that's not good, I'll fill your hot water bottle up again"

"I've got Michael tomorrow and he's been begging me to let him see you all again, so I was wondering if you fancied coming out with us tomorrow?"

"Where do you want to go?"

"I thought we could maybe take a trip to the beach"

"That sounds good, what do you reckon girls?"

"Yeah I really want to go to the beach" Lauren said

Ella stayed quiet and Rachel realised she was probably a bit worried about what she was going to do with her period and everything.

"We're probably going to leave at about 10"

"Okay well do you want to come round here first and then we can set off together"

"Sounds like a plan" Eddie said smiling

"I think its about time you were going up to bed Ella" Rachel said at about 9:30

Ella wasn't feeling great again so didn't moan like she normally would.

"I'll be up in a few minutes"

Ella went upstairs and got sorted for bed.

When Rachel came up a bit later she was sat up in bed.

"Are you happy to go to the beach tomorrow?"

"I guess so but I won't be able to go in the sea or anything and then everyone will know I'm on my period"

"I know it's a shame, but its just one of those things I'm afraid. And no they won't love, I'm sure they won't even take any notice"

"Lauren will"

"Even if she does it really doesn't matter, Lauren would understand. Do you want me to just tell her to stop you worrying about it?"

"No don't, I don't want anyone else knowing"

"Okay I won't then, but don't worry about it darling we'll still have a good day tomorrow I promise"

"Okay night Rachel, thank you for being there today"

"That's okay sweetheart, its what I'm here for isn't it?"

Ella wrapped her arms around Rachel and gave her a big cuddle.

After staying with her for a few more minutes Rachel went back into the garden and sat with Lauren and Eddie.

When Lauren went up to bed at about 10 Rachel and Eddie went into the lounge and Rachel opened up a bottle of wine.

Eddie stayed until quite late and had to get a taxi home as he'd had too much to drink to drive home.

Rachel went up to bed feeling really happy, the happiest she'd felt in a long time.

Please review xxxx