It was a Thursday afternoon and Rachel and Lily had just got in from school.
Lily had barely spoken a word since Rachel had picked her up from school, which was quite unusual for Lily. Usually Rachel could barely get a word in when she picked her up from school because Lily always seemed to have so much to tell her about what had happened at school.
Rachel thought she probably needed to have a little chat with Lily, but as they were walking into the house Sadie and Emily had just got in from school as well and Lily went straight up to her bedroom.
"Hi girls, how was school?"
"It wasn't too bad" Sadie replied but Emily didn't say anything
"How was your day Em?"
"Fine"
"Just fine?"
"Yeah" Emily said before walking past Rachel and going upstairs leaving Rachel wondering what was wrong with Emily as well as Lily
Sadie, Emily and Lily were all the same when it came to them being upset because it was always easy to tell when they weren't happy about something.
"Was Emily okay on the way home?" Rachel asked Sadie
"No not really, she was dead quiet the whole way home and barely said a word, I asked her what was up but she just told me to leave her alone"
"Okay, I'll have a chat with her in a bit then"
Sadie decided to go upstairs and get changed out of her uniform.
She was about to go back downstairs to get a drink, but as she was walking past Lily's bedroom she saw her laying there with her face in her pillow.
"Lily are you okay?"
"Yes"
"Are you sure? Why are you lying on your bed?"
"I'm just tired"
Sadie was almost certain she was crying but decided it might be best to just let Rachel speak to her.
She went downstairs and into the kitchen where Rachel had just made herself a cup of tea.
"Do you want a cuppa?"
"Ooh yes please"
Rachel decided to sit down with Sadie for five minutes. She had lots she needed to get on with tonight, but she'd also had a really busy day so just wanted to relax for five minutes.
"I just saw Lily lying on her bed, and I think she might have been crying"
"She didn't seem right when I picked her up from school, I'd better go and have a chat with her"
Rachel left her drink on the table and went upstairs.
When she got upstairs Lily was just finishing getting changed out of her uniform.
After she'd walked in Rachel closed the door behind her, as she wanted to speak to Lily without the other two girls hearing.
"Is everything okay sweetheart, you haven't seemed yourself since I picked you up from school?"
"Yes I'm fine"
"Are you sure?"
"Why does everyone keep asking me that I'm fine"
"I've already told you, you just seem really quiet so I was worried about you"
"Well you don't need to worry"
Lily didn't sound herself whatsoever, she sounded angry almost.
"If you're sure, but you know you can tell me anything don't you Lil?"
"Yes, I just want to go and play"
"Okay then love, I'm making a lasagne for tea do you fancy giving me a hand?"
"Not really"
Lily then walked past her Mum and left her bedroom.
Rachel wondered what had happened to put her in this mood, something was clearly bothering her.
She decided to get on with a few jobs and then try and have another chat with Lily later.
Rachel went and got changed out of her work clothes, as she never felt very comfortable when she was wearing them.
After she'd done that, she was just walking out of her bedroom when she saw Emily coming out of the bathroom.
"Hiya love, I didn't get chance to speak to you properly earlier, did you say your day was okay?"
"Not too bad" Emily said but she couldn't help the tears that were filling her eyes
She tried to push them back, but she wasn't quick enough for Rachel not to notice.
"Shall we have a little chat in your room?" Rachel asked placing her hand reassuringly on Emily's arm
Emily nodded before following Rachel in.
"Now something's telling me you haven't had the best day at school"
"Not really no"
"Are you going to tell me what happened?"
"But it's so embarrassing" Emily said and she couldn't help a few tears from escaping from her eyes
"I'm sure it can't be that bad, and even if it is it's only me you're telling isn't it huh?"
"I guess" Emily said before deciding to tell Rachel
"I came on my period at school again today, and I know you told me to always keep pads in my school bag just in case but I forgot to put any in, so I just had to use tissue but I was really heavy and in PE I leaked and everyone saw" Emily said in tears
"Oh love, that must have been horrible"
"It was so embarrassing and everyone was laughing"
"It was only girls though wasn't it?"
"No we were doing inter tutor groups rounders so we were playing with the boys too. I didn't even want to play because my stomach was hurting my PE teacher said I couldn't sit out because I didn't have a note"
Rachel did feel sorry for Emily because she knew how embarrassing this kind of thing was, especially considering Emily was still getting used to having periods.
Emily was crying quite a lot so Rachel pulled her into her chest and stroked her long brown hair whilst she cried.
"I know that at the minute this will seem like the worst thing in the world, but it will soon be all forgotten about I promise. You certainly aren't the only girl who's got an embarrassing story to tell about their period"
"I bet you haven't got any"
"Oh believe me I do young lady, there was this one time I must've been about thirteen and a big group of us went on a trip to Blackpool. It was summer so I was wearing white shorts. We'd been sitting on the beach for quite a while and when I stood up to go to the loo I turned around and saw everyone laughing. One of my friends walked off me and told me what had happened. I felt so embarrassed and humiliated, but it couldn't be helped and I just had to get on with it and not let it ruin my day"
"Were there boys there?"
"Yep, including one that I really fancied at the time"
Talking to Rachel about it had made her feel a bit better, she still wasn't particularly looking forward to going into school tomorrow and facing everyone though.
"I hate being a girl, boys don't have to go through any of this"
"It does seem that way yes, boys do have their own things to be worrying about though. Anyway are you feeling a bit happier now?"
"Yeah thanks Rachel"
"And how's your stomach now?"
"Really hurting"
"Okay, I'll get you sorted with a hot water bottle and some paracetamol"
"Thank you"
"No problem love"
Once Rachel had got Emily sorted she went down to the kitchen and made a start on the lasagne.
She'd just starting making the Bolognese when Sadie walked in.
"Rach, you know how I've been really good recently and I've been working really hard for my exams and stuff"
"Yes"
"Well you think I deserve a nice treat to celebrate when they're all over don't you?"
"Yes" Rachel said wondering what it was that Sadie was after
"Well could I maybe go to Magaluf with my friends?"
"Magaluf? At the age of fifteen? I don't think so somehow"
"I'm going to be sixteen in a couple of weeks"
"Yes and still way too young. Once you've finished your A levels it will be a whole other matter, but you're far too young at the minute. Besides you're too young to be going to the clubs"
"One of my friend's sister's went last summer and none of them got ID'd once, they're really laid back there and most of us look old enough anyway"
"My answer is still no Sadie, and I'm sure your Father will back me up on that"
"Please Rach, I'd be really sensible"
Rachel gave her a look, as they both knew that wasn't true.
"There's nothing you can say that will change my mind"
"That's so unfair, I bet everyone else's parents say yes and they I'm just going to be stuck here on my bloody own while there having a good time" Sadie shouted before storming out
Rachel rolled her eyes. Sadie had clearly forgotten she was meant to be on her best behaviour so that she could have the party she was so desperate for for her Birthday.
It was a bit later when Steve got home from work.
Rachel told him all about what Sadie wanted, and he was shocked she'd even asked.
"I'm just gong to go upstairs and get changed"
"Okay don't be long because tea's nearly ready"
Ten minutes later and the lasagne was ready so Rachel called everyone down.
"You seem in a better mood now Sadie" Rachel commented when they were all sat around the table
"No-one else is allowed to go either. I'm sorry for being moody earlier, I kind of get why you said no"
"Thank you for understanding, you're still going to have an amazing summer just think of how long a break you've got"
"I know, I can't wait to get these exams out the way and then just have the whole summer to relax"
Lily was really quiet throughout the whole meal, and wasn't being nice to anyone either.
She'd just snapped at Emily for asking if she wanted to be in her art project for school"
"There was really no need for that Lily, Emily was trying to be nice and let you be in her project, she might not ask again if you're going to speak to her like that"
"Speak to her like what? I just said I didn't to be in it"
"It was the way you said it" Rachel said sounding quite stern
"If you've had enough you can put your plate in the dishwasher and then go upstairs and start getting ready for bed" Rachel said as she always liked meal times to be a calm, happy time and didn't want Lily ruining it for everyone else
Lily scowled at Rachel before leaving the table.
Once she'd gone everyone else ate the rest of their lasagne and had a nice conversation.
"Steve do you mind clearing up whilst I go and see to Lily?"
"No of course not"
Rachel went upstairs and Lily was sat playing on an iPad.
"I thought I told you to get ready for bed"
"I was just about to"
"Would you like me to help you?"
"No, I want you to leave me alone"
"Okay, you get yourself ready for bed. Don't forget to clean your teeth and go for a wee"
"It's not even my bedtime yet"
"Well the way you've been acting tonight suggests to me that you need an early night"
"I haven't been acting any differently to normal"
"I think you have, see normally you're a lovely little girl Lily but you've been quite the opposite tonight"
Lily was about to respond but Rachel got in first.
"Put your pyjamas on, clean your teeth, go for a wee and then straight into bed"
Rachel left her to it and went back downstairs. She really hoped that Lily would do as she said.
After about ten minutes later Rachel went back upstairs to check on Lily, who was luckily in bed.
Rachel turned the big light off before going over to sit on Lily's bed and turning on her little lamp.
"I'm going to ask you one more time Lily" Rachel said calmly "is there something upsetting you or something you want to talk to me about?"
"How many times do I have to tell you no there's nothing wrong, just leave me alone"
"I don't believe you Lily"
"I'm telling the truth, can I read my book for a bit?"
"No straight to sleep I think"
"I'm not tired"
"I don't care, you've been very naughty tonight so you can do as I say"
"All I want to do is read for five minutes before I go to sleep and you won't even let me do that, you're the worst Mum in the world"
"I'm sorry you think that"
"Well you are I wish I had a different Mum who would let me read, I hate you"
Rachel had had enough by this point so she just turned off the light and walked out.
She felt tears forming in her eyes, as even though she knew Lily didn't mean it her words had still affected her.
"Goodnight Lily, I hope you're in a better mood in the morning"
Rachel went into her bedroom as she was feeling quite upset by what had just happened with Lily and wanted a bit of time on her own.
Despite how naughty Lily had been tonight, Rachel was actually getting really worried about her and was determined to get to the bottom of whatever was bothering her.
Rachel laid on her bed for ten minutes before deciding to go back in to see Lily. After all, she didn't want to leave things like that with Lily before she went to sleep.
When Rachel went in, it broke her heart when she saw Lily sobbing.
Rachel immediately flicked on the light before going straight over to her.
When Rachel started rubbing her back she half expected Lily to flinch away, but she didn't. Instead she just started crying more and more and eventually she became hysterical.
"Lily please tell me what's wrong"
"I'm so stupid I can't do anything" Lily blurted out but she was struggling to get her words out because she was crying so much
Lily ended up getting herself so worked up that she was sick all over herself, her bed and Rachel.
"Take some nice deep breaths for me Lily, in and out, in and out"
After a while Rachel did manage to calm Lily down although she hadn't fully stopped crying and she did keep catching her breath.
"Right, I think we should put you in a nice hot bath and then we can have a little chat"
"I'm sorry Mummy"
"Come on we'll talk all about it whilst you're in the bath"
Rachel started running a bath for Lily before going into her bedroom.
Lily wouldn't let Rachel go, so in the end took Lily with her.
Rachel took her clothes off as they were covered in sick and put a pair of pyjamas on.
"I think I'll be getting in the bath after you, I feel all horrible and sicky"
"Sorry"
"It's not your fault darling, come on let's get you in the bath"
The two of them went back to the bathroom and Lily took her pyjamas off. Once the bath was ready Rachel helped her climb into the bath.
Rachel let Lily have a little relax in the bath. Luckily Lily hadn't been sick in her hair so that didn't need washing.
Steve came in as he was wondering where Rachel had got to.
"Everything okay in here?"
"Lily's been a bit sick, would you mind stripping her bed for me?"
"No of course not, are you feeling better now Lily?"
"Yes thank you"
Steve left so Rachel turned her attention back to Lily.
"Now sweetheart, do you think the reason you've been acting up tonight is because you're a bit upset about something?" Rachel asked to which Lily nodded her head
"Do you think you could tell me what it is that you're upset about?"
"I wish I was cleverer"
"Why ever do you wish that? We had your parents evening last week and Mrs Miller was telling us just how clever you are wasn't she?"
"I'm not anymore. We had one of our maths SATs paper today and it was really hard and I think I've done it all wrong and I'm going to do so badly"
Rachel was crouched down on the floor and rubbing Lily's back.
"We talked about this Lily, you know I don't care how you do in your SATs as long as you try your best. These tests really aren't anything for you to worry about, they're just tests that have to be done so that your teachers know what level you're at and what they can do to help you"
Rachel hated how much pressure was being placed on kids over some SATs tests. She knew Lily wasn't the only child in the class who had been getting really worried over them.
"But what if I do so badly that I'm not allowed to move into year three and then I'll have no friends in my class"
"Who mentioned anything about not being allowed to go up to year three?"
"Some of the boys in my class"
"They have no idea what they're talking about love, you won't have to stay in year two for another year don't you worry about that"
"Do you promise?"
"Yes I promise"
"Are you going to be cross if I do really badly?"
"Of course I won't Lily, but we're not even going to find out your results though are we? It's only your teachers who will know"
"Mrs Miller is still going to know how stupid I am"
"Darling you're not stupid, these tests are designed to be hard and push you a bit but don't for one minute think that you're stupid, because you're not okay? Your Mummy's clever little girl and I couldn't be more proud" Rachel said placing a kiss on her daughter's head
"Mummy"
"Yes love"
"You know earlier when I said that I hated you and I wish you weren't my Mummy. Well I didn't mean it because I think you're the best Mummy in the world and I love you"
"I love you too darling, and I knew you didn't mean it, well I hoped you didn't anyway"
"I was just feeling angry and upset"
"I know you were. It's easy to say things you don't mean when you're upset isn't it?"
"Yes"
"Anyway Missus I think it's time we got you out of the bath and into bed, or I'm never going to be able to get you out of bed in the morning"
Rachel got Lily sorted again before putting on clean sheets and then tucking her up in bed.
Rachel stayed with her until she was asleep, before running a bath for herself and relaxing now that Lily was feeling happier.
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