Disclaimer: I own nothing

Chapter Eleven

The next day was Saturday, and when Jack woke up, he could only think of Becky. He was too worried about her, and it took him all of ten minutes from waking up to deciding to go to hers.

Jack knocked on the door of Becky's house at 10am that morning and waited for her to answer. He was dressed casually and folded his arms as he leant up against the doorway.

When the door opened, it only opened a little crack. Becky was stood at the door, wearing a pair of red checkered pajamas and her hair tied back in a loose bun.

" Jesus Christ, Jack," she said, shaking her head, " what're you doing here? "

He grinned at her, " I thought I'd come and see how you were - check up on you. I'm worried about you. "

Becky sighed, " Jack, that's nice and all, but I just want to be left alone. " She bit her lip and looked down, " I can't deal with it all. It's ... it's too much. "

" That's why I'm here," Jack said, " I want to help my lovely girlfriend. Let me in love ... please? "

Becky rolled her eyes and stood back to let him in, folding her arms over her chest as he came into the house. " Really Jack," she said as he closed her front door, " you don't have to be here. I'm ... I'm a mess and - "

" Shush," Jack said soothingly, reaching out and drawing her into a slow but reassuring hug, " you look as beautiful as ever to me. All I want is to help you. "

" Can't," Becky said, her voice muffled against his chest.

" Yes, I can," Jack said, drawing back from her and laying his hands on her shoulders, giving her a little shake, " you listen to me - you are not letting Lewis bloody Seddon ruin things for you. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, get dressed and let me make you something to eat. You'll feel loads better. "

Becky sighed and then smiled a little, " If you say so .. sir. "

Jack grinned and let go of her, and she headed towards the staircase. Jack winked at her as he did so, she smiled back at him. She was glad he was here if she was honest with herself, and throughout the day, he made her feel so much better about herself.

Becky refused to take any time off work when Jack offered it to her, and when she returned back to work after the weekend, she felt nervous and scared, but knew her friends were there for her.

Or all but Lorna, at least, who'd taken a couple of weeks off - claiming she was ill - though those in the know knew that it was really because of her discovery about Tom and Izzie.

Becky's friends, and Jack, turned out to be a huge help, and it wasn't long before the day of the appeal rolled around.

Becky got out of her car that morning, feeling more nervous than she ever had in her life. Her hand was clenched and her fingernails dug into her palm as she looked at the building. She couldn't bring one foot in front of the other and she bit down on her lip, hard.

Today was Thursday, and tomorrow the school broke up for Christmas.

She only had two days to get through before she could have a break, but she was worried that the appeal she and Kim were such a huge part of was going to be a failure, and she'd be left in the school with him.

She stood still, beide her car, just looking at it, and she didn't hear the quiet footsteps approaching her. She almost jumped out of her skin when she heard a voice beside her, " You alright, Becks? "

She looked around to see Tom, and he gave her a reassuring smile.

" Hi," she said quietly.

" What are you doing, just stood here? " Tom asked her gently.

" I'm scared," she replied, looking at him with wide fear-filled eyes, " about the whole thing. "

Tom shook his head, " No, you're not. You can do this, Becky. I know you can. "

She sighed unconvinced, and her big brother smiled at her. He offered out his arm and she hesitated before slipping her arm through his. He gave her a reassuring smile, and they started towards the school.

" Just think on," Tom said, looking at her, " you're strong and Jack's going to be there every step of the way. Things could be worse - you could have my mess of a life. "

Becky shook her head, " Are you joking? You're doing well. "

" Well? " Tom laughed, " I've split up with my wife because I've fallen for and am seeing one of her best friends! Speaking of which, Izzie's up to her eyes with Chlo and Donte's trial today. God knows what's going to happen. "

Becky sighed and as they walked through the main entrance, she said, " Poor Chlo. It's not looking like a good week for anyone, is it? "

They stopped in the corridor, and Tom turned in to face his sister. He laid a hand on her arm and rubbed gently, " You're going to be ok, Becky. And if they dare let him off, I'm going to go punch their lights out. "

Becky laughed and she shook her head, " Who are you going to punch? You're not much taller than me! "

" Cheeky get," Tom said as he pulled her in for a big warm hug. She clung to him and he kissed the top of her head to make her feel better. When they pulled apart, he said, " I'll see you soon. Good luck, stay calm, just tell them the facts. Good luck Becks. "

Becky nodded and forced out a smile for him, " Thanks Tom. I .. I'll see you soon. "

Tom nodded and they proceeded to make their own way down the corridor, each going their seperate ways. Tom headed for the staffroom, and Becky for Jack's office.

She managed to keep herself pulled together and she mustered up the bravest front she could find to keep herself going.

When she got to the office, Estelle gave her a sympathetic smile, and she proceeded through the secretary office to Jack's office. She knocked lightly and walked in to find Jack stood at the other end of his office, staring out of the window.

She cleared her throat, and waited in the doorway.

Jack turned around and his face looked grim, though he was trying to force out a smile for her. " Morning, love," he said, coming across the room to hug her. She hugged him hesitantly, and then the pair of them stood in the office together.

" Where's Kim? Is she ready too? " Becky asked, the nerves starting to build up.

" I think she's in her classroom," Jack replied, " Andrew's with her. I can't imagine what the pair of you must be going through. "

Becky laughed bitterly, " No, you wouldn't understand. It's so scary, Jack. " She turned her back on him and closed her eyes as she said, " It doesn't matter what I say, really, does it? We both know they won't expell him. "

" Hey," Jack said sharply, " I'm not having that evil little get in my school, you hear me? I won't have him here a moment longer. "

" Yeah but - "

" No," Jack said, " I will not have the likes of Seddon in any school that I run. I'm telling you, if he stays, I'm going. I will not run a school where able, capable, respected and popular teachers can be abused by any low life piece of scum. "

Becky turned around to face him and the look in his eyes was sheer determination, and she knew he was deadly serious. She didn't say anything for a moment, and then she nodded. She took strength from his determination and she knew that she needed to give this appeal her everything.

" Thanks Jack," she said, the corners of her mouth twitching up into a smile, " you've just been so great. "

" It's my job to look after my staff," Jack reassured her, " and it's also my duty to look after my girlfriend, isn't it? I'm always here, and you know it. "

" God, I love you," Becky said, reaching out to lay a hand on his chest, and bringing her other hand out too to rest on his chest. She looked up at him and took the opportunity to tell him exactly what she'd been feeling, " I wasn't sure, the other day, when you told me, but now I am. And I do. I love you. "

" That's so great to hear," Jack said, leaning in slowly, so that their noses just touched. Becky closed her eyes again and waited for the moment, and smiled when Jack whispered, " I love you, Rebecca. "

She felt his lips brush gently against hers, as if he wasn't sure if it was right after what she'd been through, but she responded eagerly and they shared a brief but kind of lingering kiss.

When they broke apart, they each took a step back, and Jack told her, " I have to go meet with Heather Davenport and the board of governers to greet them and prepare for that meeting. 15 minutes then, right? You'll be there? "

Becky took a deep breath and then nodded.

" Good," Jack said, " just stay calm, tell them your side of the story. I'll be sitting around the same table, and although I'm supposed to remain neutral, you know I'm on your side. I'm there for you. "

" Thanks, honey," Becky sighed.

Jack nodded and gave her a final look before heading for the door. He stopped in the doorway and looked back at her, and neither of them had anything to say. Becky knew what he wanted to say, and nodded, to which he nodded back, before leaving.

When she was left alone, she didn't feel like going to the staffroom - too many people to look around and stare at her - so she stayed in the office on her own. She'd been alone ten minutes and was going to have to go to the meeting soon.

Kim walked into the office, and Becky looked up at her.

Kim was clutching a folder of notes, and Becky turned to the desk and pulled out a few pages of notes from her bag, before throwing her handbag under Jack's desk, where she knew it would be safe.

" You ready for this? " Becky asked, trying to put on a brave face.

" No," Kim replied, as they walked to where the meeting would be taking place.

" Me neither," Becky replied, " but we've got to try, haven't we? "

Kim sighed - she was so worried, and seemed even more panicked than Becky was, even though Becky had been physically touched by Lewis. Becky supposed it was because she had a brother, friends she'd known a long time, and a new boyfriend who adored her. Kim had friends and collegues, but not like Becky had.

The pair of them walked down the corridor, Kim in front, and just as they got to the door before the meeting room, they saw Lewis Seddon and a woman they assumed to be his mother, stood by the door.

Becky's nerves grew but she tried to keep a lid on them.

" Morning Miss Campbell," Lewis smirked, while his mother gave the two women a filthy look, " Good morning Miss Clarkson. "

Both women ignored him, and Lewis' mother tutted as they pushed open the door and went into the meeting room. It was a classroom which had been rearranged, and the tables were all around in a big square.

Several members from the board of governers and the LEA were sat around the sides of the table, along with Heather Davenport and Jack.

Kim and Becky were ushered to the top of the table and sat down side by side there, and Lewis and his mother were told to take a seat at the bottom of the table.

Becky couldn't bring herself to look at the woman or her vile son and kept her gaze firmly focused on the table, even as the governers introduced themselves to her. The nerves built up and up and she fidgeted and rung her hands out nervously.

The man chairing the meeting seemed to go on and on about the circumstances surrounding the situation, and Becky found herself wishing he'd just shut up. With every word he said, she had more time to panic about what she was about to say.

Once everything started, Kim was the first to give her statement.

She spoke calmly, but with big pauses between each sentence as she struggled to put it together. It seemed to go on forever, and Becky barely lifted her gaze from the table, wracked with worry.

She was growing more and more terrified that she wouldn't be believed and that they'd rid her to shred - pick the same holes that they were picking with Kim - pointing out that no-one had seen her in there, that Lewis hadn't actually touched her - only said he would - how were they to know it was a threat.

When Kim was finished, the chair of governers looked at Becky.

" Miss Clarkson, if you'd like to tell us, in your own words, about your altercation with Lewis Seddon. "

Becky looked up sharply but then nodded. She took a breath and looked at her notes. She paused and glanced at Jack. He forced out a smile for her despite the serious situation and she felt slightly encouraged and looked back at her notes.

" I was walking down the corridor, and I saw Kim Campbell leave the cooler. She hurried down the corridor in the opposite direction - she was clearly upset. I saw Lewis Seddon in the cooler, and I went in to deal with him. "

" Why did you go in alone? " the chair of governers asked her, " if you knew Miss Campbell was upset? "

Becky was tricked by the question but said, " Pupils shouldn't be left unsupervised in the cooler - I was acting as a responsible member of staff. There was no way for me to know what had happened between Miss Campbell and Lewis Seddon, and no reason for me not to go into the cooler. I asked Lewis why he was alone, and where Miss Campbell had gone. He turned around to look at me, and he started walking towards me. I saw something in his face and knew he wasn't messing around - I took a few steps back, and he came towards me. "

" Why didn't you leave as soon as you felt any danger? " asked the man, observing her carefully.

" I wasn't near the door," Becky said, " and he's taller and stronger than me. There was no way out, and besides from that, I was scared. "

She took a deep breath, and Jack mumbled, " Go on love, it's ok. "

Becky smiled at him and then continued, much more serious, " Lewis came towards me, and he moved faster than I could - he pinned me to the wall of the cooler, and I couldn't get away. " Her voice started to shake and she said, " He moved closer to me - right in my ... right in my face, and - and - "

She broke off and tears were filled up in her eyes as she struggled to continue, " I'm sorry," she said, putting her notes down on the table and shaking her head, " I can't carry on. "

" Well it's a load of rubbish anyway," Lewis sneered, his voice cutting straight through her.

Jack quickly lost his temper and banged his hand down on the table hard, shouting at the boy, " Shut up! Just shut up! "

" Mr Rimmer," warned the chair of governers sternly, " calm down. "

" Nah, he's just protecting his girlfriend, isn't he? " Lewis sneered.

The man who was the chair of governers, raised his eyebrows, looking at Jack, " You and Miss Clarkson have a personal relationship? "

" I hardly see how that's relevant," Jack said, while Becky frowned - surely falling for the headmaster could hardly count against her.

She took a breath, but she'd lost her composure and everything was suddenly starting to get to her again, no matter how hard she tried to push it away. She tried to keep it together but felt herself falling apart.

" I'm telling you, it's all rubbish! " Lewis said, " they're lying to cover themselves! Miss Campbell shut the door on me and just started snogging me. Then when Miss Clarkson came in, they whispered to each other, and Miss Clarkson took over, snogging me too. "

Becky found herself on her feet before she could really think about it, and she shook her head, " I'm sorry," she said, wiping away a stray tear, " I can't do this. I can't ... " more tears fell, " I can't stand here and listen to this. "

She turned for the door and hurried out of the room, feeling like she was in pieces. She headed for her classroom, glad that she didn't bump into anyone else along the way - her classes had suspended for the day, and been divided up amongst the other teachers, who'd been only to willing to help her (even Grantly, if it meant getting rid of Seddon. )

She slammed the classroom door and looked at the time - it was the middle of the morning, and she knew it would be a while before the decision was reached. She sighed and sat at at her, raking a hand through her hair.

She didn't know what to do, what to say, or how to think, and she sat at her desk and closed her eyes.

She didn't know how long she'd been there at her desk, eyes closed tightly, trying to work out exactly what was going on. She even thought she might have fallen asleep at some point, because when she next dragged her eyes up to the clock, it was lunchtime.

She knew Jack would be busy talking with the governers and didn't expect him to come and see her. She was alone when there was a knock at the door - she sighed, not really wanting to see anyone, but she sat up straight, flattened down her hair and called, " Come in! "

When the door opened, Tom was standing in the doorway.

" Hi," he said quietly.

Becky tried - and failed - to raise a smile for him, " Hi. "

" Thought I should pop in and see you," he said, " how's it going? How did it go? When will you hear back? "

" I messed up Tommy," Becky said, tears starting to fall again.

" Hey," Tom said softly, quickly coming across the room to engulf her into a big warm hug, " don't be like that - have a bit of optimism. You were feeling alright this morning, what happened? "

" I couldn't do it," Becky sniffed, " I really tried, but they were asking me questions, and I don't think they believed me. I ended up walking out! What if he stays, Tom? I can't teach here if he's here. What if - "

" Shhh," Tom said softly, rubbing her back, " they'll see sense, they'll get rid of him. They've got to, haven't they? "

" What if - "

" I don't want to hear anymore of it," Tom said, keeping hold of her and trying to soothe her, " Becky, you can't beat yourself up. So you walked out, so what? They'll have known that you were terrified - it'll be taken into account, won't it? "

" Suppose. "

Tom kissed the top of her head and rocked her from side to side a little, and she clung to him. Tom said, " I've told you, Becky, if they don't expell him, I'm going to go punch their lights out, and his. "

Becky laughed, and Tom smiled, " That's more like it. "

They broke apart, and Tom rubbed her arm, " D'you want to come up to the staffroom, or not? "

Becky shook her head, " You go, I'll stay here. I've got sandwhiches anyway. "

" Me too," Tom said, " I'll stay with you. You can't be on your own - you need someone to keep your mind off it all. "

Becky shrugged and sat down on the edge of her desk, and reached for her bag, pulling out her lunchbox. The pair of them tucked into their lunch, though Becky didn't feel much like eating.

" You missed all the action today, you know," Tom said, looking at her with a teasing smile.

" Oh yeah? " Becky asked, trying to take her mind off the appeal and all the stress.

" Lorna walked into the staffroom this morning before school," Tom told her, " everyone offered their sympathies that she'd been ill, and she turned around and told them all that she wasn't ill - that she'd been off depressed but I was having an affair with her best mate! "

" Tom, no way," Becky said, " so what did you say? "

" What could I say? " Tom shrugged, " I was mortified! Grantly and Steph were ganging up on me - I didn't know what to say. And then Izzie came in! And Lorna slapped her, and stormed out. "

" No," Becky said, shaking her head, " that's awful! I mean, obviously Lorna's hurting, but it's not like you cheated on her. You didn't get with Izzie until after you'd split with Lorna - and you didn't cheat on her. "

" Well try telling her that," Tom said, " and it doesn't help that Izzie's completely stressed about Chlo and Donte's trial. And you won't believe this bit - "

" Ooh, go on," Becky said, happy that she could have a little gossip.

" Lorna's told Jack she's taking a break from teaching. "

" No! " Becky said, trying to process it, " I could understand her wanting to take some time away from the school, but surely we can all get through this. We've always been friends - she can't just ... ruin it. To just leave the day before the Christmas break - she could have at least taken the Christmas break off to think about it - she had two weeks! "

Tom shrugged, " Maybe it's for the best. Lorna's a grown woman - she can sort out her own problems. We've got to leave her to it. "

Becky shrugged, " I suppose. The thing is, me and her haven't been too close recently - we've all been busy with our own things, haven't we? But I don't want to lose her as a friend. I feel like I've known her forever. "

" I'm sure she'll keep in touch," Tom said.

Becky nodded and Tom spent the rest of dinner time with her, before getting up when the bell rang. He gave her a big hug, told her to stay strong and let him know what was going on as soon as she knew.

Becky spent the next hour in her classroom, sititng around and doing nothing - she was going out of her mind, imagining the governers coming to a decision, and Jack meeting with the governers. Imagining the final decision.

Just as she was about to go out of her mind, there was another knock at her door, and Estelle came in.

" I believe Mr Rimmer has news about the decision," Estelle said, " I imagine you'll want to come to the office and hear it? "

Becky nodded and slowly got to her feet. She took a deep breath and then followed the elderly secretary out of the room. Kim was in the corridor, and Becky tried to raise a smile for her.

Kim held up her fingers, which were crossed, " Prepare yourself," she said.

Becky nodded, biting down on her lip, " They've got to get rid of him ... haven't they? Jack won't let him back in - he won't. "

Kim observed the younger woman and shook her head - she could never see the good side of everything, and somehow Becky was terrified and nervous, and was still putting a good spin on this. The amount of trust she had in Jack was astounding, and Kim only hoped it would pay off for them both.

They walked the rest of the way to the office in silence. When they got to the office, Becky was full of nerves as much as she tried to keep a brave face, and Estelle pushed open the door to Jack's office.

Jack and Andrew were stood there with Heather Davenport and none of them looked best pleased. Becky looked nervously from Jack to Andrew to Heather, and as Estelle left them to it, Kim found her voice first.

" Well? "

No-one looked pleased and Becky's heart sank - she knew the answer, and she didn't need anyone to say it now. It was Andrew who spoke up first and he shook his head, " They're ... a bunch of morons. "

Jack looked furious, Andrew looked solemn and Becky felt as though her knees were about to give way - she couldn't be around if he was too! She couldn't teach him!

Heather adressed the two women, " Miss Campbell, it was suggested that you took Seddon to the cooler for reasons other than dispcipline, and the pair of you were in it together - that it was premeditated. Miss Clarkson, your relationship with Mr Rimmer meant that there was a suggestion that Mr Rimmer used you to get rid of Seddon. "

Becky could do nothing but stare in shock and she was all but ready to fall to her knees and scream that someone should have gotten rid of Seddon for her - he didn't deserve to be in the school - it was wrong!

" That's right! " Kim said furiously, " couldn't wait to get our hands on him - been plotting it for ages, haven't we, Becky? Fancied him for years! "

" Kim, don't," Andrew said, looking helplessly from she to Becky.

Becky exploded angrily, " How could they let this happen? I can't believe it - we had a good appeal - he tried to bloody rape me! "

" Hey, come on, what's a bit of rape, in the grand scheme of things? " Kim shouted, waving her hands in the air, furious too, " You will get this in writing, Jack, but I resign as of now. "

She left the room and Andrew followed after her, trying to stop her, leaving Heather to awkwardly make her apologies and leave the room.

Becky was in a state of panic and she looked at Jack, who was stood in the middle of the room, hands stuffed deep into his pockets. He looked completely depressed, gaze focused on the door where Kim had just left as he cleared didn't know what to do - his jaw was set in fury, and he was so close to losing it.

" Jack," Becky said, trying to get his attention, " Jack! What the hell am I going to do? "

Jack turned his attention to her and shook his head - he didn't know what to do or say but all he knew now was that he needed to be there for Becky.

" Becky," he said, taking a step closer to her, " Becky, don't panic. Kim - she won't resign. We'll sort it out - don't panic. "

" Don't panic? " Becky asked, her breathing speeding up as she didn't know what to do and felt like she was going to have some kind of panic attack, " don't panic? I'll be in the papers as a child molester, Jack - this is going to go public! I can't go through this. Oh my god - " she was breathing so deep now and looking at him with wide panicky eyes, " what should I do? I'm going to have to leave to! I can't stay here now! He'll do it again! He's going to get me in the end - and if he doesn't , the parents are going to want me out! "

" No, no, no," Jack said, holding up his hands and trying to calm her down, " Rebecca, calm down - you've got to listen to me. " Jack only full-named her when she was panicking and he needed to get her to listen to him, " please, think about it - you can't just resign. You're strong, and we'll get - "

" No! " Becky said, " don't tell me we'll get through this - how will we? He nearly raped me and he's still here! What does he have to do before he's chucked out! "

She started for the door and Jack moved quickly and grabbed her arm, pulling her back to him and drawing her up against his warm, hard body.

They looked at each other for a long moment, before Jack asked, " Calmer? "

" I'm bloody furious," Becky said, much more quietly though, " but I ... I'm willing to listen to you. "

" Good girl," Jack said, releasing his hold on her, " now, you're not going to leave. I will do everything in my power to get rid of him. I'm furious too - of course I am. If I weren't headmaster here, I'd kill him, I swear to you. But we'll sort this out - please, have a bit of faith in me? "

Becky eyes welled up with tears and she nodded silently.

Jack was about to say something when the door opened, and Andrew came back into the room. He stod in the doorway and shook his head, " I can't get her to back down. She's determined that she's leaving. "

" We can't have this," Jack said, " we're going to deal with this - I will not have teachers like Kim and Becky exposed to something like this. They're two of the only teachers that all the kids like and respect, and actually listen to, and that's so rare. "

Becky looked at him - he was so worked up, and she felt so grateful for all of his efforts - he was so passionate for something he believed in, and he was so passionate about her, and making the school a safe place for her and the rest of the staff.

" Becky, I'm so sorry," Andrew said, " you're not ... "

" Leaving? " Becky finished, a slight smile tugging at her lips, " Jack won't let me. "

" Damned straight," Jack said, before a glint sparked up in his eyes, " I've got it. Becky, I've got a plan - this is going to work - don't you give is a second thought. Seddon's not coming back into this school under my watch. My plan'll work, and if it doesn't, then I resign. You resign. Kim resigns. Andrew resigns. We'll get everyone to resign. "

" You can't do that," Becky said.

" I can if my first plan doesn't work," Jack said, " but it will. I've got it. "

As Jack went into Estelle's office and started talking to her, Becky turned her back to the door. She walked over to the window and stared out of it, she watched Kim hurrying across the car park and she looked down, unable to face it.

Even Jack's voice in the background didn't help - she'd lost. Even if Jack could fix it - which she secretly doubted, despite putting on a brave face to him - it wasn't the point. The governers hadn't believed her - they thought she was a liar. They thought she was the kind of person to molest a child - she was giving teaching her all and she did everything she could for each child, and it was thrown back in her face. She'd been violated.

She let out a choking sob and tried to stifle it on the back of her hand, but couldn't. More tears fell and once the flood gates were open, she was broken. She tried to wipe them away but it was hopeless.

Andrew was still in the office and his heart went out to her - Kim wouldn't take his help, but maybe he could give it to Becky. She was 27 and seemed so vunerable in private.

He crossed the room and laid his hands on her shoulders, silently turning her around and pulling her in for hug - it was exactly like when he'd first found her after Lewis' attack on her.

She sobbed and gripped his jacket with her hands, hiding her face against him.

" Shhh," he said, trying to calm her down - he was so vunerable that it was like having a sister. She hugged her and tried to calm her down, though his attempts were futile. " Jack's going to fix it - he said, didn't he? He won't let Seddon get away with this. "

" It won't work," Becky sobbed, " what if he can't do it? "

" Look, you're getting too worked up," Andrew said, " I know it's awful, what's happened to you, but it's happened and we have to work forwards from it. You have to trust - just be strong and keep going. It's all you can do. "

" This is the worst thing that's ever happened to me," Becky sniffed as the pair of them broke apart.

" Listen," Andrew said, " leave this to me and Jack. Isn't Tom on his free now? Why don't you go find him and both of you off for the day? "

Becky took a deep breath and then nodded.

She went into the other bit of the office, where Jack was barking orders at Estelle. Becky told Jack that she was going to go home, and he sighed,

" I'll sort this, I promise," he said.

Becky nodded, not convinced, and he reached out to lay a hand on her cheek, before leaning down to her. They shared a long lingering kiss, which was soft and gentle, and when they broke apart, Becky mumbled, " Thank you Jack. "

" Take tomorrow off," he told her, " I'll come and see you tomorrow though. Take tomorrow off, and then you've got two weeks off for Christmas, right? "

" I don't want any time off," insisted Becky, " if I'm going to stay here, then I'm staying. No special treatment - I've got to do this, Jack. I won't be seen as a quitter - not ... not if you're making me stay. I might as well come in tomorrow. "

Jack nodded and there were no words left to say. Neither of them knew what to say and before Becky left, Estelle told her something had been left in her tray - Becky took the letter from her. It was just an envelope with her name on, and Becky thought she could recognise the handwriting as Lornas.

She clutched the letter in her hand as she made her way to Tom's classroom.

She found him marking on his own, and as soon as she stumbled into the classroom, he kenw what had happened. She didn't cry because she was all cried out, and Tom wrapped an arm around her shoulders and led her to his car.

He opened the passenger door for her and ushered her into the car, and as they were both sat there, he glanced sideways at her.

" You're being so brave, you know - I'm proud of you," he told her.

Becky tried to raise a smile for him and said, " I'm not brave, but thanks anyway. "

Tom nodded and then looked at what she was clutching in her hand. " What's the bit of paper? Is there any reason for it? "

Becky looked down at it and shook her head, " I ... Oh, I forgot about it. "

She looked down at it and started to open up the envelope slowly. She pulled out paper inside and unfolded it, looking down at it briefly. Its contents completely shocked her and she stared down at them.

Tom was watching her reactions since they were sat in the car but hadn't actually set off yet, " What is it? " he asked.

Becky looked at him and said, " It's from Lorna. I imagine Izzie's got one too. You won't believe what's going on. "

" Let's hear it then," Tom said, intruiged, " we might be seperated, and it might be messy, but we were always friends first. "

Becky looked down at the letter and read it out, " Dear Becky, I've spent a few days thinking things over, and I know what I want to do now. Even after everything that happened with Tom, you were my friend and I appreciate it. You've probably heard that I have resigned but don't worry about me - know that I am happy, and I'll make a new life for myself with a gorgeous new husband. Make sure you hang onto Jack - he's good for you. Let's all stay friends. We need each other. Love, Lorna. "

" Wow," Tom said.

Becky nodded.