Chapter 11
It was a Friday pnight and both Rachel and Katie were sat in the kitchen, though neither of them were speaking very much, Rachel had finished up having words with Katie earlier about all the complaints she'd been getting about her behaviour but it had soon turned into a full blown argument and it had ended up with the two of them having a falling out.
"I'm going out" Katie said sullenly
"Oh no your not" Rachel told her "your staying right here, I'm not having you going off with ... Those girls" Rachel said referring to the new group of friends Katie had seemed to be spending a lot of time with even though most of them were quite a lot older than her and Rachel knew how much trouble they were.
"What you mean my friends, am I not allowed to have them or something" Katie asked
"You know Katie when did these girls suddenly become your friends because up until last week you were perfectly happy hanging round with the people in your year, not two or three years above you so what's changed"
"The girls in my year are just kids and I've known these girls ages from dance class" Katie explained
When she saw the look on Rachel's face she added "and I don't care what you think either, you can look like that all you want but you still can't stop me meeting them tonight"
Rachel thought for a moment before saying "no your right I can't, but i can make sure I punish you if you go against me and go out when I've specifically told you to stay inside tonight"
"Oh I don't care what you say I'll be back soon" Katie said before quickly getting her stuff together and opening the front door
"Fine Katie you choose to ignore me you can face the consequences when. You get back"
For a moment it looked as though Katie was going to turn back round and a wave of relief spread through Rachel however she then proceeded to slam the door and walk out
Rachel ran her fingers through her hair feeling really worried, she just didn't know how to handle Katie at the moment, she felt as though Katie as making all the wrong choices but Rachel didn't know how to stop her, Rachel prayed Katie would come back soon and they could sit down and talk things through
"Mum why was everyone shouting" Olivia asked coming downstairs
"Oh nothing darling" Rachel said "right it's time you and Jess got in the bath"
Rachel took Olivia's hand and together they went upstairs and Rachel started running the bath
"Come on you two" she called
Olivia and Jess came through to the bathroom and got in
"Rachel is Katie In trouble" Jess asked
"Don't you be worrying about your sister"
"But I don't want her to leave" Jess said beginning to cry
"What?" Rachel asked
"If you upsets her she might decide to leave, that's what she did at mum and dad's house If ever she was really upset and I used to get scared"
"Oh Jess don't worry we just had a little argument that's all my love, I promise it was nothing serious"
Jess and liv were both quiet for a while and Rachel went into her own little world, she started to worry about Jess had said, maybe she should have gone after her after they'd argued
"Mum aren't you going to wash my hair" Olivia asked however when Rachel didn't respond she said quite loudly "mum"
"What.. Oh sorry love yeah course I am come on" Rachel said pouring water over the girls heads and massaging shampoo into them
After she'd finished bathing them Rachel got them both out and into there pyjamas, she decide to dry Jess's hair off first before getting her to bed and then doing the she with Olivia, she knew that if she did Olivia before Jess it was likely to lead to an argument
Once she'd got Jess ready she shouted Olivia but when she didn't come up she went into her room and saw she was asleep on the bed
"Come on liv" Rachel whispered "let's get your hair dried off then you can go to sleep"
Reluctantly Olivia got up and followed her mum through
When Rachel was drying her hair Olivia said "mum my stomach hurts"
"Really when did that start?" Rachel asked
"When I was in the bath" Olivia explained
"Come downstairs for some medicine then" Rachel said
Olivia hated the medicine her mum normally gave her when she said she had a bad stomach but it was hurting so much she was willing to give it a go
"Good girl" Rachel said when Olivia had taken it "come on then love, let's go up to the bathroom and then bed"
Olivia went upstairs with her mum and started brushing her teeth, this normally took quite a long time as Olivia was always really paranoid about her teeth ever since her cousin tom had made a joke about her having bad breath a few years back
Once she was finished Rachel said "come on love, go to the toilet then I'll tuck you in"
"I just want to go to bed" Olivia said quickly
"Yeah just go for a wee then you can"
"I can't"
"Liv I don't have time for this come on just go"
"No I can't go"
"Why" Rachel sighed
"Because it hurts when I go" Olivia explained
"Really, maybe we had better get that checked out" Rachel said "but you can't go till then without going to the loo can you"
A few minutes later Olivia came out, Rachel smiled at her before taking her to bed and tucking her in
"Night love you lots" Rachel said before kissing her goodnight
Rachel then went back downstairs just as she heard the big clock in the living room strike 8, she was beginning to get really worried about Katie, she knew she should probably look for her but she couldn't bring Jess and Olivia with her and she couldn't leave them either
Rachel began to ring Katie's phone but suddenly heard the door open
It didn't take long for her relief to turn to anger and she wasn't prepared to let her off lightly
"Katie in here" Rachel said frostily
"I'm going upstairs"Katie said sullenly
"No your going to come in here and me and you are going to have a little chat about your behaviour"
Katie rolled her eyes dramatically and then followed her aunt through
"Right where have you been who have you been with, and don't even think about lying to me young lady because I will find out"
"Just out" Katie shouted
"Not good enough, you're 12 years old" Rachel said moving closer to her niece
"What so your saying I'm not allowed to have friends or go out or ..." Katie said beginning to get in a state
Rachel was about to respond when she noticed her niece stunk of smoke
"Have you been smoking ?" Rachel asked in disbelief
"No" Katie replied defensively
"Right okay breath on me"
"Don't you trust me"
"Well no right now I don't think I do, trust is something you earn" Rachel said "breath on me" Rachel ordered
Her aunts voice sounded so Icy Katie didn't dare not do as she was told so lent closer to her aunt and did as she asked
"Katie I can smell it on your breath, how could you do this? Your just a kid" Rachel said "look at me in the eye when I'm talking to you"
"Rachel why do you always overreact to everything it's not a big deal all the other were doing it"
"I don't know maybe it's something to do with the fact I don't want you throwing your life away. Or maybe it's to,do with the fact I've got a duty of care over you and you've spent the whole evening off smoking with just about the roughest girls in Rochdale, or maybe it's because I actually care about you believe it or not and want to know where you are"
"Oh would you just shut up, I hate you" Katie screamed as tears started to form
Rachel was about to retaliate when suddenly the living room door opened and Olivia stood there shaking and looking extremely scared
"Liv what is it" Rachel sighed
"I need you" Olivia said sounding frightened
"Love I'm a bit busy right now, can it wait?" Rachel asked,she felt awful but she knew now wasn't the right time to tend to Olivia especially if her daughter was upset because Rachel wasn't in the right frame of mind to be dishing out lots of kisses and cuddles which is what Olivia might need she thought
Olivia nodded her head still looking upset
"Darling I'll come up and see you in 10 minutes or so okay"
"Okay" Olivia said sounding as though she was on the verge of tears, Rachel really did feel terrible she saw Olivia running back upstairs.
"Oh great back to me having all your undivided attention then" Katie said sarcastically
"Don't try and be clever with me young lady" Rachel warned sounding quite scary now "I want to know what the hell you thought you were playing at, you know I've got a bloody good mind to stop you going to that dance group all together, that way you might not be mixing so often with ..."
"Oh yeah that's typical of you Rach take away everything that's fun everything I enjoy mum wouldn't have ..." Katie began
"Your mum would have been furious with you and don't for one second think you can tell me otherwise"
"I'm going to bed" Katie screamed
"Good because I don't think I can take any more of you at the moment Katie, you have really let me down"
"That's all anyone ever seems to do to you ... Let you down, maybe no one will ever be good enough for you, your like some psychotic old cow " Katie shouted before running upstairs leaving Rachel bubbling with anger
After 5 minutes or so Rachel poured herself a large glass of red wine and sY down on her sofa.
It took a while but eventually she began to calm down, Rachel could remember what it was like being Katie's age and knew for a fact she and her sister had been 10 times worse than Katie, she knew that she should have been more calm and handled the situation better but she still wasn't prepared to let Katie off the hook, she decided to leave it till in the morning then talk to her as by then they'd have both had a chance to think things through and were less likely to fly off the handle
Rachel remembered Olivia had said she wanted to talk to her so finished her wine and went upstairs
When she reached her daughters room she half expected to find her fast asleep after all it was a while since she'd come downstairs now however when she opened the door she saw Olivia sat up in bed crying her eyes out
"Oh liv I'm sorry I was so long really I am" Rachel said rushing over to her " you should have just told me If you were this upset darling, god I feel awful now"
Olivia didn't say anything just rested her head against her mums chest and cried
"You going to tell me what's wrong" Rachel asked gently after a few minutes
"Mum please don't get mad" Olivia said
"Hey come on darling you know me better than to think I'm going to go mad when your this upset"
Olivia mumbled something into Rachel but she couldn't hear her
"Sorry love i didn't quite get that" Rachel said
"I said I wet the bed" Olivia said a little louder before bursting into tears again
"Oh right, well it's not a problem is it darling? Nothing we can't sort out with a quick change" Rachel said "hey don't tell me why this is why your so upset"
Olivia nodded her head
"Oh love but it's nothing to get so upset about, you should have just came over and whispered to me when you came down earlier I wouldn't have been cross I promise"
"So your not cross"
"Course I'm not I dare say it's happened to us all a few times in our lives" Rachel said
"But it's so embarrassing, even Jess never does it anymore and she's younger than me"
"I know darling but no one need know about it but me and you I wouldn't tell anyone I promise, I'm good at keeping secrets aren't i? That's exactly why you never find out if Jess needed a sheet change"
"Really"
"Yes love, anyway didn't you say earlier it was hurting on the toilet"
Olivia nodded her head
"Well then you've probably just got an infection sweetheart, easily cured with a dose of antibiotics"
"Okay" Olivia mumbled
"Right now jump up let's get this sorted out" Rachel said she gave Olivia a fresh pair of pyjamas to change into while she sorted the bed
"Mum what if it happens again, I had no idea about it last time until woke up because of my stomach hurting"
"I'm sure It won't darling and if it does just come and find me and we can sort It out again ... But I'll tell you what why don't you jump in with me tonight, just so if it does happen you don't have to worry about coming to tell me about it"
"Okay" Olivia said
"Right you go and get yourself comfy I'll be there in about half an hour or so" Rachel said
Olivia then went into her mums bed feeling a lot happier now
Rachel went back downstairs and put some tv on for a bit
She was about half way through a programme when she heard someone go into the kitchen, she immediately thought it might be Olivia or Jess coming to get her but when she got there she saw it was Katie getting a piece of bread
Rachel could see how much she'd been crying and couldn't help but feel sorry for her
"I'm sorry Rachel" Katie stammered surprised and a little scared when she saw her auntie down there as she thought everyone was In bed "I'll go back up now i just haven't had any tea and I was hungry I'm really sorry"
Rachel didn't say anything but raised her eyebrows and sighed before going over to her cupboard and getting out some pasta and sauces
"What are you doing Rach" Katie asked
"Well much as I might be how did you so nicely put it ... Oh yeah that was it much as I might be some psychotic old cow I'm not about to get done for child neglect"
When she saw Katie didn't understand she sighed and said "sit down I'll make you some dinner ... Though I'm not sure you deserve to have someone cooking dinner for you after the way you behaved"
Katie sat down at the table feeling pretty starving now, she could see her aunt was cooking her favourite meal but she really didn't get why she was treating her after earlier
About 15 minutes later Rachel got two plates out and served up the pasta and handed one to Katie
"Thanks Rach" Katie said sniffling slightly from her crying
"Like I said you don't deserve it, the only thing I should be giving you is some bread and water and a clip on the ear" Rachel said but Katie could tell she was joking
The two of them ate there meal practically in silence both of them in there own worlds
Once they were finished Rachel took her plate away
"Night Rach" Katie said nervously knowing her aunt was still probably furious with her
"You want hot chocolate I've got that special one you like"
Katie paused for a moment before saying "I don't get it why are you being nice to me"
"Ah well I want to have a talk with you and I know the only way I'll manage that is with a bit of bribery"
Katie smiled slightly before going to sit in the living room on the brown sofa, she always liked sitting there, this was the cosiest room of the house and it was where Rachel would always take the kids if she needed a private chat with any of them, it always seemed to have a relaxed atmosphere in this room
Rachel came back in a few minutes later with two cups of hot chocolate
"Here" she said giving one to Katie
The two of them stayed silent for a couple of minutes before Rachel said "you know ...when my dad found me smoking he gave me a full packet and made me smoke the lot there and then, god I was sick for hours after... Never went near cigarettes again though after that so I dare say I learnt me lesson so maybe I should try It with you after all"
"No Rachel please don't it was awful I felt sick straight away" Katie begged
For a moment Rachel's face remained serious but then she couldn't help but smile "Well luckily for you I'm not that mean even though you like to make out I'm just about the most awful person who ever existed"
"Rach what are you most angry with me for"
"Hmm let me think believe it or not it's not the fact you came into the house of stinking of smoke though do that again and you'll regret it as long as you live, it's more the fact you don't seem to be being very honest with me about stuff, I always liked the fact we could talk to one another but now I'm not so sure we can"
"No we can it's just ..."
"Okay then try me"
.
"What"
"Try me tell me everything that's been going on over these last few weeks"
"But Rach i don't want to be grounded forever" Katie said, Rachel laughed at this
"Katie you're already grounded forever after tonight's little incident and for your behaviour at school so you may as well add a few extra things to the pile...look Katie I'm not planning on going crazy or anything like that I just want us to have a talk "
"Okay but Rach you're going to kill me"
"Katie Ive said I'm not going to go mason at you but we need to have a talk" Rachel said
Katie was about to say something but suddenly burst into tears
"Hey" Rachel said before putting her arm around Katie and letting her cry onto her
"Hey" Rachel said again "Katie it's going to be okay, I know,we had a little argument earlier but we can easily out it right, come on don't cry" Rachel said handing her a box of tissues she always kept on the side table
"Rachel I'm going to go to jail" Katie sobbed sounding terrified
"what?" Rachel said wondering where on earth this was going to lead. "Look love I can see how scared you are and I know you're obviously terrified to tell me about whatever it is you've done but however much trouble you think your going to be in with me, I'm sure nits not half as bad as keeping it to yourself" Rachel said "and remember I have worked with teachers for ... Well god know how long so there not a lot you can say that I will be shocked about"
"Rach I know your going to be disappointed but ... The thing is ... I stole some stuff from a shop a few weeks ago, they were all pressurising me into it and I didn't want to look daft and I thought they'd stop going on at me if I did, but afterwards they started threatening to tell you is I didn't do stuff and I hated the thought of you finding out"
"So they were blackmailing you" Rachel said
"Well I guess" Katie said before bursting into tears again "I'm so sorry" Katie sobbed
"Oh Katie" Rachel sighed putting her arm around her niece "you should have let me know this was going on"
"I couldn't"
"Look I know I'd have been disappointed...I'm not going to lie and say I'm not but you didn't need to put yourself through all of this ... But now you've told me we can put a stop to it, first of all which shop did you steal from"
"The corner shop down Layton street I only took a few magazine and tiegan made my take some cider as well"
"But Katie you know what a nice couple the people who run that shop are and..."
"I know and I'm really sorry"
"Well I can see that but I want you to show it by writing a letter of apology to the couple who own the shop" Rachel said
"But Rachel ..."
"Katie if you really were sorry then you'd be happy to show it"
"Rachel what if they ring the police, they'll go mad"
"I'm sure they'll be glad you've had the honestly to own up"
Katie didn't say anything in response but Rachel could tell she was still scared
"Well you can on your letter tomorrow when you would have been at dance" Rachel said
"What your making me stop" Katie asked however she didn't sound that upset
"We'll not stop dancing but I think it's safe to say it would be best if we find somewhere else for you to go" Rachel said "right now I think you should go to bed"
"Haven't you forgot to ground me"
"What and you choose to remind me" Rachel joked "I think you've been punished enough Katie, but I'm serious about that letter and If the shop want to punish you anymore that's up to them and you are to accept the consequence"
"Okay" Katie was about to go to bed but suddenly turned around and wrapped her arms around her aunt "I love you Rachel" Katie said
"Believe it or not I love you too ...very much" Rachel said "now go on you scoot and try not to get in any more trouble"
Katie went back up to bed feeling a lot better than she had before
Rachel smiled slightly as she watched her go up before getting out her magazine to read for 10 minutes or so before she decided to go to bed herself
Rachel remembered Olivia was in her bed so crept into her room and brushed her teeth before reaching in her drawers for her pyjamas
She had just taken her top off when she heard Olivia start moving around
"Mum" Olivia said sounding sleepy
Rachel flicked the light on and saw that Olivia looked wide awake
"Darling what on earth are you doing awake it's 11:30?" Rachel asked as she out her pyjama top over her head "I didn't wake you did I? I tried to be quiet coming in but the floor board in here doesn't half creak when your walking on it"
"No you didn't wake me"
"Well then why are you awake" Rachel asked getting into bed next to Olivia
"I just don't want to go sleep in case it happens again" Olivia said
"Oh darling you'll be fine I promise you, even if it does it's not a big deal is it, I'm not going to be angry at you" Rachel said stroking her daughters hair trying to soothe her a bit
"I know I just don't want anyone thinking I'm a baby" Olivia said
"Well no one will because the only people who would know about it is me and you, and you can trust me can't you" Rachel said to which Olivia nodded her head
"Right should we go to sleep then I don't know about you but I'm shattered"
Rachel then flicked off the light and Olivia cuddled in to her, it didn't take long for the two of them to fall asleep.
It didn't seem long for morning to come round and Rachel was awoken by Jess bouncing on the bed
"Rachel wake up" Jess shouted
Rachel tried keeping her eyes closed praying Jess might go away and leave her to sleep for a bit, however she realised this was unlikely
"Jess it's 6:30 go back to bed" Rachel mumbled
"It's morning" Jess said
Eventually Rachel opened her eyes and sat up "Jess why do you always have to wake up so early" Rachel asked
"Why is Olivia in here?" Jess said ignoring Rachel's question "only I'm allowed in here except you"
"Oh is that so" Rachel said "I wanted Olivia in with me"
"Why"
"Because I got lonely now go on, either go and play quietly for an hour or so or go back to bed, I'm not getting up yet" Rachel said adamantly
"Fine Ill go downstairs then"
"Okay" Rachel mumbled before turning round and closing her eyes
Once Jess had gone Olivia stirred
"Morning darling" Rachel said when she could tell Olivia was awake
"Hi mum" Olivia said however she didn't sound her usual self
"Everything alright love" Rachel asked
Olivia just nodded her head
"Did you have an okay sleep in the end?"
"Yeah but my stomach kept hurting" Olivia said
Rachel was about to say something in response when Olivia suddenly rushed out the bed and darted to the toilet
Rachel began to get a bit worried, she got out of bed and stood outside her bathroom door
"Liv what's wrong" Rachel called
When she didn't get a response Rachel went in
"Hey what's wrong? Is it still hurting when you go for a wee" Rachel asked
"Yeah but I have a bad stomach" Olivia said
"Do you feel sick?" Rachel asked and Olivia nodded
"Oh dear we'll definitely book an appointment for you, but I won't be able to get you in till Tuesday probably" Rachel sighed
"I just feel weird"
"I know you do love, I'll tell you what, we'll have a nice quiet day today in front of the tv might be what we all need" Rachel said
"Okay"
"Go back to bed for now though love, I'll go down and bring you up some medicine, I need to check on Jess anyway" Rachel said
She then began to make her way downstairs but suddenly she could smell smoke coming from the kitchen
"Rachel" Jess screamed at the top of her voice clearly terrified
Rachel ran downstairs and rushed into the kitchen
Fear flooded through her when she saw flames coming from near her oven
"Move out the way Jess" Rachel screamed as she barged passed her niece and grabbed a tea towel and put the fire out
Jess was in floods of tears by now and shaking
"I was trying to cook bacon but it burst into flames" Jess cried
"You silly girls Jess do you have any idea how dangerous that could have been" Rachel shouted still feeling extremely shaken up "do you not have any common sense"
At the sound of her aunts angry voice Jess began to cry even harder
After a moment or so Rachel began to feel bad, Jess looked petrified and she knew she wouldn't have meant any harm, she rushed over and wrapped her arms around her
"I'm sorry for shouting but Jess what were you thinking, you know how silly it was" Rachel sighed
Jess didn't respond just cried onto her aunt
"Hey it's okay now, look your nice and safe and there's no really damage, come on your okay" Rachel soothed
"I thought I was going to be burned to death" Jess sobbed
"Well I'd have never let that happen, come on darling it's all sorted now everything's fine" Rachel soothed "come on come in my bed,mid have let you in before if I knew you were planning on burning the house down" Rachel joked
It took a while but eventually she did calm down and the 4 of them enjoyed a nice morning watching tv together
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