Letting Go Of The Past, Holding On To The Future.
Part Twenty-One.
First Day
Karen was shattered. She had been up with Isla all night, and it was her first day back. She rolled out of bed, and looked through her wardrobe, flicking between outfits. "That One" rob came in behind her. "You think?" "Yeah" Karen pulled out a black pencil skirt and white blouse. "Hmm I'm not sure" they looked at the outfit,"trust me, you're going to look even more gorgeous! Which isn't really possible but I'm sure you'll find a way "rob smiled."Oh I don't want to leave her", "I know you don't but she'll be looked after at the nursery today", Rob gave her a hug, one that filled her with strength today and one that told her how much she meant to him. Karen finished getting ready applying her make-up "put it this way you'll get to see my beautiful mug during the day", " was that supposed to fill me with joy", Karen did love teasing him. "Oi!", she smiled before heading to go get Isla from Harry who'd been watching "where's my gorgeous girl" Karen smiled as Isla who instantly lifted her arms up towards her, "come here", "I gave her some toast", "thanks Harry, have you been good?", "yeah she was alright", "you better get a move on your going to be late for college harry". "Alright I'm going", Karen laughed at his sudden change of mood, "you weren't turn all moody on me will you Isla". Isla was in a sweet mood looking all innocent at the things around her. Her face instantly lighting up as she saw daddy, "is that daddy Isla, have you got a big hug for him", Karen passed her to Rob whilst she grabbed her bag, "come here rascal, you're going to nursery today and you're going to meet lots of children", Karen smiled, it was cute listening to Rob ramble on as if Isla could reply and take it all in properly. "I hope she's going to be okay" "she will be, she'll probably want big hugs off of us tonight though!" Rob said trying to cheer up Karen. "You got everything?" Rob asked. "Hmm not yet" Karen walked upstairs and into her's and robs room. She walked over to the windowsill picking up the Photo Frame that Rob had bought her from Isla. It now had a picture of her, rob and Isla in it on their holiday in Scotland. She placed it carefully in her bag; she turned the light off, closed the door and started to walk downstairs. "Now I'm ready" she smiled. "Come on then you" rob said lifting Isla up high in his arms. "Whenever you get chance. Come to my office. I might just need a couple of your hugs today" she smiled. "How about one now" he wrapped his arms around her as they looked down at Isla, completely unaware of what was happening. The all got into the car, it was a weird feeling for Karen she hadn't gone to work in months, and she'd spent the last couple of months looking after their beautiful little girl. Isla sat contently in her seat as they drove to the nursery. "She's going to think we're leaving her", "she's knows we're coming back", Karen was being all maternal and protective. Rob parked the car outside, "ready", he placed his hand on Karen's knee, "yeah", and she nodded. "Come on then monkey", he said staring at the rear view mirror. Rob carried Isla in Karen holding her blanket and elephant she wouldn't dare to leave the house without them. "Hello you must be Rob and Karen", they both nodded, "and this is Isla", Isla pointed at one of the toys on the floor, "does that look fun Isla", Karen looked at her little girls sparkling eyes. Rob sat her down by her desired spot, Rob carried on talking as Karen settled her with her elephant and blanket, "so that's it, we'll look after her until you come and collect her later", Karen took a deep breath in as Rob gripped her hand, "thank you", he looked at Karen who was looking at Isla's attempts at slotting the different shapes in the boxes, before throwing them away. She knelt down next to her, "don't throw Isla! Bye Bye sweetheart", she kissed the top of her head before holding her close, Karen felt stronger and more comfortable with leaving her when Isla wriggled around trying to play with the bricks again. Rob found the chucked bricks just as Isla began to cry, "Aye no tears, here they are. Now you be good so mummy doesn't worry, you hear me Isla", he said his goodbyes and they began to leave, Karen blew her a kiss before they finally left for work, Karen was a little bit on edge, she was leaving her little girl and going off to work.
It felt strange not having Isla with her; they had spent all day every day with each other for months! They got in the car, rob put his hand on Karen's knee,"don't you be worrying okay, the lady seems lovely" "I guess your right" she put her hand on robs as they drove off. They arrived at school quickly, jumping out of the car, both of them piled up with folders and books. "Welcome back miss fisher!" Was all she could hear around her leaving her with a smile on her face? "Have I really been gone that long?" She joked. "Ay they worship you" rob teased. "Watch it Mr Scotcher", they headed into school, teachers and students forming some kind of welcoming committee Karen made her way to the office. "I'll see you later", Rob giving a small peck on her cheek. She smiled at nodded. She opened the door to find her trusty and loyal secretary. "Mrs Fisher! It's so lovely to see you", "morning Janeece", "so how're you", "tired", Karen replied honestly, "she keeping you up all night", "she' pretty good generally but last night!", Karen rolled her eyes Janeece laughing as Karen headed into her office, she unpacked her bag putting all her folders back in there correct place and adding the photo frame alongside the one holding pictures of Bex, Jess and Harry. Karen sat down in her chair, checking the assembly time table Tom had kindly wrote out,"today, really" she muttered to herself. She got up again from her seat, Janeece walked in."Do you need anything Mrs Fisher?" "No thanks Janeece" just as Janeece was about to close the door,"Janeece, I could use a coffee" she smiled. "Okay" Janeece left Karen's office. She picked up the picture of Isla off of her desk and blew a kiss at it. She put it back down and entered the main hallway. "Can we get to form please" she said to the students leaning against the classroom doors. The usual grunts in reply as she headed on up the corridor on her regular patrol, before assembly began she headed on up to tom's classroom in order to get a grasp on everything she'd missed in terms of being head teacher. She knocked on the door lightly, "Karen", the form were getting on with what they were set, completing last minute homework and generally having a good natter, "hey, just wanted to catch up with you on everything", "sure, well everything was fine once Sian took her time off", "what?", "yeah she took personal leave for a week or she'll be back next week.", "right so apart from that everything's been normal", "as normal as waterloo road gets", "exactly". They laughed before having a bit of a catch up themselves. "So how're you, bet it's weird to be back", "I'm great just so tired! It's weird to be going through all this again", "oh I bet it is, but you wouldn't change her for the world", "never, she is perfect", "she is beautiful Karen, rob's chucked in a few proud father photos during break times", "Oh I bet he has, he's besotted by her, she is definitely a daddy's girl", Karen smiled, "I can imagine", "right I'll catch up with you later seems I have an assembly to run, no thanks to a certain someone", she hinted jokingly, "sorry", "It's alright", she headed down to greet the students as they came and sat down in the hall, all as rowdy as ever it was clear it was the start to the summer term.
"Morning all! I hope you've all had a very good and very safe school break. Now it's time for the hard work to begin again. I would just like to congratulate you on your excellent end of term exam results. You should all be very proud of yourselves. This is going to be a very good term." Everyone woo'd and clapped before standing up all chanting"welcome back miss fisher!" It would seem that Rob had, had a little word with the students. She looked at rob, he shrugged his shoulders and shot her a cheeky grin. "It's good to be back!" Everyone cheered once more before sitting down back in their seats once again. "Do you have anything to add Mr. Clarkson?" "No, I think you've covered everything" "okay, you may now dismiss" everyone left the hall at Karen's orders. Karen walked down the stage steps, rob walking up to her. "You did great" "it feels good to be back!" "Told you you'd get back into it" "I think right now would be a good time for one of those hugs I was on about" rob smiled taking Karen in his arms, "I wonder what Isla's doing now" Karen said looking up at Rob. "She'll be playing with her elephant, or the blocks probably being cheeky" they both laughed. "Your probably right" "right, I better be getting back to form" he pulled Karen close giving her a passionate kiss before releasing her and walking to his classroom. She slowly walked to her office, looking in on every classroom. I was a great feeling to be wanted back; Karen had built up a trust with the students that were rare. They looked up to her as well as trusted her, take the pregnancies last term, both students despite Karen being Jess's mum approached her. Karen was enjoying being back but she had to sort of readjust herself to remind her that she wasn't having to watch her 8 month old daughter crawl along the floor, making sure she wasn't being to cheeky. Karen needed to keep herself busy, to keep her mind off worrying about Isla, the students in the hall had done a good job but now she was on her own alone with her own thought all over again. She sat on the chair in her office, twiddling her thumbs, staring at the picture of them. "Janeece?" She called through. Janeece walked in,"Miss Fisher?" "Could you see if I can sit in on some classes today?" "Of course. Any pacific lessons?" "Yes, mr scotcher's, mr Clarkson's and Mrs. fry's lessons for today thank you" "alright" This was the perfect way to preoccupy herself, she needed Rob, he gave her the strength and will power she would ever need, Tom was a good friend and Ruby well, Ruby was on her big black list! It wasn't looking good for her, she was lucky if she were to last the rest of the term. Karen made her way to robs lesson, she walked through the empty halls. She knocked on the classroom door before entering. Robs head lifted up. "Karen?" "Miss Fisher to you" she winked. Rob smiled. "Do you need something?" "No, I'm sitting in on a couple of lessons today. To see what's been going on while I've not been here" "okay, take a seat at the back" "ehem". No, I'll take a seat next to you mr" "ooooh!" Everyone shouted and whistled as robs face went a bright shade of red. "Okay then, I guess no messing about this lesson then ay class" everyone giggled. Karen sat down next to rob at his desk. "Turn to page 27, read sources A,F,G and D and answer questions 1,2,3 and 4. You have 20 minutes" everyone opened their textbooks and got on with their work. It seemed rob was one of the very few teachers that could keep their class under control. Rob put his hand on his desk. Karen put her's on top. "Your doing great" Karen smiled looking at rob. Karen's eyes caught rob as they leant in for a kiss, until they remembered where they were. They both laughed turning back to their paper. Karen jotting notes down. She started to get unfocused, and doodle's started to appear. 'Miss Fisher Mrs Scotcher' rob looked over his shoulder "aw you are cute" rob smiled. The class's heads looked up as they started to laugh. "Back on task please" rob insisted. He got up from his chair and walked up to the whiteboard, "write your homework down please, in by this time next week 3 a4 page minimum" the class groaned "oh it's not that bad" he joked. He sat back down at his desk. "So, who's lessons are you in today?" He said to Karen. "Just yours, tom's and Ruby's. I'm keeping an exceptionally close eye on Ruby, she can barely handle a class of year 7's" "ay, don't be too hard on her, they do mess about. I've seen it with my own eyes" "yeah, well ill see it for I lesson 4."
"keep your mind clear, and don't presume it will be bad, keep an open mind. You may just be surprised" "thanks rob" rob smiled. The bell rang, the classroom filled with sound of teenagers, shouting generally fighting to get out of the classroom. "Quietly Please!" The noise decreased but was still loud. "Feedback please boss" he said sarcastically. "Okay, okay. Your one of the very few teachers in this place that can actually keep their class in control and still teach them, you're a very good teacher and it seems that you have a good relationship between the students, they respect you and you respect them" Karen smiled. Rob kissed Karen on her lips. "Rob! Were at school!" She laughed. "I don't care where we are!" he smiled. "I better get to tom's class. Remember I want to see you in my office at break." She smiled before leaving the classroom which was now full up with students again. Karen was genuinely impressed with Rob's teaching ability he was generally something special! Next up was Tom's class and Karen was fairly relaxed this was to be another positive lesson yet Karen couldn't help but feel the sickness in her stomach at the idea of having to watch Ruby's lesson she was an awful teacher to say the least and as much as Rob tried to convince her for an open mind she was not having any of it! She had to see her lesson, but she just couldn't stomach the thought of sitting in it once again. She made her way to Tom's classroom and walked to the back of the classroom,"Miss Fisher" "Mr Clarkson" "did you need something?" "No, I'm just sitting in on a few lessons" "ah, okay take a seat" she sat down at the back and put her notebook on the table. "Alright Class, get your books out, and write the title and date, I presume everybody has done their homework?" Everyone looked round. "Good" tom said. Do the starter on the board then read chapter 7" Tom looked at Karen and smiled." He walked up to the back of the classroom and sat down next to Karen,"how's your first day back going?" "It's been okay so far" "why so far?" Tom looked confused. "I have to sit in on ruby's class next, I'm dreading it" "ah it will be fine" Karen looked at the clock. "Right, there's only 5 minutes of the lesson left. I'll go back to my office" "good luck" tom said sarcastically. Karen rolled her eyes before leaving the class. She walked slowly up to her office, just getting there before the bell went. "You alright miss fisher? You're looking a little pale" Janeece said as Karen walked past her. "I'm fine, I just need some water" she smiled. She walked into her office and fell back into her chair with a sigh, who was she kidding, she missed being with Isla and Rob. The bell rang and Karen was sat impatiently waiting for Rob to arrive. She sat drawing doodles on her notebook. There was a knock at the door, Rob walked in and Karen's head shot up"finally" she said standing up out of her seat. She walked over to Rob giving him a big hug. She put her hands on robs face and kissed his lips. Janeece walked in,"Miss fisher- oh sorry am I interrupting something?" Karen shot her a look and Janeece giggled leaving the room. Karen pulled rob back close,"I missed you" Karen said kissing his lips. "I missed you too" he smiled putting his arms around her waist. "How did toms class go?" "Great! I had no doubt about that. I'm just dreading ruby's" Karen sighed. "Ay it will be fine. And if you have to, leave half way though and come into my lesson for the rest" "thanks Rob, I might just have to do that" "ah no problem" "I just can't wait to pick Isla up tonight and be all together again!" "Me too, we'll have big hugs the three of us. Harry's out tonight isn't he?" "Yeah, he's sleeping round at his mates" "ah, I was thinking Chinese for dinner?" rob smiled. "That would be lovely" Karen said, her hand on robs face. "I love your smile" Karen had heard this so many times, but each time made her smile a little bit more. She kissed his lips passionately. "I don't want this bell to go, for one I don't want to leave you and two I don't want to go to ruby's classroom." "Hey, what did I say, I know it's going to be fine, but my doors always open. And if it's not all you have to do is open it" rob said with a smile. Karen Laughed. "Somehow you always seem to make me feel better" she smiled. Rob took Karen in his arms and held her tight. He sat down on the chair and Karen sat on the one next to it,"ooh are these my notes" rob said picking up Karen's notepad to find doodle's of his name. "So this is what you were doing when I walked in." He laughed. "This is so cute you know" Rob kissed her lips and gave her back the notepad. Karen smiled into the kiss. The bell went and Karen and Rob shared one last hug before entering the main halls to head to their next lessons. Karen reached ruby's room. "Wish me luck" Karen let go of robs hand and walked into the foodtech room. "Mrs Fry" "Miss Fisher" "what are you doing here?" "I'm sitting in on your year 7 class" "oh erm, okay" the class started to over flow with pupils. "Quieten down children" the noise only went louder. "Today we have Miss Fisher sitting in on our lesson today. I'm sure your all going to be very good aren't you" ruby said with a fake smile painted across her face.
Karen was already worried for Ruby this was a recipe for disaster and everybody knew it. Karen had already filled a page of notes and criticism, the only positive being her ability to inspire the students with the recipes she had chosen other than that it was a disaster. Years 7's throwing flour at each other rather than putting it in the bowl, things being left in the oven on purpose and finally an egg was thrown at Mrs. Fry, "Right", Karen shouted she couldn't just sit there "what do you think your all playing at! The next person to throw flour, an egg or intentionally burn something in the oven is coming with me now!", a young cockey boy, who happened to be the brother of Fin Sharkey had avoided these rules and instead thrown an entire jar of herbs at his friend, the pair of them laughing at how most of it landed on the floor rather than the boy. "Clean that up, look what you've done to my classroom", Ruby's voice was desperate and shrieky, Karen shot her a look before dealing with it in her athourative tone, "very clever. Isaac, Ben my office right now", there were moans as the grabbed there bags swinging them over their shoulders, "thank you Karen, there all animals", "there not animals Ruby", Karen's words were stern, "report to office after school and I shall deliver your feedback. Karen got up out of her seat, she shot Ruby a look and walked out of the classroom, the boys following her, she had seen enough of the lesson to know Ruby couldn't control them. She walked into her office. "Wait here" Karen said. The boys sat on the couch outside her office. "What have you two done, eh?" Janeece asked. "Messing about in Mrs. Fry's lesson" they laughed. "You can come in now" Karen called from her office. The boys walked into Karen's office. "Why were you messing about in Mrs. Fry's class?" "We weren't miss" Isaac answered with attitude. "Enough with the attitude. I saw you both with my own eyes" Karen replied. Isaac and Ben rolled their eyes. "Right, cooler now, the both of you" Karen pointed to the door. "Janeece can you please take these two to the cooler for me" "yes Miss Fisher "she smiled before shutting the door. Karen wasn't planning on going back to Ruby's lesson she'd seen enough. Karen began to look through her report for Ruby it was all accurate to every last word. Karen was stressed and exhausted to say the least. There was a calm knock at the door, "what!" Karen shot back lifting her head up at the sound of his voice "wow! Who's got into your bad books", "wasn't expecting it to be you", Rob walked around to where she was sitting at her desk, allowing her to stand before wrapping her in another much needed hug, "it can't have been that bad", and "no Rob it was worse! I'm just about to tell her she's suspended!","that's a bit far", Karen broke from there embrace, "so if you were in a lesson you would be happy with kids throwing eggs at you flour at each other and intentionally setting things on fire in the oven", rob shot her an apologetic look, "didn't think so!", he kissed her cheek, "I have a few things to finish up in my class, got a few boys needing to make up 20 minutes", "so you're telling me I need to drag out Ruby's meeting for as long as possible", "that or go home without me", "guess that's option A then, I wouldn't be leaving without you", Karen's lips locked with Robs as there was a more abrupt knock at the door, "wish me luck", "sounds like you're going to need it", "thanks Scotcher", he shot her a playful look. Rob walked out as Ruby walked in. "Sit down" ruby sat down in front of Karen. "I'm not going to lie, your class was appalling. They have no respect for you at all. Respect comes from you respecting them. And I do not think calling them 'animals' in front of them is respectful. Ruby I'm sorry but you're suspended." "Karen, you can't!" "I just did, I'm sorry. Ill email you when you can come back. Meanwhile we'll get a substitute teacher in your place" "how can you do this? It's not my fault they are out of control!" "Well I've sat in on all year 7 classes today. And Rob and Tom seemed to be able to manage them!" "We all knew Rob would be perfect for you, well you are screwing him!" Karen was shocked at Ruby's choice of words, rob hadn't made it fully out of the waiting room, Janeece and Rob shared a look of panic and worry. "Personal life doesn't even fit into this Ruby! You've had your warnings we've tried to help you, when your back we'll set up a plan", "how can you say personal life doesn't come into, of course it does", "ruby I don't have to discuss this with you", Rob was proud of Karen's professionalism she was staying strong, defending him but through her job. "Ruby just get out!", Karen took a deep breath Ruby slamming the door as she burst through practically into the arms of Rob making one of her famous frustrated grunts. Rob walked back in giving her Karen a hug, "I'm proud of you", Karen was slightly confused, "well you defended me as a head teacher", "well your good at what you do", Karen's cheeks turned a rosy red, "I know that was hard for you", "I was so close to telling her what I really thought!", "let's go get Isla, don't know about you but I can't stand another moment in this place", Karen smiled, she had waited for this moment since she left Isla at the nursery this morning. Rob took Karen's hand her coat draped over her other arm her bag in hand as they left for a peaceful evening, it definitely wasn't the ease me in gently day Karen had planned for.
She held Robs hand and walked out of the door. "Now promise me we won't talk about this school or Ruby at all tonight!" "Oh I promise!" He squeezed her hand. He opened the door for Karen to get in."Ill drive" Rob said with a smile. "Thanks" Karen and Rob got in the car. The journey was almost silent until Karen spoke her thoughts. "How dare she say that, bringing our personal life into this" "I know, but" "no Rob, no buts about it. I tried to keep it professional, but I was so close to snapping with her!" "But you didn't, and I'm very proud of you!" Rob put his hand on Karen's knee,"here we are, time to go see our little monkey!" Rob smiled. A sudden smile came across Karen's face. She opened the door and got out. They walked hand in hand in hand to the entrance. They both shared a quick look at each other smiling. Rob held to door open and Karen walked in rob followed. "Rob, Karen" she smiled. Karen walked over to Isla. Isla at the sight of her mummy instantly holding her arms up. "Where's my gorgeous little girl!" Karen kissed Isla on her cheek. "Mummy's missed you" she held her close giving her a hug that she had been waiting for all day. She walked over to Rob. "Has she been good?" "She's been excellent!" "Good girl Isla" "we better get going, thank you" rob said linking Karen's arm. "Have you got her blanket and elephant?" "No, where are they?" The lady handed them to rob,"here you go" she smiled. "Thank you" they walked over to the door. They seemed to arrive home quicker now that Isla was with them; something about her made everyone so happy and took their troubles away. Karen walked in the house, Isla in her arms. She took both of their coats of. Karen ran her fingers through her hair,"gorgeous" Rob said smiling. Karen laughed. She sat on the lounge floor placing Isla down next to her. She passed Isla her Elmo teddy, which she chucked."Isla don't throw your toys baby" she passed her elephant, she chucked that too. Rob came and sat down next to Karen Isla lifted her arms up, "do you just want a hug ay" Karen rested her head on Robs shoulder and rob lifted Isla up onto his knee. Isla put her head on his chest and her hand on Karen's hand. "I think somebody has missed us just as much as we missed her", Rob said looking down at his little girl on his lap, "I think your right", Karen smiled kissing her little girls hand. "I should probably go make up something for her dinner", "she can wait a little longer", rob was really relishing in the moment, "she's getting tired and want to feed her before she starts winging", "fair enough, you're not going to winged are you Isla", Rob lifted Isla above him looking at his little girl so sweet and innocent. Karen headed out to go mush up (such a lovely phrase), some butternut squash and potato and Isla's favourite chicken. "Shall we try this again", Rob placed Isla down on the floor after her hug she crawled over to her elephant were she sat cuddling it, sucking its ear, "that's better Isla". Rob laughed a little, "but I'm pretty sure your elephant doesn't want soggy ears", Isla reached out weakly cause she was only little her elephant placing it in Rob's hand, "thank you", "right Isla mummy's got you some food", Rob scooped Isla up elephant still in hand, however by this point Isla had it back, Rob carefully placed her into her high chair, "there we go", Rob attempted to take Isla's elephant off her so that she could eat her dinner, Isla groaned, "aye, Isla I'll look after her", Karen placed down the bowl to help Rob out, "Isla she'll get all dirty", mummy to the rescue and all that managed to get it off her but that all resulted in screaming, "Isla you'll have her back in a bit", "I think she's tired, she only gets so attached to her elephant when she is getting sleepy", harry arrived home. "Hey mum", he popped his head into the kitchen, "hi, I thought you were going out", "yeah just getting changed", "okay", "what's up with Isla", "she's tired and wants her elephant", "ah! Well have fun with that", Harry left the room and headed up to get ready, "oh it's always nice when our children help out", rob said sarcastically Karen laughing, "come on Isla look at this yummy food!". Karen picked the spoon up and Isla's mouth opened,"brummmmm" Karen was making car noises as she placed the spoon in her mouth. "Mmm, is that yummy Isla" Karen got Isla's bib and wiped away the food off of her mouth. "There we go" Karen smiled taking the bowl away. Rob lifted her out of her highchair and took her bib of putting it in the washing basket. Karen walked over and sat on the couch next to Rob. He scooped Karen's hand up and held it in his. Rob kissed Karen on the cheek, moving to her lips. "I was so proud of you today you know" he smiled. "You were?" "Of course I was, you stuck up for me, and you were so professional, and I'm always proud of you in anyway" Karen put her hands on robs face, and kissed his lips. "I do love you Rob, I really do" she wrapped her arms around him. "I love you too Karen, I always will" he smiled. "Shall we order our Chinese or do you want something else?" "Yeah, let's order it now" rob unwrapped himself from her arms and picked the phone up off the cabinet. "What do you want love?"