Part 21
A blonde woman followed Candice into Rachel's office, "this is Melissa Ryan she is here for the Extended Service job". Melissa smiled at Rachel who looked slightly uncomfortable around her. Eddie walked up to her and said "Hello, my name is Eddie Lawson and I am the deputy". He paused waiting for Rachel to introduce herself. "Hi I'm Rachel Mason, the headteacher, do you want to take a seat".
Thirty minutes later and the interview was drawing to a close, "thank you for seeing me today". Melissa said to Rachel however her eyes were locked with Eddie's. Eddie to break the atmosphere said "I hope we didn't grill you for too long". Melissa stood up and shook hands with Rachel and then Eddie; however the hand-shake with Eddie took longer than it was absolutely necessary due to the vice like grip Melissa had on Eddie's hand. Rachel turned her back on them which caused Melissa to do something which Eddie didn't understand with her other hand she stroked the back of his hand. Melissa made her way to the door looked back at Eddie "I hope to see you both soon". As this was the last interview they had for the job it gave them time to discuss who should be given the role.
"So Eddie who do you think was the best candidate for the Extended Service job". Rachel asked, pleading that Eddie wouldn't say Melissa because it would cause her to have to explain who Melissa actually was.
"Well due to the others giving the impression they were bored at the start I reckon the only one who could do the job any justice at all would be Melissa". Eddie said still confused about what had just happened with Melissa.
Rachel's face dropped, "oh did you think it was someone else?" Eddie asked hoping to find out what had caused a sudden change in Rachel. "No, not exactly but there is something you need to know". Rachel said preparing herself for the distinct possibility that Eddie may not take it too kindly.
"Well, Melissa Ryan is…" Rachel stopped as she wasn't quite sure how she could tell Eddie another secret which had been locked away in the world of Rachel Mason. "Melissa Ryan is?" Eddie probed trying to find out what was bothering Rachel about the candidate they had both decided was the best.
"Melissa Ryan is my younger sister". Rachel felt relieved she had said it but looked at Eddie to see the shocked expression on his face.
"Why didn't you tell me before the interviews" Eddie shouted annoyed that the woman who had taken such an interest in him was the sister of the woman he loved.
"Well, I didn't tell you because I didn't want to put you in a compromising position like I found myself in, what do you want to do?" Rachel said, trying to apologise and calm Eddie down.
"I know, it's just with the LEA tomorrow we could do with keeping our heads down especially with the exam board investigation". Eddie said sympathetically. "We have the exam board coming as well tomorrow along with the LEA so we have to get to the pupils and make them understand the procedure". Eddie continued to say, he felt sorry for Rachel because the days were just getting worse for her.