Thank you for the reviews.

So like the first two chapters of this story, this mirrors the last chapter... with it not being so bad... I am so sorry that I put you and Tommy through all that. I can't promise that this is totally better because most of this is set after Unsweet Sixteenth...

Mother Figure

"I don't understand Mum. Why can I be in contact with Dad?"

"Because I said so."

"That isn't a reason."

"It is better than the real reason."

"Which is?"

Sophie knew that her and her mum had similar personalities, which meant that they clashed when they argued. The stubbornness would come out and it would mean that they probably weren't really going to talk to each other for a few days because of it.

"Your father has finally abandoned us."

"He could not, not take this job Mum. He hasn't abandoned me. He said I was welcomed at his during the holidays."

"Did he now?"

"Just because he doesn't love you, doesn't mean that he doesn't love me. And don't you dare blame Auntie Rachel again."

"Your father and brother have given you a rather bias view on your Auntie Rachel."

Sophie shook her head at her mum. "And I thought I was the child here."

It wasn't really the comment that she should have made, and it lead to a long rant from her mum that lasted longer than it should have done. The only problem Sophie had was that she had finally worked out why Philip couldn't live with their mum and she was starting to feel the same way.

"Oh God, Eddie." Rachel said as he put back on his coat.

"I know. But we have done the hard part. At least she will go to the police with this rather than just letting it continue."

"I suppose so. I know Tommy said that he tried to get whatever Josh had put in Sophie's drink out of her system, but do you think that there will still be traces of it?"

"Possibly. I don't know Rach. I'm trying not to think about it."

"I should talk to Tommy."

"Cut him some slack for not calling us."

"I was going to."

Rachel looked up at Eddie and sighed. This was worst-case scenario to her and the problem was, she knew that there was probably little else that Sophie or Tommy could have done. It wasn't like they hadn't heard stories about this Josh. They all had. But Rachel had always hoped that they were just stories and that Sophie wasn't stupid enough to fall for it. Not that she could really talk after the stupid thing she had done in her youth.

"Dad. Would it be okay if Rachel went with me instead?" Sophie said as she stood in the door of the kitchen.

Eddie nodded. "If that would make you feel more comfortable."

"Just… this might be better woman to woman while you could talk to Tommy. I think he just needs someone to confirm that he did the right thing."

"Rach?"

"Of course. Of course. Let me get my coat." She said as she patted his arm.

If Sophie thought that she was nervous, then she had this feeling that Rachel was also nervous as they waiting for someone to come and interview her. She didn't really know what she could say. Tommy had helped her fill most of the blanks.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." A young male police officer said as he sat down opposite. "My name is PC Daniel Wilson. I am going to record this interview so that we can use it in evidence later. Are we ready to start?"

Sophie found herself turning to Rachel. "Yeah."

She turned back to him and he gave her a small smile. He placed the tape into the recorder and pressed the relevant buttons to get it working. He set it up, what Sophie would have assumed was formal procedure before he started to ask her any questions.

"So Sophie, talk me through what happened last night."

"It was my 16th birthday party. Dad and Rachel had promised that I could have the house to myself, although Tommy, my cousin, was there as well. I had invited a few people, maybe more than Rachel would have liked but they were all people that I knew and trusted enough. But I think word might have got out that there was a party at the head and deputy's house."

"There were more people at this party than you expected?"

"I wouldn't have invited everyone that was there. So, yes, there were more people than I expected or had invited."

"Did you invited Joshua White?"

Sophie swallowed. "Yes."

"Were you drinking alcohol?"

She hesitated and looked at Rachel before she looked back at him. "Yes."

PC Daniel creased his brow and turned to Rachel. "So you let a load of 16 years olds into your house and allowed them to drink alcohol?"

"I have been a teacher for over 30 years. No matter how much you try and teach them the consequences of drinking, they are going to do it. We did not buy the alcohol, so it was brought into the house by the people that she invited. Am I annoyed that there was alcohol? Yes. Am I surprised? No. You must remember what it was like being 16. And you can't sit there and say that you waited until you were 18 before you had your first drop of alcohol." Rachel said.

Sophie managed to stop herself from snorting out a laugh.

"How did you come in possession of Josh's phone?"

"I… I had liked him for a while. He brought me over a drink and said that it was only fair that he got one for the host. We started dancing as the front room had been turned into like a club. I knew that I didn't feel right. Tommy even said that I was acting strange. Josh told me that we should find somewhere a little more private, so I took him up to my bedroom…"

"So you invited him to your party, took a drink off him and then took him into your bedroom?"

"I hope you are not implying what I think you are implying." Rachel said.

"Well, I'm sorry. But the way it sounds…"

"No. This interview is over. I want to speak with the Sergeant on duty and have a WPC in here to conduct this interview."

"I'm sorry?"

"I don't want you conducting this interview if you are going to think that Sophie brought this on herself. You have already implied that I had done a bad job because I allowed alcohol at a party for people that are underage but unfortunately, I don't think that you live in the real world. Yes, she might have been drunk. Yes, he might not have had to drug her to get her in the position that he wanted her.

"But my step-daughter was almost raped and I don't take that lightly. I want someone that will take her seriously so that if, god forbid, it happens again to her, she will feel up to telling someone or she will feel comfortable enough to convince someone else to do the right thing. It is people like you that make sure that allow this to continue and make women scared to come forward. Now stop this interview and go and get the Sergeant on duty."

Sophie wasn't certain that he was going to do it until he sighed and stopped the recording. He didn't say anything else as he left the room.

Rachel knew that she shouldn't have had a go at him like that but she knew what he was implying. It didn't help that the first time she was in a police interview room, she was having all manner of accusations thrown at her. She had definitely learnt how to deal with the police since that first interview.

She was quite glad when a woman sergeant followed in the rather embarrassed PC.

"I can only apologise for PC Wilson's behaviour. I could make excuses for him, like he is inexperienced but I don't think that is any excuse in this circumstance. PC Wilson will go and make himself useful elsewhere and I will be conducting this interview. Unless you want to take it any further, Mrs…"

"Ms Mason. And no, I don't want to take it any further. I just want my step-daughter to feel like she is being listened to."

"Go on then PC Wilson." The sergeant said before she took the seat opposite Sophie. "I am Sergeant Amanda Jones." She said as she switched over the tapes. "I'll be reviewing this one. For his benefit. Then I can see whether he needs any extra training." She set up the tape before resting her elbows on the table. "Now Sophie, I would like you to tell me everything you can remember of what happened last night. Mainly how you have come in possession of Joshua White's phone."

"Dad called you then," Sophie said as she sighed and lied down on her bed.

"I know I am not the best Mum in the world, but I deserve to know when something happens to you. Especially something bad like that."

"I know. It has just been a long day."

"Eddie said that Rachel went with you."

"I was glad she was there. Put this young PC in his place."

"She was always good at that. I can't imagine that you feel great at the moment."

"Not really."

"Eddie said that Tommy is taking it hard as well."

"He must have only just taken the photos of me when Tommy walked in. Although I think the last thing he wanted to see was me with my dress up to my waist and… well, I think you get the picture."

"God Sophie."

"Mum… It… will get better. Won't it? I mean… he only almost… you know."

"I don't know Sophie. But I know that you have mine and Eddie's stubbornness and the Fenshaw ability to plaster on a smile and make it seem like everything is okay when nothing is okay. The only problem you have is, you are with Rachel and she probably knows how to use that smile better than anyone. Promise me that you will talk to her Sophie. Especially if it seems like it is getting too much. I bet you don't want to go to school?"

"Dad's already said I can have Monday off if I want. Part of me just wants to get into my bed and never leave. The other part, must be the Fenshaw part, wants to go in and show everyone that nothing did happen and even if it did, I'm not going to let it affect me."

"You'll have to see how you feel tomorrow."

"Mum, you don't think I was reckless, do you?"

"Impulsive like your father, yes. Reckless, never. It is why it is good that you have Rachel and Tommy around you. People who at least do try and think before they do something."

"How are we getting on better when we are 400 miles away from each other?"

"Maybe we are both growing up."

"Maybe. Thanks for calling Mum."

"It's no problem. I am always a call away. I suppose the next time I will see you will be Christmas."

"Still coming to us then?"

"I wouldn't miss a traditional Fenshaw Christmas for the world. Been buying up a few of the classic Christmas movies so we don't have to watch the rubbish ones on Netflix."

"I quite like the rubbish cliché Christmas films."

"You would. I'll speak to you soon."

"Yeah, speak soon."

Sophie sighed as she placed her phone on her chest.

"Are you alright?"

She turned her head to see Rachel standing in the doorway.

"Just Mum. Dad told her and she wanted to know how I was doing."

"Good."

"Rach, it is going to be what everyone is talking about on Monday, isn't it?"

"Maybe, maybe not."

"Tommy's offered to punch anyone in the face that tries to make fun of me."

"Has he now?"

"I think he just said it to make me feel better."

"If not, he will find himself in the cooler and get the disappointed speech from me and probably a pat on the back from Eddie."

"I love how different you two are. Thanks for today Rachel. I don't think I could have done it with Dad by my side."

"I am always here for you."

"And that is really reassuring to know. Rachel, why did you call me your step-daughter today rather than your niece?"

"Well, a little over eight months, you will be. Maybe I hoped that they would take me more seriously to be the worried step-mum rather than the worried auntie."

"I don't mind. I know I don't really any more, but you should be Rachel to me, rather than Auntie Rachel."

"I think with how complicated everything is, it is probably for the best." Rachel paused. "Look, I think your dad was talking about getting a takeaway. As it is meant to be your birthday weekend, you can choose. No rush, come down when you feel like it."

"I'll be down in a bit."

Sophie knew that she was lucky to have Rachel. Not everyone got a chance to have a second mum that was as understanding as she was. And that was now how Sophie saw her. Rachel was her second Mum, a better mother figure than her biological mum was.