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More from each theme here... with Philip also getting involved (which might be another small theme).


Series 4 Episode 6

Rachel knew her voice couldn't be heard. She knew that if someone else was by her side rather than Rob, his voice would be heard over all the shouting and cheering. It was very rare for her to actually lose her temper but she had been finding that it wouldn't take a lot more recently. Although, she couldn't deny the stupidness of the fight between Bolton and the other kid. She wanted to blame Rob for introducing boxing to the school but she knew that it was only partly to blame. She should really know the kids better. And of course, Donte Charles was in the middle of it all.

"I said stop this right now."

It was easy to tell the Waterloo Road students from the students from the other school. Something else that she would obviously have to sort out in the morning. All of her students looked worried and they had a reason to be.

She made her way down to where it was all happening to tell everyone what was going to happen and that her lot, at least, were in a lot of trouble.

Just she wished that someone else was by her side. The man that used to be there.

Maybe she should give the boxing a go. She could picture Eddie and Melissa kissing to get out some of her aggression.


Rachel couldn't believe it as he stood there, after she had sorted everything out, with not really much to say as to why he wasn't there.

"I got your message," Eddie said after he got out of his car.

The anger rose again. He wasn't with her because he was at the cinema with her sister. The shock over their relationship had turned to anger at herself and them. It is the only reason she snapped at him. Not that Eddie deserved to be snapped at.

"Did you sit through the final credits?" She said before she caught herself. "I'm sorry. I am sorry. I just needed you here earlier."

There were a few moments of calm as Eddie fell in step by her side and she felt like everything might be okay. That was until the anger rose in her once more as Donte opened his mouth.

"Miss, what's going to happen?"

There was no beating around the bush. She told Donte exactly what was going to happen. She could tell that Eddie was surprised by how angry she was. Something she knew he would mention later.


"Can you give me a lift to the school? I jumped in Rob's car and I don't particularly think that he would want me next to him. He probably thinks that I blame him for all this happening. And I don't think the kids would have wanted me on the coach," Rachel said.

"I don't think Philip particularly wants to be with you either," Eddie said.

"Well, I am a little disappointed in him. I get that it can't be easy having your auntie as the headteacher but I thought that he might stop something like this from happening."

"And have the whole school hate him for it?"

"Bolton could have been seriously hurt." She shouted.

"Rachel, are you okay?"

She reminded herself to take a deep breath. She could blame it on the stress of the day. It had been a trying day. But she didn't know much longer she could keep her true emotions from Eddie. Maybe it was time that she moved on. She could give the school to Eddie, knowing that it would be in safe hands, and she wouldn't have to deal with the fact that she had to watch him live in her sister's pocket. She could do what she did at 19. Leave to make everyone else happy.

"I'm fine."

"Sure?"

"Yes."

"Then why are you so angry?"

"Because I didn't realise that our kids were this stupid."

"No, you've been like this for weeks now."

"Have I now?"

"We used to spend so much time together and now it seems like I never have a moment alone with you."

"Well you have other responsibilities now, don't you?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

She shook her head. "You know what? I'll order a taxi."

"Don't be stupid Rachel."

"I'm being stupid?"

"Yes. Why don't you just tell me what is wrong?"

"You want to know what is wrong."

"For God sakes Rachel. Of course, I do. I am your friend."

"You." She said.

"Sorry?"

"You. Melissa. Your whole stupid relationship. That's what's wrong."

It surprised her when he didn't say anything. His anger disappeared and she did regret opening her mouth and saying what she said. She could see that Philip was trying to make it look like he was doing anything but listening to their conversation. Which he obviously had done.

"But I…" He started.

"I lied."

"That is obvious."

"Eddie, what am I meant to do? You are happy. Melissa is happy. Philip has a father figure. What was I meant to do? Ruin all that? I have been many things in my life but I don't go about ruining other people's happiness."

"What about your own?"

"That doesn't come into the equation."

"It should."

She wrapped her arms around herself, to try and fight the feeling of vulnerability. It was an effect that Eddie had on her. Like he could read what she was thinking. She had told herself that he would never see her like that again.

"Rach."

"I made the mistake Eddie. And I don't expect to compete with her. I get it. She is younger. She is the prettier one. She isn't the worrier. She has way too much confidence. She… She has always been the more popular one. She has… Everyone chooses her. And I get it."

"You shouldn't stand for it."

"Why? Melissa has always got what she wanted. Why should that stop now?"

"So you would put her happiness before your own?"

"It is what I've been doing all my life."

"I really don't understand you, Rachel." He groaned in frustration. "That night, outside the pub. You told me that there was no us."

"Eddie, I shouldn't have even been in school that day. I went against the advice of my doctor and I can tell you that even Melissa tried to get me to take more time off. My hands shook as I got out of the car and I almost had a panic attack in the foyer. I shouldn't have been there and you… All you wanted to do was talk about us." She sighed. "I wasn't ready."

"Where is the woman that walked into that school and changed the whole curriculum on her first day?"

"She's gone. Don't you get it, Eddie? The person I was before the fire was someone that had built up her confidence over time. 20 bloody years it took me to find my own self-worth and get myself to a stage where I found like I belonged somewhere. And like that." She said as she clicked her fingers. "I am back to being the extremely vulnerable 19-year-old, wondering how I could build myself into the person that I have always wanted to be." She paused. "Don't worry. You aren't the only one that has been blind to it. Melissa is meant to be 'looking after me'"

"What do you want me to do?" He said after a moment of silence.

"Nothing."

"Sorry?"

"I'll… get onto the LEA in the morning. I'll give you an amazing reference so that you can finally put your stamp on the school. I'll be gone by the end of term and… I'll do what I do best and move on."

"So you aren't even going to fight?"

"I've already said I am not going to compete with Melissa."

Philip came back into her eye line and she could tell that he didn't really know how to take the argument between his auntie and his mother's boyfriend. The feeling of relief that she had from finally telling Eddie was replaced with the worry that she had made things complicated for her nephew.

"Get him home. I'll get a taxi." She said before she turned to walk towards the road.

She had to leave them or otherwise, she knew that the argument would continue. She half expected Eddie to follow her. She didn't expect Philip to run after her, overtaking her to stop her.

"Do you love him?"

"Philip, love…"

"Do you love Eddie?"

"There is no need for you to get involved."

"Rach, can you just answer the question? Be Mum for a change. Be selfish. Do you love Eddie?"

"Yes but…"

"No buts. Either you love him or you don't. Now I know I can't really talk but… I don't think him and Mum are going to last. What you and Eddie have… I think it will. You are right. He is a great father figure and Michael is great. But he will make you happy Rach. Someone should look after you, and as your favourite nephew, it seems like I will have to be that person."

"Philip, you are my only nephew."

"Doesn't mean I can't be your favourite. You are my favourite auntie. I want you to be happy. Eddie is right. You do deserve happiness." He sighed. "Just… let Eddie give you a lift back to school and talk to him. I think he is starting to see you again."

She almost refused. It wasn't until she reminded herself the last time she refused Eddie that she nodded at her nephew and followed him back to where Eddie was waiting. It was the small smile from Eddie that made her realise that it wasn't going to be easy. It was going to be extremely difficult and it was the beginning of a long road. A road that would, hopefully, end up with a romantic relationship with Eddie.