Thank you for the reviews.

Previewed this one as well... I mean, with this episode, it does seem at points that Eddie just accepts that Rachel is going to resign and pack up her teaching career. I don't think that he would have accepted it. I do think that he would have fought her a lot harder. Or, like this, given her a taste of her own medicine.


Series 4 Episode 9

"Eddie, what are you doing about this?" Tom said as he walked up to him.

Eddie only sighed as he realised that the paper in Tom's hand was the memo about Rachel leaving. The problem was that Eddie knew how stubborn she could be. The fact that she had been given more time but was set on leaving made him believe that he couldn't change her mind. Unless he gave her a taste of her own medicine.

"I've already tried to talk her out of it."

"Well try harder. We can't have her leaving."

"I know Tom."

"What are you two talking about?" Melissa said as she joined them.

"Rachel. She can't leave." Tom said. "Can't you talk to her being her sister and all that?"

"She seems to have made up her mind."

"So had I once upon a time. Tom, you remember the day when Mika was up a tree." Eddie said.

"How could I forget?"

"She spent the whole day trying to show me what she thought I would miss from Waterloo Road. I mean, she did have like three months to change my mind and I've only got today but… I think it could still work."

"How do you plan on doing that then?"

"Make it seem like I am going to start taking over from today. Let all the staff know. Anything they would usually go to Rachel for, they come to me about. Might work."

"Eddie, is this really a good idea?" Melissa said.

"Mel, this school is all Rachel's vision and drive. Waterloo Road is Rachel Mason as she is Waterloo Road. Her name belongs on that door. I've done it once. I can do it again."

"I just think convincing her is going to be a little harder than convincing the governors."

"Trust me. Tom, I'll catch up with you later."

Eddie left them to it, knowing that he had to put in motion his plan.


"It'd be weird to see my name up here instead of yours," Eddie said as he leant against the door frame.

"So you are going to go for it?"

"Just thinking of the kids. As little change as possible would be better for them."

"I'm glad."

"Look, this whole thing with Bolton." He said as he walked into the room. "Why don't you let me deal with it? I mean, me and Paul have always had an understanding. Might take a bit longer than five hours to sort."

"No, I've…"

"Rachel, maybe you've done all you can with Bolton. Let me try."

He could tell that she was reluctant but she did nod at him.

"Maybe you're right. I just didn't expect him to come full circle."

"Don't worry. I'll sort it."


Eddie could only smile at the extremely annoyed Rachel Mason coming his way. Her annoyance matched his on the day that she tried to convince him to stay and he felt like his little plan was working. Either that or it was about to blow up in his face.

"I am still the head of the school Eddie." She almost shouted at him.

"I don't know what you mean."

"Very funny. I know exactly what you are trying to do and just because it worked on you, doesn't mean it will work on me."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

"So your whole teaching career is going into a plastic box? Rachel, I fought for you to keep your name on the door. I am not about to let you walk away from the career that you were obviously born to do."

"You are infuriating."

"Good. Because, as I told Ralph, this is your school. Not mine."

"Maybe you will just have to get used to that thought." She said as she started to walk away from him.

"What about the kids? Hey?" He said as he followed her. "I bet if I passed it around the student body, they would quickly make a stand. They did for Jack and you are more worthy of a student protest than what he was."

"Because that will make things better."

"Jack had a kid die on his watch as well. Donte and Chlo were responsible for the death of Adam Deardon. Izzie Redpath was murdered in the car park."

"That doesn't matter."

"All I am saying is, you are not to blame for Maxine's death. Whether you threw Earl out or not. It could have still led to the same outcome."

"Could. Eddie. Could have. Why shouldn't I be allowed to fall on my sword when I make a mistake?"

"Rachel…"

"Eddie." She said as she turned to him, putting a stop to both their movements. "This isn't a decision that I have come up with for the last week. I've been thinking it for a while. Maxine's death has just highlighted it. I… I don't trust my own decisions. Maybe… Maybe you shouldn't have fought Ralph for my job."

"What do you mean?"

"Ever since the fire, I have been making stupid decisions. First the Kellys then Melissa and worst of all you."

"Me?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

The question stopped her, like she hadn't realised that she had said it. Or maybe she just didn't want to say, or confirm to him, what her stupid decision was over him. He could guess but he did want her to say it.

"Just forget it, Eddie." She said as she turned from him.

He grabbed her arm to turn her back. "You can't say something like that and then just tell me to forget it."

"I can."

"What stupid decision did you make over me?"

He could guess her next words, but he didn't expect her to leant forward and kiss him. By the time he felt like he could react, she had pulled away and put a couple of paces between them. She was visibly upset and all he wanted to do was comfort her.

"See. Another bloody stupid decision."

He let her go, not really knowing what else to do.


"Mate, you need to find Melissa and fast," Tom said.

"Why?"

"I know Steph really isn't gossip central at the moment, but the rumour is that you and Rachel kissed."

Eddie felt like Tom was going to say more until he had made it obvious that was more than just a rumour.

"You are joking me right?"

"Where is Rachel?"

"Haven't you heard? Paul confessed to her that him and Bolton knew about the first gun. They've gone to try and see if they can get Denzil out."

"Right. Why didn't she tell me?"

"In all honesty, I don't think that is what you should be focusing on. You need to find Melissa."

"And say what Tom?"

It was just the way that Tom hesitated that made him think that this wasn't going to be okay. Eddie had seen part of the sisterly rivalry between them. He just didn't think that he would be in the middle of them.

"You better think of something quickly," Tom said as he nodded his head down the corridor. "I would say good luck but I know it isn't going to be easy. At least Lorna and Izzie weren't sisters."

Eddie turned to see Melissa walking towards him and he realised that he had equally made a stupid decision.


"Happy now?" Melissa said as Rachel entered her office.

"I'm sorry."

"You. You have always had it in for me. Can't stand it can you? The fact that I could, for once, actually be happy."

"Melissa…"

"I know you kissed Eddie."

"Melissa…"

"Don't bother trying to explain yourself. I've just had to deal with the lies that Eddie has fed me. I thought you actually meant it this time, when you said that you wanted us to actually be sisters. I thought I was getting my sister back. You've always been jealous of me. This just proves it."

Rachel didn't stop her as she stormed out of her office.

"I hope she is bloody worth it." She heard Melissa say before the door slammed closed of the antechamber.

There was only one person that she would have said it to and before she turned to him, she walked over and placed her bag on her desk. The day had been challenging enough without having to deal with all this as well.

"I'm sorry." She said as she turned to Eddie.

"You have nothing to apologise for."

"Sure?"

"You aren't the only one that has made stupid mistakes this term. I could give you a list. Like… I shouldn't have pushed you on the first day back."

"I shouldn't have pushed you away."

"I shouldn't have started dating Melissa."

"I shouldn't have said that I was okay with it."

"We could do this all night." He looked at her properly. "Just… stay Rachel. I… don't want my name on the door. I want yours."

"I'll stop you from wasting your breath. Bolton… I made a deal with Bolton and I am staying."

"Right." He cleared his throat. "Well, that is cause for celebration."

"I think we need to talk."

"Can't we celebrate and talk at the same time?"

"I suppose we can."

His smile made her smile. Part of her felt like she could put the last few weeks behind her but she knew that there was going to be a lot of agro regarding Eddie's obvious split from Melissa. But at least she felt like she could have her chance with Eddie. And that was worth staying at Waterloo Road for.