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Chapter 17: Too Good to be True?

It was the weekend after the trip to see Philip that Rachel and Eddie found themselves walking along a beach with Michael. Albeit in the first week of December. But it was where Michael had wanted to go, so that was where they were. There was no refusing the little boy when he smiled.

The day had proved to be enjoyable, with the three of them wrapped up in hats, scarves and gloves. It wasn't long before Michael was asking for fish and chips, leading to Rachel and Eddie realising that they too were rather hungry. So they ended up in a restaurant on the seafront, Michael happily tucking in to his food and occasionally chatting away.

"He certainly looks happy," Rachel grinned as she looked at Michael and then back to Eddie.

Eddie paused for a moment, looking thoughtful whilst tilting his head, and Rachel had to wonder what about.

"So do you."

Rachel was unable to resist stretching a hand across the table to take a hold of Eddie's, all the while smiling, "that's because I am."

"So… is this you telling me you've stopped worrying about your brother now?"

Earlier in the week, Rachel had broached her worries with Eddie. She was convinced that he was having them too, no matter how much he had assured her that it would all be okay.

She sighed, "Eddie I… know what Christopher is like. There's no way that he's just disappeared. Whether Melissa is aware… that's another question."

"If he makes an appearance, then we'll sort it. With Melissa I… it's best to assume she's not. But I wouldn't put it past her."

"I do want to believe that she's turned a corner, Eddie. I really do. And then I… almost feel, you know, guilty for questioning that…"

Eddie paused her words, hooking a finger under her chin so that their eyes met, "you shouldn't feel guilty. It's only right that you do question it, after everything that's happened."

"Do you really think so? I mean, I'm never going to be able to build up a relationship with her again, you know, if something does happen with Christopher and it comes to light that she is involved. I know that for a fact."

"You're thinking about this too much. Maybe Christopher did just do a disappearing act."

"I wouldn't want to… place a bet on that," she shook her head, "I really wouldn't."

Rachel felt Eddie squeeze her hand in response, and she knew that he was thinking of something else to say. Anything else to say in order to put her mind at rest about this situation. But she did know his facial expressions, and when he was worried about something himself. Because they had both seen how spiteful Christopher could be, and how well he could wind Eddie up. His concern was easy to see, even with him concealing it.

Rachel stroked a thumb across Eddie's hand briefly, before removing it and running that hand through her hair.

"It just all seems too good to be true. That always seems to be the case once I have found happiness."

She could feel Eddie's eyes on her as she turned her attention to Michael, venturing into a conversation with him. The little boy's choice of topics never failed to make Rachel smile and distract her from whatever predicament she found herself in.

She almost felt bad for making the comment she just did. Reiterating the fact that Christopher was obviously on Eddie's mind just as much as hers, Rachel realised that she had probably only heightened his anxiety with her previous comment.

She couldn't even guess what her brother may be up to. All she knew was that he had disappeared, and Christopher didn't just disappear when Melissa was in the equation. The problem was that the vagueness of it all, gave Rachel's imagination far too much scope to conjure up the worst case scenario. She dreaded to think what that might be. But she was sure of one thing. That whatever happened - good or bad - she couldn't do any of it without Eddie by her side.

….

The topic of Christopher was pushed to the back of both Rachel and Eddie's minds as their working week began once more. It was one thing about being back with Eddie, she did still miss his presence at Waterloo Road. So much so that she actually looked forward to going home on an evening. Something which she would have deemed impossible just several months ago.

Even as Eddie marked at the table and she completed paperwork, it was just comforting to have his presence. To feel his leg gently resting against hers or to sometimes share glances across the table. Of course occasionally proving to be a distraction. But this time, it wasn't Eddie diverting Rachel's attention from her paperwork. Her laptop pinged, signalling an email. She frowned, it was odd to receive them past five pm, from anyone in school.

"That's strange," she found herself muttering, catching Eddie's attention as she opened the email.

"What is?"

"The LEA has emailed me."

"At this time? And I thought they were bad when I was there."

Rachel squinted as she leant forwards in her chair, continuing to read the email, "something about Candice resigning, moving on to new pastures. They want to bring someone else in and hold interviews as soon as possible. They've already started advertising the role."

"Just what you need then. And all that behind your back?"

"Well," she looked up at Eddie, mind racing, "good for Candice, if it's beneficial to her. A new job I presume."

"I suppose," he paused, "and they're just wanting… you to conduct the interviews?"

Rachel frowned, glancing back to the email, "that's the thing, they're bringing someone impartial in. For reasons unconfirmed in the email. And they'll get the final decision."

Rachel looked up from her laptop just in time to see the scowl on Eddie's face, "someone impartial as opposed to you? That only happens when you know a candidate… correct me if I'm wrong."

"No, you're right. I just… it must be someone I know."

Eddie shrugged and nodded, "know any chefs?"

It was then that everything seemed to click in place for Rachel. Or at least the worst case scenario part of her brain. She could all of a sudden see her brother as a seventeen year old, knocking around with his best friend Adam Fleet. But he had been Rachel's friend first and foremost. She had known him well, at the time, with there only being a year and a bit age gap between them both.

They had gotten on well, but that was before Rachel's brother had properly entered Adam's head. Before she left home, she remembered watching Adam change before her very eyes. From a respectable young man to someone almost a carbon copy of Christopher in terms of personalities.

Rachel had lost contact with Adam along with her family when she had finally decided to get away. But several years later, along with reconciling with Melissa, she had come across Adam Fleet once more. A qualified chef and nutrition specialist. Pally as ever with Christopher Fenshaw.

Maybe this time, the worst case scenario was far closer to reality than Rachel would have liked.