Rachel listened dutifully as Stuart droned on about the changes he wanted to make, shocking herself at just how sickly sweet she made her replies. It was as if she had always meant to be there, but she knew it raised a few heads with the scathing looks Stuart was throwing her way. Luckily she had Colin on side if any questions were raised, and she definitely could play along if asked by anyone else. Stuart stumbled a few times as he caught sight of Rachel still sat there, throwing him off from his thought process as it was an extra body he didn't imagine to be there. But with each roll of his eyes, Rachel felt herself sitting higher. He was clearly uncomfortable with her being there, and that thought alone left her gleeful that she was able to give him a taste of his own medicine.

It wasn't long before the break was called and all members around the table broke off to get their caffeine fix, but Rachel stayed glued to her seat as she knew Stuart would be over before long. She was right, and the seat that was previously occupied by Colin was suddenly filled with his body. "What are you doing here Amanda?" His words were pure poison, but there was a hint of worry laced in his voice.

Rachel took great joy from being able to ruin his plans so dramatically, and simply rolled her eyes as she faced him. "This is my school Stuart, did you really think this could happen without my say so?" She hoped she sounded cool and collected, wanted him to think she'd known what he was planning for a while. She glanced over at Colin, who showed no signs of returning as he engaged in conversation with another board member. "I asked for a meeting with someone from the LEA, and they were furious to find out I wasn't invited to such an important meeting. Such a silly mistake to make Mr Hordley." She didn't think it was possible, but Stuart's face turned beet red with anger as she continued to taunt him.

"You have no idea what a mistake you've made." Stuart tried, but knew his argument was pretty pointless. He had made a mistake in calling this meeting, why had he let Steph talk him out of his original plans. Glancing another look at Rachel, he wondered if she'd been let in on his little secrets that he'd shared with Ms Haydock. But a memory of Steph spewing words of venom against Rachel came back to play in his mind, and he knew he had a true confidant in her.

Rachel shrugged, looking away and knowing she needed to leave before it got any uglier. She'd accomplished what she wanted to, had riled Stuart up and made a point of embarrassing him in front of the LEA. She'd be stupid to stay and cause more trouble for herself. "I'll be off. Good luck with your plans Stuart, the academy sounds like it's coming along perfectly." She announced loudly, making a show of smiling at him before walking towards the group that were mingling around the coffee. She claimed an issue back at the school and apologised for having to run off, then quickly made her way out towards her car for a breather. It was a great feeling to have caught him out in such a way, but knew she didn't have long before he put his new plan into place. He was now furious with her, would want to out her in the worst way possible. Hopefully with Steph's insider knowledge, they'd know when. They just didn't to know exactly what to say when that occurred.

The middle of the school day usually ensured that the vast majority of students were either safely sequestered in a class or the library, meaning that the last thing Rachel was expecting was to run across any as she parked her car up and headed back into the building. Of course, that was quickly scuppered when she rounded the corner, and came face-to-face with Bolton.

His eyes widened, and he looked as surprised as she felt. "Why aren't you in class?"

"Er…"

She raised an eyebrow. "Well…"

"Sorry miss."

She didn't miss the fact that through the whole exchange, he hadn't met her eyes and she pressed her lips together. One problem at a time. "Where are you supposed to be?"

"Mr Budgen's class."

She hummed. "Well, he'll hardly notice if you're not there for the rest of lesson."

His head snapped up. "For real?"

"One time offer, I assure you, and only because I want to talk to you. If I catch you again you'll go straight to the cooler."

He looked pleased. "Thanks miss."

"Bolton… I do realise that this must all be very uncomfortable for you," she said softly, and his gaze immediately turned to the floor again as he shrugged. "If it's any consolation, it's more than uncomfortable for me as well."

That seemed to bring him up short, and Rachel was reminded once more how many teenagers seemed to believe that their teachers had no lives outside of school. Bolton shuffled his feet. "Why does Hordley have it out for you, miss?" he blurted out.

Rachel bit her lip. Bolton was no longer just a student- not only did he know things about her that most adults in her life didn't, but he was actively lying to protect her, and about to do something that would cost him his job. "I'm not completely sure," she admitted, and saw the disbelieving, disappointed look on his face. "He's angry that we turned the tables on him and put his business in jeopardy. But I think he's angrier that… that I turned him down. Bit of a blow to his pride."

Bolton looked startled, but then a slow smile spread across his faced. "You turned him down? Good for you miss."

She hummed, cheeks hot as she looked away.

"Mr Lawson's a much better choice."

She whipped her head around to face him, eyes wide as her mouth dropped open. "What?"

He chuckled. "Was that supposed to be a secret too? You don't hide it very well. He had his arm around you where anyone could see the other night."

"Not having this conversation, Bolton." She just knew her cheeks had gone from pink to bright red, and she re-shouldered her bag. "I expect you to be in your next class."

"Yes miss. Miss?"

"Yes?" She paused, looked around at him and was undeniably relieved when he looked her in the eye.

He opened his mouth, closed it again. Shuffled on the spot. "I meant what I said the other evening," he blurted out eventually, and her gaze softened, emotion colouring her tone.

"Thank you, Bolton."