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Chapter 20: Working Things Out

Eddie could tell that even as Rachel sat down at her dressing table, applying makeup, that she was incredibly nervous. Even if he was trying to concentrate on putting his shirt on, he couldn't. Because his eyes kept drifting over to Rachel. And his mind kept drifting off and wishing that he could be there for her properly today.

The day that Adam officially starts at Waterloo road.

It was only a matter of time before Rachel noticed Eddie's eyes on her, and he couldn't help but smile as her eyes caught his in the mirror, giving him a knowing look.

He finished off buttoning up his shirt before crossing the room, making his way over to Rachel as she placed down her mascara wand.

Eddie's hands automatically went to Rachel's shoulders, lightly squeezing them and keeping his hands there. He was glad to almost sense the tension easing out of her body at his touch. But then it did make Eddie feel even more regretful that he wouldn't be there throughout the day.

He mentally shook himself as he realised that he had to stop thinking like that. Because it was just another what if, and there were far too many of those in recent years. Eddie just had to show Rachel, as he had been trying to do for the past week, that he would be there for her in mind, when not there physically.

"It still astounds me how well you know me, Eddie."

He was surprised to hear her speak, and realigned himself with the present as he looked back up at her in the mirror.

"I do think it's a mutual thing. But you are right."

Rachel paused before she spoke, no doubt smiling at his comment about mutuality.

"I just think that it's… one of the many reasons why we work so well together."

Eddie felt somewhat delighted as Rachel's hand briefly slipped over his, and they shared yet another smile in the mirror.

"I know you're worried, Rachel."

Her eyes flicked down to the table before reacquainting with his, suddenly far more serious and far less playful.

"I just… I don't know what to expect from Adam today. I mean, will he be professional? Or will he chance his arm at a repeat of last Monday?"

"Truth is, we won't know until today's over and done with. I'm just sorry I can't be there for you properly."

"Don't apologise Eddie. I know you'd be by my side in a heartbeat if it was possible, that's enough to keep me going."

"Maybe something else to do that too."

Eddie reached behind him where a photo frame holding a picture of him and Rachel at York lay. He was hoping that it would be something to constantly remind Rachel that he would always be there. Even when they weren't together.

She began to smile as Eddie passed it over to her, before completely grinning as she glanced down at it. Both of their expressions in the present matched those in the picture. Eddie was just glad that this little something could make Rachel happy.

"I thought you could… put it on your desk. Hopefully that'll remind you that I'm here for you Rachel. No matter what."

Rachel looked at him in the mirror with gratitude before standing up to face him.

Eddie would never not love the way her hand felt against his cheek, or the way she usually tilted her head as she looked up at him.

"Thank you Eddie."

Eddie could tell just how sincere those words were, and as Rachel looked back down at the photo, he was sure that it would bring her at least some form of comfort.

….

Rachel was dreading the moment Adam came to find her. Because it was bound to happen sooner rather than later. She had spent her day so far hiding away in her office, managing to get most of her paperwork done. It was unusual for her to spend so much time in there, Rachel preferred to be walking the corridors and overseeing the school.

But there was something about Adam that was bothering her. The way he had looked at her last week. Or the way his arm had gripped hers. Rachel could guess what his intentions were, but that didn't mean she was fond of them.

Rachel knew that she was on edge the minute she jumped as a knock was heard on the door. Something which she hadn't done since just after the fire, or when Stuart Hordley was sticking his nose in. And she certainly didn't appreciate that feeling being back.

She had a bad feeling about who was at the other door before she shouted for them to come in. So was somewhat relieved to see him making her way in, albeit looking rather irritated.

"Is everything alright Kim?"

"That new chef, Adam. Have you… given him the go ahead to start a healthy takeaway service for students?"

Rachel could feel her heartbeat beginning to race at the mention of Adam. Him not making an appearance had been too good to be true. This was obviously his way of getting to her.

She glanced across at the picture Eddie had given her that morning, just to settle her nerves slightly. But Rachel knew Kim was looking at her expectantly, and she was bound to guess that something was wrong.

Maybe now was the time to speak to Kim about this too. Maybe then Rachel would have someone in school to rely on. It would probably put Eddie's mind at rest as well as her own.

Because she had confided in her about the Melissa situation. She knew of everything that had gone on there. Ever since the persuasion and phone call, Rachel had felt somewhat comfortable to do just that.

"No… no I haven't."

Kim rolled her eyes, "well he's doing it anyway! His first day of all days."

"Kim I…"

It was then that the woman's facial expression changed, from angry to concerned in an instant.

"Rachel?" She implored, taking a step closer to the desk as she did so, "is something going on between you two?"

"Adam used to know me as…" Rachel brought her eyes up to meet Kim's, "Amanda."

Kim obviously knew Rachel fairly well, because she could tell now that something more significant was wrong. Rachel knew that from the way she grabbed a chair to sit down next to her, exactly as she'd done when persuading her to go to Darcy's party.

That seemed a lifetime ago now.

Kim didn't speak, just looked up at Rachel, evidently expecting her to continue.

"He and I were quite close. And… I didn't properly realise it at the time but… I think he may have had some sort of… thing for me. And maybe I'm starting to notice that… he still does."

Kim stayed silent for a moment, perhaps considering what to say, "there's more to it than that, isn't there?"

"I told you about my brother, Christopher. And his involvement in the whole Melissa situation."

Kim nodded her head slowly, signalling for Rachel to continue.

"When we were young… he and Adam became the best of friends. Christopher changed him for the worst. Kim, I think this all links back to Christopher, and him wanting revenge for what happened."

"Do you really think he would stoop that low?"

"I do. And… I think that, you know... Adam obviously has his own motives behind it as well."

"Rachel, what makes you think Adam still has a thing for you? Has something happened?"

Rachel looked at Kim, readying herself to explain last week's events.

"He waited for me… after the interview last week. Even… asked me for a drink."

"I see."

"I just… hate to think what he and Christopher could be planning."

"And do you know for certain… that this is linked to Christopher?"

"I'm not one hundred percent but… Kim, everything points to that. Adam's comments, the way he is acting around me."

"I think you need to find out."

"I think you may be right."

….

"Ah, Rachel, I was just going to come and see you."

She hated the way Adam smiled at her as she entered the kitchen. It was just so false. Everything about him was false. Rachel knew that he wasn't the person that he had once been.

She scanned the room before approaching him, not sure whether or not it would have been better if Rose was still present. She wasn't, and that panicked Rachel, but maybe it was better if this conversation was done in private.

"This… takeaway service that you're planning. Why didn't you come to me about it first and foremost?"

"Well, I didn't think that I needed to get your opinion on absolutely everything."

"Of course you do! Look, I am the head of this school Adam. You can't put into action something as significant as that without the go ahead from me."

"Do you have to be so controlling?"

"I'm sorry?"

"I've only been here a day, and here you are, breathing down my neck."

"I am here, because you went behind my back to put in place a scheme, that frankly, I don't agree with."

"Oh come on Rachel, more than a quarter of the kids in this school are overweight. The LEA brought me in to change that."

"I appreciate that you're here for a purpose. But I would also appreciate it, if you came to me about these things in the future."

"That isn't really why you're here though, is it?"

"That was the main reason, yes."

"So what was the other reason?" He questioned, inching closer as he did so. Rachel couldn't help the flinch as he touched her arm again. It was almost automatic, the way she put some space between them.

"Christopher."

"Your brother?"

Rachel knew that as Adam pretended to look confused, she had to find some sort of confidence within her. To properly confront him about this.

"Oh don't play dumb with me, Adam. You two were joint at the hip last time I saw you. And that was, what? Five, ten years ago."

Rachel didn't really like the way he laughed, but at least it caused him to lean back slightly, putting more distance between them.

"Don't tell me you've figured it out already?"

Rachel swallowed thickly, daring to believe that her worst fear was about to become a reality. Not a maybe, or a perhaps, but a truth.

"Figured what out?"

Her voice was far lower than it had been, Adam's suggestion putting to bed any of the ammunition she had found.

"That he is one of the reasons I'm here. Him and his… plan for revenge."

"It did… cross my mind."

"As clever as always. But have you worked out what's in it for me?"

Unfortunately, Rachel thought, she had. And she didn't like what it could lead to.

"Let's just say that I think I'm working out that… all those times you tried to kiss me when we were younger… or… or ask me out on dates, was a little bit more than just a school boy crush."

Rachel was surprised when he pushed himself up off of the counter that he had been leaning on, and walked towards the door. Obviously intending to leave.

He turned his head as he put his coat on, apparently intending on getting the last word.

"You just keep on putting the puzzle together."