Rachel's BitterSweet 16 (Part 2)
Inspired by Allison quote: Ali on answering machine, "Hiya Rach, it's only me. Give us a ring. Nothing important. Just if you're 'round at the weekend we might take the little 'uns to Alton Towers-" *Rachel deletes voicemail. -S01E05
Inspired by Rachel quote: "Old trashy irrelevant me, what am I doing?" -S02E05
Inspired by Rachel quote: "I thought I was so grown up the first time I slept with a stranger... It's not like I was any brighter back then. Clearly I was just luckier. Any one of those times-" S04E04
(Minutes later. Rachel sits on the sofa. She's got a book and her walk-men, and is the first to be ready to go. Her father exits his room and the first thing she sees is the beer in his hand. She averts her eyes as he gets nearer.)
Dad: (shouts) Allison and Dominic. We're leaving in ten minutes. With or Without ya.
Dominic: (bangs on the bathroom door.) Hurry!
Allison: (shouts) You were already in here you should've done what you needed then. (Dom knocks) Piss OFF! (They continue to squabble through the door.)
Dad:(to Rachel) Get the travel-mugs and get some brew going for me and Ali. (she obeys) And you, if you want one. (She pauses a moment to look him over and then continues her task.)
Rachel: Cheers. (She takes three to-go mugs, plastic, with warn and varying logos and she begins prepping the tea. She peeks over at her father who as she expected begins looking at her stuff. He shows little interest in the book and touches her headphones.) I bought those with some of my wages. (He nods, taking a sip of beer and then ejects the tape. Allison and Dom's background noise finally stop. Rachel is nervous about her tape. It's the only one she has and if he damaged it there was no replacing it. It was a mixtape from Cammie. Another person no longer speaking to her.) A mate, a mate made that for me.
Dad: Hm. (He quickly puts everything away when he hears Allison emerge from the bathroom.) Rachel! (Rachel steps back as he rushes to her. He slaps her across the cheek.) Why the fuck would you do that? (she holds her cheek and is very confused.)
Allison: What's going on? (She watches her Dad dump a tea.)
Rachel: Oiy!
Dad: Remake your sister's tea!
Rachel: Wha-
Dad: I saw you spit in her tea. (Rachel's eyebrows lower. She looks to the disappointed Allison.)
Rachel: I didn't!
Dad: So you're calling me a liar?
Rachel: I wouldn't!
Dad: Ali's just looking out for you. For all of us and you're going to do something like that?
Rachel: I don't know what you think you saw but-
Allison: Don't bother Dad. I'll make my own tea.
Dad: Apologize to your sister!
Rachel: No. I haven't done anything!
Dad: So I'm a liar then?
Rachel: Yes, because I haven- (he slaps her again.)
Allison: (steps between them.) Just leave it Dad. (She glares at the red-cheeked Rachel.)
Dad: This is meant to be a nice day, for you, for all of us. And you're going to start this shit? (Rachel curls her hands into fists but keeps her head down. She didn't want another slap. A mark on her face and Allison might not let her go at all. He did this sometimes, pitting them against each other. Creating a drama to cause a rift between her and Allison. Unfortunately, Allison seemed to always fall for it and once she lost Allison, she lost her only ally.) I should just leave you here if you're going to be like that. Why should I spend my winnings on a spiteful stroppy little bitch?
Allison: Rachel, just apologize. (Rachel shoots angry glares at both of them. She hadn't done anything.) Apologize and Dad will still let you come.
Dad: Will I?
Allison: (huffs) It's her birthday.
Dad: (folds his arms) Go on then.
Rachel: (crinkles her nose fighting her fury and then forces a fake sweet voice.) Sorry, Ali. Sorry Daddy.
Dominic: (rushes in the room) Oh, thank god. I thought you left without me again. Dad said ten minutes.
Allison: Get in the car you two. (Rachel grabs her things from the sofa and her tea. Then she and Dom both step outside. To their father.) Are you driving or me?
Dad: I'll drive there. You drive back.
Allison: Alright. This really is awesome Dad. Thank you. (He jingles the car keys.) Can we stop at a cash point so I can deposit the money before we get to Alton?
Dad: Sure thing darling.
(Midway through the drive.)
Dad: Hand me another little shit. (Dominic knows this means him. He fishes a cold beer from the small cooler bag. He hands it to his dad. Rachel doesn't look up from her book.)
Allison: If you don't slow down, you'll be off your face before we even get there. (The car takes a sudden turn and Allison shouts.)
Dad: (laughs) Keep your hair on.
Allison: Where are you going?
Dad: Saw an advert for a Nando's and l'm bursting for the loo.
Dominic: Alright! Nando's!
(Everyone gets out of the car and goes to Nandos to empty their bladders and get some food. Their dad left them to order his and went to the car. Rachel and Dom come out with the food and drinks-to-go. Allison goes to the loo before heading back to the car. The family has already started eating in the car by the time she returns.)
Allison: 'Ere Dad. I spoke to the bloke there and there's a cash point across the road.
Dad: Right, good. Everyone strapped in?
Dominic: No.
Dad: Good. (He starts the car getting amused by their shock at his recklessness. He swerves across the road and even Allison grips the sides of the car. He lets out a laugh screeching to a halt in front of the cash point.)
Allison: You're drunk. (He shrugs) I'm driving from here.
Dad: Suit yourself. (He gets out of the car and walks over to Allison's side of the car. Allison looks in the middle console for her 300 pounds. She covers her face and closes the car door. She's pacing and the raised voice gets both Rachel and Dom's attention.)
Dominic: That doesn't look good.
Rachel: I bet he took it back. (They watch Allison point at their father in an accusatory way.)
Dad: No I swear. I locked it.
Allison: Well, if no one broke in the car then- (Rachel and Dom both stiffen when the teary eyes of Allison and the red drunk eyes of their father fix on them. Dom's door swings open.)
Dad: Which one of you little bastards took your sister's money?
Dominic and Rachel: Not me!
Dad: Empty your pockets. Now. Turn 'em inside out. (They both obey. Their pockets are empty.)
Allison: (wails) Oh, this is pointless. Someone must've got in when we were in Nando's. (she wipes at her tears and gets in the driver seat sulking. Their Dad still stands beside the vehicle.)
Dad: The car was locked, love. (Bends slightly to make eye contact with his son.) Was it you? You toe-rag? (He slaps the back of Dom's head)
Dominic: I swear to God it weren't. I didn't even know she had money!
Dad: (fixes on Rachel) You did! (slams Dom's door and goes to Rachel's side. He pulls her door open.)
Rachel: I didn't. I wouldn't. I emptied my pockets!
Dad: What about this? (He grabs Rachel's book and flips through the pages.)
Rachel: I was in Nando's. Same as you!
Dad: So what d 'you call this then? (He shows Rachel the 100 pound notes stuffed in her book. Her eyes widen and Allison cries.)
Allison: Rachel, how could ya? (Their Dad hands Allison the book and she counts the money.)
Rachel: (to Dom) Did you do this?
Dominic: (Re-emphasizes) I didn't even know there was money.
Dad: You thieving bitch. (Rachel looks back to their Dad just in time for a slap. He reaches into her side landing slaps on her arms and legs.)
Allison: You know how much this money means to me Rachel.
Rachel: I didn't. (She hides her face in her hands as her father continues slapping.)
Dad: She works so hard. To put food on our plates and keep a roof over your head. (His slaps turn to punches when he realizes the slaps are getting no response.) And you, ungrateful, irrelevant, sod. You steal from her! (He's pleased when he finally gets a yelp out of Rachel. Allison wipes her tears.) You're a bloody leech you are. Sucking our time, our happiness, taking her money! You're like your mum!
Allison: Dad, alright. (He lands a few more.) Dad please! (He finally stops and he slams Rachel's car door. Rachel opens the door and spits some blood. She bit her tongue. during the assault and stupidly caused her own bleeding.)
Dad: If we weren't already three quarters of the way there, I'd have Allison bring us back because you don't deserve a birthday treat. (Rachel swallows the bitter tasting blood. She was being set up. She fights back tears of frustration. This "Alton Towers" was too good to be true. She knew it at the start but she let herself believe it. Why?)
Allison: (gets out to deposit the money. She gets back in the car.) I can 't believe you'd do that to me. You see me after work, all the doubles I pull. I do that for you. For him. How could you?
Dad: She doesn't deserve Alton Towers. Turn around.
Allison: No.
Dominic: No! Please.
Allison: That'd be a waste of petrol and there's no need to punish all of us.
Dad: Fine. No rides then. I've half a mind to leave you in the car park waiting for us. (Rachel hides her face in her arms and cries quietly.) Are you? Is she crying? Has she really got the nerve to cry right now?
Allison:(starts the car) I can't see her face.
Dad: Dominic, I can't reach her from here. If she's crying you slap her mate. (Dom can see Rachel's tears; he also sees her doing her best to catch the blood from her mouth in the Nando's serviette.)
Dominic: She ain't.
Dad: Alright, good.
(Finally at Alton Towers. The family gets out of the car. In the light of day Allison can see some fresh red splotches on Rachel from the earlier backseat beating. Allison is still hurt to think Rachel would steal from her though.)
Dad: (locks the car doors. Points at Rachel.) When we get back, I expect you here.
Rachel: You're really not going to let me come in? (They can hear the roller coasters on the track.)
Dad: After what you did?
Rachel: But, I swear I didn't.
Allison: Leave it out Rach. We all saw the money IN your book. How did it get there then? Bloody magic?
Rachel: I don't know. I swear. (Her dad raises an eyebrow. She couldn't be sure if he was setting her up or if it was Dom. She had a feeling it was their Dad's doing since he made the false tea story earlier. It was all a part of his plan to punish her. She should have known Alton Tower's was never meant to be.)
Allison: (looks to Dom.) Be honest Dominic, you won't be in trouble. Was it you that put the money in Rachel's book?
Dominic: How would I? I didn't even know there was money. How many times have I got to say it?
Dad:(touches Allison's arm) C'mon, let's not waste any more time on her. She doesn't have the decency to apologize, I promise, (points at Rachel) when we get home you are in for a hiding.
Rachel: Whatever. I didn't bloody do it. (Crosses her arms.) So I won't apologize.
Dad'. When I'm done with ya. You will apologize to Ali.
Rachel: Actually, I will apologize to her now. (steps to Allison) Ali, I'm so so sorry that you're too gullible to use your own brain and figure this out. (A swift punch to the stomach knocks the strop out of her and she bends at the waist holding her midsection.)
Allison:(shoves her father toward the park) Leave it until we get home, yeah? Otherwise, someone might see.
Dad: Fine. Alright, let's go little-shit. (He drapes an arm around Dom's shoulders putting most of his drunken weight on the young boy as they begin the staggering journey to ticketing and the park. Allison gives the badly beaten Rachel and her sad eyes a final look of disapproval before following the family. When they're several yards away beginning to blend into the crowds of normal, happy families, Rachel slides down the side of the car and cries.)
(After a healthy sob, Rachel opens her book but loses herself in envy, watching rollercoaster tracks in the sky, listening to the distant laughs and screams of people zooming around at heights both physically and emotionally she may never reach. She can't believe he drove her all this way just to leave her on the gravel of the carpark like trash. She climbs on the bonnet of the car and holds her book over her head blocking the tracks out of view.
A few chapters later, Rachel's disturbed by Some nearby laughter. She sits up looking around and spotting A group of young men getting out of a recently parked car. One was pointing and laughing in her direction. She couldn't hear what he was saying to his mate but she lifts two fingers flashing them the "V sign". The laughing guy laughs more and the mate begins making his way over. Rachel looks past him. There were four of them in total. Not great odds.)
Guy: Hiya.
Rachel: (raises an eyebrow of intolerance) Hi.
Guy: My mate over there. (He points at the guy being ribbed by his other friends.) He thinks you're well fit. (Rachel laughs) He's just a bit shy, like. (Rachel looks past the guy in front of her to see the "laugher" in question.)
Other Mate: (shouts from a distance.) Is she a minger or what?
Guy: Nah, She's ace bruv. (to Rachel) Do you want to say 'hi' to him? (Rachel shrugs.) what's your name?
Rachel: (smirks) Suzy.
Guy: Right, c'mover then? (the "laugher" friend begins walking over.) I'm D. J. (the laugher finally reaches them and Rachel gets a chance to look him over. He's taller than Sean, not as built but handsome.) This 'ere, this is my mate Nathan.
Laugher = Nathan: Alright?
Rachel: Yeah. You?
Nathan: Yeah.
Guy = DJ: Nathan, this is Suzy.
Rachel: What were you laughing at just then?
Nathan: What? When?
DJ: He spotted ya. Said you were fit. I said he would be into the girl sitting in the carpark reading when there are roller coasters to be ridden. (Rachel does laugh at this which puts Nathan a little at ease.)
Nathan: What're you reading?
Rachel: It's called 'Fred and Rose'.
Nathan: Romance?
Rachel: No. Fred and Rose West, they were a couple in Gloucester who tortured and killed 72 people including their children.
DJ: (laughs) Fit but barmy! This bird is bonkers.
Other mate: (shouts) Let's get a move on.
Nathan: What're you doing out here and not- (gestures to the park.)
Rachel: Funny story.
Nathan: Go on.
DJ: Go on and hurry up. (He pats Nathan on the back for good luck and goes to join his other friends.)
Rachel: It's my birthday.
Nathan: Really? How old?
Rachel: (lies) 18. How old are you?
Nathan: 24.
Rachel: Right, well, this Alton Towers were meant to be my birthday treat but me sister and I got in a row on the way here so then she decided she weren't gonna pay for my entry.
Nathan: Bitch.
Rachel: I know.
Nathan: (shrugs) I can get you in if you'll go on a ride or two with me.
Rachel: (moves off the bonnet and leans in close to him.) It's my lucky day, yeah?
Nathan: Or mine. (Rachel can see his focus on her lips and brief glance at her breasts.)
Rachel: Let's have some fun then. (She kisses his cheek and he follows her as she walks over to meet his friends.)
(A few rides turns into a few hours. Being securely fastened into the rides, revealed to Rachel places on her body she didn't realize were hurt. However, the joy of the rides far surpassed her expectations. She couldn't remember the last time she laughed so hard or smiled so much that her cheeks began hurting. On one of the roller coasters her new mate Nathan dared her, instead of gripping the seat, or bar, or restraints for dear life, to actually let go. At the height of the ride he took hold of her hand and raised her arm above their heads, with a reassuring glance she freely lifted her other arm and Nathan did the same. The ride dropped them from the height of 104 feet and they flew down the track at speeds up to 50 mph. Up here, spinning in the air, hand in hand with this man she just met, Rachel felt optimistic. She could fly. She could be happy. The world was so much bigger than backseat birthday beatings and a sleeping bag on the floor. There was still so much fun to be had, adrenaline to be pumped, and kindness to be discovered. At this height, at this speed, her' Bailey Blues' disappeared. When they got off the ride Nathan told her how beautiful and at peace she looked even with her hair flying in her face. He pushed a strand behind her ear and snogged her.
It is now getting dark. The park is making announcements about closing.)
Rachel: I should get back to the car before my sister leaves me. It's a long walk back to Ashton-
Nathan: Or, she can piss off.
Rachel: (laughs) And what I stay here? Live in the park and get fed by tourists like the pigeons?
Nathan: We had two day passes. So, We're all paying our part, got us a posh suite in a hotel for the weekend. We leave in the morning. You could stay with me.
Rachel: (laughs) What for the rest of my life? Will you feed me like a pigeon and all?
Nathan: No. (He takes her hand and uses the other to caress her hip and waist.) For the night.
Rachel: Oh? (He kisses her again)
Nathan: I'll give you the money for a train back.
Rachel: (bites her lip and he presses his forehead to hers. She had a brilliant day with him and his mates but all of her instincts said going to a hotel room with a gang of blokes she just met was a bad idea. No one knew where she was or who she was with. She had no identification on her and her family probably wouldn't report her missing. She'd be an unsolved cold case.) I shouldn't.
Nathan: No, but you want to. (she smiles as he kisses her again.) C' mon. You're 18. We'll go to the hotel bar to get you your first proper grown-up drink. Really celebrate!
Rachel: Then what? (she kisses him, he'd be repulsed if he knew she'd only just turned 16.)
Nathan: Then, we go back to the suite. See where the night takes us. (He kisses her neck.)
Rachel: (she closes her eyes. He clearly could make her body feel good. She wanted that.) Promise you won't murder me?
Nathan: (laughs) You promise you won't murder me! You're the one walking around an amusement park with a Torture and Murder Manuel.
Rachel: (laughs) It's true crime. I promise I won't murder you.
Nathan: I promise I won't murder you.
Rachel: (kisses him. Lies) Better not because my Dad he's a detective.
Nathan: That explains your macabre fascination.
DJ: Suzy? Did my man here just bore you with his fucking Oxford vernacular? (He playfully punches Nathan's shoulder breaking up his and Rachel's intimate moment. Through the day she gleaned that they were all Oxford University students. All but Nathan were legacy students coming from wealthy alumni families. Nathan got in on a scholarship that gave him a monthly living and housing supplement. He essentially was the poorest in his lot of mates. Still when they found out Rachel's row with her sister was over a measly 300 pounds they all thought she was joking.) He can't shut it off. Everyone he meets needs to know he's brainy enough to be at Oxford.
Rachel: He's proud of himself. There's nothing wrong with that. Not all of us got Daddies to pay off entire admissions boards.
DJ: Oiy! My Dad died before I even finished my A-levels.
Nathan: Failed your A-levels?
Rachel: Alright not all of us got Mums to wank an entire admissions board to get our marks overlooked. (All the friends laugh.)
Nathan: So what d 'you reckon? Coming to the hotel bar with us? Or wander around the carpark hoping your sister became less of a twat?
Rachel: (shrugs. If her family hadn't left her, all she had waiting at home was another punishment. If they had left her, clearly they didn't mind if she was murdered. So why not take the chance to have a bit more fun?) Alright. I'll stay. (Nathan pulls his fist toward himself mouthing 'yes?) And you promise you'll get my ticket to Ashton?
Nathan: Promise.
Rachel: Alright.
Nathan: Right, LADS! We're taking Suzy to the bar. (the guys cheer.) Celebrate 18 properly. (some of the guys chant "Suzy" as they all begin to exit the park.)
Allison: If you don't slow down, you'll be off your face before we even get there.