The talent show had come around quickly, Rachel was up in her office gazing out the window watching the children arrive to school, all dressed up in their own clothes, some carrying their instruments ready for the talent show, others were practicing their routine over on the field. Happiness overwhelmed her, she was proud of Waterloo Road and couldn't wait to see the children perform their talent, today was the first day she hadn't thought about Eddie Lawson.

Interrupting her from her thoughts and watching the children, Christoper walked into the office looking very anxious

"Now Rachel, are you sure you want to do this performance in front of the whole school and might I add staff? I mean it's not like you at all.."

Stopping him before he means to go on with reasons why they shouldn't do it

She laughed "good morning to you too, and that's exactly why I'm going to do it, your right it isn't like me to sing in front of 600 students and numerous staff.."

Chris went to say something and she held her hand up to stop him

"But that's why WE are doing it, it will be a laugh and what better way to end the talent show than for us to perform a duet and have the children hopefully applauding, possibly laughing at their headmistress and deputy. I want it to be memorable and I've never done this before"

"Oh it will definitely be memorable alright!"

She rolled her eyes

"Ok, I'll participate and sing with you, but you better not back out of this last minute and leave me doing a solo"

Raising her hand and placing the palm over her heart "me, I would never. Cross my heart, I will be there. Have you memorised the lyrics?"

"Rachel, it's a golden oldie. I'd be surprised if nobody knew this song"

Thinking about if for a moment

"Ok well I highly doubt majority of the students will know but when they hear the lyrics to what we're singing I just hope they know it's a hilarious joke and don't start rumours"

Rachel faced dropped and her lips cursed into a pout

"Yeah, come to think of it, it crossed my mind this morning that I did choose the worst song when it comes to being professional and it doesn't relate to us what so ever but it's too late to change now. Like you said, it's a joke and meant to be a laugh so we'll just go for it"

"Right" pulling at his collar

"Right, well I'm going to finish up here, meet you at the hall in an hour?"

"Yep. I'll go to registration. See you in a hour"

Closing the door behind him.

Damn why didn't I read more into the song before going for it, I only chose it because it took me back to when I was doing my NQT and witnessed the french teachers performing it for children in need and I thought it was hilarious.

Rachel started to go into panic mode as she hated when her private life got discussed throughout the school and hoped that the children and the staff wouldn't discuss this, thinking there was something going on between her and her deputy...again.

"Good Morning everyone and parents welcome to Waterloo Road. It's great to see all of you here today and what your children and staff have put together for us all.

Now before we start I'd just like to say thank you, thank you to each and every one of you, parents, students and teachers for making me so welcome in my first weeks here at Waterloo Road and for trusting me after the first term and to allow me to go on and pursue my goals what I had in place for this school, it's been a challenging couple of months for sure but we got through it, together as a family and I couldn't of done it without you.

I've always said to the students, you show me you are willing to try and I will support you. The respect I have for you all is beyond my belief and I'm so proud of each and every one of you"

Tears came to her eyes and she smiled

"Right I could go on but I'm not going to, so let's get this show on the road! Welcome to Waterloo Road got Talent, enjoy."

Leaving the stage and taking a seat at the front between Tom and Christopher, Ruby took over on the mic introducing each act, the first act being Danielle and Alesha with their dance act which wasn't choreographed that well but it was still great to see them participate. The next act was then followed by Carla.

After an hour, Rachel announced to everyone that there was refreshments outside the hall, put together by Candice and Rose. Everyone was allowed a twenty minute break, which then gave them a good ten minutes to get back in the hall ready for the talent show to go on.

Rachel was intrigued to see Phillips act, she had no idea what his talent could be, even though they lived together she realised she didn't know that much about him at all and thought that was going to change; she'd love her nephew to be more open to her about hobbies and interests not just personal stuff.

Ruby just called Phil on to stage, but he was no where to be seen. This made Rachel panic, everyone was looking round and still no show. Chris and Tom offered to go and look so Rachel could stay and enjoy the show but it didn't stop her from worrying.

Driving into Waterloo Road, it was odd to see it so quiet at this time of day, surely it was break time for the students or at least seeing some of the mischievous ones skipping out on lessons at least, but nothing it was peaceful, not a student on site. Parking up next to the canteen, he got out and didn't even think about locking the car doors and made his way into the school deciding to use a side entrance rather than the front and wasn't expecting to see a familiar face so soon

"Eddie! What are you doing here? We've been trying to reach you"

"Phil lad, I'm here to see Rach. Wait 'we' why have you been trying to reach me?"

"Me, mum, Rachel. Wait why are you here to see Rachel?" His plan worked he thought

"Yeah look mate, I went away for a few weeks to clear my head you know and I refuse to speak to your mum, there is nothing left to talk about. Anyway, long story short I threw my phone and it broke, bought a new one whilst I was away and yeah turned it on and received a text from Rachel and so I'm here. Now mate, it's been good to see you but I really need to go and find Rachel"

"Eddie Lawson" a familiar voice appeared down the corridor

It was Tom and a person who Eddie didn't know "Tom Clarkson, good to see you mate" bringing him in to a manly hug and shaking the other gentleman's hand "Eddie Lawson, ex deputy of Waterloo Road, nice to meet you"

"Ah Christopher Mead, deputy head of Waterloo Road"

Eddie got a uncomfortable feeling that he didn't like, the fact that a rather attractive man had taken his role. Was this jealousy?

"I've heard good things about you Eddie, you've been the chat of the staff room since I started"

"God, all good I hope"

"Why are you here Eddie?" Tom butt in

"Phillip you need to get to the talent show, they've been calling you"

"Shoot, sorry Ed I've gotta go. Come find me later yeah?"

"Yes mate, catch you later." Turning to Tom

"Talent show?"

"Yes talent show, Rachel' idea, she thought it would be a good way to end the term"

"Rachel, where is she I need to speak with her"

"Eddie, would you like to come with me I have something I'd like to run by you and then I'll take you to see Rachel"

Looking all confused and stared at Tom, Eddie decided to listen to Chris and follow him up to Rachel office.

Back at the talent show, Rachel was delighted to see Phil on the stage and she was surprised how well he did with his comedy act, never did she think that Phil of all people did comedy but this is what Waterloo Road was like, surprising her everyday and that's what makes her so proud, proud to be head teacher.

There was a couple more acts after Phil and whilst the judges were deciding who was the winner of the talent show was, it was time for her and Christopher to get onto stage but not a speech this time, this time it was something completely out of her comfort zone and as she appeared on stage that's when regret consumed her, even more so that Christopher was no where to be seen.

The intro music started to play and all eyes were on her, some children were gobsmacked and couldn't believe what they were seeing and if it was true, true that their head teacher was about to sing on stage.

Don't go breaking my heart

I couldn't if I tried

Honey if I get restless

Baby you're not that kind

The first verse of the song she sung solo and still no Chris. Where is he

Don't go breaking my heart

You take the weight off of me

Honey when you knock on my door

And then, there he was emerging from the back of the hall, Eddie Lawson, with a mic in hand singing the song with her

Ooh, I gave you my key

Woo hoo nobody knows it

When I was down

I was your clown

Woo hoo

Nobody knows it

The hall was up and cheering, clapping along, happy to have Mr Lawson back on school grounds.

At this moment in time Rachel was lost for words and Eddie could see that, so he carried on singing along with the lyrics, thank god he knew the song and also agreeing to this but this was his chance for Rachel to see that he was sorry and he adored her, he loved her so so much. As he was singing, he was walking down the aisle between the children and not taking his eyes of his sweetheart, he joined her on the stage and greeted Rachel with a peck on the cheek, blushing but didn't want to cause more scenes from the students she joined Eddie back in sync singing along to 'don't go breaking my heart' how I ironic she thought and that she needed to pull Chris a side later and tell him never to leave her on stage alone again, although she liked the presence of Eddie but curious as to why he was back and back to see her after all this time.

After the song had finished the students, staff and parents were up on their feet applauding them, the hall was full of cheers and whistles. Eddie bowed and so did Rachel, she was happy that even though Chris never joined in with the performance that it still went according to plan and everyone enjoyed because it was never happening again, it was a one off and she needed to get back into teacher mode before the children got used to this fun head mistress.

Ruby joined them on stage and thanked everyone for a fabulous day and they'd be announce the winners in thirty minutes, everyone was to leave the hall for more refreshments and be back in for the winner announcement.

In the mean time Rachel spotted Chris standing at the back of the hall, ignoring Eddie she walked down off stage and walked towards Chris, he already knew what was waiting for him

"Ok Rachel, before you start going off on how angry you are hear me out. I bumped into Eddie in the corridor, me and Tom found him chatting to Phillip. He mentioned that he was eager to speak to you and after all the stories I've heard in the staff room.."

"Stories, why stories?"

"Well yours and Eddie's history, it's not really a secret I don't think, everybody knows about you and Eddie from what I've heard."

"Ok, well get to the point Chris"

"Well I thought this song was probably more suited for you both and I didn't really want to do it anyway, so I thought Eddie would be up for it, Tom was quite surprised how quickly he jumped at the chance. I'm sorry Rachel, I thought I was doing the right thing.."

"Well you wasn't and you haven't. We promised each other we wouldn't back out and for you to make that decision when you don't know the story behind that history, nor does the staff they just go by what they see and make rumours. I like to keep my private life private and it stays that way, so for you to imply that I would thrive of this crazy idea you had and make your own assumptions you thought wrong.."

Rachel was cross, her face was red and fingers were pointing before she went to say something else, they were interrupted by a slight stroke on the back of her arm

"Rach.." Eddie said softly.