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Now, you might be able to guess who Mollie's dad could be from this chapter.

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Chapter 26: The Latest Bombshell

"An emergency LEA meeting," Eddie said as he peered over Rachel's shoulder to read the email, "that sounds serious."

Rachel chewed her lip and agreed apprehensively.

"Let's just hope they aren't giving us the sack!"

Of course Eddie said it as a joke. He could tell from the look on her face that she was thinking too much into it, so he wanted to raise her spirits a bit. Yet from the way she flicked her head around to look at him and then stood up from her desk, Rachel had gotten the wrong end of the stick. It looked like this whole Mollie and Philip situation had put her on edge.

"Hey," Eddie spoke softly, placing a hand on her shoulder, "I was joking, Rach. Of course it's not that. You and I both know that you're the best thing to happen to this school. If Waterloo Road works, it's because of Rachel Mason."

He was pleased to see that a light smile graced Rachel's lips as she looked up at him. He wondered if she had noticed that he had spoken the same words that he did in the LEA meeting when she was wanting to resign.

"I really am overthinking this aren't I?"

"Yes!" Eddie chuckled, placing both hands on her shoulders now, "it'll probably be to do with the new intake for September, or maybe about the exams. Try not to worry."

"It's pencilled in for this afternoon. So luckily that doesn't give me much time to sit and think about it."

"Well there you go then," Eddie smiled, and he was delighted to draw up a similar expression from Rachel, "it's lunchtime now. So why don't we grab something to eat. I'm sure the time will fly by with my amazing company."

As Rachel laughed and nudged him with her elbow, Eddie hoped that the meeting wouldn't add anything else for her to worry about. Philip had become increasingly quiet since his confession the previous day. Eddie thought, and knew that Rachel was doing an incredible job with her nephew. But he also knew that she would be beating herself up about it unnecessarily. He just had to hope that this afternoon wouldn't make everything ten times worse. Yet whatever the outcome, Eddie would most definitely be by her side. He hoped that would be enough to keep Rachel smiling.

….

For Philip, his concentration levels were at an all time low. Ever since his phone call with Melissa the previous evening, he hadn't been able to stop the thoughts spinning in his mind. He had gotten away with doing as little work as possible pretty much all day at school, but now it was last lesson and he had maths. With Eddie. Philip was aware of Eddie's eyes on him, and he knew that he'd be able to tell that the whole Mollie and Melissa situation was on his mind. Even if he hadn't told Rachel and Eddie about the phone call.

Wouldn't it just make them more concerned?

Philip knew that Rachel would be overthinking the situation just as much as he was. So he worried that revealing what was said the previous night would tip her over the edge. The teaching role, the mention of Julie, Melissa's defensiveness - it was all enough to push Rachel's mind into overdrive and he knew it.

At the same time though, he needed answers. He craved to get to the bottom of everything. And Philip didn't think he could do that without the help of Rachel and Eddie. Maybe if he told them, they could figure something out together.

It wasn't until there was a knock on the classroom door that Philip refocused his attention on what was going on around him. Rachel was at the door. What had happened now? Did she somehow know about the phone call?

"Mr Lawson, could I just have a word please?"

Maybe Philip's mind had already been made up for him. Maybe Rachel had overheard him on the phone to Melissa the previous evening. Philip mentally shook himself. If it was that, she would have confided in Eddie straight away. She wouldn't have waited until the following day and she wouldn't have interrupted his lesson.

As Eddie told everyone to get on with their work, Philip realised that his mind had been made up. He had no other option than to tell Eddie and Rachel everything his mum had said. Not if he wanted to get to the bottom of everything. And it had to be sooner, rather than later.

….

Eddie could tell that Rachel wasn't necessarily happy with the outcome of the meeting from the look upon her face. That and the rarity with which she would interrupt his classes. He knew she would be wanting to speak, so just raised his eyebrows slightly and hoped that his expression looked reassuring.

"They… they told me that John Foster's school is closing. That means that the pupils need somewhere to go. Some of them are going to other schools in the area… but the majority are coming here. That means a full scale merger, commencing after the Easter break."

Eddie could sense the panic in Rachel's voice, and took a step closer. He placed a hand on her right shoulder, and longed to do more to comfort her. He knew that this wasn't a possibility in their current environment, so just hoped that she could glean enough from the slight squeeze of her arm that he gave. That and the words he was about to speak.

"Rachel, you're the best head teacher I've ever worked with. It might seem… daunting now, but we are a team, you and me. You'll gain the John Foster's pupils' respect just as quickly as you gained Waterloo Road's."

A smile began to form on Rachel's lips and Eddie guessed that it was her way of thanking him for the reassurance. As well as this though, Eddie sensed that there was more to this. But what?

"They're bringing in an executive head. To oversee things and...I just worry that… they're going to want to take over."

"So this executive head is going to have other schools to oversee, am I right?"

Rachel nodded, and Eddie saw as she realised that she was once again being a natural worrier.

"He's not going to focus all his attention on our school then is he?"

She shook her head now, agreeing with him and Eddie longed to bring her into an embrace. Just to reassure her that little bit further. But with them being stood where his year eleven maths class could see them, Eddie didn't think that Rachel would approve.

She seemed to sense his inner turmoil and laughed slightly. Eddie was glad, it was the first time that she had shown a true sign of happiness since knocking on his classroom door. Of course Eddie too had his qualms about the merger, but he knew that Rachel was capable of handling anything. And they were a team. They would always be the dynamic duo and they would always be at each other's side.

….

Philip's foot was tapping furiously as he watched the conversation unfold between Eddie and Rachel. He was surprised to see that pretty much everyone else in the class had continued with their simultaneous equations, as instructed. The more and more he thought about it, the more and more Philip just wanted to tell Rachel about the phone call. The thing was, he didn't think he could wait any longer.

Ignoring the confused glances, in particular from Bolton and Paul, Philip rose from his seat and made his way out of the classroom.

Instantly, Rachel and Eddie sensed his presence and turned to face him, both with questioning glances.

"Last night… I called mum. I spoke to her about everything."

Philip was aware of how random the statement sounded. But he also knew that if he didn't say it now then he might never say it. Straight away Rachel and Eddie exchanged a look. This in turn made Philip feel slightly guilty and re think over his reasons for not wanting to tell Rachel. She had a hell of a lot on her plate, and Philip was quickly realising that her calling Eddie out from his lesson was probably something extra for her to deal with. But there wasn't really a chance to turn back now. It would be worse if he lied about everything.

"Eddie," Rachel began, "you get back in there and I'll go and take Philip to my office."

"Rachel…"

"Eddie, I'll be fine honestly."

Philip heard a sigh from Eddie before he spoke, "if you're sure. I'll come and find you when the lesson is over."

Rachel nodded her thanks before turning to Philip. He once again felt terribly guilty. She looked on another level of worry. It was different from that expression of the other day. Philip guessed that she was just waiting for the next bombshell. That seemed to be the way things were going at the moment.