The doctor eventually, reluctantly, allowed Rachel to go home. They had tried to persuade her that she was not yet well enough, not yet strong enough to go home. Yet they could see how much distress it caused her to be in the hospital, and the impact it was having on her mental health. Knowing that she lived alone initially meant that going home was not a possibility they could consider, but Eddie's instant offer to stay with her removed that hurdle. He knew that this was his chance to step up and be there for her, and make good on his promise to do whatever it would take to get her home.
It was Steph who had made Eddie see how unprepared he was for Rachel's return home. Taking Rachel's key, he let himself and Steph into her house. Under Steph's instruction, he washed up Rachel's coffee mug and cereal bowl and set about hoovering the house. Awkwardly he opened her wardrobe, trying to choose something comfortable for her to wear for the journey home. He opted for casual, finding a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. Steph added some underwear, shoes and a hairbrush, and Eddie cursed himself for not thinking about this. Steph put fresh sheets on the bed and sent Eddie down to set the washing machine running. Finally, just when he thought he was ready to go and bring Rachel home, Steph opened the fridge and was greeted by a terrible smell of decomposing salad. "Go," she urged, "I'll sort this out."
Rachel had so been longing to be back in her own home, and had been looking forward to the moment she could spend the evening sitting on her own sofa with a coffee, before a long, hot bubble bath, and climbing into her own bed. But as she stepped through her front door, she knew it was not to be. She was so exhausted, she knew it would not be long before she fell asleep, and she just needed to get into bed before it happened. "Piggy back?" asked Eddie at the bottom of the stairs.
"No," she laughed. She may be weak, but she was determined to climb her own stairs . . . although she did accept the support of Eddie's arm around her waist. He pulled back the duvet and sat her down on the edge of the bed.
"I can't go to bed in my clothes," she said.
Seeing her battling to stay awake, Eddie replied, "I don't think you've got a lot of choice."
She wanted to argue but did not have the strength. Eddie undid her shoes and lifted her legs into bed, and she had no choice but to accept his help. Seeing her comfortable, Eddie turned to leave. As he reached the door, he thought he heard her say his name. Turning back, he saw an anxious look on her face. "I can't remember the last time I was in a room on my own," she said.
Eddie turned back and sat on the bed beside her and said, "I'll sit with you until you fall asleep," and saw her face instantly relax.
"Don't you have work to do?" she checked.
"Yes," he replied, "but I doubt this is going to take very long."
She laughed, realising he was right. In a few minutes she would be fast asleep, and he would be free to get on with the job of keeping her school afloat until she returned. She closed her eyes, felt him sit down beside her, his hand on her shoulder relaxing her, and fell quickly to sleep.
