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Chapter 3: Ascendancy
Rachel was more than grateful for the confidant aura which had returned as she walked into school on Monday morning. It was something she hadn't anticipated to feel, not whilst Stuart Hordley was on the scene. Having spent recent weeks worrying what the man's next move would be, when he would turn up, Rachel was well aware that her new contrasting attitude had everything to do with her deputy's support.
Speak of the devil, she thought as she caught sight of him walking up the stairs. It was impossible to ignore the electric thrill that passed through her when Eddie waited for her arrival at the base of the steps, smiling lopsidedly as she approached him.
"Good morning."
He scoffed, still smiling, "good isn't the adjective I would use. It is Monday after all."
"Hardly an example to set for the students, Mr Lawson."
Eddie nudged her with the lightest of touches as they began to ascend the steps, "just pretend to be enthusiastic first thing on a Monday. They're none the wiser."
She couldn't stop herself from huffing out a laugh, "Eddie."
Rachel guessed he was about to respond, from the way his head was titled, attention solely focused on her. That was before hearing the unmistakable sound of his phone ringing, sighing heavily as he brought it out of his pocket.
Eddie couldn't resist rolling his eyes upon seeing his ex's name on the screen, "Alison," he explained to Rachel with a second exhale, "just like last time. No doubt telling me I can't have Michael tonight. Fourth time in the past two weeks."
Rachel only had time to offer Eddie a sympathetic smile before he was holding the phone up to his ear.
"How did I know you were going to say that?" Rachel heard Eddie growl. She had to resist the urge to wince at his tone, "well no, you're missing the point," he sighed, "well what else am I supposed to say?"
Eddie huffed deeply as he brought the phone away from his ear, staring blankly at the screen for a few moments as his own thoughts began to run away with themselves.
The head and deputy's movements paused as they reached the door to the antechamber, and only when Rachel spoke his name did Eddie blink and hone in on her.
"Sorry," he rolled his eyes minutely, "when I said Alison isn't easy to talk to, I meant it. Ex really is the word."
Rachel felt her brow crease, curiosity rousing - knowing that aside from recent phone calls Alison and Eddie had been getting on slightly better. Albeit for Michael's sake more than anything.
"Is there… a problem?"
"Let's just day I guessed right. I was supposed to be having Michael this evening, I'm now not."
Rachel instantly felt a jolt of compassion for Eddie's current situation, she had been lucky enough to see his expression light up in the past few weeks, as he spoke of time spent with his son and the way he was getting to know him. Now, the man looked utterly disappointed, far too much like the way he had when speaking of Michael before Rachel had interfered.
"Did Alison give a reason?"
The question received an identical eye roll to that of a moment ago, "another new boyfriend apparently. She wants Michael to meet him."
"Well that hardly seems fair."
"It's just… like she's still blaming me. For not having an involvement in much of Michael's life so far. She just can't seem to get past that point."
Rachel's lips were parted, stance angled as she was on the brink of responding. Up until she watched Eddie's features shift, a confusing expression of an apology settling.
"Sorry Rachel," he confirmed, and yet her puzzlement lingered, "here's me babbling on about my life. How're you doing after Friday? Heard any more from our favourite builder?"
Rachel couldn't help but smirk at Eddie's sarcasm, glad that his wittiness could pretty much always put a smile on her face - no matter the circumstances. Felt more prominently than that though, a mix of emotions swirled within her. Seemingly Eddie was just continuing to show the lengths to which he did care, and Rachel couldn't deny how amazing it felt to notice her own trepidation melt away with his support. She was certain now, that her deputy would be by her side no matter what.
"You really… don't need to apologise Eddie. Fortunately Stuart hasn't made any more contact, although I am expecting him today, what with the building work starting," she paused, both drinking in and cherishing Eddie's comforting demeanour, "I think I've got time for a coffee now if you like," she said as she gestured towards her office, "we can both have a rant, then you have no reason to feel guilty."
Eddie gratefully returned Rachel's smile, content at the prospect of them confiding in each other. They only seemed to be getting more and more congenial with one another's presence, their personal and professional relationship furthering as the days passed. Eddie hoped that following Rachel speaking to him of her past, and him now knowing about Hordley, that closeness would be even more distinguished. And maybe somewhere along the way, Eddie would locate a point where he could tell Rachel how he really feels.
….
With lunchtime almost rolling around, Rachel knew that she should have been feeling relieved that Stuart hadn't made an appearance. Yet she couldn't quite bring herself to acknowledge the lightness to her shoulders.
The doom and gloom was bound to set in at some point or another, and either way, Rachel wouldn't, or more so couldn't, let herself relax. Not with the danger of Stuart walking into her office unannounced.
It was the only reason Rachel could come up with as to why she almost jumped when her door swung open shortly after the phone had rung. Rationally, even though Rachel knew that Stuart preferred to make an appearance randomly, he tended to knock. Which was ironic, given his lack of politeness in every other sense.
No, the only person who Rachel didn't mind simply walking into her office, the only person gravitated to do that, was Eddie. So an upturn was already gracing her lips as she glanced towards her deputy, casually thinking how it had only taken him around thirty seconds to get from his classroom to her office. Rachel didn't mind one bit - quite the opposite in fact.
"Hordley not been here to stick his nose in?" Eddie found himself asking as he leant against the side, the way Rachel had tensed up before realising it was him entering, not going unnoticed. He knew her well enough to presume that it was Stuart Hordley putting her on edge. Eddie only hated the bloke more for it.
Rachel shook her head languidly, sighing, "nope."
"Are you okay?"
Eddie watched as Rachel hesitated for a moment, weighing up whether or not to share her worries with her deputy. Frankly, she knew she was being silly, jumping every time someone knocked on her door, or every time the phone rang - it was a far cry from the composed headmistress she portrayed herself to be.
Did Rachel really want to relay all of that to Eddie?
And yet, above all that, was a tiny voice in the back of her mind saying that, truthfully… she did.
Eddie himself could practically see the turmoil Rachel was feeling in her expression - the conflicting opinions, her discontent at showing vulnerability. But with another sigh from her, he allowed himself to believe that she would continue to open up, much like she had done that morning.
"I don't know if it's worse that Hordley hasn't shown up," Rachel paused, taking in Eddie's furrowed brow and knowing that she had to elaborate, "well what I mean is, I'm still expecting him, and it doesn't exactly help that my breath catches every time the phone rings… or… when someone knocks on the door."
Realisation swept through Eddie, and he immediately felt guilty, "Rach… I'm sorry, for walking in like I did. I should have knocked, or called out."
Even as worry crept through him, Eddie was more than reassured by Rachel's smile and her kind eyes, "don't worry yourself. I don't mind, not when it's you."
Eddie tried to hold back the slight flush that threatened as he and Rachel's gazes lingered on one another for a moment longer than necessary, but he couldn't. This was all before she looked away, adjusting some of the paperwork on her desk.
Rachel's heart was thumping in her chest - she had been unable to stop the words before they came tumbling out. I don't mind, not when it's you. And it would have been impossible to miss the glee that graced her deputy's expression because of it. Still, the feeling was a familiar one, having made its appearance on several occasions - particularly following on from Eddie's 'to you, yeah' comment or the way she had fixed his tie, and more prominently, linked with his unwavering support in recent days.
Though it was only a few moments before another accustomed feeling replaced that warmth, ice crashing through Rachel as a sharp knock was heard. There was no mistaking it, and Eddie wanted nothing more than to give Stuart Hordley what for if he awaited them. It would have been almost impossible to push down the outrage he was feeling, especially when noticing the way Rachel's whole body had frozen up, her eyes wide.
"Come in," she managed to blurt out, almost stumbling on her words.
"Well, two for the price of one."
Sure enough, there was Stuart, smirking as he took a few steps into the office, tilting his head at Eddie before he allowed his gaze to settle on Rachel.
Rachel's eyes darted from Eddie and then reluctantly towards Mr Hordley, not missing the way her deputy clenched and unclenched his fists, hoping that he would manage to contain his fury, but secretly giddy that he would be willing to defend her.
"What can I do for you Stuart?"
"Oh I've just come to visit my favourite headmistress and deputy. Although, maybe I should be offended following on from your sudden disappearance on Friday."
Rachel was already panicking beforehand, of course, but seemingly this particular comment had her at a loose end. Eddie sensed this, purposefully searching for Rachel's eyes and glad when he met them, shooting her a glance he hoped she could read.
Rachel knew what Eddie was doing, and it was working - undoubtedly. Somehow she felt stronger in her deputy's presence, more able to stand up to someone who was frankly, her worst nightmare.
Stuart himself coughed, obviously sick of the silence that had evaded, "I'd like a word with Rachel in private, if you don't mind Eddie."
"Eddie's my deputy. Anything said to me can be said to him."
Rachel spotted Eddie's expression which could only be described as one of pride, and she sat up straighter because of it, allowing her smirk to grow wider.
"Have it your way. But perhaps Eddie can explain why you both had to jet off. The good food and good wine wasn't exactly ideal without the good company."
"Rachel wasn't feeling too good, said I'd drive her home. You were taking a while at the bar, so we figured you could jump to your own conclusions."
"I suppose with all that illness, Rachel didn't have the time to explain to you… the little Amanda situation."
Stuart's eyes flicked over to hers, both full of anger and a glint of misbehaviour. Yet instead of feeling desolate or anxious as to what the man would blurt out, it was where Rachel recognised she and Eddie had somewhat of an upper hand. For all Stuart knew, her deputy was clueless of her past and the blackmail. But thanks to the recent weekend, that was no longer the case.
With just one look at Rachel, Eddie knew she had clocked on to their newfound advantage. Now they just had to play along with it. With a rather satisfied smile shared with Rachel, he gathered she had grasped his way of thinking.
"No erm, care to explain Stuart."
Even with a grin threatening to break out upon Rachel's lips at Eddie's tone of voice, she couldn't deny that the way Stuart stepped closer to her desk, leaning on it before looking towards her deputy, still unnerved her.
Rachel just had to remind herself that Stuart would be filled with surprise when he noticed that Eddie would be very much by her side, despite her past. Hardly what he'd be expecting, Rachel pondered.
"Rachel has a copy," Stuart spoke as he brought some documents into display, which Rachel automatically presumed to be the article along with information of her name change. Everything she had already told Eddie. Little did Stuart know, "but I'll give you the honour of having your own. Because there's plenty more where that came from."
It wasn't the most relaxed time for Rachel to be putting her acting skills to the test, yet as she glared at Stuart with as much horror as she could muster, she didn't detect any suspicion in his gaze.
"I'll be in touch, Amanda."
The name sent a shudder through her instantly, and Rachel could only seek comfort in Eddie's caring demeanour.
With Stuart gone, Eddie couldn't hold back the glee any longer. He grabbed a chair, rounding the desk to sit adjacent to Rachel.
"He'll be expecting us as arch enemies next time he turns up."
Rachel huffed out a laugh, Eddie relaxing her with his wittiness becoming a repetitive thing, "little does he know."
"Let's just hope he'll leave you the hell alone now."
She sighed, "I doubt it. The staff will be his next target to tell."
"Do you really think so? I mean, he's got what he wanted, hasn't he?"
"I guess so," she ran a hand through her hair, "but why tell you?"
Eddie chewed on that for a brief second, shrugging a shoulder, "to get to you. One final nail in the coffin."
"I fear it's only the first."
Rachel's stomach churned uncomfortably as she leant back in her chair, mind racing at the lengths Stuart Hordley would go to in order to ruin everything she had worked for.
"First or last, we'll deal with it together."
Her eyes flicked up to Eddie's, breath catching, "I really don't deserve you, you know."
For one moment, all Eddie wanted to do was kiss Rachel. To simply just cup her cheek, lean forward and press his lips to hers. Only the doubt was setting in, and it was too soon, wasn't it? The last thing he wanted to do was push Rachel away, especially when she had started to let him in properly.
"Rach… I could say the same to you. I'll never be able to repay you for everything you've done with Michael."
The smile she gave only had Eddie stumbling back down his previous train of thought, before mentally kicking himself as Rachel began to speak once more.
"You don't need to repay me, Eddie."
"We will sort out this business with Hordley, Rachel."
Even as Rachel nodded, a thin tendril of worry travelled through her body, and she knew that Eddie would be all too aware of her apprehensions. It was just a mark of how well he'd gotten to know her in recent weeks. And Rachel's gut feeling was that she'd only continue to do so.
There was one thing for certain - she was going to need Eddie's support as long as Stuart was around, it was just a question of how much Rachel would be prepared to lean on him.