Thank you so much for the reviews. All of them put a smile on my face :) x
Chapter 8: Closest Thing to Crazy
The only thing in ear shot as Eddie marched through the school were his footsteps. Height of third period meant that classes were very much under way - disruption free. There's a first time for everything.
But the deputy head doubted that he would've picked up on any abnormalities had they been present. Frankly, he was too focused on finding Rachel, and relaying to her what Bridget had just pulled him to one side for.
It was by sheer luck that as he rounded a corner, the headmistress herself was in the midst of the corridor, chatting away to one of the history teachers.
Having not caught her attention as of yet, Eddie purposefully slowed his pace, taking the opportunity to appreciate the way Rachel's hair curtained her face as she laughed, or the way she gestured her hands whilst speaking passionately.
He should snap out of it, he knew, Eddie had more significant things to be considering than how much he adored the top Rachel was wearing that day, how he longed to feel the material on his fingertips.
"Eddie."
He felt himself blink rapidly, the woman's voice herself bringing Eddie from his reverie. When had she concluded the conversation with Lucy?
Seemingly, Eddie had been far too wrapped up in his own mindset to notice that Rachel had bid her goodbyes to the history teacher, having noticed her deputy lingering with something evidently on his mind.
"Sorry. Miles away."
"Is everything… alright?"
"Perfectly fine. But I…"
Rachel shivered as Eddie's entire expression shifted, his eyes darkening, "don't tell me Hordley's back on the scene? Before we've even had a chance to ring the council."
It was the morning after his little visit. After spending the majority of that time replaying the way Eddie had defended her in her mind, along with considering how she would pose everything to the council, Rachel had managed to half convince herself that the business man wouldn't be returning.
Eddie immediately felt guilt course through his veins, wishing more than anything that Rachel's query was a world away from the truth, "not exactly," he sighed extravagantly whilst Rachel eyed him with an air of curiosity, knowing that he had no choice but to explain, "Bridget said there's someone from Hordley constructions wanting to speak with you. Not Stuart himself though."
The headmistress wished that the relief towards not having to come face to face with Stuart was more substantial. Yet… how could it be? How could it be with a potential carbon copy of him lurking?
Taking a glance up and down the corridor, Eddie couldn't quash the urge to step forwards any longer.
His hands settled on Rachel's upper arms and proceeded to move back and forth in a circular like motion, delighting with the way she responded - eyelids flickering closed for the shortest of seconds, lips curving up into the slightest of smiles.
"How foolish was I to think that this would be over, Eddie?"
He didn't intend to cut the comfort off there, instead choosing to hook a finger under Rachel's chin, focusing her gaze solely on his, "you weren't foolish. We still have the advantage here, remember? One call to the council and Stuart potentially loses all his contracts."
"I'm not sure how advantageous that is now, Eddie. He'll still come after me, with or without the contracts."
"It'll show him that we mean business. Maybe he'll think twice about crossing your path again."
"I suppose so," Rachel paused as her eyes darted across his expression, feeling extremely unsteady about what this new arrival could mean, "did… did Bridget give a name?"
Seeing the look upon Rachel's face, Eddie swallowed thickly, wishing - not for the first time - that he could shield her from all of this, force Stuart Hordley to skulk away for good.
"Not a name. It's a woman… I thought it might be Tess at first. But Bridget said she's got blonde hair."
Rachel nodded once, hoping that the action could bring her some sort of control over the situation, even as an uncomfortable feeling gnawed at her stomach.
Focusing on Eddie's eyes, the way his hands settled on her arms, Rachel motioned her head again, wanting to get this ordeal over and done with - so that she and her deputy knew exactly what they were coming head to head with this time round.
….
The discomfort of her stomach churning had almost become a normality once Rachel had reached the antechamber. Her instinct was to turn and run, to ignore whoever this individual was behind the door and disappear off the face of the earth. Yet the trouble was, Rachel was in too deep now. She had far too many questions and far too little answers, not to mention her reluctance to potentially allow Stuart to ruin another individual's life much like he had done hers.
Only when Rachel felt the warmth of Eddie's hand sliding into hers, did she recognise that she'd frozen - stood stock still in front of a barrier between herself and the next mountain to struggle with.
"Do you want me to wait here?" Eddie welcomed her hand with a light squeeze, shifting his head so that his breath could be felt upon her ear and against her neck.
Rachel turned, ridding her brain of a thought which related to their considerably close proximity. She was sure her deputy had endured a similar musing, a tender smile forming on his lips as he awaited her answer.
Rachel hesitated for a moment, knowing she had become heavily reliant on Eddie's support, but conflicted as to whether she could lean on him that bit further.
"I…"
Eddie recognised Rachel's exact facial expression, her thought processes. He was all too aware that she would be toying with the idea of letting him in.
Knowing Rachel was unlikely to speak the words herself, but equally seeing she longed for someone to lean on, Eddie ran his arm up to the top of her shoulder, squeezing it before he spoke his next words, "I'll come in."
The lump which formed in Rachel's throat was impossible to ignore, swallowing thickly in order to vanish it before entering the antechamber with Eddie by her side.
Only, she wished she hadn't bothered. Not when being greeted with the sight of her younger sister.
"Melissa?"
Curiosity from Eddie intensified whilst taking in the tone of Rachel's voice. She was... surprised. And yet, evidently, Rachel knew this blond haired, smiley faced woman.
Eddie almost whisked Rachel right out of that room when that very woman spoke her next word.
"Amanda."
Minutely, Rachel turned her head towards Eddie, knowing that she would have the advantage of him being able to read her expression.
Just one smile was all it took, and Eddie's defensive demeanour seemed to melt, his eyes softening as he put his trust in Rachel's reassuring gaze.
"Melissa it's…"
"Rachel, I know. But you'll always be my big sis Amanda won't you?"
Eddie felt his eyes widen, mind racing as he questioned what on earth Rachel's sister had to do with Hordley constructions.
And then it dawned on him. Not entirely… but. This Melissa character looked strikingly similar to the receptionist he'd come face to face with just a few days ago. But that didn't explain her appearance now. What did she want, had Stuart sent her?
Yet this ran far deeper than Hordley constructions, he knew. This was about a strained relationship between Rachel and her sister, which Eddie was somewhat aware of. The last thing he wanted to do was intrude, yet equally, the last thing he wanted to do was rip away his support.
Tapping Rachel on the back with the lightest of touches, he caught her attention. Knowing that, much like she had done moments ago, he could portray his thoughts to her with just a look.
"I'm going to get on with some marking."
Rachel couldn't stop herself from catching a hold of Eddie's arm discreetly, showing her appreciation having understood completely where he was coming from, "thanks, Eddie."
Following on from Eddie's departure, Melissa evidently stepped forwards. Rachel herself couldn't quite believe it. Here was her younger sister, who, fifteen years ago, had been entirely opposed to Rachel's new identity, her new life. She hadn't been able to accept the reasons for it, and frankly, the elder sister doubted she ever would.
As Melissa tilted her head, Rachel already knew she wasn't going to like what she had to say, "who's he?"
There was something in Melissa's tone that triggered a queasy feeling within Rachel, so much so she had to hold back the urge to shudder.
"Eddie? He's my deputy."
Melissa raised her eyebrows in disbelief, laughing, "yeah right. I know a woman in love when I see one."
Wanting to diffuse this particular conversation as swiftly as possible, Rachel raised a hand, praying to whoever would listen that her cheeks hadn't flushed - something which would undoubtedly give her away.
"You and I both know you aren't here to talk about my love life, Melissa. Let's take this to my office, shall we?"
The smirk on her sister's face as they switched locations to the sofas, didn't quash any reservations Rachel had. This had to be about finding out what on earth Melissa had to do with Stuart, and why on earth he had so obviously sent her here.
"So I hear you work for Stuart Hordley?"
"Yep. I'm one of his receptionists. Not your silly kid sister now."
Rachel resisted the urge to sigh, forehead creasing as a second resort, "clearly not."
"Aman… Rachel, he's a decent bloke. You can trust me on that."
"I'm not sitting here to listen to your lies Melissa, I know exactly what type of man Stuart Hordley is, thank you very much," she paused, taking in her sister's baffled features, "just, why are you here? He's sent you, is that it?"
Melissa's face told it all, "he knows that you and I are sisters. Thought I'd be the best person to smooth it over."
"Sisters who haven't seen each other in fifteen years."
She waved a hand, "that doesn't matter. Stuart wants me to persuade you and Eddie to not go to the council."
Rachel just knew she was scowling, "oh, Melissa. What have you gotten yourself into?"
"You're one to talk."
She closed her eyes, willing at least some of the anger to dissipate, "that was twenty years ago Mel. This is the here and now. Stuart Hordley is the here and now. And I'm afraid Eddie and I aren't letting him get away with his little empire built on lies."
"But - ''
"No buts Melissa," Rachel stood, making her way over to the door before opening it, "I'm sure you can report back to Mr Hordley. Let him know that we'll be handling this in a way we see fit. "
Melissa didn't speak until she had crossed the room, stopping to stand directly in front of her elder sister, "my visit isn't just about Stuart."
She swallowed, resisting the urge to snap, "what else is it about?"
"I've missed my big sister. My phone number, here, take it."
Even as she did just that, uncertainty overpowered Rachel, not believing for a second that her sister had simply moved past everything, "Melissa…"
"I'm over your past Rach, really, I am."
Immediately Rachel held back her wince at Melissa's use of 'Rach,' noting how it seemed entirely wrong coming from her as opposed to Eddie. Then, the second wave of disbelief hit her like a truck.
"Your little comment only a moment ago tells me otherwise."
"That was just a blip."
"A blip? Melissa… I'm not playing games with you. Either, you've come to terms with it or you haven't."
"You've got a nephew."
That brought Rachel up short, an emotion entirely different to their current discussion settling in her chest, warmth radiating from her heart, "a nephew?"
Melissa modded, "yep. Philip. Coming up fifteen. He wants to meet his auntie."
"I would love to meet him."
"Just not me?"
"Your involvement with Hordley… I…"
"You don't trust me."
"I'm sorry Mel. It's just… whilst you're working for Stuart, you and I can't rekindle any form of relationship."
Taken aback as Melissa simply nodded twice, walking away with a single utterance about not going to the council, Rachel closed the door with a slight slam.
She couldn't stop herself from allowing her head to roll back against it, willing the tears not to come. It was both daunting and weirdly fitting that her thoughts seemed to fill with Eddie once they had been exhausted with ones of Melissa and their childhood. Rachel needed him, she realised.
The recognition snatched her breath away, caused her to shove herself up off the door and make the short journey from her office to Eddie's classroom. Where she knew he'd be waiting, because he said he would be. And Eddie wasn't about to let her down as Melissa had done countless times.