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Chapter 16: Plummeting
Eddie couldn't stop the smile from breaking out as he inserted his key into the door; the thought of sharing a home with Rachel would never not cause content to crash through his veins. This was clouded considerably however, by the sight that met him.
Multiple thoughts crossed Eddie's mind upon taking in the scene before his eyes - Rachel slumped on the floor in the hallway, head in her hands with her back curled over, frame shaking every so often.
Eddie followed his instinct and was beside her in seconds, longing to question the roots of Rachel's upset, yet seeing comfort he could give as superior importance.
She didn't look up as Eddie engulfed her in his arms, instead burying her face into the depths of his jacket.
Rachel didn't think she'd ever clung to Eddie so tightly, her knuckles turning white as they gripped the lapels of his jacket.
"Stuart was here," Rachel mumbled, on the verge of inaudible.
Eddie himself almost dismissed it as too absurd, yet deep down knew his ears certainly weren't playing up on him.
He just knew his body was tense, full of a blatant anger which Stuart always seemed capable of provoking, especially where Rachel was concerned.
Pulling his head back slightly, enough to maintain the close proximity, but give him the advantage of gazing into Rachel's eyes, Eddie almost didn't want to pose the next question.
"What did he want?" Eddie spoke lightly, tone soft as an attempt to not betray just how much fury was crashing through him.
Rachel allowed her head to droop forwards, taking an immense amount of comfort from the feel of Eddie's shoulder as she rested her forehead upon it. Not wanting for one second to mentally re-live the way Stuart had pinned her against the wall, Rachel honed in on the warmth of Eddie's embrace rather than Hordley's callous words as she began to speak.
"He threatened me, wants help with… with setting up a new business. Five thousand pounds worth."
Eddie clenched his jaw together, shaking his head in utter disbelief, "that man has a lot to answer for."
"I tried to fight back Eddie I… I told him he didn't have anything against me now, what with, you know, my past out in the open," Rachel paused briefly, smoothing her hand down Eddie's chest, "and do you know what shook me? He didn't seem phased by that, not in the slightest, didn't even falter."
A horrifying thought bombarded Eddie's brain, "did he hurt you?"
Rachel's lengthy pause spoke volumes, told Eddie everything he needed to know - her shaky breaths and continuously tight grip solely screaming the answer.
"Rachel?"
Only then did she raise her head, the dull ache and sheer heaviness doing nothing to dilute the memories flirting around inside of it.
"I… he pinned me against the wall, grabbed my throat…"
"He what?!" There was no disguising his anguish now; an impossible task, Eddie knew, "we have to go to the police!"
"We can't Eddie! Don't you see? It all goes back to the reason he isn't currently living his life behind bars for blackmail or for… for arson. There's no evidence, absolutely nothing."
Eddie visibly slumped, his entire demeanour sagging as he drank in the desolate atmosphere. He felt truly hopeless, at a loss with how to help the woman he loved with his whole heart.
"I don't think… I can't stay here alone. During the day, Eddie."
The way she gulped, her terrified eyes, the sheer vulnerability of her tone, had Eddie wanting to shield Rachel from anything of potential harm, forever, "that's not going to happen."
Their eyes locked, and Rachel found herself wondering if this was an instance where she could read remarkably well.
"Tomorrow… I'll come with you. Tomorrow is the day I go back to work. Emotionally ready or not. It's the only way, Eddie."
….
Rachel allowed her head to roll back onto the seat, closing her eyes as she pulled up outside Waterloo Road, inhaling deeply. Arriving in a separate car to Eddie was something she was starting to regret. Even as they'd agreed showing up together would show suspicions amongst the staff - something they couldn't tackle amongst the Stuart debacle - the tension didn't leave Rachel's body until Eddie's car pulled up adjacent to hers.
The same, wonderful smile he always seemed to save just for her had Rachel climbing out of her vehicle on instinct, seeing Eddie just ten minutes prior doing nothing to quash just how glad she was to see him.
Walking up the steps into school, Eddie studied Rachel's expression and body language carefully; once more cursing Stuart Hordley and his presence in their lives. He didn't think he'd ever stop doing so.
"You know, I'd love to give Hordley a third punch," he leant down to Rachel's ear, discreetly brushing a hand across her arm, "it's his fault you aren't still resting."
Rachel focused on the warmth of Eddie's hand seeping through her jacket, on his heartfelt words rather than the way her head seemed to be spinning, or the sudden urge to snap back her response. She had to be ready, she couldn't rest any more.
Weakly flashing Eddie a smile as an alternative, the first few words in his utterance had her curiosity rising, "a third punch?"
He looked rather sheepish, Rachel pondered, shuffling on the spot as they paused briefly at the base of the staircase.
Scratching his neck, Eddie knew he was now struggling to suppress the satisfied expression from breaking out upon his face, memories of his fist crashing into Hordley's lip skimming across his mind.
"Yeah… when you said you'd hoped I told him where to go, and I said I did. That's… kinda what I was referring to."
A flash of something coursed through Rachel, Eddie's obvious care and defensive nature overwhelming her somewhat. Still, she found herself chuckling softly, getting lost in his eyes, "oh, Eddie."
He flashed her a knowing look as they began to ascend the steps, sides brushing together every so often, "and trust me, Rach. If I see the bloke again…"
"Eddie," she spoke softly, raising a hand to his shoulder.
He rolled his eyes playfully, knowing he would have to reign in his anger around Stuart once more. Not that he had succeeded the majority of times in recent occasions.
"I know. I'll just glare at him instead, maybe then he'll get the message."
Sighing as she collapsed into her chair, Rachel didn't miss the way Eddie was looking at her, a smile very prominent in his expression.
"Didn't feel right, you not sitting there."
His words paused her entire thought process for a moment, mind focusing on nothing but Eddie. Rachel soon snapped herself out of it however, eyes drifting off to be met with a reminder of the day's events.
"I'm just glad I'm going to be here for these head of extended service interviews today."
Eddie rounded the desk, placing his hands on Rachel's shoulders, "I suppose that's one positive. As well as…" he trailed off, lowering his lips to the side of her neck, delight crashing through him at the sound of Rachel's giggles, "me being able to do this."
….
Rachel was struggling to suppress the urge of burying her head in her hands as she sighed, turning to Eddie as a similar frustration seemed to form in his features. With four applicants been and gone, she was starting to question the credibility of her idea to appoint a head of extended services. It said something, Rachel pondered, when Steph was their best option as of yet.
"Steph it's to be then," Eddie muttered with an edge of sarcasm, reading her mind and lightening the tone as he always did best.
"You know, she might genuinely be our only option. Let's just hope this Ryan Heldon shows his face. And if not, well…"
"Hope Steph does a better job of managing this than her role of financial director."
Rachel allowed her knee to brush his as she turned to Eddie slightly - a smile creeping across her face upon reminiscing their many laughs based around 'Monsieur Legarde' - her thought process was interrupted however, by a sharp knock on the door, potentially signalling the arrival of their final applicant.
The nerves which arose as a result of this were nothing compared to the swell of trepidation as the door swung open to reveal Stuart Hordley. Eddie was quick to shoot up, his movements halted by a soft hand on his arm from Rachel - he wasn't worth it, her perturbed expression told him.
"No need to get your guard dog in check. I'm here for the head of extended service role. The interview anyway."
Eddie scowled, hellbent on shoving Stuart right back where he came from, out of their school and out of their lives. Rachel sensed this attitude, grasping at loose ends by standing, hoping to diffuse the situation, no matter how much her limbs seemed to be shaking at the business man's presence.
"I'm afraid you aren't on our list, Mr Hordley. So I can't help you. I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
"Ryan Heldon," he smirked, obviously enjoying the way Eddie's anger seemed to intensify, whilst Rachel's confidence seemed to dampen as he took a step closer, "of course, you of all people, Amanda, should know how easy it is to gain a false identity. A second chance, if you like. Perhaps if you'd taken my little agreement, I wouldn't be standing here."
"Right that's enough," Eddie felt his nerve spin out to it's final thread, snapping upon noting Stuart's all too familiar articulation, "get out Hordley."
The laugh he produced seemed to ring endlessly in Rachel's ears, as if she would never escape this hold Stuart had surrounded her with.
She felt numb, even as Eddie approached her taking a light grip of her upper arms. Rachel didn't have the time to be registering his warmth or his comforting words before the office door swung open once more, her absently wondering if Eddie may explode with anger at Stuart's re-appearance.
"You've got a nerve."
"No need to go all macho on me Eddie, kindly… don't jump down my throat. Not when I'm just being the gentlemen that I am. This note was slid under your door."
Snatching the paper with a fierceness Eddie previously hadn't known he'd possessed, he witnessed Stuart skulk out before turning his focus to Rachel rather than the object in his hands.
"Are you - ''
"What is it?" Rachel stood, slipping on the facade of headteacher mode almost subconsciously, choosing to brush her own feelings to the side as she unfolded the note. They weren't a priority, not to her.
"Rachel."
"There's a gun in the school."
Eddie's stomach dropped, all thoughts of Stuart Hordley suddenly at the latter of his mind with this new development in play. Rachel, and the pupils of this school, they couldn't be in danger.
The world was caving in on Rachel, he knew; could tell from her wide eyes, the way her breathing was rapidly spiralling out of control.
She barely noted the way Eddie stepped forwards, only registering the warmth of his forehead resting against hers, his hands clasping hers.
"We have to call the police, Rachel. Evacuate the school."
Her hands snatched away from his in an instant, flying up in the air as her expression contorted into that of outrage, "oh this is a prank, Eddie. A sick prank. What… we can't fall for this. A gun, here? No way. This is Rochdale, not Hackney or Mosside."
"Rachel, calm down."
"Calm down?" she spun away from his proximity, crossing the room as her mind entered the depths of overdrive, "when I find out who has done this…"
Eddie was quick to react, an arm anchoring around her waist, allowing her to feel something other than endless panic as his hand threaded through Rachel's hair.
"I can't…" she murmured, tears of distress pooling in her eyes, "this school cannot be associated with panicked and traumatised kids."
Realisation hit Eddie like a truck, slamming into him with a painful reminder that he should have foreseen this, "the fire."
"This is meant to be a safe place Eddie, I can't put them through that again."
"You wouldn't be, because no one's going to do anything stupid. If we keep things calm and controlled, that's not going to happen. Okay?"
"Okay," the word tumbled out of her, Eddie's calming presence taking hold of Rachel's senses in a way that no one else could, "no one's going to do anything stupid, are they?"
Eddie shook his head, tilting his head upwards, giving him the access to press a firm kiss to Rachel's forehead.
The tension was melting out of her, bit by bit, Eddie's assurances replacing the irrational side of Rachel's brain.
"So I'll call the police. And you… evacuate the school."
"Good."
"Thank you, Eddie."
He didn't want to leave, wanted to keep Rachel safe and in his presence above all else, but Eddie was well aware this was something he had to do. Squeezing her hands lightly, Eddie turned on his heel, praying that he was right in thinking everything would go to plan. Rachel was right, a scenario likened to the fire couldn't be replicated.
….
Nothing was adding up, the pieces of the puzzle weren't fitting together. Eddie ran a hand through his hair, willing for a new slither of information to spring to life. Maybe Rachel was right… maybe this was a prank. There was no explanation, all of the students were accounted for. And yet… there was supposedly someone inside with a gun.
And that was when he heard it. A confirmation that this situation was the furthest from a prank you could possibly get. The gunshot echoed in Eddie's ears as he scanned the vicinity, heart sinking when his eyes landed on Rachel, hurrying in the direction of the school.
He didn't think twice, bolting towards the entrance, bile rising in his throat as sensations he hadn't experienced since the fire washed over him. Yet again, Rachel was in danger. And yet again, he wasn't there to help her, to save her.
Ralph Mellor was the barrier Eddie found himself ploughing into, battling with the police officer as he held him back, two others ensuring he couldn't break free.
"Rachel's gone in there Ralph!"
"I can see that. Pure stupidity."
If Eddie's focus hadn't been elsewhere, he was certain he would have acted far more forcible as a result of Ralph's little comment. Instead, he scowled, collecting more ammunition for his hatred of the man.
"We will sort this. Not you. Now get back, get the pupils in order rather than putting your own life in danger as well as hers."
Eddie could do nothing but scoff, turning on his heel as he fought against the emotion overwhelming him.
The minutes seemed to drag by - even as he engaged with the pupils, the staff, ensuring that everything was in line, his mind didn't once falter from Rachel.
It was almost surreal, seeing her in the flesh, his mind raced at the possibilities as she stood alone, no second occupant in sight. Where was the holder of the gun?
Armed police were given no choice but to swarm the building, searching for the person in possession of a weapon, one that - presumably - Rachel had either been unable to locate, or worse, had come into contact with.
As much as Eddie longed to wrap Rachel in his embrace, all he could ponder on was how he'd almost lost her. Again, she'd put her life in the line of fire. He needed answers, first and foremost.
"Rachel," he lowered his tone, frustration remaining very much evident, "I mean, going back in there? Wasn't once enough!?"
Rachel's head flicked to his, and Eddie's resolve almost melted upon witnessing the devastated expression behind her eyes.
"It was Stuart," she hissed, "he created a false note, tricked us into thinking that… oh Eddie, how could I have been so reckless? How didn't we see this coming?"
Every ounce of anger dissipated, his own eyes darkening as he struggled to comprehend, even process, Rachel's admission.
Now he didn't resist taking a step closer, unbothered by the several students who still surrounded them, his mind seeing Rachel's comfort and wellbeing as a priority.
"Where is he now?"
"He's still in there Eddie. He pointed the gun at my chest and…"
The sob which emanated from Rachel's lips was like a knife to his heart, the sound suffocating him as he steadied her with his arms.
"He thrives off that atmosphere, Eddie… the panic, the disorder. You know, Stuart realised… he realised that he wasn't going to get what he wanted. The five thousand pounds to kickstart a new business. So he gets to me this way as an alternative. It's just like the fire, all over again."
Even as relief shot through him that Rachel was alive and well, her warmth beneath his fingertips, Eddie couldn't help the way his confusion rocketed. Stuart just… let Rachel go?
"How did you… get out of there?"
"Honestly? I don't know. It's all a blur Eddie… I."
Rachel felt her body and mind breaking down, composure imploding as she found herself not caring for their surroundings, collapsing into Eddie's arms.
"Hey," he brushed his lips across her hairline, knowing this was the support she craved, "they'll get him now, the police. This was a stupid move from Hordley. He's going to be behind bars for the foreseeable."
"What if… if he's gotten out of there, Eddie? He'll come after me, after you."
"That hasn't happened. This place is surrounded with police, as they said. OK?"
Rachel didn't speak, simply nodding against Eddie's chest as he cradled her body. He was right, he had to be. Rachel didn't think she could cope with the alternative.