Hey guys! Sorry it's late, but here's the next chapter. Enjoy!

DISCLAIMERS: I DON'T OWN WATERLOO ROAD OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS!

Rachel walked into the office the next morning, dread in the pit of her stomach. She had a senior management meeting first thing, meaning Chris would be there. Yesterday's kiss had made things awkward between the two, and with him being there later, she didn't want the meeting to be tense. Glancing up at the clock, Rachel realised that she still had fifteen minutes before the meeting was due to start, so she began to flick through her notes. The next few minutes passed quickly as she read over the notes, doing her best to memorise the information before the meeting. Her heart leapt as she heard a knock at the door and she looked up, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw Tom stood in the doorway.

"Morning." She smiled at him as he made his way over to the table, setting his folder down.

"Morning Tom. We'll get started in a moment, when Chris arrives." As if on cue, Chris came walking through the door.

"Morning both." He smiled as he sat down on the chair next to Tom. Grabbing her notes, Rachel walked over to the table and sat down.

"Right, let's get started shall we?" She smiled at both of them. "First thing on the agenda is...the mental health workshop during period 3 and 4 today." She looked at Tom, waiting for him to explain.

"Yes, so I've asked the school counsellor to come in and talk to the kids about the importance of talking to people and expressing any issues they might have, and then the kids will have a chance to ask her questions at the end. I've also printed these off," he handed them both some leaflets, "which include information about some of the most common mental health issues amongst young people. They explain the signs of the illnesses and what the kids should do if they think someone's suffering with a mental health condition."

Rachel skimmed over the leaflets as Tom spoke, nodding at his explanation.

"Okay, sounds good." Tom heard the hesitation in her voice. "I'm a little concerned though that the kids aren't going to listen if the school counsellor just talks."

"So what do you suggest then?"

"Well, I was thinking that you could include some visual representation, maybe work with the drama department to come up with a short scene to show the kids just how important mental health is."

"Like a short play, you mean? Yeah, okay. I think that's a great idea." He quickly scribbled down some notes on paper.

"I just think the kids might understand it a bit better if they're engaged in it. Chris, what do you think?" She turned to look at him, observing the absent-minded look on his face.

"Yeah, I think it's a good idea. I was thinking as well that you could maybe write some scenarios, get the kids into small groups and get them to discuss what they'd do in those scenarios. You know, getting them to think about how they can help in those kinds of situations. It might even get the kids to think about the impacts of some of their actions."

"Yeah, okay. I'll get right onto this after the meeting, get something organised for this afternoon."

"Brilliant, thanks Tom. Right, the other thing I wanted to discuss was the LEA inspection next week. Martin Thomas will be coming in to assess the school's progress since the merger, and my abilities as head teacher."

"We were only assessed a few weeks ago though, so why are they inspecting us again?" Rachel heard the confusion in Tom's voice.

"They believe there was some bias towards me during the last inspection, after all the drama with Max, so they're sending someone else to re-assess the school, someone with no previous or current ties to Waterloo Road. Chris, I need you to inform all of the staff so that they have plenty of time to prepare."

"Okay, sure, I can do that. I'll get the staff together at break time." She nodded in thanks, about to conclude the meeting when Tom spoke again.

"What does that mean about your position as head teacher though?"

"If the inspection goes well I will, hopefully, remain as head teacher of Waterloo Road. If not, then the LEA will be directing another person to take over as head." She sighed and stood up, walking over to her desk. "I'd appreciate it if you two would keep that detail secret until I have the chance to speak to all of the staff myself. It'd be easier for them if it came from me."

"You say that as if you expect us to fail."

"I don't expect us to fail this inspection, but the LEA haven't exactly been pleased about the recent events with me and Max." She looked down as she spoke. "If I'm completely honest, whether or not we pass the inspection, I'm not sure whether or not the LEA will allow me to continue as head teacher of Waterloo Road."

An uncomfortable silence filled the room as the two men took in this information.

"Surely they can't do that though, once they see the progress the school's made?"

"It's not my decision, Tom. The LEA will make their decision after the inspection. Right, I think we're finished, unless either of you two have any more issues to discuss?" They both shook their heads. "Okay, I'm sure we've got things to be getting on with then. Like I said earlier though, I'd really appreciate it if you kept this quiet, until I told the staff."

"Of course. Right, I'll see you later." Tom walked out of the office, leaving Chris and Rachel alone. Another awkward silence filled the room as Chris lingered in the doorway.

"You won't get sacked, you're too good of a head for this school to lose you." She looked up and gave him a sad smile.

"Like I said, it's not my decision." Silence filled the room again, before Chris cleared his throat.

"Right, I've got some stuff to do before registration, I'll um, I'll see you later."

He walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. Rachel ran her hand through her hair as the office was filled with silence once more.

The morning passed without incident, and soon Chris was knocking on the office door, informing Rachel that he'd told the staff about the inspection. She glanced up at him, saying a quick thanks before looking back down at her paperwork. Seeing the distracted look on her face, Chris made his was into the office, closing the door behind him. Rachel looked up again.

"Was there something else, Chris?" He walked over to her desk.

"Look, I can see you're worried about the inspection, but they're not gonna sack you. You're a great head teacher and the kids love you."

"Thanks Chris." She gave him a small smile, hearing the sincerity in his voice.

"I'm not entirely comfortable keeping this from the staff though."

"I know, but I'm going to tell everyone at the end of the day. I just need you to keep it secret until then." Chris nodded in understanding and turned around, about to leave the room when Kim came rushing in.

"Rachel, we've got an issue." Kim took a deep breath before continuing. "Josie Hawkins is pregnant, nearly 7 months gone."

"What?" She listened in disbelief as Kim carried on speaking.

"Yeah, and to make matters worse, she's saying that one of the sixth formers is the father." Rage began to bubble in the pit of Rachel's stomach.

"Who?"

"She wouldn't say, all she told me was that they were in the sixth form. Rachel, she's in Year 10, we're gonna have to call her parents, as well as the police and social services."

"Naturally." She sighed, standing up and running a hand through her hair. "Where is Josie now, Kim?"

"She's in my office at the moment." Rachel nodded and began to make her way out of the office.

"Chris, can you call Josie's parents, tell them they need to get here urgently, then call the police and social services? I'm going to go and talk to Josie."

"Yeah, sure. I'll do it now." He moved behind her desk, grabbing the phone as Rachel left the office, Kim in tow.

Walking out of the office, they made their way down the stairs and along the corridor, where Kim's office was. Looking through the window, Rachel's heart sank as she spotted the young girl on the sofa, wiping her eyes as she sobbed. She opened the door and cautiously stepped in. Josie jumped at the sound of the door opening.

"Josie?"

"Please Miss...P-please don't call my foster parents! Th-they can't know, please! Th-they're going to k-kick me out!" Josie sobbed breathlessly from the middle of the sofa. Rachel's heart sank a little more as she moved quickly to the sofa, sitting down next to Josie.

"Josie, love, listen to me. Before we can talk I need you to calm down, okay?" Taking the young girl's hand, Rachel managed to catch her attention. Her breath hitching, Josie nodded vigorously. "Okay, good girl. I need you to take some deep breaths for me, okay? Look at me Josie." Rachel took a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds before releasing it slowly. Still holding the girl's hand, Rachel watched as Josie tried to imitate her. "That's it, good girl. Try and slow your breathing for me sweetheart." They stayed like that for a couple of minutes while Josie slowed her breathing and calmed down.

"I'm sorry," she hiccupped, accepting a tissue from Kim and wiping her eyes.

"There's nothing to be sorry about, Josie, okay?" Rachel murmured softly. "Nothing at all." Josie nodded and lifted her head, turning to face Rachel.

"Now that you're a bit calmer, we can talk properly. Miss Campbell has told me that you're pregnant, and quite far along in your pregnancy." The girl bent her head and nodded. "Sweetheart, why didn't you tell anyone in school that you're pregnant? Myself, Miss Campbell and your teachers could've supported you through this." She sniffled before replying.

"I knew that if I told someone, you would have to call my foster parents. They'd end up calling the social and I'd end up back in care." She paused to wipe her eyes, then continued speaking. "They're pretty strict about things, and said that if I ever did drugs or got pregnant while I was under their care, then they'd kick me out." She looked up at Rachel, a pleading look in her eyes. "Please, Miss Mason, you can't call them. I'll have nowhere to go."

"Unfortunately, because you're a pupil at the school, and you're underage, legally, I have to call your parents and the police."

"The police...but they'll call the social and then I'll have my baby taken off me when it's born."

"Not necessarily. Social services will help you and make sure you're okay after the baby's born, they won't try to take them away."

Josie nodded, taking in the information.

"But, why do you have to call the police?"

"We have to because you're only 15, which means that whoever got you pregnant has committed a crime." Rachel watched as Josie bowed her head, nodding again. "Josie, Miss Campbell mentioned to me that the father of your baby is in the sixth form." Josie's head snapped up in horror.

"Please Miss, I don't want him to get into trouble..."

"I know you don't love, but it's really important that you tell us who the father is so that social services can speak to him and find a way to support him, same as the school. We're not against you, Josie, we're just trying to find the best way to help you." Hearing the sincerity in Rachel's voice, she nodded in understanding. "So, can you tell me who the father of your baby is?" Josie hesitated for a moment before replying.

"It's um...it's Jed Nelson. He's the dad." She bowed her head again, tears springing to her eyes. Taking a quick glance at Kim, she saw her nod and stand up, before making her way out of the room. Re-directing her attention back to Josie, she put a tender hand on her back and leaned down to face her.

"Well done Josie, I know how hard it was for you to tell us that, and you've been incredibly brave in doing so." She felt Jodie's body begin to shake as she started crying again. Leaning back, Josie looked at Rachel, tears trailing down her cheeks.

"Miss...what am I going to do about school?" Rachel heard the fear in the girl's voice.

"I promise, we will support you the best that we can leading up to and after you having your baby. I'll talk to your teachers and arrange for you to get extra help with your schoolwork, and organise for you to get your work after the baby is born too, so that you don't fall behind. Your teachers and I don't want you to struggle through this alone, Josie. Whenever you need help, just ask for it, okay? Like I said, we're not against you, we're here to support you. I promise you, everything will be okay."

Looking back up at Rachel, Josie nodded and gave her a small smile.

"Good girl."

Rachel spent the rest of the day dealing with Josie's situation. Unfortunately, as Josie had said, her foster parents had decided that they couldn't continue looking after her with her being pregnant. Their reasons were understandable, but no less heart-breaking. Sighing, Rachel sat down at her desk as the day's events continued to flash through her mind. Consumed in her thoughts, Rachel almost missed the soft knocking at the door. She looked up to see Chris again, and gave him a weary smile.

"Hiya. What happened with Josie after?"

"Her foster parents decided against letting her continue to stay. She's been placed in a care home temporarily while social services finds a foster family who'll take her in."

"Poor kid." She heard the drop in his tone as he spoke.

"Listen, I was wondering if you wanted to head to the pub. I think I need a pint or three after today."

"No, I think I'm just going to head home. I've got a bottle of wine there waiting for me. Plus, it'll give me a chance to get a headstart on all this paperwork." She motioned to the pile in front of her. Chris nodded, understanding.

"Right, well, I'm going to go on down to the pub. I'll see you on Monday." He smiled before leaving the office.

As Rachel began to grab her stuff, she sighed again, thinking about the tension during that short conversation. She made a mental note to speak to Chris on Monday and clear the air, before pushing the thought from her mind. For now, she just wanted to get home and put her feet up, watching cheesy TV with a glass of red in her hand. Relaxing as the thought came into mind, Rachel left the office.

Monday's plans could wait.

Hi guys! So, things are still tense between Rachel and Chris, and there's another inspection...will Rachel be able to keep her position as head of Waterloo Road? All will be revealed in the next chapter! Please R&R, next chapter will be up soon!

Tia x