The Fisher's were still sitting in Karen's office when the bell for lunch rang. They looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

'I'm on lunchtime duty, I'd better go,' said Charlie, and he pulled Bex into a tight hug.

'See you later, Dad,' said Bex. 'Love you.'

Charlie never believed he would hear those words again and a lump rose in his throat.

'See you later, Bexy,' he said huskily.

'Guys, I don't want to get in your way. Why don't you all go for lunch and I'll stay here for a bit. I'd like a bit of time on my own anyway and I've got a headache from all the crying.'

'Same,' said Jess. 'I think I've cried more this morning than I ever did in my life!'

'Except for when Busted split up,' said Harry cheekily, and Jess pretended to hit him over the head.

'Come on, Piggy, let's go find our friends. Are you sure that's what you want, Bex?'

Bex nodded.

'OK, well I guess I'd better go, I've got a meeting with a social worker in a few minutes and I haven't eaten all day,' said Karen. 'Do you want anything to eat, Bex?'

'No ta, I'm fine,' smiled Bex, as Karen looked worriedly at her skinny frame.

Bex could sense her mum's worry at leaving her for even half an hour and Bex opened her arms.

'Come on, family hug.'

Finally, her family left and Bex had a moment to think. She felt so happy she could burst, but at the same time she had an awful feeling in her stomach that wouldn't go away. She couldn't tell her mum because she worked with Chris. She couldn't tell her dad because he was always protective over his daughters and would probably beat Chris up! She couldn't tell Harry because he was too young and innocent. And she couldn't tell Jess because she was madly in love with him and it would break er heart.

Just then, Janeece came bustling in and interrupted her thoughts.

'Oh, sorry, I didn't realise you were in here,' she said apologetically.

'No, don't worry, it's fine,' said Bex. 'It'd be nice to have some company who doesn't burst into tears whenever I speak!'

Janeece laughed. 'They're just happy to see you back, Bex. Miss Fisher really missed you, you know?'

Then she realised what she'd said and covered her mouth.

'Sorry, it's none of my business, I shouldn't have been listening!'

'Hey, don't worry, it's fine,' laughed Bex. 'I like nosy people, they're the best sources of gossip! Is that chicken?'

'Yep, chicken mayo and lettuce,' said Janeece. 'Do you want some?'

'No, it's fine, sorry,' said Bex, realising how rude she must have sounded.

'I'm not hungry, are you sure you don't want it?'

'Well…'

'Go on,' said Janeece. 'I could do with losing a few pounds anyway.'

'No you couldn't, you're dead skinny,' said Bex. 'If Jess hadn't told me you were pregnant I wouldn't have realised.'

'Aw, thanks,' said Janeece, smiling. 'But it's not true, I've piled on the weight since I got this, I just can't stop eating!'

'Same!' said Bex with her mouth full. 'Did you hear that I was pregnant?'

Janeece went red and Bex giggled.

'Don't miss a thing, you! But can I ask you about it?'

'Yeah, course,' said Janeece.

'Well, it sounds stupid, but what does it feel like, you know, when it gets big?'

'It's weird at first, but you get used to it,' said Janeece. 'And sometimes you feel it kicking, that's weird. But I find I have to go to the loo all the time and I can't stop eating. I can't stop crying either! You had me going earlier when you were with your mum!'

Bex felt a rush of warmth towards this outspoken and kind-hearted girl.

'Did you ever, you know, consider an abortion?'

'Well yeah, but, I dunno, it just felt wrong, you know? I did think about it but it's expensive and I was too scared. And now it's too late.'

'Mm,' said Bex, with a worried expression.

'Hey, but if you do keep yours, they'll be in the same class at school! How ace would that be? They could go to the same nursery, and have the same childminder and go on walks together. They might even get married!'

'Haha, don't get too ahead of yourself, Jan! We don't even know if they're girls or boys yet, and I don't even know if I'm going to keep it yet!'

'Sorry,' said Janeece. 'If you did want an abortion that would be OK, too. I mean, you're still really young and you don't know who the dad is.'

Bex bit her lip. She wished everything was that simple.

'Here, look, give me your phone and I'll give you my number so you can ring me or text me whenever you want me.'

Bex's eyes pricked with tears at Janeece's kindness.

'Thanks, you don't have to.'

'Hey, don't start crying on me, baby. It's fine, it'll be nice to have someone in this place who actually understands what I'm going through!'

Bex smiled. 'I don't even know if I'm staying here, or what. I don't have any GCSEs so I can't really do any A Levels. You even need a few Cs to get on to apprenticeships. I haven't even thought about what I'll do after today!'

'Well I'm always here if you need me, yeah? Now do you want some crisps?'

Jess was hovering suspiciously outside the staffroom. Tom Clarkson came out and looked at her.

'Is everything OK, Jess?' Tom had heard from Charlie about Bex returning and he knew how hard it must have been for Jess. When Chlo had been missing for just a few weeks it had torn him apart.

'Yeah, I'm fine, is Mr Mead in there? I need to ask him about Chemistry coursework.'

A few seconds later, Chris came out and he looked annoyed to see Jess there.

'Jess, what are you doing? Did our little chat earlier not sink in?'

'I– I just wanted to talk to you, really, about everything.'

'Jess, I don't think that's a good idea,' said Chris.

'Please,' begged Jess. 'Please, I just want to talk.'

Chris gave in and led Jess to his classroom. 'OK, Jess, what do you want to say?'

'Well, I just don't want this school to ruin what we've got,' said Jess desperately. 'What if I left, would that be good enough?'

'Jess, I'm sorry, but I can't have a relationship with you. It wouldn't work.'

'Why?'

'Because I am your teacher. I am thirty-three and you're sixteen. It's just wrong.'

'But if I left then you wouldn't be my teacher. Then there's no problem.'

'No, Jess, it's never going to work.'

'That's not what you were saying this morning when I woke up. Why should it change? We've got something really special here, and I don't want to lose you just because of a silly school. I'll get a job or something.'

'No, no, no, Jess,' said Chris. 'Wait, just give me a minute to think.' He closed his eyes and exhaled. This morning, he would have done anything to stay with Jess – he would have left his job, he would have let her leave school, if necessary he would have let her move in with him! But since seeing Bex, finding out she was pregnant and she was Jess' sister, not to mention his boss' daughter, there was no chance. He had to keep this as simple and above board as possible.

'I'm sorry, Jess,' said Chris. 'You're a beautiful girl and one day you'll meet someone really special who will love you like you deserve. But I can't be that person, I'm sorry.'

Jess realised there could be no negotiation and she realised how desperate she was sounding.

'Ok, fine,' she said woodenly. 'But I'm not going to spend the rest of my life chasing after you, so if you don't want me now then that's it. Forever.'

Chris could see he was breaking her heart and he felt terrible.

'I'm sorry, Jess,' he said. 'We can't be together.'

He wanted to add 'I love you' but he didn't want to give Jess any false hope.

Jess turned away to mask her tears. 'I love you,' she mouthed, knowing that Chris couldn't see it. And silently, she walked out of the room, and out of his life.