Fast forward to their first day back

For the first time, in a long while, my dad and I pulled up into school and parked the car. I then got out and gave my dad a quick hug before going to meet Karla.

"Hey Karla!" I nearly threw myself at her, relieved to see her. My dad watched on and smiled before going inside the school, probably to start his management meeting with the team. I looked around, taking in the atmosphere that I had missed so much when I was off ill.

"Glad you're back. It's been too quiet."

"Happy to be back! At one point, I never thought that I would see this place again. Come on, let's go to tutor."

Max entered the office and saw that Rachel, Kim and Chris were all sat at the table waiting for him. They each had smiles on their faces as they were relieved to finally have one of their key staff back.

"Morning everyone."

"Glad to see you back." Chris was the first to reply followed by Kim and Rachel.

"Glad to be back. Pandora's back where she belongs." Max said cheerily whilst he shut the door behind him.

"So are you." Rachel replied, "Things have actually been quiet whilst you've been gone. Had the usual trouble but nothing major which is a miracle bearing in mind how long you two were off." They then all had a laugh about that.

The team then spent a good while updating Max on everything that had been going on which wasn't too much actually. They were planning on holding a talent show to celebrate the end of the first term. Max was very happy with the idea and said that he would be more than happy to get involved. Kim suggested the idea of having two student judges and then two teachers. None of the senior management team, unfortunately, could go to the auditions because they all had other things that needed to be done. Chris then left to go to his tutor group, Kim left to go to her office leaving Max and Rachel to catch up on paperwork and to organise the end of term celebrations.

Pandora was sat in her normal seat and Karla was sat next to her. Karla was telling Pandora what had been going on since she had been admitted to hospital. Pandora had asked where Lindsay was and Karla explained what she knew about what happened at the trial.

"She was just protecting Em. In a way, I can't blame her for being the way she was now that I know what she was going through. She must have picked up about what was happening at home. Thankfully, things were never that bad between me and my dad."

"Michaela is going round with a petition to get Lindsay released."

"I'll have to find her so I can sign it. I have to at least show her family that I support her. If you see Michaela can you tell her?"

"Yea sure. She's in my first lesson."

"Thanks Karla."

"Are you free tonight? I was wondering if I could come round yours to just to catch up and thank your mum for telling Miss Mason about my dad. I can go and ask him if it's alright at break and then let you know in French."

"I'll text my mum and find out. She should be fine with it though."

Then, Mr Mead came in and he was bright and cheerful, "Morning everyone! An end of term talent show is being organised and we are looking for contestants. If you are interested, there will be forms all around the school in which you can sign. Details will be on those. Glad to see that you're back and well Pandora."

During first lesson

Kim had Pandora's case file in her hand and decided that she would go to the main office and ask Max about it.

"Come in. Hi Kim." The executive head saw Kim at the door and greeted her.

"Hey Max. Can I have a word?"

"Sure come in."

Kim then came into the office and shut the door behind her and placed Pandora's case file on the desk, "Chris was updating it a few weeks ago to say that Pandora was in hospital just so it would explain the absence. He noticed how there is no one down as her mother and I just wanted to ask why it was blank."

"It's complicated but I suppose you had better know. I was with this woman, we weren't married or anything like that but she became pregnant with Pandora. I wanted to keep the child but she didn't. We had several arguments over it. Eventually, we agreed that when the baby was born, I would take it and raise it alone. And that's what happened. She left as soon as she was well enough to leave the hospital and I never saw her again. Pandora has never had a mother Kim, not really."

"I'm sorry to hear that Max."

"It's fine."

What neither of the two of them knew was that Rachel had overheard every word that Max had said and was no furious. That was nowhere near the truth and both she and Max knew it.

Author's Note: Thanks a million to StellaPriceFan, CSI Encyclopedia, grangehilllover, Normal Girlyy, I-Wish-Upon-Falling-Stars & Celticgirl84 for reviewing the last chapter! I've also noticed that I've got over 1000 views now which has made me incredibly happy! Thanks to everyone who had read and reviewed so far! You are all amazing!

Danni x