It was the following Saturday and the day that Philip and Ruby were due to arrive to stay at the Mason household for a week whilst their Mum went to Portugal with her friends.
They weren't coming until this afternoon which was lucky as Rachel needed to sort out the spare room that had got all of Amy's stuff in for Uni. It had seemed like a good idea putting it in there out of the way but Rachel had completely forgotten that Phil was going to need to sleep in that room for a week.
"Amy can you come up here a minute love?"
Amy came up from her room to see what it was that her Mum wanted.
"What are you doing in here?"
"We need to sort all of your Uni stuff out because Phil's going to be staying in here from today"
"Why can't he go in the spare room on the middle floor?"
"Ruby's going in there"
"Well can't they both go in there?"
"If you really want to leave your stuff laid out then you'll have to have Ruby in with you, it's not fair to make Phil share with her just so you can't be bothered to put your stuff into bags"
"No it's fine I'll pack if up"
"It won't take us long"
Together Rachel and Amy packed all of her stuff away into big bags and then moved it into Amy's room.
The rest of the morning passed quickly and just before lunch Chris left to go and play golf.
Rachel was sat eating sandwiches with the girls when Mel walked in with Philip and Ruby, she had her own key to the house.
They weren't meant to be coming until 3 so Rachel wondered what they were doing here already.
"How come you're so early"
"I booked to get my nails done before I go so I thought I'd drop them over a bit earlier, besides Ruby's been desperate to come ever since she woke up. She's so excited Rach"
"That's because she's coming for her own holiday at Auntie Rachel's while Mummy jets off into the sun aren't you love?"
"Yes and you said we're going to have loads more fun than Mummy"
"Anyway I haven't got time to stop or I'll miss my appointment. Be good for Auntie Rachel both of you and I'll see you next week. Thanks again for having them Rach"
"No problem"
Mel gave Ruby a big hug and then Philip a slightly awkward and with that she was gone.
If it had been Rachel she'd have been quite upset to be leaving her children for a week but Mel didn't seem at all bothered by it, she could tell she was looking forward to a week without them.
"Have you two eaten?"
"Yeah Mum made us bacon sandwiches before we came"
"Shall we get you up to your rooms then to unpack?"
"Will you help me unpack Auntie Rachel?"
"Of course I will love"
"Come and see my new suitcase"
Rachel followed Ruby out into the hallway and Ruby showed her new Minnie Mouse suitcase to her.
"Wow look at that"
"Mummy bought it for me to bring all of my clothes to your house in"
"Well that was very nice of her wasn't it?"
Rachel took Phil and Ruby upstairs.
"Right Rubes you're going to stay in here" Rachel said opening the door to the spare room on the middle floor "and you go in the one on the top floor Philip"
Phil left leaving Rachel and Ruby to unpack.
Rachel unzipped Ruby's suitcase and started taking all of her things out.
Once they'd put everything away together Rachel realised they'd need to make a trip to Mel's as Mel had forgotten to pack quite a few things.
"Looks like we're going to have to go to your house"
"Why I thought I was staying here all week?"
"You are but Mummy's forgotten lots of your stuff, she hasn't even packed you any knickers"
"Mummy can be very silly sometimes can't she Auntie Rachel"
"She certainly can. So we'll nip back to your house in a minute to pick up your things and then we can just spend the afternoon around here and then tonight me and Uncle Chris thought we could go out for a nice meal as it's your first night here"
"All of us?"
"Yes, well not Chloe because she's going to a party tonight"
"Is she going to a Birthday party?"
"Yes it's one of her friend's party"
"How old are they going to be?"
"She's going to be 15"
"Chloe was 15 ages ago, I remember because we all went to that spa for the day and I had my nails done"
"Yes you did, maybe we could go back again this week"
"Really?"
"I don't see why not, I need mine doing anyway they're not looking too great at the minute. Anyway go and put your wash bag into the bathroom and I'll go and see if Phil needs anything picking up"
Ruby went and put her stuff into the bathroom whilst Rachel went up to the room Phil was staying in.
"I'm just popping back to your house with Ruby, do you want to come too?"
"Why are you going to our house?"
"Your Mum's forgotten to pack a whole load of things for Ruby"
"I'll walk over for her, save you having to go"
"That's a half an hour walk love, it'll take me 10 minutes to drive round. Are you coming?"
"No I'll stop here"
Rachel went and told Amy that she was quickly popping out with Ruby and then the two of them drove round to Mel's.
They lived in a small 3 bedroomed terrace house, quite different to the large detached house that Rachel lived in.
It wasn't in the best neighbourhood either but Rachel knew how much Mel seemed to struggle with managing her money.
Rachel got her key to Mel's house out of her bag and then walked in.
Mel hadn't invited Rachel over for ages and when Rachel stepped into the house she could see why.
The place was a tip, Mel obviously hadn't hoovered or dusted in weeks.
When she walked into the kitchen that was even worse. Dirty dishes everywhere and the rubbish was out all over the side showing Rachel all the junk food she'd been feeding them all.
Rachel tidied up the kitchen as quickly as she could, feeling quite disgusted with how Mel had been living recently. She'd never been like it before but Rachel had to admit something about Mel had changed.
Once it was tidied up Rachel went up to Ruby's bedroom and picked up everything else that she needed with Ruby.
"Have you been having lots of fun with Mummy over the summer holidays?" Rachel asked her niece
"I haven't really seen Mummy, I've been with Phil most of the time"
"Why, where's Mummy been?"
"She's been with Mark"
"Who's Mark?"
"You know the man Mummy's gone on holiday with"
"I thought Mummy was going on holiday with her friends"
"No Mark's taking her on holiday"
Rachel was feeling incredibly angry with her sister, she couldn't believe she'd lied to her and hadn't even thought to mention this Mark guy to her.
Despite how angry Rachel was feeling she knew she couldn't let this on to Ruby so picked up the bag of stuff they'd just got and then the two of them drove home again.
Rachel unpacked the rest of Ruby's stuff and then Ellie said she'd watch a film with her.
Rachel got her phone out and was about to ring Mel, but then she decided not to. If her sister had wanted to tell her about her new man then she would've. Rachel could only hope she hadn't told her because she thought there was something about him that she needed to hide.
Amy and Chloe came down to the kitchen and Rachel saw Amy had her car keys in her hand.
"Are you two off out somewhere?"
"Chloe wanted some of my false eye lashes for tonight but I've just realised I don't have any left so I said I'd take her to buy some. Is there anything you want while we're gone Mum?"
"No I think I've got everything. Are you still coming out for the meal tonight Amy?"
"Yeah I don't have any plans"
"I've just booked a table in Chiquito"
Amy and Chloe went outside and got into Amy's car.
"I still can't believe I've actually agreed to do this if Mum finds out she's going to flip"
"Well she won't find out because we won't let her"
Amy drove to Tesco and parked the car up and then the two of them walked in.
"Right what do you want?"
"A bottle of vodka"
"A bottle of vodka are you serious? Can you not just bring some of those ready mixed cans?"
"No I don't want to, I'm paying for it so can you not just get me what I want?"
"Don't get cheeky with me, I could just walk out of here and buy you nothing" Amy said but then she picked up the bottle of vodka
"Go to the toilet and then meet me by the car, I'll go and get some false eyelashes so Mum doesn't get suspicious"
Once Amy had paid she went back to the car where Chloe was waiting for her.
Amy put the alcohol into the boot and then they drove home again.
When they got there they left the bottle of vodka in the boot but took the false eyelashes in.
"We're home" Amy called as they walked in
"Hi girls did you get them?"
"Yep" Chloe said holding the eyelashes out in front of her
"What times are we going out tonight Mum?" Amy asked
"I've booked the table for 6:30, we can't really go much later because else it will be too late for Ruby so are you okay going round to Georgia's a bit earlier than 7 Chloe?"
"Yeah that's fine"
"Okay I'm just going to walk down to the park with Ruby, I think Ellie's going to come too. Do either of you want to come?"
"I'm fine here" Amy said
"Yeah me too" Chloe said
"We'll only be an hour or so"
About 10 minutes later Rachel left with Ruby and Ellie but Phil had decided to stop at home along with the two older girls.
Amy knew this was one of their only opportunities to bring the vodka in from the boot so left it 5 minutes and then went out to her car.
She brought the bottle of vodka in and gave it to Chloe.
She was just coming up the stairs when she passed Phil.
"What've you got there then?" Phil asked but his eyes had already seen it was a bottle of vodka
"None of your business"
"I can see it's a bottle of vodka"
"Yeah well don't you dare snitch to Rachel, if you do I'll make sure Bolton and Paul make your life at school hell and you don't want that again do you Phil?"
Chloe hadn't meant to be so mean to her cousin, she did really like him and she wouldn't really get Bolton and Paul to turn on him, but there was no way she could let Phil go to Rach about this.
"I wouldn't have done anyway" Phil said sliding past his cousin
"You'd better not" Chloe shouted
Chloe went up to her room and quickly put the bottle into her bag of stuff that she'd packed for Georgia's.
The rests of the afternoon passed quite quickly and it was soon time for everyone to start getting ready. Chris was home by now too.
Rachel took off her makeup and jumped in the shower.
Once she was done she wrapped a towel around her body and her hair, she then brushed her teeth before going into her bedroom.
Rachel was just looking through her wardrobe when someone knocked on the door.
"Come in" Rachel called
Ruby opened the door and walked into her Auntie's bedroom.
She loved it in here, it was so pretty and she had so many photos everywhere, there were even lots of Ruby.
"What can I do for you Miss Ruby?"
"Auntie Rachel please would I be able to come and get ready in here with you?"
"That sounds like a lovely idea, have you decided what you're going to wear?"
"I'm going to wear that new dress you bought me for my Birthday"
"Why don't you go and get it and bring it in here then?"
Ruby ran back to her bedroom and got her dress and then came back into Rachel's bedroom.
When she came back in Rachel was looking through her wardrobe trying to decide what to wear.
Eventually she decided on pair of jeans with a nice top. Rachel got her underwear out and then went into her en suite to put them on.
When she came back out she put her jeans and top on but then she didn't think it looked right.
"What do you think of this Ruby?"
"Well I like it but I think you should wear something a bit nicer"
Ruby then went over to her Auntie's wardrobe.
"I think you should wear this" Ruby said pointing to one of Rachel's dresses
Rachel looked at it, it was one of her favourites but she couldn't help but feel it was a bit too dressy for where they were going.
But in the end she decided to put it on anyway, just deciding she wanted to make herself feel nice about herself.
"I think you might be right" Rachel said
Rachel took off the jeans and top she'd previously put on and then slipped into the red dress.
It made look Rachel look amazing, it really showed off her curves and slim waist and made her look a lot younger.
"You look really pretty Auntie Rachel"
"Aww thanks love, just let me dry my hair and then we'll get you into your dress shall we?"
"Yes can I have a shower first?" Ruby asked wanting to be like her Auntie
"I would think so, do you want to have one in here?"
"Yes please"
Rachel went out to the airing cupboard and got her a clean towel before coming back in and turning the shower on for her.
"Just shout if you need anything"
Rachel went into her bedroom and dried her hair.
About 10 minutes later it was all dry.
She heard the shower was still on so she went into check on Ruby.
"Are you okay in here Ruby?"
"Yes but I don't know how to turn the shower off so I thought I'd just stay in here until you came in. I didn't want to get out anyway though because it's really nice and relaxing" Ruby said, she really could talk for England sometimes
Rachel open the shower door and tried to turn the shower off without getting wet.
Ruby then stepped out of the shower and Rachel wrapped the towel around her and dried her off.
Rachel had put a shower cap on her so luckily they didn't have the hassle of having to dry Ruby's long, blond hair.
Once Ruby was all dry Rachel helped her into her pretty, pink dress and then they sat on Rachel's bed so that Rachel could do Ruby's hair.
Rachel always loved having Ruby to stay. It felt so nice being able to look after a little girl all over again.
Sometimes her daughter's would ask her to do their hair or makeup if they were doing something nice but it was different to when they used to depend on her all the time.
When Ruby was around it reminded her of what it used to be like, and in some way she really did miss having young daughter's but she loved her daughter's growing up all the same.
Once Rachel had plaited the top half of Ruby's hair Ruby was all ready to go so she sat on Rachel's bed and watched as she did her makeup.
"Auntie Rachel please can I wear some makeup?"
"No love I don't think you're old enough for that yet do you? You're beautiful just the way you are"
Chloe was getting ready for her party. She'd put on the black dress that she'd bought last week when they went shopping and was just doing her makeup.
By the time she'd finished her makeup she really was looking a lot older.
She was looking forward to tonight so much.
Her friends had all been drinking at parties for nearly a year now but Chloe still never had. She was too scared of her Mum finding out because she knew she would disapprove.
But she'd had enough of feeling like the baby all the time which was why she'd decided to drink tonight and she was really excited about trying it. She was staying around Georgia's house so really there was no reason for her Mum to find out.
After she'd straightened her hair Chloe went downstairs and put her bag in the hallway. She wanted to get going now because she was worried someone would end up finding the bottle of vodka in her bag.
Chris was shocked when he saw his daughter walk into the kitchen, she looked much too grown up for his liking. She looked sixteen easily if not seventeen.
"Why are you looking at me like that Dad?"
"What the hell are you wearing? Have you seen this Rach?"
"Yes she tried the dress on for me when she'd bought it, I think it looks fine she could be wearing something a lot worse. You look absolutely gorgeous darling"
"Thanks Mum"
"You do look lovely Chlo, just a bit grown up for my liking"
Once Amy and Phil had come down they were ready to go.
They got into the car and dropped Chloe off at Georgia's house.
"Have a good time love"
"Thanks Mum, see you tomorrow"
Amy was starting to feel a bit worried about her sister now, she hoped she'd be sensible with how much she was drinking and not get too carried away.
They drove to the restaurant and parked the car before going inside.
They were a bit early so there table wasn't ready yet so they got some drinks at the bar.
Rachel and Amy both had a cocktail but everyone else was on soft drinks.
Once their table was ready they went and sat down.
They all had a lovely meal out together, and it was really nice having Ruby and Phil there too.
Chloe arrived at Georgia's house and knocked on the door.
She was the first one there so she went up and put her stuff in Georgia's bedroom.
Chloe showed her the bottle of vodka so now both girls were looking forward to drinking it.
"Is your Mum still here?"
"No she left half an hour ago but she said she's coming home at 12 so we need to try and get everyone out before then. Shall we get some drinks?"
"Sounds good to me"
The two of them went downstairs into the kitchen.
Georgia had some Malibu down there and some sourz along with lots of lemonade and coke.
"Mum's made loads of food"
"I'm not even that hungry for some reason" Chloe said
"No me neither, I had some toast an hour ago so I probably won't eat much"
Chloe made a vodka and lemonade for her and Georgia. She didn't have a clue how much vodka you were supposed to put in so she let Georgia do that bit.
By the time everyone started arriving Chloe was already feeling quite tipsy.
She was liking how the alcohol was making her feel, a lot more confident and happier than usual.
Once Chloe had finished her drink she went and made herself another one.
She put quite a bit of vodka in but this time she decided to add some Malibu too.
It wasn't lomg before she was up and dancing and having a great time.
She was getting attention off all of the boys. She'd always been quite good friends with all of the boys in her year but they seemed to be treating her differently tonight.
She was dancing with a boy called Harry who she secretly fancied. He kept touching her and he soon had his arms snaked around her waist.
One minute they were just dancing, but then the next thing she knew Harry was leaning in quite close so she leant in too and soon they were making out.
Harry's hands found his way to Chloe's bum and he kept grabbing it. Chloe wasn't used to this sort of attention but she was enjoying it all the same.
"Shall we go and get another drink?" Chloe slurred
Harry nodded, both of them were extremely drunk by this point.
Chloe had only had two drinks but they'd both been very strong and obviously she wasn't used to drinking so it hadn't taken long to affect her badly.
They both got drinks before going back into the lounge.
Chloe continued to have a good time but it wasn't long before she was feeling very sick and had to lie down on the sofa.
Georgia noticed her friend lying down so came over to her.
"Chloe are you okay?"
"I'm not feeling so good, I feel sick" Chloe said whilst still taking sips from her cup
"Well what've you got there?"
Georgia took a sip out of Chloe's cup and realised she was drinking straight Malibu.
"Bloody hell Chlo you shouldn't be drinking that straight"
Chloe then started clutching at her stomach so Georgia knew what was coming next.
She quickly rushed her friend into the bathroom where she was sick.
"I'm feeling much better now" Chloe said once she was done
"Well that's good"
"Shall we go back downstairs?"
"Okay but no more drinking"
Chloe went back downstairs and stayed with Georgia for a bit.
Georgia soon went off though so Chloe made her way back to the kitchen and got herself another vodka and lemonade, again she made it very strong.
It wasn't long before Chloe was in a very bad way.
She went and found Harry who immediately wrapped his arms around her.
"Harry did you know you were my first kiss?" Chloe said very loudly "so I was thinking we should just go all the way because I really like you so maybe we should just have sex tonight too"
Some of Chloe's close friends had heard what she was saying so despite the fact they were a bit drunk too they dragged her away and took her up to Georgia's bedroom.
"Why've we come up here? I was having fun downstairs"
"We're ringing your Mum Chloe, you need to go home"
"No don't call my Mum she'll be so mad"
"You can't stay here any longer"
Georgia went on Chloe's phone and rang Rachel.
"Chloe is everything okay?" Rachel said when she picked up the phone. It was 11:30 so Rachel and Chris were in bed
"It's not Chloe Rachel, it's Georgia"
"Oh hi Georgia, is everything alright?"
"No not really" Georgia said looking at Chloe who was feeling sick again "Chloe needs picking up"
"Why what's happened?"
"She's not feeling well" Georgia said not wanting to be the one to have to tell her head teacher that Chloe was drunk
"I'll be there as soon as I can"
Rachel hung up and put her coat on top of her pyjamas.
"Do you want me to go Rach, you had that cocktail and a glass of wine"
"I know but I feel fine, you know what Chloe get's like when she's ill she just wants her Mum"
Rachel rushed out and got into the car to drive to Georgia's.
Whilst Rachel was gone Ruby woke up. She'd been dreaming that she was going for a wee but when she woke up she realised that she'd just wet the bed.
Ruby was really embarrassed, she hated that it kept happening.
It had been happening a lot in the last few months and she was getting really fed up with it.
It had happened quite a few times when she'd stayed at Rachel's when she was younger and Rachel had never been cross about it but she just didn't want to tell her because she was so embarrassed about it.
Ruby started crying and in the end she decided to just tell Rachel so that she could help her sort it.
She climbed out of bed, her wet pyjamas clinging to her, and went into Rachel and Chris's bedroom.
Chris was awake when she went in but there was no sign of Rachel.
"Uncle Chris, where's Auntie Rachel?"
"She's had to go and pick Chloe up from her friend's house because she's not very well, is everything okay?"
"Yes I just want Auntie Rachel" Ruby said with tears rolling down her cheeks
"Why don't you come and jump into bed with me and wait until she gets home then? I don't think she'll be too long"
"No I'll just go back to bed, I'll be fine"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes"
Ruby slowly walked back and got into bed. She was feeling really uncomfortable but was too scared to try and sort it out herself in case Chris came into check on her and found out what had happened.
Rachel pulled up outside of Georgia's house and went and knocked on the door.
Georgia had Chloe waiting on the stairs with her stuff so as soon as Rachel was there Chloe let her in.
"Are you not feeling very well Chlo?" Rachel said sympathetically
"No I feel really sick Mum but please don't me bad with me I was only having a bit of fun, you weren't meant to find out but now you have" Chloe said slurring her words
Rachel soon realised Chloe was drunk so anger started flooding through her.
"In the car now Chloe" Rachel said grabbing her wrist
Rachel stormed out with Chloe and didn't even bother saying goodbye to Georgia.
"Ow Mum you're hurting me"
"No I'm not, now get in the car" Rachel said opening up the passenger door
Rachel started up the car and started driving home.
"Mum I feel really sick"
"Don't you dare throw up in this car" Rachel said however it was too late because Chloe suddenly emptied the contents of her stomach all down her and onto the floor
"For gods sake Chloe, I hope you realise how much trouble you're in"
Chloe wasn't listening to her Mum now, she had her eyes closed and had just about passed out on the seat.
The car was stinking which was making her feel quite sick now too, so she put her foot down a bit to get home as quickly as she could.
Rachel sighed but didn't say anything else for the entire car journey home.
Once they pulled onto the drive Rachel got out of the car and then tried to get Chloe out.
She was passed out on the seat though so she couldn't get her in and had to shout to Chris.
Chris carried Chloe up to her bedroom and laid her down on her bed.
"I'll take it from here Chris"
"Ok, oh Ruby came in for you earlier but she went back into bed when I told her you weren't there. She seemed upset"
"I'll check on her in a minute, she's probably gone back to sleep though"
Rachel took Chloe's dress off her and got her into a pair of pyjamas.
She left her, right now she was so angry at her daughter.
Rachel took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down before she went down into Ruby's room to check on her.
When she went in Ruby was sat up in bed crying.
"Hey Ruby, what's wrong?" Rachel said rushing over and sitting on the bed next to her niece
"I'm sorry Auntie Rachel"
"What for darling?"
"I've wet the bed" Ruby said feeling very ashamed
"That's no big deal love, these things happen sometimes. You jump out of bed and we'll get you sorted"
Ruby got out of bed, she was shivering and feeling all itchy from being in her wet pyjamas for so long.
Rachel quickly took her wet pyjamas off and grabbed a clean pair before carrying Ruby into the bathroom.
"Let's get you feeling a bit fresher shall we?" Rachel asked whilst running some water in the sink
She got a flannel and gave Ruby a quick wash. She then dried her down and put her in the clean pyjamas.
They went back into Ruby's bedroom and Rachel stripped the sheet off. She got another one from the airing cupboard and then put it on.
"In you jump them love"
"I'm really sorry Auntie Rachel, I didn't mean to"
"Of course you didn't, it's bound to happen once in a while when you're still young"
"But it's been happening lots lately" Ruby mumbled quietly but loud enough for Rachel to still hear her
"Oh is it? How come?"
"I don't know it just has"
"Well when I was your age it used to happen to me all the time too, so it's honestly nothing to worry about"
Rachel stayed with Ruby until she dropped off to sleep and then went back to bed herself.
She was beginning to think that Ruby wasn't particularly happy at home at the minute. After all the reason Rachel used to have lots of accidents when she was her age was more than likely due to the bad home life that she had.
Rachel knew she'd need to speak to both Ruby and Phil in the morning to try and see if there was anything else Mel had been hiding from her and to see what was upsetting Ruby.
It didn't take long for Rachel to drop off to sleep after that, she really was very tired.
When Chloe woke up the next morning she wondered what she was doing in her bed. She couldn't remember coming home last night.
Bits of last night started coming back to her and then she guessed she must have been picked up last night because she was so drunk.
This was starting to make her worry now, she knew how mad her Mum was going to be.
Chloe heard Rachel coming up the stairs so quickly turned over and pretended to be asleep still.
Rachel walked straight in with the intention to wake her daughter up.
"Time to wake up Chloe" Rachel said shaking her daughter
"Mum I'm sleeping"
"I want you down in the kitchen in 10 minutes, I need to talk to you" Rachel said sounding strict
"About what?"
"I think you know full well about what"
Chloe came down 5 minutes later wanting to get this over with as soon as she could
"Right then Chloe care to explain how you came about getting so drunk last night your friends actually had to call me to come and get you and why you were even drinking in the first place"
"I was at a party Mum, everyone drinks at a party"
"You're 15 Chloe, so that makes you three years too young"
"I'm going to be 16 in a couple of months so basically two years"
"Don't try and get clever with me young lady, and two years too young is still bad enough"
Amy walked in at that moment to get a drink, she still didn't know that Chloe had come home drunk last night.
"You let Amy drink at parties"
"Amy didn't start drinking until she was 17, nearly 18"
"Yeah that's what she told you, I bet you she was drinking when she was my age"
"Don't drag me into this" Amy said
Amy gave Chloe a look as she left the kitchen, she really hoped Chloe wouldn't tell Rachel that she'd bought her the vodka.
"I'm really not happy about this Chloe, in fact I'm quite disappointed in you"
"It's what everyone else does Mum. Before I used to either not go to the party or sit there while everyone around me got drunk and believe me that's not very fun" Chloe said with tears forming in her eyes, she did hate being in trouble with her Mum.
Rachel knew Chloe would have only done it to fit in with her friends and realised that maybe she had been a bit too hard on her. After all she could remember what it was like to be a teenager
"Look Chloe maybe I have been a bit hard on you. If it's what your friends are doing maybe I can start to turn a blind eye on the drinking thing"
"Really?" Chloe said not believing she was hearing those words coming out of her Mum's mouth
"Hang on I haven't finished, as long as it's not all the time and you don't get as bad as you were last night"
"I promise you'll never have to pick me up again because I'm so drunk"
"I hope not" Rachel said although she wasn't sure Chloe would be able to stick to this promise
"I really am sorry you know Mum"
"I know you are, but I can see why you're doing it after all most teenagers your age probably are"
"I'm going to go back to bed"
"Don't think you're getting off the hook without punishment"
"Really? Are you grounding me?"
"No I'm not grounding you but I'm taking Ruby swimming this morning so you can come too" Rachel said thinking a morning spent at the swimming pool surrounded by loud, screaming kids would be a good enough punishment
"Are you kidding me?"
"Nope, we're leaving in an hour so make sure you're ready"
By 11 they were all ready to go swimming.
Everyone else was waiting in the car and Rachel had just nipped in as she'd forgotten to pick up Ruby's woggle when the phone rang.
Rachel sighed but she did pick up the phone.
"Hello is this Rachel Mason speaking?"
"Yes speaking, but I'm actually on the way out so is this going to be quick?"
"This is important Rachel. My name's Tom from Manchester police station. I'm afraid I'm calling about your sister"
"What about Mel?"
"I'm afraid to tell you your sister had an accident in Portugal"
"What kind of accident?"
"She fell off the rocks and drowned, we think she was drunk"
"Are you trying… trying to tell me that she's d- dead?"
"I'm sorry Rachel, but yes that's what I'm ringing to tell you"
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