Disclaimer: I own nothing
Chapter Three
On the third day of September, Becky found herself frantically trying to get ready to go to Waterloo Road. After three years of being there full time, this would be the first time she hadn't gone back properly - instead, she would take maternity leave until after the October half term, but go back in for a couple of days to keep herself up to date with the school.
This was the first day of term, and Becky was half looking forward to doing something other than sitting in the house, but at the same time terrified.
After spending the summer around the house, going to work would be very different. For the first time in months, she would have to get herself ready, be organised and go out. Over the summer, she only places she'd been had been at her own leisure, but this was different.
When Jack came into the kitchen that morning, strolling in in his suit, he put his briefcase down on the worktop.
He found Becky sitting at the kitchen table, James in her arms, and attempting to give him his bottle. Her long dark hair was pulled up in a ponytail, she looked tired, and she was still wearing her pajamas.
She looked up when she saw him and smiled slightly, " Morning, honey. "
" Rebecca, shouldn't you be ready for work? " he asked lightly, walking over to the kettle and flicking the switch down to turn it on.
He soon wondered if he ought to regret his words when his wife turned to glare at him - as best she could, with their baby in her arms. " Be ready? " she echoed, " how can I be ready when I've got to feed a fussing baby - I don't have time to get ready for work. "
He turned around to face her when he heard the desperation creeping ito her voice as she continued, " It's like he knows that I've got to be somewhere - he's been far more awkward than he usually is. I don't have time to get ready. "
Jack sighed and he moved over to her. He pulled out the kitchen chair beside her, leaned over to kiss her forehead and calmly said, " Let me take him. You go get ready. "
Becky sighed, " Jack, I've started now - "
" Here," Jack said, " go get ready. Give me the bottle. "
Becky sighed and she felt a rush of relief pass through her and she nodded. Slowly she stood up and handed her son and his bottle to his father. Jack glanced at the clock, " You'd better hurry up, love. "
On her way up the stairs, Becky passed Maxine and shouted a quick "good morning" to her as she jogged up the stairs, and Maxine huried down. By now, Maxine was used to her foster parents hurrying around in a panic.
Becky got ready for work, looking forward to getting to see all her collegues again, but at the same time, started to have doubts about leaving her son behind.
She dressed in a pair of black trousers and a blue blouse, throwing a black blazer over the top. She vaguely managed to do something with her hair, though she couldn't get it to lie completely flat, and then she packed her handbag and the folders she thought she would need.
When she came back downstairs, she found Jack wiping the baby's mouth.
He smiled when he saw her, " Everything alright? " he asked.
Becky nodded - she still felt tired, but she thought she looked at least half decent now. Certainly decent enough to go into the school, anyway.
" Course it is," she nodded, going into the cupboard and taking her rings out of the place she kept them in when she wasn't wearing them. She slipped both her engagement and wedding ring onto her ring finger, and then set about packing everything she thought James would need for the day.
For the first time ever, Waterloo Road was having a creche, which meant Becky would be able to leave her baby there for the day - she had met the woman who would be running it the week before, and decided that she quite liked her.
" I'm going to meet Janeece," Maxine told Becky, appearing in the kitchen doorway, dressed in her uniform with her bag thrown over her shoulder.
Becky smiled, " Alright sweetie, have a good day won't you? And we'll see you tonight, if we don't see you inbetween. Jack was talking about going out for a meal or something. That's if I haven't fallen asleep by the time I get home from work. "
Maxine smiled a little, " Well, I'll see you later. Here's hoping I don't have Budgen today. "
Becky smiled, " See you later, sweetie. "
When she and Jack had finally got James ready, and had got everything they needed, Becky stopped in the hallway, her arms loaded with her handbag and James' baby bag.
" Jack," she sighed, " I'm not so sure about this. "
Jack raised his eyebrows, " You're not sure about it? Becky, love, what's going on? "
She sighed heavily, " Jack, I just ... I know we talked about it, but I'm not sure about leaving James by himself. I ... we haven't left him for that long before. I'm just ... I don't know if I'm ready. "
Jack was holding his son in his arms, and he sighed.
" I know how you feel," Jack said calmly, " but everything's going to be fine, I promise. We've left him before for a few hours, haven't we? "
" But I don't want him to be scared or confused because we're not there," Becky told him, reaching out to touch her son's cheek, and smiling a little at the smile her baby gave her. " What if he's not alright without us? "
" He will be," Jack promised, " he'll be fine. We've left him for a few hours before. "
It was true - they had. They'd left James with his Uncle Tom for a few hours before now so they could have a few hours off, and they'd left him with Maxine for very short periods of time too.
" This is a whole day though," Becky sighed.
" Not really," Jack told her, " listen to me - James is going to be fine. And we don't have to leave him all day - we can see him at break and dinner - it's only a couple of hours. It could be good for him - get him used to the creche for when you go back full time. "
" I'm really not sure," Becky said.
Jack shook his head and stepped forward a little, closing the distance so he had the room to lean down and kiss her forehead slowly, " I worry about James every minute of every day too, but I also know he's going to be fine. "
Becky hesitated. She wasn't quite sure what to say and she thought about it for a few momets. She let out a sigh and then looked Jack in the eye, " Fine," she said, " you're right. "
They'd already discussed it at length before now, and she supposed this was just last minute nerves.
Jack smiled, " Good. C'mon - let's go. If I'm honest, I'm quite looking forward to showing off my little man and my gorgeous new wife. "
Becky smiled at the way Jack always knew how to make her feel better. She supposed when she thought about it, she would quite like to go see Matt, Jasmine, Davina and Tom, and everyone else at the school.
They secured their son into the back of the car, and threw all their things in the boot.
Once it was done, Becky climbed into the passenger seat of the car and pulled down the mirror in front of her. She pulled her make up out of her bag, and as Jack drove the car, she started to apply it.
Jack chuckled a little, and catching the look he threw at her, she shrugged innocently, " I realised that if I'm going into that school as Mrs Rimmer, as going to go into that school looking good. How are you feeling anyway - about going back to the school, I mean? "
" I'm looking forward to it," he replied, " it feels like I should be going into the head's office, but I think I'm looking forward to doing my subject and just having you, James and Maxine around all the time. "
Becky smiled, running her pale pink lipstick across her lower lip, and when she was finished with it, she nodded, " Jack? "
" Yes love? " he asked, without taking his eyes from the road.
Becky smiled, " I love you. I really do, you know. "
He chuckled, " Not that I don't appreciate the reminder, but what's brought this on? "
She shrugged, reaching into her handbag for her blusher compact, " Just thought I ought to tell you - it feels like everything's right - me, you, Maxy, James, Waterloo Road ... you know? "
Jack smiled, " Yes, darling wife. I know exactly what you mean. "
When they got to the school, Jack pulled into the carpark. It was already busy - full of pupils and staff members gathering up after a summer apart, and Becky had to admit that she'd missed the buzz of it all.
She got out of the car and left her husband to get their bags, while she opened the back door and started to unfasten James from the carseat. She smiled proudly as she lifted him up into her arms, and turned to see Jack watching her.
" D'you need the carseat unclipping? " he asked her.
She shook her head, holding James close, wrapping her arms around him protectively, " No, I want to carry him. "
Jack smiled, " And what about when he's in the creche? Aren't they going to need something to put him in, and there's very little point putting the pram up to get around school. "
Becky narrowed her eyes, " Fine," she said, " but I want to carry him. "
" Wouldn't dream of arguing with you, love," Jack smirked, gently nudging her aside as he got to the car. Becky smiled, bouncing James a little, " Daddy's learning, isn't he, baby? Mummy's always gets her own way. "
Jack chuckled to himself and when he turned around, with the empty car seat in one hand, he looked at his son, " Daddy lets Mummy thinks she's getting her own way. It's easier that way. "
James gurgled and curled his tiny fist up, and Jack shrugged, taking it as an agreement.
Becky rolled her eyes, and with her handbag on one shoulder, and her baby in her arms, she started to walk towards the school. Jack was holding the carseat, in which he'd thrown his briefcase, as well as James' baby bag.
As they walked into school, Becky's attention was solely on her son as she provided him with a full narative in her best baby voice, while they started walking towards the creche.
" So baby," she said, " this is where Mummy and Daddy, and Uncle Tom work, and this is where you're going to be staying when Mummy goes back to work properly. "
James was looking at her intently, his eyes - exactly the same as his father's - watching hers as if she were the most interesting person, although she knew he didn't really understand.
Jack grinned, aware of the looks they were attracting, and the smiles the girls were all throwing both his way and James' way, as they awwwwed over him.
" Down there is Mummy's old office," Becky continued, " and it's Uncle Tom's now. "
James gave his best smile on hearing his uncle's name, and Becky nodded, " Yep, that's right. We all know how devoted you are to Uncle Tom, don't we? Sometimes I think between Daddy and Uncle Tom, I don't get a look in. "
Jack scoffed, " Please, he loves his Mummy, don't you, little man? "
When they got to the creche, Jack gave Lisa - the kind, plump, middle-aged woman who ran it - James' bag and carseat, and Lisa reached out to fuss over the little boy.
" I'll come back and drop him off in about 15 minutes or so," Becky told Lisa, " we've got an assembly to go to, but first I'm sure everyone wants to see my little one. "
They started to walk towards the assembaly hall, where they knew they needed to be for assembly, and Becky proudly carried her son. Jack looked voer at the pair of them, and despite the fat that he was at work, and knew he ought to be acting professional, he couldn't bring himself to shake off the love sick smile.
When they rounded the corner to get outside the assembay hall, several of their collegues were already gathered there, mostly facing away from them.
As they walked over to their collegues, Becky spotted Tom, Davina, Matt and Jasmine standing together, and Tom was the first to stop them.
" Becky! " he grinned as she and Jack got closer, and his eyes immediately fell on his nephew, " hey, you've brought my gorgeous little nephew to me. "
Tom looked as delighted as ever to see his nephew, and Becky and Jack had now attracted the attentions of Jasmine and Davina, and Matt. The two women and Matt turned around, and with an impish smile, Matt started humming the wedding march, which prompted Davina and Jasmine to join in.
Becky giggled, and when they reached them, Tom's arms were already stretched out to take hold of his nephew. Becky was more than used to Tom always snatching up her son, and James' looked only too happy to see his uncle.
Matt finally got to the end of his wedding march, and Becky laughed, " It's good to see you all too. "
By now, most of their collegues were looking at them, and Matt - who Becky thought looked very tired and quite hungover, seemed to perk up a little with the appearance of James.
" Hey little man," he said, reaching out to touch the baby's hand, and cooing over the baby.
Tom smiled and sternly told his nephew, " Matt's going to try and make you like music and drama, but what you really want to like is english and Man City. You just remember that. "
James smiled and reached out to try and grab his uncle's face, causing Tom to chuckle and stick his tounge out, making James laugh a little. Becky rolled her eyes, " Stop trying to corrupt my son, Tommy. He wants to be a historian like Mummy. The football, I won't argue with. "
" Wouldn't have had you down as the football type," Jasmine said to Becky with a smile.
Becky shrugged, " Growing up with Tom as a brother, you had to be into football, and it kind of stuck. Used to help Tom coach 5 aside, actually. Before I got given head of pastoral care anyway, and that took over. "
Jack grinned, wrapping an arm around Becky's shoulders, " Our first date was after she'd finished coaching 5-aside one night, wasn't it? "
Becky grinned at the memory and told her friends - all of whom except Tom hadn't worked here then - " This big spender took me to the local. "
After a brief silence, Matt looked at the proud parents, " looks like you, doesn't he, Jack? "
Jack grinned and exchanged a look with Becky before nodding, " We think so," he nodded.
" So," Jasmine said, after also cooing over James, " congratulations on the wedding. You two really deserve it. "
Matt nodded, " Yeah, congratulations. Let's see the ring then. "
Becky had been dying to show off, even if she knew that was a little vain, and she held out her left hand. Jasmine and Matt - neither of whom Becky and Jack had seen all summer - both admired it, and Becky blushed as she thought back to her happy day, while the smile on Jack's face showed he was impossibly proud.
When Becky was allowed her hand back, Jack kissed the top of her head, and Becky took the time to look around at everyone. Steph was talking to the other languages teachers, while Grantly was no-where to be seen yet, and the rest of the staff were all gathered by now.
Becky thought Jasmine had gone to Scotland for the summer to see her parents, and they'd seen very little of Matt, though they'd exchanged a few emails.
" So," Davina said, snapping Becky out of her thoughts, " how're you finding it all now? I know you said he was being fussy last week. "
Becky had found a fairly good friend in Davina now she was seeing Tom and had moved in with him, and Becky had been glad of her company over the summer. " He's great," Becky said, " he was a bit fussy this morning, but he seems happy now. "
" It's because he's got his Uncle Tom, isn't it, mate? " Tom asked, holding his nephew closer.
" I didn't even realise you were coming in today, until I saw you," Jasmine commented.
Becky shrugged, " Well, I'm just in to help Tom get to grips with pastoral care - you know, sort out the filing, and all the start of year files and reports that need doing. I won't be doing any actual teaching. "
Matt sighed heavily and ran a hand through his short blonde hair, and not for the first time, Becky thought he looked tired and fed up, and she sighed - he looked hungover.
" I think I need to go in and sit down," Matt said, before brushing past everyone and going into the hall.
As soon as he'd gone, Becky pulled a face, " He doesn't look so good, does he? "
Jasmine nodded, " Looks like he's taking his split with Colin pretty badly, doesn't it? "
" He's split up with Colin? " Tom asked, his interested finally torn away from his son.
Davina rolled her eyes, " Becky told you about it two weeks ago, if that, Tom. Matt told her in one of his emails, that that's why he'd been so distany from everyone, remember? "
" Poor Matt," Becky sighed, before looking around and seeing that everyone was starting to file into the hall. " Come on, Rimmer," she added, nodding towards the hall, before looking at Tom, " and you, give me my son back. "
Tom looked beyond reluctant but sighed and allowed Becky to take hold of her son, who also seemed a little reluctant to part. Becky smiled at her baby, and as they went into the hall, Jack nudged her, and nodded in the direction of a man across the corridor.
He looked young and from what he was wearing, she supposed he had to be a P.E teacher.
As pupils and staff alike went into the assembaly hall, Becky took a seat between Jack and Tom, while the other staff sat down in the rows around. She settled James down on her knee, and held him close, looking around the hall, and smiling a little as she heard Jack mumble to her son, and take hold of his little hand.
Once everyone was in the hall and settled down, the doors opened again, and Rachel walked in, closely followed by Eddie.
The students erupted into cheers at the sight of their headmistress, and Becky knew the school had been worried about losing her after the revelation that she had once been a prostitute, and then after her recent injuries in the fire.
The cheers continued as Rachel got up onto the stage, and she laughed, holding up her hands, whilst Eddie took a seat with the rest of the staff.
" That's enough, thank you," Rachel called, before laughing when her words had no effect, " that's enough! Thank you! "
When she had silence, she smiled and continued, looking around at everyone, " Well, here we are, another year. Um, we have new pupil, and in some places, a new school. We have both new and returning staff - our new P.E teacher, and of course Mr Rimmer returning as a history teacher. "
On this announcement, the pupils broke out into cheers, and Jack grinned. Becky smiled, proud that he had been so popular before - she remembered all the fuss the pupils had put up to stop him from leaving before.
Rachel smiled in the direction of the newlyweds, and added, " And I'm sure we'll all offer our congratulations to Mr Rimmer and the former Miss Clarkson on their recent marriage, and the birth of their son. "
When everyone burst out into applause again, James turned his face to hide against his mother, and Becky smiled, brushing her hand lightly against the top of his head as she tried to soothe him.
Rachel continued, " So, this is a new year, and I want you all to go home and tell your mums and dads and whoever else. I want them all here. This year we're opening the doors to everyone, with our new extended services, and I want to get the message across. If anyone's in need of anything, I want Waterloo Road to be the first place they come. "
After that, she dismissed everyone, and as the pupils started to file out, the staff stayed behind, all still greeting each other after most of them hadn't seen each other all summer.
Matt, who had been sitting behind Becky and Jack, mumbled, " Well, that was quite a speech wasn't it? "
Jack smiled a little - he was extremely fond of Matt, since the young music and drama teacher had been there when becky went into labour during the fire, and had helped keep her calm.
Jasmine joined them, as did Tom and Davina, and as the six stood together, Jasmine rolled her eyes at Matt's coment, " You're just in a mood because of the hangover you seem to be nursing. "
Becky laughed, as she looked up from James' smiling face, " Tut tut tut Mr Wilding - on a school night? "
Matt rolled his eyes, looking quite unimpressed with the interrogation, " Yeah, but night. "
Davina joined in. " Is this a big night every night since you and Colin split? "
Matt rolled his eyes again, " I'm sorry, I didn't realise I had three sisters or something, that I have to answer to. "
Jack's lips twitched upwards in amusement, and he reached out and rested his hand on his wife's back, " Now now ladies," he said, " leave the poor man alone. "
Becky stuck her tounge out at him, but their friends could all see how completely happy the two were with each other. Becky turned her attention back to her beloved baby only to have it taken away a moment later when Davina - who was standing on her left in their little circle, nudged her.
Becky followed her line of vision to see the new PE teacher shaking hands with Steph, as he went around introducing himself to everyone. She, Davina and Jasmine all looked, but it was Jasmine who seemed to be looking over her shoulder - as she was facing away from him - with the most interest.
" Oh for God's sake Jasmine," Matt sighed, " put your tounge back in. "
When Jasmine made no response, Becky shrugged, " You can't blame her Matt - he is quite cute. "
" I beg your pardon? " Jack ground out, not loooking too impresed as she felt his hand on her back stiffen a little.
Becky rolled her eyes, looking up into his, " Oh honey, I'm married not blind. And I only said he was "quite cute. ""
Jack's lips twitched into a little smile as his hand relaxed, and Tom smirked as he joined in the teasing of their youngest teacher, " Jas, you're still staring. "
Jasmine promptly turned back around and shook her head, " I'm not interested. Besides, I don't date my collegues - it's unprofessional. "
As soon as her words were out, she looked like she regretted them, but her friends simply looked amused.
" Oh dear, oh dear," Tom sighed dramatically, " what does that say about us? "
Becky - his usual partner in crime wore the same teasing smile he did, as she added, " Well, you're the expert, Tommy. But Jasmine, dating your collegues isn't all bad, trust me. "
Jasmine seemed to have gotten over her embarrassment as she continued, " Well anyway, if I was going to date someone from the staffroom, it wouldn't be a P.E teacher. " Over Jasmine's shoulder, Becky noticed that the PE teacher was approaching, as most of the others had also realised.
Both Tom and Matt cleared their throats, while Davina and Becky tried to give her warning looks, and Jack tried to contain his smirk at the scene that was about to arise.
Jasmine continued, " No, I'm serious. I mean, imagine going out with someone who comes to work in their tracksuit and plimsolls. "
By now the PE teacher was right behind them, and he cleared his throat, before graciously pretending he hadn't heard Jasmine. Jasmine looked over her shoulder at him in horror.
" Hi everyone," he said with an easy smile, " I just wanted to say hello. "
There was an awkward silence, before Tom cleared his throat and broke it by swinging his hand out to greet the new teacher. " Nice to meet you mate," he said, " welcome aboard. "
The new teacher looked relieved, and Becky supposed that they must have seemed like a close knit group to anyone who watched from the otuside - the six of them laughing and joking.
" Rob Cleaver," the new teacher said, shaking Tom's hand.
" Tom Clarkon," Tom nodded, " no need to ask what subject you teach, ey? "
Matt then offered out his hand, as he was standing next to Tom, " Matt Wilding," he said.
Jack smiled as he extended his hand, " Jack Rimmer. "
Becky smiled at Rob Cleaver, although with both of her hands occupied in holding her son, she didn't offer out a hand, " Rebecca Rimmer," she said, " nice to meet you. Although I'm officially on maternity leave with this one - this is just one of my keeping in touch days. "
" Davina Shackleton," Davina smiled, when Becky wa finished, also shaking Rob's hand.
Lastly, Rob turned to Jasmine. He paused before offering out his hand, and they all knew that that awkward moment meant he'd heard what she's said. Jasmine awkwardly shook his hand and mumbled, " Jasmine. "
Rob nodded, looking around at them all, before nodding again, " Well, I'll leave you all to it then. "
They all watched him walk away, and once he'd gotten out of earshot, Matt nodded, " Well he's fit," he said - aimed mostly at Jasmine - " which of course he needs to be do to his job. "
Jasmine sighed heavily, " Please tell me he didn't hear all of that. "
Matt nodded, " Oh yeah, he didn't hear all of that. "
" Just most of it," Jack added with a smirk.
Becky rolled his eyes at him fondly, before glancing at the clock, " I've got to go," she said, " you lot should all be getting to your classes, and I have to take James to the creche. "
Jack smiled and carefully extracted his son from his mother's arms. Lifting the little boy up to look at him, he said, " Right, Mummy's going to take you to the creche, but we'll see you soon, right? You be a good baby for the nice lady. Daddy loves you. "
Becky couldn't help but smile at how cute Jack was, and she grinned, " Come on Daddy, let me take him. "
As Jack carefully handed him back to Becky, Tom spoke up, " Hey, can I have a last cuddle? "
Becky rolled her eyes, " No," she said, " do it on your own time - you must get to hug him more than anyone else, come to think of it. Now, I'll meet you in my - well, your - office in about ten minutes, yeah? "
Tom rolled his eyes, " God forbid I disobey my little sister. "
She stuck her tounge out at him, and left them all behind as she took off towards the creche. Whilst on her way, she saw Eddie walking down the corridor towards her.
It wasn't half an hour into the term and he looked stressed out, and she saw Rachel walking behind him, followed by a woman dressed in scruffy clothes. The woman was pushing a pram with a toddler in, and was followed by two highly unimpressed looking teenage boys and an equally unimpressed teenage girl.
When they saw her, Rachel smiled, despite also looking stressed.
" Rebecca, welcome back for another year - everything alright? "
Becky grinned, " More than alright. "
Eddie smiled, " Well, congratulations, Mrs Rimmer. And this must be James? "
Becky smiled proudly as she looked at her son, " Yeah. James, this is Mr Lawson - he works here with me and Daddy, yeah? "
" Looks like Jack, doesn't he? " Eddie chuckled, looking down at the infant.
" Can't we get going? " the unknown woman snapped, a thick irish accent very prominent in her voice, " aren't I supposed to be enrolling these lot into this school of yours? "
Rachel smiled politely, but Becky could see it was forced - this family looked like a handful.
Becky cleared her throat, " Well, I'd better get going. I have to take James to the creche, and help Tom sort out all this pastoral care stuff - someone's got to put him on the right path, haven't they - and it looks like you two are busy anyway. "
Rachel smiled at her, " We'll catch up with you later. "
Becky took James to the creche, and he it seemed he didn't want her to leave. She sighed - he was very youg to be left alone for the day, she supposed. She gave him a big hug as she held him to her, and he eventually seemed to calm down enough for her to be able to hand him over to Lisa, with the promise that she'd be back very soon.
She then went to the staffroom, to see if there was anything in her tray, and as she did so, Davina was also heading for the staffroom at the same time.
As the two women walked in, in conversation, and as Becky reached into her tray, she glanced around the staffroom, and saw Grantly and Steph standing nearby.
She and Davina saw Grantly at the same time, and both immediately burst out laughing - Grantly was wearing a toupee on his usually bald head.
Unable to stop herself, Becky burst out laughing, and Davina did the same.
Behind Grantly's back, Steph joined in, and Grantly huffed and then left the room, shaking his head. Becky stared after him, " He's not actually going to teach like that? What will the kids say? "
Steph scoffed, " Goodness knows - look at the state of him. "
Becky managed to compose herself enough to look around the room, " Has anyone seen Tom? "
Davina pulled a face, " I think he's gone out for a cig," she said.
Becky frowned, putting her hands on her hips, the few pieces of paper she'd pulled out of her tray in one hand, " Really? I though he'd given up? "
Davina grimaced, " I think he's fallen off the wagon. "
Becky sighed and shook her head, " I'll go find him - I told him we had things to sort out, didn't I? Honestly - how you're putting up with him, I don't know. "
As Becky left the room, Davina looked after her with a smile. Steph chuckled too, " Does she seem stressed to you? All this ... trying to keep Tom in line and get him sorted out? "
Davina considered it for a moment and then shook her head, " No. She's the happiest she's been in a long time - I think now she's got a child, she's relishing in taking care of everyone. She's so happy now though. "
Steph nodded, " Good. She deserves to be. "
Meanwhile Becky was heading outside. Once she got outside, she walked towards the end of the school were any smokers could usually be found. When she got there, she saw an old clapped out camper van parked there.
Donte was standing in front of it, dressed down, and looking every inch the mechanic, with parts and pieces scattered everywhere. Tom was watching Donte, a cigarette in one hand, looking highly unimpressed.
" What're you two up to? " Becky asked, walking over, " don't you have anywhere better to be? "
" Free period," Donte replied, with a smile to his godmother.
" Me too," Tom replied.
Becky rolled her eyes, but couldn't stop the amusement that shone through them , " Dear brother, you are supposed to be getting to grips with pastoral care. Put that cigarette out and follow me to your new office. What's all this here, anyway? "
Tom scoffed, nodding at the camper van, " Donte's trying to fix up this hunk of junk. " Taking a drag on his cigarette, he added, " I don't see how it can be done. It's a wreck. "
Becky giggled a little - it really was a wreck - and Donte protested angrily, " This is mine and Chlo's future! "
Tom sighed in exasperation, " I really wish you hadn't said that. "
Donte rolled his eyes, " Come on Tom, you've got a have a better vision, mate. This my friend, is a win-win situation. "
Tom looked skeptical at best, but Becky couldn't help but think whatever Donte was doing, he was probably doing it for a good reason - she knew he would have had good intentions, and she also knew that as much as Tom loved to tease and pick on Donte, it was all in good nature, and he really liked the boy.
" How d'you work that one out? " Tom asked, frowning.
Donte proudly informed him, " Well, while I'm working on this, I'm also working towards my NVQ in mechanics, and when I get it on the road, me and Chlo can start earning. It's going to be a mobile hairdressers for Chlo - I'm gonna fit it out properly. Becky, you're on my side, right? "
Becky smiled a little, " Sweetie, I think it's great that you're thinking about your futures, but I wouldn't dream of coming between my brother and his son in law. "
She reached out and plucked the cigarette deftly from Tom's fingers, and stamped it out under her shoe. " Good luck with this bag of bolts Donte, now come on Clarkson, you're slacking off and we've got work to do. "
Tom sighed heavily and glanced at Donte, " When did she become the boss around here? "
The tww of them went to the pastoral care office, and spent the rest of the lesson setting up files and getting report for the new students, and trying to make a list of people who ought to be on the mentoring scheme.
" So," Becky said, as she and her brother started to walk to the staffroom at break, " there was a girl and two boys, and they looked like a right handful from the look on Eddie and Rachel's faces. "
Tom rolled his eyes as they moved through the crowds, " Just what we need - more troublesome pupils. "
Becky nodded, " I know. Hey - him over there, he was one of the new boys, I think. "
They looked across the corridor to see a boy pushing Paul Langely, another pupil, up against a locker, at the bottom of the school's main staircase.
" Hey! " Becky shouted, moving forwards, at the same time that Paul's best friend, Bolton, shouted, " Get off him! "
" Or what? " the new boy asked.
" Or you'll have me to deal with," Tom said, as the two of them reached them. Paul and Bolton took the opportunity to quickly leave, and once they'd gone, Tom turned back to the new boy. Becky couldn't help but immediately think she didn't like him.
" Now," Tom said calmly, " I know it must be hard for you to start at a new school, but you're not going to make it any easier for yourself by throwing your weight around, are you? I don't know what it was like at your last school, but there's no need for it. "
The boy shrugged and tried to walk off, and Becky reached out and lightly touched his arm, " Hang on, you're not finished here yet. "
She was surprised when he whipped around and glared at her, " Get off me," he snapped. When she faltered, completely surprised by his attitute, the boy violently wrenched his arm away from her, " I said get off me! "
Tom swiftly stepped forwards and somehow naturally managed to move Becky back a little - being as protective as ever. " Where d'you think speaking to people like that will get you? " he demanded.
The boy - Becky thought she'd earlier heard Rachel refer to them as the Kelly family, but she didn't actually know the boy's name - suddenly reached out and pushed Tom up against the locker, violently.
Becky was stunned, and she reached out and tried to pull the boy off her brother, and was even more surprised when he tried to push her away, making her stumble a bit.
If there was one way to annoy Tom, it was to try and harm his sister, and he angrily reversed the situation, so he was the one pinning the new boy up.
" Don't mess with me," the new boy spat, making Becky think he was some kind of maniac.
" Or else what? " Tom demanded, narrowing his eyes.
" Trust me, you don't want to know," the boy said.
Becky watched him slowly raise his hand, and was horrified to see him make the shape of a gun with his fingers, and press his fingers to Tom's temple, pretending to shoot him.
" Hey! " Becky said, moving forwards, " that's completely unacceptable. "
Tom held up his hand to silence her, and took over. " I'm going to pretend you didn't just do that because it's your first day, but if you ever do that to me or any other teacher in this school, you'll be out of here before you know what's hit you. Not get out of here. "
The boy hurried off without another word, leaving Becky staring after him. She had a very bad feeling about him, and as she managed to look away from the direction he'd just left in, she shook her head at Tom.
" Um, Tom? What the hell just happened? "
Tom shook his head slowly, " I don't know, but I'm guessing our new family is going to be very difficult if they're all like him. "
Becky shook her head and let out a breath, " I can't believe there's a boy that rude, that ... that ... the gun thing with the fingers ... on his first day! "
Tom sighed, " I know, Becks, I know. " He reached out to put his hand under her arm, " come on, let's go get a coffee. Maybe we can find out if anyone else knows anything about this lot. "
They made their way up to the staffroom, and found it filled with all their collegues, who were catching up after a summer away from each other.
In the kitchen area, Jack and Davina were stood there, while Matt and Rob were sitting on the kitchen counter, joining in with the conversation, as were Jasmine, Steph and Grantly, who were sitting at the coffee table.
" Hey, there you are," Davina smiled, " we thought you'd got lost. "
" Made you a drink, love," Jack added, holding up a cup of coffee for his wife as she came to stand beside him. She smiled as he pressed the warm cup into her hands, and she leaned up on her toes to plant a kiss on his cheek.
At the last moment, he turned his head so she caught his lips, and she giggled at him for it when they broke apart.
" I hear we've got a new family," Davina said mildly, as Becky noticed Rob looking around and trying to make in everything, and the dynamics of the whole group.
Becky and Tom exchanged a look, before Becky cleared her throat, " Yeah, they just turned up this morning - 3 boys and a girl. And a toddler too, I think. " She sighed, " God knows what we're taking in now. "
At her side, Jack narrowed her eyes, immediately picking up on the tone of her voice, " Something happened? "
" Just a bit of a run in," she mumbled, taking a sip of her coffee.
Jack sighed, " Come on. Let's hear it. "
Tom told them all what had happened, and when he was finished, they all stared at him.
" He shot you? " Matt repeated, when he was finished.
" Well, with his fingers obviously," Tom replied.
" He pretended to shoot you? " Jack repeated, " shoot you? And they're letting this kind of kid into the school? He's already tried to get violent with two members of staff on his first day? "
" Jack," Becky said, " it ... it's not worth kicking off over. "
" Not worth it? " he asked, voice starting to raise, " are you serious? D'you think I'm going to stand back and let some kid treat you like that? "
Tom sighed, " Jack, let's not get carried away just yet. Look, has anyone else had any dealings with any of them? It's not just me, is it? "
" I had him in my class," Steph admitted, " I thought he was a cheeky little sod. "
" He's a bloody nutter," Tom said, shaking his head.
Becky pulled a face, " As much as I hate to judge the kid on one action, it's not the kind of thing you do is it. He's ... well, I'm going to be staying away from him. "
" I get the feeling the family's not had an easy time of it," Jasmine said gently, " I had the youngest brother in my class. "
" Well, I had the oldest," Jack said, " and he seems ok. "
" Well according to the sister," Matt supplied, " they've been pushed from pillar to post by the mum. "
" Exactly," Jasmine nodded, " you know, I was going to have a word with Rachel. "
Grantly scoffed, " To ask her what she was thinking when she enrolled them in the first place, I hope? We're always being told that resources are being overstretched - maybe they'd be more elastic if we didn't take in every nutjob and charity case, let alone whole families of them. "
They all stared at Grantly, never ceasing to be amazed at his attitude towards teaching and the kids.
" Wow," Matt said after a pause, making Becky's lips twitch into a smile, " it's just like Bob Geldof's in the room. "
They all laughed, the tension from talking about the Kelly family lifted, and with a glance at Grantly's new hair piece, Steph slyly added, " Or maybe even Bruce Forsythe. "
" I'll thank you all not to laugh at me," Grantly huffed, as they all stifled their giggles. He then tried to divert the conversation by turning it to something else, " So, Jack, what's your opinion on extended services? "
Jack, mildly surprised, replied, " Erm, if it's going to help the school, then I suppose it's a good thing, but if I were in charge I'd be more focused on doing more for the kids, rather than trying to get other people involved. "
The Extended Services that Rachel was setting up was for the local adults, setting up courses to enable people with no qualifications to earn some, and setting up courses to aid the parents of the pupils.
Becky smirked a little - Jack was never going to like Rachel much, mainly because she had his old job, and she wasn't him.
" Well, I thought you might have gone for the role," Grantly shrugged, " Head of Extended Services - it's a promotion from teacher, even if it's not something you're that passionate about. "
Jack shrugged, " I've got a new wife and a baby - I'm not too bothered about all the extra work. Not until James is at least one, you know? And I could only do something I was passionate about - I want to help the kids, not the local adults, that's not what I signed up for. "
" I heard you're going for the role," Matt said, smirking a little.
Jack chuckled, " Oh, so that's why you're asking, Grantly - trying to check out the competition, are you? "
" Steph, I heard you were going for it," Becky added.
Steph nodded, " Well, I was going to go for head of pastoral care, but it went straight to Tom, so I thought I'd go for this one. You know me - anything for a little extra money. "
The next few hours passed quite quickly - whilst Tom had classes to teach, Becky took the opportunity to go see her baby boy in the creche for a while, before eventually going back to the office, and doing some more admin.
At lunch, she and her friends sat around in the staffroom - where Jack admitted that he'd also called in to see James earlier - and nothing eventful happened.
Not until after lunch.
After lunch, Tom had no class to teach, and as he and Becky stood in the office, putting together a file, the office door opened and Eddie stuck his head around.
" Oh, hi," Becky said, before frowning a little at the look on his face, " everything alright? "
Eddie shook his head, " You need to evacuate the school. "
Becky wasn't sure she'd heard properly at first and she looked at Tom and then back at the deputy head, " Evacuate the school? Seriously? "
Eddie nodded, " I'm sorry, I don't have time to explain, but will you two just get yourselves out of here. Everyone is to evacuate as quickly and orderly as possible. "
With that, he left the office, and Becky frowned, thinking about the last time they'd had to evacuate. She looked at Tom, who was already heading for the door, " Let's get out of here," he said.
" I need to go get James," she said.
Tom nodded, understanding the need to look after her child, and wanting to go grab his little nephew himself, " See you outside then, but hurry up, won't you? "
She nodded and hurried off towards the creche, which was on the same floor as the pastoral care office, only a couple of corridors away.
As she moved on her way, she passed the kids, who were all filing out in silence, their teachers leading them. Whatever it was, there was no noise, no panicking and no hurrying, like with the fire. This was different.
She almost jumped a mile in the air when a hand grabbed hold of her upper arm, and she turned around quickly, and relaxed immediately when she saw Jack looking down at her, and wondered how she hasn't immediately recognised his touch.
He looked worried and his grip on her arm was tight, as if he thought something was going to happen to her.
He looked quite mad actually, she thought, and he ground out, " Rebecca, the exit to the school is not that way. This is an evacuation. "
Becky rolled her eyes, " I know exactly what this is, but I have to go get James. "
Jack sighed and relaxed his grip on her arm a little, though he kept hold of her, " You're supposed to be getting yourself out - it's an evacuation. The people in the creche are responsible for bringing the kids out. "
Even as he said it, she knew his words were half hearted, and she sighed, " Jack, I know they will, but he's our baby. I've got to go get him. "
Jack nodded and leaned in to plant a kiss on her forehead, " Fine. But hurry up and get yourself outside. "
Becky grimaced, " I do wonder what's going on ... must be something serious for them to evacuate us all like this. The last time there was an evacuation like this - "
" Stop," Jack said firmly, " it's not like the fire. It's ok. Just get James and hurry up outside. "
Becky didn't hesitate, and they went their seperate ways. Once in the creche, Becky eagerly picked up her son, and assured Lisa that she had him. Becky hurried back outside, and when she got outside, saw the kids all lining up, while their form tutors took the register.
Becky herself obviously had no form, but she walked over to everyone else - aware of the pupils, particularly the girls, looking at her baby with smiles. She found Tom's form lined up next to Jack's new form, and she sighed in relief that they were both alright.
" Becky," Jack breathed as soon as he laid eyes on her, " Becky, you're alright! Thank God. " At the same time, Tom laid his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it, as if reassuring himself that everything was alright.
Becky frowned, " Yeah, I'm fine. Listen, that's this all about? The whole evacuation thing? "
Over the top of her head, Jack met Tom's eyes, and then tucked a hand under her elbow, pulling her back a little, so they were out of the ear shots of the pupils.
James fussed in her arms, confused at all the people nearby, and Becky bounced him up and down lightly, whilst Jack reached out to hold his son's tiny hand. They all remembered that the last evacuation, and it had resulted in James' birth.
Tom leaned in and whispered in her ear, " There's a gun. "
Becky met his eyes, horrified, and shook her head, unable to form any words. She couldn't believe what she was hearing, and after a long pause, she looked from her brother to her husband and back again, " W-what? "
Tom nodded seriously and leaned in again, muttering, " Rachel had a note shoved under her door, saying there's a gun in the school. "
Before Becky had chance to say anything else, Eddie came along and said they all needed to start searching bags. Becky reluctantly took James over to Lisa and the other women who ran the creche, who were keeping tight hold of all the children from the creche.
With great reluctance, she handed James back, and started to join in the bag search. As she did so, she looked around, realising she hadn't seen Maxine yet, but she soon caught her eye and they smiled at each other from across the crowd in relief.
The bag search produced nothing, and Becky had finished searching yet another bag when she saw the police car pull up, and a detective get out to talk to Rachel.
She recognised him as Ralph Mellor - not only was he a detective, he was a school governor, and his daughter was in the same year as Maxine, Chlo and Donte.
Rachel passed him a bit of paper that Becky could only assume was the note.
Then all of a sudden, she heard a gunshot, and all hell broke loose. Everyone screamed and ran away from the school, hurrying back over the field, and Becky's instinct was to look around for her baby, her daughter and her husband.
She couldn't see anyone she wanted to see, but then there was a hand tightly grasping her arm, and pulling her away from the school. She looked up to see Jack had grabbed hold of her arm and was pulling her away from the school.
She managed to make her legs move, and she started to run away from the school too, grateful of Jack's grasp on her, guiding her.
When they stopped still, a good distance away from the school, Jack grasped her shoulders and looked into her eyes. The expression on his face was one of panic and he looked her up and down, before nodding - she was ok.
Becky realised exactly what was worrying him, and she reached up to lay her hand on his cheek, " Jack, I'm fine. This isn't like Izzie. Everything's ok. "
Jack looked into her eyes for a few more moments, and then nodded. Once he let go of her, Becky looked around for James, and as soon as she spotted the people from the creche, she hurried over to him, passing Maxine on her way.
She was aware of Jack following her, and they stopped to check that Maxine was alright, before Jack hurried over to take James from Lisa.
Becky stood close to Maxine, and stood in front of Jack. Jack was holding James tightly, and rested one hand on Becky's waist. His hold was tight, and she could feel his figers digging into her, but she knew he was even more worried than she was, so she did nothing. Tom came to stand with them, dragging Chlo with them, who pulled Donte along too.
They watched as Rachel ran back into the school, and the police stopped Eddie from running after her. They waited, all feeling tense and worried, and they watched as armed police began to surround the school.
" Have you heard? " Matt asked, sidling over to them.
" Heard there's a gun? " Jack asked, " I think we're a bit beyond that now. "
Matt shook his heard, " Have you heard that we've only got one kid missing? Only one kid didn't get registered just now. "
" Who? "
" Denzil Kelly," Matt replied, " the youngest of the new family. "
They all took in the information in shock - the boy was 11 or 12, wasn't he? It seemed completely unreal and Becky couldn't believe that on the first day of term, this was happening.
Jack's fingers were digging into the curve of her waist sharply as they waited to see what was happening, and they watched the armed police surround the entrance. Eventually, the doors opened, and Rachel came out of the school, followed by a crying, shaking Denzil Kelly.
Becky covered her mouth with her hand, unable to believe how a child could have ended up in this situation. She watched as he put the gun down and lowered himself to the ground.
As the police arrested the boy, everyone was just filled with shock.
Jack's fingers digging into her waist were almost painful now, and Becky turned around to face him. His face was full of tension and worry, and Becky just wanted to make it all go away.
" Jack, honey," she sighed, " it's ok. We're ok. "
Jack shook his head, " That poor kid isn't ok. What's a kid like that doing with a gun, anyway? "
Eventually, the kids were dismissed for the day, and the staff were left looking at each other. Jack leaned down and laid his hand on his wife's cheek, pressing his lips to her forehead.
Becky nodded, " Honey, I'm ok. " Looking down at her baby, she smiled, " and it looks like James is too, because he's going to sleep there. Here, let me hold him. "
Jack pouted and reluctantly handed over their son to his mother. Becky was glad to have him in her arms and she stroked his little cheek, " Oh baby, it's been one hell of a day hasn't it? But it's ok, because you and Mummy are staying at home tomorrow. "
" Damn straight," Jack mumbled, " where it's safe. "
Becky arrowed her eyes a little, " Language. "
" That's not even swearing," Jack protested, pouting again.
Becky rolled her eyes, and as she cuddled James to her, Grantly moved over to them. " So," he said, " I've suggested we all go for a very well deserved drink, and everyone else is in. Are you? "
" Absolutely," nodded Jack.
Becky had to admit she wanted to be able to relax with her collegues too, but she had a family to think about, " I'll see if Maxine will look after James for a while," she said, " but otherwise, you could just go, honey. "
They did end up going to the pub, and once they were there, joined Tom, Davina, Rob, Jasmine, Matt, Grantly and Steph. They all sat around a big table, and talked about the shock of the day and how they were going to move forwards.
Rachel and Eddie came to join them just as Tom, Matt and Jack were getting back to the table with another drink for everyone. Jack sat down beside his wife and handed her a glass of coke - as much as she wanted a drink, she'd decided she simply couldn't go out and have a drink every day after work.
" Oh, these are on me," Rachel said.
" Make mine a double then," Steph smirked.
" Go ahead, you deserve it," Rachel shrugged " you all deserve it. You were all brilliant today in keeping calm and keeping control of the kids. "
" Glad you think so," Tom said roughly, " we might not be so lucky next time. "
Rachel frowned, " I certainly hope there isn't a next time. "
They all looked around at each other, wondering who was going to take control of it, and matt cleared his throat, " I don't think hopingis good enough, is it? "
Jack nodded, " It's hardly the first violence problem we've had. " He took a deep breath and continued, " just over a year ago, Izzie Redpath was stabbed and killed in the school playground, and today ... when we heard that gunshot ... well, I was certainly worried about a repeat and I'm sure I wasn't the only one. "
Tom and Becky nodded vigorously, and Becky added, " We've gone from knives to guns, and we need to know that we're safe. "
Tom took over, " We've all been talking and we'd like you to put some security measures into place. "
" Or you could arm us and even up the odds," added Grantly suggested, in his typical manner.
" Seriously," Tom added, " we need this. We can't keep coming into work every day if we don't think we're safe. "
Rachel paused and then nodded, " Fine, you're right. I'll get the wheels in motion, and get something into place. "
" Is that a promise? " Jack asked, narrowing his eyes.
" Yes," Rachel said firmly.
Eddie nodded a little - well aware of the tension between Rachel and Jack, even if there was no real reason for it, " Well, anyway, that's tomorrow. Let's just have these drinks you promised us. "
" Fine, fine," nodded Rachel, pulling the money out of her purse.
Almost as soon as Rachel had paid for the drink, she got a phonecall, and made her apologies, before leaving. Eddie followed on after her, and once they'd both left the pub, Jack raised his eyebrows.
" How long before those two get together? "
There were a few chuckles from some of the other people there, who had also noticed Rachel and Eddie might have a bit of chemistry.
Jasmine scoffed, " Those two? You think so? "
Jack laughed, taking Becky's hand from where it rested on her leg, " Trust me, it all happens in the staffroom. "
Becky smirked at that, as did Tom, and they exchanged a look. Grantly nodded, " He's right and Lorna Dickey, Tom and Izzie Redpath, Tom and Davina - "
" Can we move on from me, please? " Tom asked, shaking his head.
Jack smirked, " It's not our fault you're some kind of staffroom casanova. "
Tom shook his head - as much as he and Jack annoyed each other with their teasing, they had become good friends with all the time Becky and Tom spent together, and Maxine and Chlo spent together. Tom never thought he would be glad to have Jack Rimmer as a brother in law, but he supposed he was.
Grantly continued, " Kim Campbell and Andrew Treneman, and of course, Jack and Rebecca. "
Jack nodded, looking at Jasmine, " Trust me, Rachel and Eddie have got something going on. "
Becky shrugged, squeezing Jack's hand, " Who cares? They've got nothing on us. "
Jack grinned and leaned in. He planted a kiss on Becky's cheek, and she smiled and relaxed a little in her seat so she could rest her head against his shoulder. Jack smiled and leaned across again, this time to capture her lips with his, making her smile into the kiss.
From opposite them, Tom frowned at them as they broke apart, " Um, hello? Big brother who doesn't need to see it, here. "
Becky shrugged, sticking her tounge out at her brother. " Um, hello? Woman who wants to snog her husband, here. "