"Thanks for the lift home, Mr Lawson," Olivia called as she left the car.
"That's okay. I need to speak to your mum anyway," he replied as he turned off the engine and walked with Olivia to the door.
"Mum! I'm home!" Olivia called, whilst walking through to the kitchen.
"Have a good day?" Rachel questioned.
"It was alright. Oh, Mr Lawson's in the hallway."
"Oh, right. Thanks for telling me!"
"Memory like a sieve, me," Olivia smiled as she grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl on the table and headed upstairs.
"Eddie! What brings you here?"
"You. And Poppy."
"Oh, right. Have you got time for a cup of tea?"
"Sure." Rachel and Eddie went through to the kitchen. Rachel made the tea and sat at the table with him.
"How's your day been? The kids didn't drive you mad, then?"
Eddie laughed. "No, no. It's been quite quiet. Just the usual amount of trouble."
"With Waterloo Road there is no 'usual' amount of trouble!"
"You're right there! How's your day been?"
"I found out what was wrong with Poppy,"
"And?"
"Mollie Smith's pregnancy has brought back some painful memories for Poppy. She used to look after her cousins like her own children, and then she got the chance of being a real mum to her own baby."
"What happened to the baby?"
"Poppy miscarried almost a year ago." Eddie was silent. Rachel paused, "I really don't know how to help her anymore, Eddie. I can't even begin to imagine what pain and torture she's been through."
"You're doing the best you can…"
"I know, but she's so young, so vulnerable. I can't believe she's faced this all on her own. I just want to protect her and keep her safe. She's such a fragile little thing."
"Rachel. Listen to me now. You're doing the very best you can for her. You're giving her exactly what she needs. A stable and loving home, someone to trust and confide in, someone to keep her safe. You know how to help her – you're already helping her and you don't even realise it."
"Thanks Eddie." Eddie held his arms out and wrapped them around Rachel when she leant in for a cuddle. She liked it when Eddie done this. It made her feel safe.
"Do you have to go home just yet? You could stay for dinner… or even the night?"