Chapter 4:
It was only just starting to get light when Rachel opened her eyes to the sound of her mobile phone ringing. Holy shit, she felt rough. She sat up in bed – moaning loudly as her head pulsed at the movement – and saw that there was an untouched glass of water on her cabinet next to her bed. Reaching out for it, she drank half the glass in long, desperate gulps, before answering the phone.
'Uh.. uh..' she was still half asleep, and she could already tell this hangover was NOT going to be pleasant.
'No time for groaning, Bailey. It's Gill here. I want you and Janet in the office now, I'm heading there as we speak. Apparently a good couple of leads came from the press conference in the early hours of the morning, so we need to get on it straight away. Oh, well fuck you too, knobhead!' Rachel looked at the phone in confusion, 'Sorry..' Gill continued, 'Just some twat driving in front of me. Anyway, as I was saying, get yourselves in here now. I tried to call Janet's phone, but she's not answering. I'm guessing she accidentally put it on silent.. again.'
'Uh.. what are you on about? Sorry, I hardly understood a word of any of that.' Her voice sounded thick with sleep.
'Just get your asses into the office. NOW. Okay, gotta go. See you when you get in.' and with that, Gill hung up, leaving Rachel sat in bed trying to make sense of the phone call. She really wasn't very good in the mornings, it usually took her a while to actually wake up and when she had a hangover of this magnitude it was worse. Her mouth tasted like how she imagined a sewer would taste. Her head pounded mercilessly and she was feeling more than a little nauseous.
As she sat there, eyes closed trying to keep the headache at bay, she thought back to the night before. She remembered talking the ear off of a lovely barman at the pub though she couldn't remember his name for the life of her. She vaguely remembered the taxi ride home and stumbling around like a pillock trying to get into her flat. She mentally wrote a note to herself to always eat before drinking, she wasn't 22 anymore, she couldn't get away with being careless nowadays. She sighed to herself and padded through to the bathroom to get a quick wash and brush her teeth. According to Gill, they needed to get into the office sharpish, and so a shower would have to wait until tonight unfortunately. She stood there, looking at herself in the mirror, staring at the make-up caked in the little creases around her eyes and at her hair which, it had to be said, was doing a pretty wonderful impersonation of a scarecrow's. She washed herself roughly, having to be quick but wincing at the ferocity of it given how sensitive her skin seemed to be today. As she was in the middle of brushing her teeth, Rachel stopped dead. She'd just been thinking about the Jonson case when out of nowhere it seemed, a memory came to her. A memory of her and Janet pressed up against Rachel's bedroom door in a clinch of passion. Of her tongue exploring Janet's. Uh oh, she thought to herself. She needed to think about this, but she didn't have time. Godzilla would have a hissy fit if she wandered into work late. That reminded her, she had to wake Janet. Trying to push the worry of seeing Janet again to one side, she rapped lightly on the door. 'Gill's just called, we're needed in the office straight away apparently. I'll put some toast on, looks like we'll have to eat on the run.' Rachel called through the door.
'Shit,' Janet said sleepily. 'Okay, Rach. Ta.' She checked her phone, noting with a sigh the missed call from Gill, before making her way out of bed, annoyed at the super early start when she'd only gotten to sleep a few hours ago. Then she remembered why it had taken her so long to get to sleep, and her heart sped up. She hoped Rachel would still want to talk to her about last night. A thought suddenly occurred to her. What if Rachel doesn't even remember? What the hell would happen then? She couldn't confront Rachel about it if she didn't actually remember what bloody happened; it would look like a lie construed to try and win Rachel around or something. She rubbed her eyes wearily. The fog of sleep was starting to lift and she tried sifting through the haze to remember if Rachel had sounded distant just now, when she'd woke Janet up. She didn't think so, in fact because she hadn't sounded weird, it had taken her a while to remember what had happened. She clutched to that bit of logic tightly as she left her room to get to the bathroom. She followed the same routine Rachel had; washed herself down and then brushed her teeth. She could hear Rachel muttering in the background, probably trying to find another clean top in the ironing basket. Janet didn't know if were a curse or blessing that neither of them had a chance to talk beyond the usual morning conversations they uttered to each other today. Well, they didn't have a choice really, so she just had to get on with it. She slipped back into her bedroom, got dressed, applied her make-up swiftly and headed to the kitchen to grab some promised toast.
Rachel was already in the kitchen when Janet appeared. She looked rough, Janet noticed, and yet.. still beautiful. To her at least. Rachel swallowed two aspirin and shoved the packet into her bag. No doubt she'd need more later. She looked at Janet, having so much to say, but knowing it would have to wait. 'Er- , I'm going to have to ride with you this morning.. my car is still in the car park at work,' Rachel looked sheepish.
'I thought as much,' Janet allowed a small smile to touch her lips. 'Not a problem, but please can we try and avoid crumbs all over the floor? I just cleaned the car last week. Let's take napkins to be safe.'
Rachel's heart leapt as she saw that smile. As much as she tried, she couldn't quite recall Janet's response to the kiss last night, so seeing her here this morning, almost her usual self, literally warmed Rachel's heart. Although she didn't know what Janet wanted from her, at least she felt she hadn't lost her completely. She tried to concentrate on the task at hand. 'Right,' she said, getting a couple napkins from the drawer. 'Let's go. I really don't want Godzilla on my case for being late or whatever.' They both headed out towards Janet's car in silence. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence, more of a reflective one, and neither of them felt the urge to break it.
As soon as they both got settled in the car, Rachel opened her window slightly, resting against the frame and letting the wind blow over her.
'Feeling a little under the weather there, by any chance?' Janet asked, not being able to help glancing over at Rachel every couple of minutes and wondering at her beauty. Even with a slight grey colour to her complexion, no make-up on and hair that didn't seem to want to be tamed, Rachel still looked lovely to Janet.
'A little? Bit of an understatement. I feel rough as rats. Ugh, I really need to learn my lesson one of these days. Drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea.' She lifted her toast up to her mouth (the napkin firmly in place beneath it, ready to catch crumbs) and took a small bite. 'Oh no.. no food for me until later, I think' she said, struggling to swallow the bite she already had.
'Um.. Rach?' Janet said nervously. Rachel jerked her head slightly to signal she was listening. In fact, her heart was pounding, not that Janet was to know that. 'Speaking of last night..' Janet continued, really wishing that she didn't have to broach this subject, 'is there anything… well, anything we should… you know, talk about?' she stared straight ahead, breath held in anticipation of Rachel's response. If Rachel had been too drunk to remember what happened last night, Janet wouldn't remind her. Their relationship seemed better than it had in a few days now, and she wasn't going to rock the boat, even if it pained her which of course it would.
Rachel shifted slightly in her seat as she cleared her throat to answer. 'Yes. But later. Please. I promise we'll talk later.' She said softly, before sternly reminding herself that Janet might not replicate her own feelings. 'If you want to that is?' she tagged on, hopefully.
Janet exhaled, and for the first time since this morning's panic she felt perhaps a glimmer of hope. 'Okay,' she nodded keeping her voice low. 'Later.'
Both ladies were lost then, in their own memories, fantasies, hopes, and lapsed into a compatible silence.
Xxx
As they walked into the office less than 15 minutes later, they found Gill waiting in the middle of the room. Gill surveyed them both. Rachel.. looked like shit. No doubt about it. Probably a hangover that, if questioned, she would try and blame on some sort of bug. Gill wasn't angry though. In a weird sort of way, Rachel reminded Gill of herself at times. She drove Gill up the wall sometimes, well… most of the time… but there was no doubt that Rachel was a good officer, she just needed time to develop fully. And then Gill turned her gaze on Janet. She looked tired, which was no surprise if Rachel had been banging around the flat in the early hours while drunk, Gill mused. Janet was her oldest friend and closest confidante in Syndicate 9, and she was pleased Janet had taken on the position of DS. She'd surely earned it, and Gill knew that she would do her job as well as, and probably better than, her predecessor.
'Right, gals. The lads will be here in a minute. I rang them all up and told them I need them here pronto. Well, in Kevin's case I got through to his mother, and she assured me she'd pass the message on.' She rolled her eyes. 'But I'll briefly tell you what I know now, and we'll talk through it properly in the briefing.'
Rachel leant against the wall, clutching a bottle of water as if her life depended on it. She needed to get her shit together and fast, or Godzilla would have a go. She attempted to plaster a look of concentration on her face as Gill continued.
'Okay, I got a phone call from the officer who headed the response team to the press conference I had to do yesterday..' even the thought of that damn conference made her grimace, 'and a name has popped up 3 times from different callers. A..' she looked at the piece of paper she was holding, 'ah, a miss Nicki Sims. Apparently she was spotted with Jackie on the night of Jackie's disappearance.'
'Nicki?' Janet interrupted, 'Rachel and me asked her a few questions as part of our routine enquiry when we spoke to Jackie's family and friends. From what I recall, she didn't mention seeing Jackie on Friday night.' She looked at Rachel for confirmation.
'No. You're right. She said she hadn't seen Jackie since the beginning of the week. In fact.. she was the one who gave us Jonson's name.' All three women looked at one another, trying to telepathically get some answers. The plot just seemed to keep on twisting.
The troubled silence was soon broken by the arrival of Pete and Mitch, closely followed by Lee. They all muttered greetings as they filed into the office.
'No sign of Kevin then, now there's a surprise. Right, will one of you put on the kettle, make a brew for everyone and if Kevin still hasn't arrived by the time we're ready, we'll proceed without him.' Gill called behind her as she walked into her office to gather the necessary paperwork. She was going to call Julie later and yet again give her a piece of her mind for dumping the idiot that was Kevin in her syndicate.
5 minutes later, with their hands wrapped around mugs, the team – minus the absent Kevin – entered the briefing room. Gill relayed the same information she had passed on to Rachel and Janet while the team raptly listened. As she came to a close, Kevin burst in looking ridiculous with a milk moustache. 'Sorry ma'am,' he blustered, 'my mum wouldn't let me leave without having some cereal. Cornfl-' he stopped abruptly as Gill raised her hand in impatience.
'I don't have time for a blow-by-blow account of your morning, believe it or not Kevin. I'm not prepared to catch you up on the meeting so far, so you'll have to ask nicely for one of the team to catch you up later. And I want to see you in my office this morning too. I checked your work last night, as promised, and I'm looking forward to your explanation as to why half of the paperwork you filed is unintelligible due to being smeared in chocolate, and even the half you didn't ruin aren't filed properly. Aside from that, I happened to also look in the bin. Apart from the numerous chocolate bar wrappers, I also spotted something that closely resembled a paper airplane..' She looked pointedly at Kevin, until he had the decency to look chastised. 'Okay, everyone else. Where were we? Ah. Rachel will you tell everyone what happened when you went to visit this Nicki Sims with Janet on Saturday afternoon?' the rooms attention shifted to Rachel, who took another long swig of water, gathered up a couple of pieces of paper in front of her and stood up.
'Well, I've just retrieved the paperwork I filed after our meeting with Sims so I could get all the facts right. Janet and I arrived at 4.20pm. Sims was there with another young woman who introduced herself as Natasha Hodges. Sims seemed upset when we arrived, which she said was due to just finding out about Jackie. We asked her the usual questions, her answers seemed pretty routine until we asked her if she knew of anyone who might have wanted to hurt Jackie. Basically, she mentioned Jonson's name, told us about their break up, hinted towards Jonson's previous convictions and gave us his address. We obviously thought nothing of it, especially when we visited Jonson and discovered the trainers, but looking back on it – and it might just be me over-analysing things – she did seem more than keen to inform us of Jonson.' Janet nodded in agreement, looking thoughtful.
'What about the other girl. Natasha, did you say?' Mitch asked, writing down notes as he awaited a response.
'She hardly spoke, I don't think.' Janet answered, thinking hard. 'No. She offered to make us a drink after introducing herself, and then left the room. We didn't see her until we were leaving the property. She looked a bit jumpy, though I think Rachel and I just put that down to finding out someone you know has been murdered.'
'Fair enough, thanks ladies,' Gill piped up. 'Plan of action for today, I want to know if either of the girls have any criminal backgrounds, I want to know if we have any DNA of theirs on the database, I want to know if either of them were friends with Jonson.' She looked around the room. 'This may be the lead we are looking for, so please guys and gals, let's use the same determination that we've had for the duration of this case so far. Janet, can you tell everyone what they'll be doing please?' Heads once again swivelled to Janet.
'Yep, no problem..' Janet looked down at her hastily written rota for the day. 'Rachel, you'll be checking for any DNA matches in the database.' Rachel nodded, hoping for an end to this meeting soon, as the nausea was not letting up. 'Mitch and Pete, you'll be talking to friends and family again, asking about the two girls and their encounters with both Jackie and Jonson.' They looked at each other and smiled, they both worked well together, so they were glad they'd been assigned the same role today. 'Kevin, you'll be searching for a criminal history for both girls.' To everyone's surprise, he didn't make one of his awful jokes and Gill made a mental note to ask his mother to always ensure he ate breakfast in the morning. 'Kimberley, you're on disclosures. Lee, exhibits please. I think that covers it. We'll meet again at noon to discuss how we've gotten on so far, any more leads and so on, and take it from there.' She sat back down and looked at Gill.
'Okay, everyone. Thanks for coming in so promptly, get to work and let's try and get to the bottom of this bloody case. Oh.. and Kevin?' He looked up. 'Wash your face.' He looked confused as Gill left the room, and the rest of the team trickled out, ready to get started. Except Rachel that is. As soon as Gill had left, she darted out of the room, through the main office and down the stairs into the ladies toilets. She hurriedly locked the door to one of the cubicles behind her and sank to her knees.
A couple of minutes later, she opened the door and shuffled to the sink where she washed her face, rinsed out her mouth and had some more water. Janet walked in and looked at Rachel with slight amusement. 'You alright, mate?' she asked as she approached.
'Ugh,' was the response. 'Do I look it?! I think I'll be alright now. I'll make a coffee when I go back upstairs. Thanks for checking up on me,' Rachel smiled briefly.
'Someone's got to haven't they?' Janet said with a twinkle in her eye. Janet could detect a bit of tension between her and her best friend, which was understandable really, given what was going on between them, but it was now she really knew that regardless of what would happen between them romantically, they would recover their friendship. It would take a while, and she'd be gutted, but they'd manage it.
Gill walked in to the toilets, finding Rachel and Janet having a jokey exchange. She decided to tease Rachel a little bit. 'Um, Rachel? You aren't looking too good. Out pissing it up last night, were you?' Rachel suddenly looked shifty, and Gill could almost see the cogs working in that brain of hers.
'Er- no.. I think.. I think I ate something a bit dodgy yesterday ma'am.' Rachel said, trying and failing to act nonchalant. Gill smiled to herself. Rachel must have thought she was stupid to fall for that, just like Gill had thought her DCI was stupid enough to buy her excuses when she was a DC.
'Oh.. right. Well, be more careful next time, eh? Now, unless we're having some sort of secret girls meeting that I haven't heard of, we should get back, I think. Though.. come to think of it, a secret woman's meeting sounds like a great plan. Wine and more wine!' Rachel visibly paled. 'Let's have a drink together after work one day this week.' Gill left, grinning wickedly, leaving Janet and Rachel in the toilets. Janet looked sympathetically at Rachel's now almost green face. 'Come on, kid. Sooner we start, sooner we finish.' Rachel followed her out and they both traipsed up the stairs.
Xxx
By 12.30pm, their noon catch up meeting was over, and the team were having a brief lunch before preparing to get to work again. Unfortunately for them, no DNA match had been found on the database. However, Mitch and Pete reported that Natasha had a reputation around the area that Jackie lived, and both Hodges and Sims were thought of as both Jackie's and Jonson's friends. Kevin backed up these findings regarding Natasha, explaining that when he had searched their criminal histories, Natasha had quite a few cautions and near convictions under her belt. Mainly shoplifting, intimidation and the like, but more recently there had been allegations of assault. With this new information available to them, it was decided by Gill and Janet that Rachel and Janet would go back to Sims' place and request DNA samples from both her and Hodges. The rest of the team had already been delegated tasks for the afternoon so everything seemed to be running smoothly.
While the team relaxed, munching sandwiches that Lee had nipped to the Subway across the road to pick up, they pondered over the change of events.
'The thing I don't understand..' Mitch started, not realizing that there was a glob of mayonnaise on his upper lip, 'is that bloody trainer. We've matched it to the scene of the body. But the DNA doesn't match Jonson. So even if these two new suspects DID do it, Jonson had to be involved.'
'Maybe he was called in to dispose of the body? Let's say the girls had Jackie held somewhere. They torture her for a few hours before killing her..' Rachel looked around to see if everyone was following her before continuing, 'and once they've killed her, they panic. What are they going to do with the body? How are they going to get rid of it? It can't stay there.. wherever the hell it is. So they call in Jonson. He.. I dunno.. maybe he owes them a favour or something.. but anyway, he agrees to help them out, disposes of the body, and voila.. we find the trainers, boom we think we've got our main man.'
'Ooh. Keeping on that theme, what if Hodges and Sims planned that all along? What if they got Jonson involved knowing that it was likely he would leave something traceable to him and used that to their advantage? Frame him for the whole thing?' Pete sat back, looking rather pleased with himself.
'Well, good theories guys, but we don't even know if the DNA will match Hodges and Sims. Let's not try and run before we can walk, eh?' Janet said, savouring her BLT sub. She looked over at Rachel. At least she had more colour to her cheeks now. Rachel looked up, and caught Janet staring. She smiled before turning back to the lads, causing Janet's stomach to fill quite suddenly with butterflies. How the hell could Rachel have this effect on her? Not only that, how was it that a few weeks ago she saw Rachel as nothing but a very good and much treasured friend, and now saw her as some sort of sex goddess? Janet shook her head, bemused, and continued with her lunch.
Xxx
It had been a long and tiring afternoon and everyone was slumped at their desks trying to concentrate, but each of them felt exhausted. Janet and Rachel had succeeded in getting DNA samples from both females by telling them they were requesting samples from all friends and family for elimination purposes and Rachel was currently typing up the report of their visit. The DNA samples had been sent to forensics, so for now that aspect of the investigation wasn't theirs to control. They would hear the results by tomorrow afternoon hopefully, so they would have to wait until then to pursue that particular theory. Kevin, who obviously felt chastened after his chat with Gill though everybody knew he'd be back to his normal self soon and so were making the most of it while they could, had gone to speak to Jonson about his relationship with Sims and Hodges. He hadn't had much luck, but was typing up what little information he had gleaned in that meeting. Mitch was currently helping Kimberley up in the disclosures office, Lee was having a word with Gill, Pete had finished his reports so was providing everyone with teas and coffees and Janet was just heading off to pick up her girls.
Rachel was staring at the computer screen in front of her, distractedly drumming her fingernails against the desk, when she sensed someone walking past her from behind. She turned slightly, saw Janet, and returned to gazing blankly ahead, not being able to stop the words on her screen blur into one big squiggle. Janet leaned over to look over Rachel's shoulder, her hand resting on Rachel's desk, her hair brushing against Rachel's neck. Did she know that by just being in such close proximity to her friend was causing Rachel to get tingles up her spine? Did she notice the slightly hitched breathing that Rachel was now emanating? It didn't look like it, as Janet moved her mouth to Rachel's ear and spoke in a low voice. 'I've gotta go pick up the girls now. Is it okay if I bring them to the flat? We can try to attempt to cook something before you get home as a treat..' Rachel could hear the smile in Janet's voice and nodded mutely, not trusting herself to say anything right now. 'Okay, good. I think Gill said that she was going to let the team go home early-ish again tonight as there is no point in keeping everyone when we're waiting on forensics. So, I'll see you when you get in. And when I come back from dropping the girls to Ade's later, we can have that chat if you're still up for it.'
Rachel audibly gulped. She was up for a lot more than talking, though obviously she couldn't very well say that. 'Er- , yeah. Yeah that's fine. I'll er- .. we'll talk tonight. See you later.' She hated herself for the breathy tone in which she'd just spoke; it all too clearly gave away how Janet affected her.
Rachel inconspicuously turned to see Janet grab her coat and leave the office, and as she turned back around to face her unappealing computer screen, she had a smile on her face.
As soon as the door closed behind Janet, Kevin started moaning, alerting the rest of the team that he was back to doing what he did best.. being a twat. 'How come she gets to go home early all the time? I reckon when she goes into Gill's office, they're not really having meetings. They're just having it off. It's the only thing that explains the stupid favouritism Janet gets all the time.' He sniggered, clearly finding himself hilarious, while everyone else rolled their eyes in disdain.
'Jesus Christ! Will you please shut the fuck up? Why are you such a CHILD about everything? You moan about always having to stay late yet you never understand it's because you spend so much time during work hours acting like a complete tit, you never get your work done. And if that wasn't enough, then we all get roped in to help you and check you're doing your work! I hate to break it to you, but we're all in this job to be MIT officers, not to offer fucking tutoring to you!' Rachel fumed, pissed off that Kevin was being an idiot, and also for some stupid reason feeling jealous at even the mention of Janet and Gill being together. It was a ludicrous idea and she knew it, but she hadn't been able to stop the green eyed monster rearing its ugly head. Her mini rant did the trick though; Kevin shut up and sulkily returned to his work, while everyone else looked at each other with wide eyes and childish smiles always loving a bit of drama in the office as long as it didn't include them.
Fortunately, her annoyance seemed to give her the kick up the arse she needed as Rachel turned back to her screen once again and finally set about completing the report she had to do.
Xxx
Just after 7.30pm, Gill entered the main office and once again praised them on their hard work. 'I know I said it last night guys, but you really are all doing well. I want you to realize that, because I can feel the morale is dropping by the day. Seeming as we're all waiting for the forensics to come in, I don't see any point in us staying til all hours, and as all your work is completed you can leave now.' The whole team let out a little cheer at this and immediately started gathering their things. 'Kevin.. not you. Finish that report and then you can go. My office is not soundproof you know, I heard your little conversation with Rachel earlier.' Kevin flushed and without a word sat back down and continued typing. 'For the rest of you, I want you all back here at 8am tomorrow please. That's all everyone, have a nice evening.' By the time Gill had sat back down at the desk in her own office, everyone but Kevin was filing out the door. She sighed, looked at Kevin typing away, tapped her foot impatiently and gave Julie a call. It was time to have a bitch with Slap.
As soon as Rachel left the main doors of the station, she lit the cigarette poised ready in her hand and inhaled deeply. She was excited to get home but also nervous. When she had got herself settled comfortably in her car, she got out her phone and text Janet, 'Be there in 15 mins xx' before flicking her cigarette butt out of the window and starting the journey home.
Xxx
Twenty minutes later, Rachel could hear all three girls talking and giggling while some Lady Gaga played quietly in the background as she opened her front door. 'I'm home,' she called out, 'I'm starving so you best have made me some tea!' Elise and Taisie came rushing down the hallway and gave her a hug. 'Alright kids? Hope you've been behaving for your mum.' She smiled down at them as they pulled her into the kitchen. 'Mmm, something smells nice!'
'We made curry! Chicken curry with a yummy sauce!' Taisie said proudly. 'Me and Elise did it all by ourselves, didn't we mum?'
'They sure did, they're a pair of chefs, I'm telling ya! Wouldn't even let me NEAR the food. I could get used to this!' Janet joked, smiling warmly as she looked over at Rachel.
'Chefs?! We put the already sliced chicken in a pan, added onions and peppers, and then poured a jar of sauce over it. Not exactly professional standard' Elise grinned while Taisie looked affronted.
'Well, it smells good anyway,' Rachel laughed, sniffing the air dramatically and rubbing her stomach. 'Come on then, chefs, serve it up!'
Xxx
After dinner, which- it has to be said- was exceedingly tasty, the two girls offered to do the dishes while Janet and Rachel sat at the table feeling stuffed. Elise was telling them how her project was going at school and asked Rachel if she wouldn't mind helping her with some of it. 'Course not, kid. When you're next over, bring it around and I'll look over it with you. I'm sure your mum would be better though, she's got way more experience with all that profiling stuff than I have.'
'Oh no, no, no. Let's not forget that you are the Queen of Amazing according to these two,' Janet said playfully, 'We all know that being cool wins over being experienced any day of the week, isn't that right girls?!'
Elise ducked out of answering that particular question while Taisie, not known for her meekness, nodded merrily. 'Thanks Rachel. I think we're coming around on Sunday. Taisie, remind me to put my project stuff in my bag on Sunday please.'
After a while more of mindless chit chat, Janet decided she needed to get the girls home. Ade was still in his vindictive mood, and she didn't want him finding any excuse to get on at her, including what time the girls were being brought home. Taisie gave Rachel a big hug as she left, and Elise gave her a small wave before disappearing out the door.
'I won't be long, Rach.' Janet said as she headed out. 'I bought some wine on the way home earlier, open it if you fancy a drink tonight. See you in a bit.'
Rachel stared after her lost in thought and subsequently almost fell off her chair when her phone rang, pulling her sharply out of her daydream.
'Rachel Bailey.' She answered automatically
'Alright Rach? It's Ali. Just wondered how you are, that's all.' Her sister replied, leaving Rachel immediately wishing that she'd checked caller ID before she'd answered the phone.
'Yeah, I'm fine. And you?' she sighed, not really caring if her sister picked up on her annoyance.
'We're all good. Just wondered if you were free on Sunday? Your niece would love to see her aunt.'
Rachel wasn't stupid. She could read between the lines. Ali was insinuating, again, that Rachel didn't spend enough time with them. Well, she wasn't going to be fooled with a guilt trip. 'Sorry, I can't. Tell her I'll pop by soon though. If I'm not called in to work, I've promised to help Elise with her school work.'
'Fine,' Ali muttered. 'You know, it would be really nice if we got to spend quality time with you Rachel. I know you're busy, but you really should try and make some time for your family one of these days.. especially after all this stuff with Dom.'
'Oh.. don't start Ali. I said I'll pop over soon, alright? Now.. is that all, only I'm in the middle of something.' Rachel said as she got the wine out of the fridge and two glasses out of the cupboard.
'Yeah.. yeah, that's all. Don't want to keep you, do we? Honestly, I don't know why I bother sometimes. Listen, you get back to whatever is so important. Talk later.' And with that, Ali hung up.
Rachel didn't take much notice of their abrupt end of the conversation.. her and Ali were always pissing each other off, so this made no difference really. Besides.. she had more important things to think about. Like what the hell would happen when her and Janet had the talk. She poured herself a glass of wine for dutch courage, congratulating herself for eating earlier. She looked at the clock and realized Janet would be back within 5 minutes and deliberated over trying to hastily tidy up. Nah, she thought to herself, let's not make all this weirder than it needs to be. She did decide to change the music though, finding Taisie's Lady Gaga CD in the player.. Taisie would undoubtedly have a sulk about forgetting it when she found the empty case in her bag later.
She'd literally just sat down on the sofa, drink in hand, when she heard the front door open. Immediately Rachel felt queasy. But, as Janet had said earlier, the sooner they started, the sooner it'd be finished. Janet appeared in the doorway and smiled nervously to Rachel.
'You okay, mate?' she asked as she took her coat off.
'Yep. Shall I pour you a wine?' God, why were they making small talk? Rachel fidgeted in her seat, waiting for Janet to answer.
'Ooh, yes please. I'll just nip to the loo.' She entered the toilet and stood there, looking at herself in the mirror. Don't be such a pussy, Scott. She said to herself sternly. Go out there and say what needs to be said.
After a couple more minutes, Janet purposefully strode out of the bathroom and headed towards the living room.
It was time for the talk.