The next morning Rachel waited until she heard Adam leave for work without even a goodbye, let alone a bloody apology for his behavior the previous night. While it was nothing new it still felt like a gut punch to Rachel. Once the front door closed, she made her way into the master bathroom for a shower. It wasn't too long, just long enough to erase away the night before. It wasn't until she started to get ready for the day did she see Adam's handiwork on her face. Sighing, she pulled out her concealer and got to hiding the horrors all away. When she was all ready for the day she called out to the kids before heading down to make them some breakfast. It wasn't long until Addie joined her in the kitchen.

"Hey bug, how did you sleep?" Rachel asked as she slid some juice in front of her daughter.

"Okay, I guess." Before she could say more Charlie burst into the kitchen, his bag already on his back.

"You lied! You said if we moved to this shitty place everything would be better. But nothing is better! My dog is god knows where, my new school sucks and, oh yeah, Dad still hurts you ... Us. You know he is going to kill you one day and then what? I hate it here ... I hate him. I hate you. I just hate everything." He yelled until he saw his sister's eyes start to well up. "Fuck this, I am going to school. Then without another word, he was out the door riding his bike down the drive.

Rachel wanted to scold him for cursing, apologize for letting him down and letting Adam hurt him. Hell, apologize for letting their family get to this point.

"Don't be sad, Mom. Charlie is just mad, he doesn't hate you. I just wish Daddy wasn't so mean all the time."

"Hey, bug it's not your or Charlie's fault. Daddy doesn't hate anyone and neither does your brother. This move has just been stressful. Once Daddy and I settle into work and Rooster's home where he belongs everything will be okay. Now be a good girl and eat up." Rachel said as she handed Addie her breakfast before she went to get everything she'd need for work. She had to bite back tears as she thought about Charlie. He was her world, the one who had made her a mum; a piece of her past she never had to let go. She hated the fact she had become a mum that continued to let him down.

She had always told herself if Adam's temper ever caused the kids any harm she'd leave. And she had, back in New Orleans after the first time Charlie had tried to save her and Adam had hit him. Not just pushed him away, but actually hurt him. Rachel had packed up her and the kid's stuff and went to a hotel. She had tickets purchased ready to head back to the UK with the kids. That was until she got the call from the kid's school saying Adam had picked them up. He called her threatening her that he'd take everything she cared about if she didn't come home. She didn't remember her reply. All she did remember were her kids screaming for her as their father drove them all into the water. By the luck of God she got her kids back alive and that night she vowed to never let them go again. It was part of the reason she went back to work. She needed her own money again and at Charlie's school she'd never be too far from either of them. Rachel knew even back then Adam was full of lies. He never went to counseling and this move wasn't going to make anything better. She was stuck for now and that was just how it was. She just had no clue how to make her kids understand that as sick as it was they were safer with her and their dad together than apart. Wiping a few tears away Rachel called out for Addie to come on as she headed to the car. She couldn't be late, not on her second day.

Charlie had finally finished crying by the time he turned his bike onto the road to school. He hated nights his dad went off. He didn't get why no matter what any of them did he had to be so nasty to his mum. He just hated it all and now his only escape was a new school where he had no friends. Pulling up to the bike racks Charlie wiped his tears away with his coat sleeve before locking his bike up. Since he was pretty early and wasn't even sure where to go for his first class he headed right to the boy's bathroom. Locking himself in the stall he dropped his bag and fished out a small sharp razor blade he always kept with him. Well, he had to ditch his old one before they moved, but it wasn't long before he found another. Rolling his sleeve up Charlie ran the blade across his arm a few times, stopping when he saw the blood start to appear. He had been about to cut one last time when he heard a voice above him.

"Shit man. What are you doing that for?" A boy asked the same one who had shown him around the day before.

Eyes wide, Charlie stuffed the razor back in his bag, cutting his fingers in the process. He had just gotten out of the stall when he was handed some paper towels.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I just was gonna sneak up on you and scare ya for some fun. I just didn't expect.."

"Yeah, sorry the new kid's a freak.." Charlie joked sadly.

"You're not a freak. I do stuff when I'm mad and all emotional. Well, I don't do that but I hit things and sometimes trash my room. How come you're so upset? I won't grass on you, promise."

Smiling a bit Charlie held the towel against his arm before he met Ryan's eyes again.

"It's my dad. He's a real dick. All the time. It was bad before we moved but my mom promised it would be better when we moved. Last night I just realized it's not gonna be different."

"How is he a dick? My dad did a lot of nasty things to a lot of people he was in jail before he died. Me gran, she's a copper. Retired for a bit but she couldn't stay away. She raised me 'cause you know he was…"

Charlie realised Ryan might be the only one to get it. "Well, you can't tell anyone, not even your friend… my dad hits my mom a lot. And she never leaves him. Well, she did once but he took us and my mom came back. No matter what any of us do he hurts her all the time. He's always nasty. He's only hit me once or twice. Well, twice with last night. I didn't want her hurt. She's really the best and if he won't protect her it's my job. But he is bigger than me and pushed me and this morning instead of being nice to her I yelled at her and blamed her. I was nasty to her just like he is and I couldn't stop the feelings and the sadness so I do this. It's just better than crying, you know?"

"Yeah I get that. Punching things is better than crying for me. Me gran's ex drinks instead of crying. I guess people deal how they deal. I won't tell anyone, I promise, but we better get to class before Mr. Mead comes looking for us. If you want you can come over after school. We could play Fortnite or something." Ryan said as he wet some paper towels so Charlie could clean himself up a bit.

Charlie had just wrapped up his blade and finished cleaning himself up when the bathroom door opened again, this time being Mr. Mead.

"Ah, hello Mr. Cawood, fancy finding you in here. Not sneaking a smoke again?"

Before Ryan could even answer Charlie answered.

"No sir, he was helping me out. I think I biked too fast and I got sick. Ryan heard me and wanted to make sure I was okay."

Hearing Charlie's explanation, Chris's whole reaction changed. "Oh, you okay? Want me to get your mum?"

"No, I'm fine now. I will just see her at lunch."

"Okay, well why don't you guys get to class? It's English. Also when you're done with English, Ryan can show you to Miss Campbell's office. She wants to meet you and say hello."

"Uh yeah, sure. We'll get going, thanks Sir," Charlie called out as he followed his new friend out of the bathroom.

"Whose Miss Campbell?"

"She's the art teacher here but she also helps all the students out. She's nice. I saw her a bit when me dad died. She does meet with all the students. She's like the one you go to when there's a problem or you are upset."

"Oh okay. We don't have those kinds of teachers back home. We have school counselors. My last one was nosey and so annoying." Charlie said as he followed Ryan into their English class, taking the seat next to him.

Across the school, Rachel looked up from her desk, smiling at her friend who had just walked in.

"It is so good to see you Kim ... It's been too long," Rachel said as she got up to hug her friend.

"I know! It really has Rachel, and we are due for a proper catch-up. I heard from Chris you have two kids now and one goes here. I can't wait to meet him. Charlie, right?"

"Yes, yes! I have two Children. Charlie is my oldest, he's thirteen. And Adelyn, but we all call her Addie. She's nine, almost ten. I am so sorry to hear about Dexter."

"Thank you, you have no idea how much it meant when you reached out. I am going to return the favor and keep a close eye on Charlie."

"Oh, I'm sure he'll love that. Come on, we can catch up later or at the end of the week. Now I need you and Chris to bring me up to speed on this school and the students. I was told after the incident with the games teacher that they need us to make a bit of a turnaround this term. I am sure after all we went through at Waterloo this will be a breeze for us."

"Now that is the Rachel I remember." Chris chimed in as he joined the two women in the office.

"Oh, glad you're here Chris. I was just telling Kim that I plan on hitting the ground running. Just need you two to tell me where what needs to be tackled first."

"Yes, of course. Come on, let's sit down. I will tell you about the changes since the last head was let go, but first I did want to mention I saw your Charlie this morning. We have had some problems with students smoking in the loos so when I heard some students in there I went in. Instead of busting students, I walked in on Charlie and Ryan. He's the lad who's been keeping an eye on him. Well, Charlie said he got sick from riding his bike too fast. I said I'd come get you but he didn't want that. Said he'd pop in at lunch."

"Yeah, he's not thrilled about me being his head teacher. So that makes sense. If he doesn't pop in I will go see him. I just want to give him space to be Charlie and not just the head teacher's son. Come on, fill me in on this Hempworth guy and his replacement. Most important of all, the vulnerable student or students that were affected." Rachel said as she joined everyone at the table. The meeting was a long one but Chris and Kim got Rachel caught up on their students, the new games teacher and the students who had been affected by their previous one - along with some of the plans for the term. Rachel had her work cut out of her but she was looking forward to it. She always seemed to thrive when she had work to be done. After the morning meeting, Kim took her leave before heading to her office. Seeing Ryan and a younger boy waiting for her, she smiled. She didn't need to be told, she knew with a glance that it was her friend's son.

"Hi, I am Miss Campbell. I'm sorry to pull you out of class but you have science and Mr. Mead understands. I will walk you to your next class after we talk. You can meet back up with Ryan on break."

"Okay, Sounds good. See ya later," Charlie called to Ryan before he followed Kim into her office. "Ryan said you are an art teacher but a counselor. I don't get it. I just wanted to set the record straight. I am not crazy."

Kim shook her head as she motioned for him to take a seat on the small couch. "I am an art teacher. But I am also Head of Pastoral Care, which means I am here to take care of the physical and emotional welfare of all the students. I am here to support you, that's all. No one thinks you're crazy. You can talk to me."

"Yeah, see, I don't talk to people. Tried that once at my old school and it made everything ten times worse." Charlie moaned, dropping his bag as he sunk down onto the couch. "Plus you're friends with my mom. So anything I tell you, you will just tell her.

"Hey, hey. I know it's a lot to be in a new school, trusting people. What's said here, between us, doesn't have to be told to her. You don't have to tell me anything you don't feel comfortable telling me." Kim said as she clocked his nervous energy. "I am just here if you want to talk, is all, or if you need help."

Charlie laughed before he got up grabbing his bag. "Look Miss, I don't need to talk to you or anyone. But if you want something, you can tell her she is a big liar who lies and I hate this school. I miss my dog and I want to go home. I'll find Mr. Mead's class on my own." He added as he left her office, slamming the door behind him. He hadn't meant to lose his temper, he just didn't need prying. The last time Charlie had trusted someone it had backfired and he had gotten hurt. He couldn't risk it, not again. Kim had tried calling out for him before giving it up. She wasn't sure how it had gone so wrong. Something didn't feel right. She really hoped this time her intuition was wrong. She didn't even want to entertain the idea of it being right, not when it involved one of her oldest friends. It was lunch before she saw Rachel again.

"Hey Rach, I just wanted you to know I did get a chance to meet and sit down with Charlie. It didn't last too long. He was quite upset and I quote he hates this school, he misses his dog and just wants to go home. Then he took off on me. I am guessing he's still adjusting. Just let him know my door is open anytime."

"Thanks so much for the heads up, Kim. I will make sure he knows."

Before Kim could leave Charlie had appeared at Rachel's office door close to tears. As soon as he saw his mom look up at him he dropped his bag and practically launched herself against her hugging her. "I am so sorry Mom, I didn't mean to be nasty this morning. I … I don't wanna be like that, be like him.."

Rachel ushered Charlie to the couch before she turned to her friend. "I will catch up with you later Kim. Just let me handle this." Rachel said before turning her attention back to her son. She was so focused on her son breaking down that she missed the look on her friend's face. When they were alone Rachel ran her hand through her son's short brown hair before pulling him against her. "I know there have been a lot of changes for you and Addie. You have been a real trooper, mate. I am so proud of you. I know Dad promised us and I promised you things would be better. I am doing my best. I am going to fix this. I love you and all I want is for you and your sister to be safe. I will fix this." Rachel repeated as she wrapped her arms around her son, doing her best not to cry. After a few minutes, Charlie's sobs calmed down and he was able to calm himself down.

Pulling away from his mom Charlie smiled a bit as he wiped his tears away.

"I know you're doing your best Mom. I just wish I knew why dad always has to be so nasty to you."

"I know baby, and that's not something you need to worry about, okay? I need you to focus on school, and making friends being a kid. I am your mom. I will fix things."

While Charlie knew as much as his mom may have wanted to keep that promise, he knew better. There was no reasoning with his dad. He just didn't want to add to his mom being sad. He was about to ask for some lunch money when there was a knock before Ryan appeared.

"So did you ask her if you can come over after school?"

"What's this? You made a friend, huh?"

"Yeah, his name's Ryan. He's cool, and invited me over to play video games. Said Addie can come too. Can I go for a bit after school? His gran's a cop! So it will be safe."

"Well if he's sure it's okay Addie tags along I don't see why you can't go. I just need his grandmother's number and address. I will pick you up after I finish my meeting, okay?"

"Yeah, that sounds great." Both boys agreed before Ryan wrote down his grandmother's info for Rachel.

"Here ya go, Miss."

"Thank you, Ryan. Now here, take some money and go get some lunch before breaks over. " She said, handing some money to Charlie. Charlie smiled, making sure to hug his mom once more before leaving. While he knew most kids were too old for that, he always took the time to make sure his mom knew she was loved. If he didn't he knew no one would.

"See ya later Mom, love you," Charlie called out as he followed Ryan out of the office and down to the canteen.

"Your mum's pretty cool. Better than our last head teacher, that guy was such a twat. Probably why he was fired."

"Yeah, that's probably why." Charlie agreed as he took his tray of lunch over to one of the empty tables.

"I'm glad she said yes to you coming over. Usually Cesco hangs out with me but he has a new girlfriend. Seems he forgot I exist."

"Man, that sucks. Girls are so annoying. I swear I hate them all but my mom and my sister. And half the time she gets on my nerves."

"They really are. I only like me gran and my auntie. My gran's ex was cool too but they broke up so she's not around a lot. Your parents ever split up? You know, 'cause of your dad being nasty to your mum?" Charlie took a long breath before he nodded.

"Yeah, once like a year ago. He was drunk and mad. My mum cooked this big dinner for Thanksgiving. It's big over where I'm from, the States. Anyways, he was late coming home, he was drunk and he was just being nasty then he said my mom's food was shit and trashed our whole dinner. I did as Mom taught us. I took Addie upstairs and hid till she came to get us. That night was different. Mom was crying and they were fighting then it got quiet. I snuck downstairs and he was choking her on the table. I charged him and bit him and scratched and hit him until he let her go. Wrong choice. I mean, I saved my mom but then he started pounding on me. I don't remember much, just waking up in an ambulance, my mom crying saying she was sorry, she's gonna fix it. That time she did, took us to a hotel. Said we were moving back here, just us.

I really thought it was over. Then my dad showed up at our school and told us to get in the car. He said my mom left us for some guy she used to be with and she was a whore. I don't believe it and didn't then. 'Cause he then drove to the water. Called Mom and said if she didn't come home he'd take everything important to her. He then drove into the water. Addie was screaming. I don't know how but we were saved and Dad had to go away to the hospital for a while. He came back. He always comes back. This was supposed to be a fresh start. Mom said Dad had gotten better. Nothing gets better. She lied."

"Doesn't your mum have family? Somewhere you can go hide?"

"I have an Auntie Melissa somewhere but they're not close. I had a cousin named Phillip but he doesn't come around anymore. I haven't seen him in forever. He used to visit sometimes but Dad didn't like it."

"Seems your dad doesn't like a lot, huh?"

"Nope. I mean I think he likes Addie but he hates me and my mom. I don't even know what I did."

"I'm sorry man. My dad, he hated me granny. Always said nasty things about her, told me a bunch of lies to try and get me to hate her. When in reality he was the nasty person."

"Fuck dads.."

"For real, they are a waste of time. So where is your sister's school?"

"It's up the road in Hebden I think. Not too far from here."

"I wonder if it's where I used to go as a kid. Is it up a big hill? Has a courtyard in the back?"

"Yeah! That's the one!"

"Oh sweet, that's nothing to ride to. We can go there, get some snacks then home to play Fortnite."

"Sounds like a plan. Though anything beats being at home."

Kim, who had been watching the whole interaction, took her leave before either boy noticed her. Heading down to the science wing she made sure Chris was alone before walking into his classroom and closing the door behind her.

"I met with Charlie Fleet earlier. It didn't go great. That kid has a lot of anger in him. I think some of it is all the changes, but it feels different Chris. He's holding something in. Something that had him crying to Rachel at lunch. I don't know what it is, but Rachel is hiding something and I think we need to find out what it is."

"I did wonder what brought her back to teaching after all this time. Seems she made a life for herself over in New Orleans. If there is something wrong of course I want to help, she's our friend. But we gotta be sure and tread carefully."

"I know. I don't want to push her away … Just something feels off. Maybe you can get to know him a bit more. Or I can try and talk to Ryan, they became fast friends."

"Both options could clam Charlie right up. Let's observe, see what's going on and see if Charlie doesn't come to you on his own. You said something was eating at him right?" Seeing Kim nod, Chris continued. "Okay, then for now we wait and observe. I have a feeling whatever is eating at him will come to the surface. I may not know much but I know Rachel Mason and she doesn't take things lying down."

"Yeah, even the strong fall Chris, don't forget that. Look, I am not saying push too hard but try and get to know him and I will try and get to know Ryan a bit better. If it's nothing then it's nothing. I just would rather be safe than sorry. Especially when it comes to Rachel and her kids. I think to start I am going to email their old school and see what I can find out. Give us something more than just my instincts to go on. I let Rachel down once, I won't again."

Hearing the bell, Chris just nodded. While he wasn't sure the right course was jumping in feet first he was going to follow Kim's lead. "I will do my best to get to know Charlie, okay?"

"So you don't think I'm crazy?"

"No, if there's one thing I trust it's your instincts so reach out to the school and we'll go from there. See you later, at the meeting after school."

"Yeah, see you then," Kim replied before heading out as the students filed in, her eyes meeting Charlie's briefly. She shot him a smile before she headed back to her office. For the first time, she hoped beyond hope her instinct was wrong. The alternative was just too painful to fathom.