Steph drove into Waterloo Road, without Maxine. It was safe to say that things between them had become worse over the last few weeks. Once again, because of Earl Kelly.

Steph had, had enough. She couldn't win with Maxine. There was no controlling her. She'd lost count of the arguments and screaming matches they'd had, mostly over little things, but all to do with Earl Kelly.

Maxine's behaviour was scaring and worrying Steph. It was behaviour that she would never have expected from Maxine. Stealing and lying being the biggest issues.

It had started with money.

Last week, Steph had found a 20 note in her purse to be missing. And following on from that, a locket on a gold chain that Security Dave had bought for her as a gift. She wasn't exactly keen on it, but it was the thought that counted. So, when she'd found out it was missing, she instantly blamed Maxine, which had led to a blazing row, their worst to date.

But that wasn't the worst of it. Maxine had been lying again.

After Ralph Mellor's Drugs Awareness event, The Kelly kids had been taken into care, Earl included. Maxine had spoken to Steph about Earl coming to stay with them until he was allowed to go back home. Steph had of course said no to this.

Almost immediately after that conversation, Maxine had isolated herself to her bedroom when she wasn't at school. Steph had found it odd, but hadn't thought anything about it, since they were arguing all the time.

It wasn't until she confronted Maxine about the money that she found out that Earl had been staying in Maxine's room the entire time. She was furious when she'd found out.

It was from that, that she'd found out Maxine hadn't been the one who was stealing. It had been Earl the whole time. That had only added fuel to the fire. Even though Maxine had got her the money back and had returned the necklace, it didn't change anything.

Earl had driven a huge wedge between Steph and Maxine. At the moment, they barely spoke two words to each other. Their relationship was falling apart before Steph's eyes, and there was nothing she could do about it. She just wanted Maxine back. The happy, smart, kind and loving girl that she knew, not the bratty and spiteful one.

Steph saw Earl for what he was. A manipulative, narcissistic and controlling young man. She hated what he was doing to Maxine. She hated that he had her wrapped around his little finger, and that she ran to him every time. She hated that the only person she cared about in the whole world was being ripped from her. She wanted to fix it; she wanted to put it right. But how could she when whatever she did backfired and pushed Maxine further away?

So for now, she'd given up. As much as it pained her to watch Maxine slip from her grasp, there was nothing she could do. She just hoped that one day; Earl would show his true colours to Maxine.

...

It was 8AM. Earl and Maxine were walking into school together.

Maxine couldn't believe what Earl had just suggested to her. It was crazy!

She paused on the pavement, staring at him in disbelief.

"Are you serious?!"

Earl smiled

"Yeah! I mean, we've talked about it before, haven't we?" he replied

"I know, but I thought we were just talking" she shrugged

Earl shook his head as he grinned, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"I want us to have a baby" he stated

Maxine sighed, blushing furiously. She was unsure. Having a baby was a huge deal, especially for Maxine. It wasn't the first time she'd had a baby- and that had only ended in heartbreak. She wasn't sure she could put herself through that again, even if the circumstances were different this time.

"Look, I know what happened with you last time, but it's not going to be like that" Earl reassured

Maxine nodded tentatively. She had told Earl about baby Charlotte, how her little girl had died at birth. Yes, things were different now, she knew that. She had a home, she had a boyfriend who loved her and she wasn't on drugs. But Earl couldn't guarantee it would be different this time.

Earl was watching Maxine think. He was quickly losing his patience.

"I thought we wanted the same things?" he questioned, looking genuinely hurt

"We do, Earl! But why not wait a bit until we've left school?" she suggested

"Because, it feels right, doesn't it? I mean, we want to be together, don't we? We could have a home. What's more important than that?" he reasoned

Maxine giggled

"It's not that simple" she sighed

"If you want something and you can get it, you'd be mad not to take it" he told her

Before Maxine could reply, Earl's phone started to ring. She watched as he stared at the caller ID, clearly in no rush to answer the phone.

"Are you going to answer that?" she teased

Earl's black eyes flashed with anger as he glared at Maxine. She wasn't taking any of this seriously.

"Are you listening to what I'm saying to you? I'm not talking about doing homework or something!" he snarled

When Maxine flinched, he softened his tone, his lips relaxing into a smile.

"I'm talking about us having a kid and a home, a proper one, which is something that me and you have never had"

Maxine sighed. It did sound perfect.

"It's what I want, but... maybe I should have kept my mouth shut" he huffed, walking away

Maxine ran after him, turning him around to face her.

"I want it too" she beamed

Earl grinned, kissing her passionately.

As they headed into school together, with Earl's arm wrapped around her shoulder, Maxine couldn't help but smile. She'd always wanted a family, a baby of her own. It was going to happen. Her life was going to change forever.

...

Eddie walked into Rachel's office just after 8AM. He saw her face relax the minute she saw him. She smiled at him as she organised some papers into a neat pile.

"All set?" he asked

"I think so" she sighed, smoothing down her top

Eddie could tell she was stressing. She always tidied and moved things around when she was nervous or stressed. If she was at home right now, she'd be cleaning the house from top to bottom, or washing and re-washing the dishes.

"The Inspector is going to be here in about 15 minutes" she told him

"Ok." Eddie nodded

He stepped towards her, taking the papers out of her hand and setting them down.

"It's going to be fine, Rach" he reassured, squeezing her hands gently

She eyed him nervously. She desperately wanted to believe him, but she wasn't so sure. Anything could go wrong today. It only took one mishap and there would be uproar.

"Rach, it's just a spot-inspection, it's nothing to worry about. They know they're not going to see anything as polished as a scheduled inspection" he reminded her

"But it's the first day with the new caterers, the crèche is full and we've got a long list of kids who could kick off at any moment!" she argued

"You're right, but Rach, as far as problem kids go, it's what we do! These are the kids we teach! The LEA know what to expect!" he soothed

"I know. I just want this day to be as hassle free as possible" she sighed

"And it will be. Don't stress yourself out, Rach; you'll make yourself even more ill"

She nodded

"Can you keep an eye on Earl Kelly, please?" she requested

"Sure. I think Earl's really turned a corner you know, Rach? This thing he's got with Maxine Barlow has had a really good effect on him"

Rachel tentatively agreed. Earl's behaviour had improved recently. Despite being taken into care, he really had turned a corner. And, even though Steph didn't approve of their relationship, Maxine seemed to be keeping Earl in check.

"Roll on 3:15" she sighed

Eddie smiled, kissing her forehead gently before leaving to go to his classroom.