Maxine approached Steph's classroom. When she spotted the Inspector hovering at the back of the room, she knew that now was less than a convenient time to try and resolve things. But she had to.

As she stared at Steph through the glass, her guilt only grew. She had treated Steph in the vilest way, when she had only been trying to protect her. Maxine had hurt Steph with her words and her actions, and she desperately wanted to put it right. Steph wasn't just her legal guardian. She was the Mum she'd never had. Maxine loved her. She had to put things right.

She opened the door hesitantly, her eyes filling with tears as Steph found it painful to look her in the eye.

"Steph," she whispered, her voice coming out squeaky and weak

Steph turned to her slowly, but she refused to make eye contact.

"Yes, Maxine, how can I help you?" she answered plainly

"I... need to talk to you" Maxine explained

"Well, quickly" Steph huffed, nodding at Linda who watching the two of them carefully

Maxine paused. She couldn't talk to her in front of a room of students, plus an Inspector.

"Outside?" she requested, her lip trembling

Steph sighed. Now wasn't the time for this.

"After the class would be more suitable, Maxine" Steph replied coldly

Maxine nodded. She didn't expect Steph to drop everything to talk to her. Not after the way she'd treated her recently.

"I'm sorry, Steph... I'm really sorry" she told her, closing the door and walking away

Steph sighed heavily, biting her lip to stop the tears that were threatening to fall.

If it were any other day, when there was no Inspector in her classroom, she would have gladly stepped out of the room to talk to Maxine. Something was wrong, she knew it. She'd seen it in Maxine's eyes that she was upset. Steph had wanted to wrap her into a hug, but it hadn't felt appropriate with Linda watching.

Whilst she was desperate to know why Maxine was so upset, she had a lesson to teach, with an Inspector present. Rachel would have her strung up if she found out that she had walked out of the classroom and jeopardised Waterloo Road's reputation.

When she looked up, Linda was staring at her inquisitively, almost willing her to run after Maxine and questioning why she wasn't. Something clicked then. The reputation of the school, as well as hers, suddenly didn't matter anymore. Maxine did. Steph had to put Maxine first. Maxine had just offered her a chance to reconcile, and she'd thrown it back in her face.

She dropped the papers in her hand, flinging the classroom door open as she ran out into the corridor. She didn't care if Linda marked her down for it, or if Rachel yelled at her. This was Waterloo Road. Situations happened, and the staff acted accordingly. The kids always come first, no matter what.

"Max? Maxine!" she called, searching the corridors frantically

There was no sign of her. It was too late. She'd blown her chance to fix things.

She sighed, dashing out of the building and onto the playground. Her eyes fell on Earl Kelly, who was leaving the premises.

"Earl!" she called

Earl turned briefly before breaking into a run.

"Earl! EARL KELLY COME HERE THIS MINUTE!" she shouted

Earl ran out of the gates, disappearing from view.

Steph sighed. She pulled out her mobile phone, dialling Maxine's number. She groaned when it went straight to voicemail. She decided to leave a message anyway.

"Max, look, I'm sorry I couldn't talk to you before. Can you just give me a ring and let me know you're ok? Bye."

As she hung up, Chlo dashed past her. Maybe she would have some answers as to what the hell was going on.

"Chlo? Have you seen Maxine?"

Chlo turned around, shaking her head.

"I'm not cross with her, Chlo. I'm just worried about her" Steph added

"She's chucked Earl" Chlo explained with a sigh

Steph stared at Chlo for a moment, processing her words carefully. That couldn't be right, surely? They'd been obsessed with each other just this morning!

"Chucked Earl? Why? What's he done?" she questioned

Chlo shrugged

"I don't know. She was furious with him earlier, he looked well mental" she told her, turning away

Steph sighed. If she wasn't worried before, she was now. Maxine wouldn't dump Earl without good reason. Steph had never liked or approved of Earl, he was a bad influence on Maxine. He was manipulative, violent and rude. But he'd obviously done something unforgiveable in order for Maxine to snap out of whatever trance she'd been in. It explained why Earl had made a run for it when she'd shouted him too.

She needed to know what was going on. If what Chlo had just told her was true, she needed to be there for Maxine. Her own opinion of Earl didn't matter right now, or her dislike for him. Maxine and her feelings were the priority, and, judging by the tearful look on her face when she'd walked into Steph's classroom, she was heartbroken.

She called Maxine a second time. The call went to voicemail again. She sighed. It would have to wait until she got home.

...

Eddie strode along the corridor towards Rachel's office. The second he'd received the call from Bridget, he'd shot up from his chair, knowing something was wrong. Rachel never asked Bridget to send for him on her behalf, she always came and got him herself. So he knew there was something amiss, especially because she wasn't feeling well.

He opened the office door carefully.

Rachel was sat on the sofa, hugging the waste paper basket close to her. Eddie's concern only grew when he saw how pale she was. When he'd left earlier, some of the colour had returned to her cheeks. Now, it was gone again.

He sat down next to her, pulling her gently into his arms. She sighed heavily, resting her head on his shoulder as he kissed her forehead.

"Are you ok, love?" he asked

She shook her head.

"What's wrong, Rach? Tell me" he requested

"I just don't feel well" she mumbled

"You don't look well either" Eddie replied

She nodded.

"Have you been sick or anything?" he questioned

"I was sick about half an hour ago. That's why I asked Bridget to send for you" she explained

"I'm glad you did" he said, kissing her forehead again

"I feel bad for taking you out of your free lesson" she sighed

"Rach, I was only doing some marking! You are much more important" he reassured

She smiled weakly

"How are you feeling?" he asked softly

"Terrible. I'm fed up of being ok one minute, and then throwing up the next!" she grumbled

"I know you are" Eddie nodded, rubbing her arm comfortingly

"And I'm so tired" she whispered tearfully

Eddie sighed

"I know I sound like a broken record, Rach, but will you please just have a think about going to the Doctor's?"

"I'll have to if I don't get better" she shrugged

"Why don't we call the Doctor's Surgery now and try and get you an appointment for tonight?" he suggested

She shook her head.

"I want to wait a bit, to see if it settles down on its own" she explained

"Rach, you've been ill for weeks! Sure, you've only been this bad for a week, but it's just getting worse! You need to be seen by a Doctor!" he argued

"I'll call them... in a few days" she mumbled

Eddie sighed in defeat. There really was no point arguing with her. He wouldn't win and it would only make her more ill.

"I'll get you your water bottle" he decided, standing up

He grabbed her bottle off the desk, as well as the last Ginger Biscuit, handing them to her. She took them from him gratefully, sipping the water slowly. Eddie noticed the colour was returning to her cheeks again. He was relieved, but he also knew it meant nothing. In just seconds, she could be vomiting again.

He sat down next to her, smiling as she curled into him. She took a tiny bite out of the Ginger Biscuit, chewing it carefully.

"Feeling any better?" he asked after a few minutes

"A bit" she replied

"Once Linda has given her report, I'll take you home so you can rest, ok?" he suggested

She nodded, curling up on the sofa as she rested her head against his chest.

...

In the Girl's toilets, Maxine had managed to make a phone call to the Police. She'd told them everything about Earl, Jade and the baby, including where Jade and the baby were staying. It was now in the hands of the Police. Maxine just hoped they would get there in time.

Janeece, who had been waiting outside, knocked gently on the cubicle door. Maxine opened it, smiling weakly.

"You ok?" Janeece asked gently

Maxine nodded with a sigh.

"I don't think I can face going back out there" she admitted

"That's easy, we'll wag off... on one condition" Janeece replied

"What?" Maxine frowned

"You cheer up! This whole thing with Earl is over and done with now. If I have to spend the rest of the day with a mardy arse, I'll take my chances on Budgen!" Janeece laughed, dragging Maxine out of the cubicle

Maxine giggled, following her.

She paused as her phone started to ring. It was Steph.

"You'd better switch that off as well!" Janeece huffed

"Yeah, let's get out of here" Maxine nodded, switching the phone off as they left the toilets

...

Forty-five minutes later...

Eddie and Rachel both shot up from the sofa when Linda walked in. Rachel wiped her hands on her trousers nervously as she watched Linda place her bag down on the floor. The fact that she was struggling to read Linda and was unable to gain an insight into what she was feeling and thinking was making her feel uneasy.

Linda turned to them, smiling politely.

"So, how did the day go?" Rachel asked, breaking the silence

"Well, I set out to cover a wide cross-section of subject, activity and age group. But, overall..."

She paused, causing Rachel's anxiety to increase to a dangerous level.

"Overall?" Rachel repeated, urging her to continue

Linda sighed

"The range of social problems that affects your students is... acutely apparent,"

Rachel held her breath, hoping Linda was going to give her more than just that.

"But, the way that the School rises to the challenge, is impressive. You've taken a brave step in extending the reach of the school beyond the classroom, and in the main school as well. It's been successful" Linda continued, smiling

Rachel breathed the biggest sigh of relief.

"There is clear progress in all areas highlighted at your last full inspection. And the Pastoral Care is really good. Particularly in the case of the Kelly Family. There are weak points, but nothing drastic. You should be proud"

Eddie watched as Rachel turned to him, the biggest and most radiant smile lighting up her face. He wanted to hug her, but it didn't feel appropriate.

"Thank you" Rachel smiled, shaking Linda's hand

"Can we persuade you to stay for a coffee, Linda?" Eddie asked

"That would be great. I just have to nip to the loo" Linda nodded, stepping out of the office

Before Eddie knew what was happening, Rachel flung her arms around him, pulling him into a hug. She was so proud and relieved. They'd put everything into this school, and it was paying off. They really did make a great team.

Eddie smiled, wrapping his arms around her to hug her back.

"I told you it'd be fine, didn't I?" he chuckled

She giggled, pecking him softly on the lips.

"We make quite the team, Mr Lawson" she smiled, playing with the collar of his shirt

"Indeed we do, Miss Mason" he nodded, leaning in to kiss her properly