One hour later...
Rachel and Eddie escorted Linda out into the car park, after having spent an hour chatting over coffee and tea.
Rachel was happy. The day had gone a lot more smoothly than she'd expected. The inspection had re-affirmed her belief that she was doing a good job and that Waterloo Road was thriving. Now, she couldn't wait to go home with Eddie so they could relax for a bit. Even though she was feeling less sick again, an evening on the sofa, in her pyjamas, with Eddie's arms wrapped around her, was very much needed tonight.
As they walked along, Rachel's phone started to ring. She paused, Eddie and Linda mirroring her. Rachel didn't recognise the number when she looked at the screen, but she had a strong feeling it was important.
"I'm sorry, I have to take this" she told them, walking away
"Hello?" she answered once she was far enough away from Eddie and Linda
"Hello, is that Rachel Mason?" A woman on the other end of the line spoke
Rachel frowned. She didn't recognise the voice. Whoever they were, they sounded formal and professional. Whoever it was, it didn't appear to be a social call.
"Yes, it is. How can I help you?" she asked
"I understand you're the Head Teacher of Waterloo Road, Miss Mason?"
"Yes, I am" Rachel confirmed, her confusion increasing
"Miss Mason, my name is Emily. I'm a Police Officer. I'm calling to inform you of an incident that has just taken place at 32, Brucknell Street. A young woman has been shot and killed, one of your students, I believe" the woman explained
There was a noise in the background. A heartbroken wail. Rachel froze. She knew that address. It was Steph's.
Oh god no, it couldn't be.
Not Maxine.
"Miss Mason? Are you still there?" the woman spoke, pulling Rachel from her thoughts
"Yes... yes, I'm here" she responded shakily
"The victim's name is Maxine Barlow. I believe her Mother, Steph Haydock, is a colleague of yours at Waterloo Road? She asked us to call you"
Rachel's heart was hammering against her chest. She wanted to throw her phone down, but her hand seemed to be glued to it, the device pressing harder and harder against her ear. Her legs were shaking as she wracked her brain, thinking of something, anything she could say. But there was nothing. No words escaped her lips.
She knew who the culprit was immediately, and it filled her heart with dread. Rachel had been warned over and over again about Earl Kelly and how dangerous he was. She hadn't listened, and now it was too late. Earl had killed Maxine, because she, Rachel Mason, had failed to spot his dangerous behaviour, even when it was staring her in the face.
She thought back to a few weeks ago, and what Tom had said to her. 'I'm right about Earl Kelly, Rachel. We haven't seen the half of what he's capable of'.
He'd been right all along.
"Miss Mason?"
Rachel snapped out of her daze.
Steph.
She had to get to Steph.
"I'll be there in twenty minutes" she told the Police Officer, hanging up the phone
She exhaled shakily, looking over to where Eddie was stood, just short distance away. He had his back to her as he chatted away to Linda. She couldn't tell him, not yet. She needed to investigate the situation herself first, keep it contained until she knew the facts. Once she knew more, she would tell him.
She retreated slowly to her car, hoping Eddie wouldn't turn around and come running after her. She sighed in relief when she made it, starting the car immediately.
She drove out of the school without a second thought, her hands shaking against the steering wheel.
...
Back in the car park, Eddie was wrapping up his conversation with Linda. He was completely unaware that Rachel had left, or that anything had happened.
"Well, thanks for your input, it's been a pleasure" he smiled, shaking Linda's hand
Linda snorted lightly.
"Careful! You'll be saying next 'See you soon', and then I'll know you're lying!"
Eddie chuckled.
"I'm afraid I have to dash off for a meeting, will you tell Rachel I said goodbye?" she requested
"Of course" Eddie nodded
Linda smiled, walking away to her car.
Eddie walked over to where Rachel had been stood. He frowned when he noticed she was no longer there. His eyes scanned the car park, but there was no sign of her at all. Where had she gone?
He headed back into the school, looking around as he headed up to her office.
He checked the toilet, in case she was being sick again.
It was empty.
"Rach?" he called, walking into her office
Her office was deserted too. He frowned, checking the desk to see if maybe she'd left him a note. There was nothing.
He left the office, searching the entire second floor corridor, as well as the staffroom. Rachel was nowhere to be found.
As he stood in the empty corridor, he started to panic.
How had she just vanished?
And why?
Rachel didn't do this. She didn't disappear without telling him where she was going. Even when they were at home, she'd gotten into a habit of telling him when she was going into the kitchen or to the bathroom!
He pulled out his phone, hoping for a text message or missed call from her. He groaned when his phone screen was blank, empty of notifications. He dialled her number, sighing in frustration when it went to voicemail almost immediately.
After another three attempts, he gave up, heading back down the stairs and into the car park. He looked around again. That was when he noticed her car was no longer parked next to his. She wasn't at the school. But where had she gone? Eddie didn't understand.
When she didn't answer her phone for the fifth time, Eddie got into his car and drove home.
When he pulled up on the drive fifteen minutes later, his heart sank. Her car wasn't there. The light in the hallway was on, leaving the rest of the house in darkness.
Eddie got out of the Land Rover. The front door was already unlocked. He let out a small sigh of relief when he stepped into the hallway and saw Philip's school shoes and bag. Maybe he knew where Rachel had gone.
Once the front door had been closed, Eddie put his bag down and hung his coat up. He searched the living room and kitchen. As he suspected, Rachel wasn't there.
He took the stairs two at a time, bursting into their bedroom. That was empty too. He groaned, his concern rapidly increasing.
"Is everything ok?" Philip asked from the top of the attic stairs as Eddie stepped out onto the landing
Eddie sighed, locking eyes with Philip. He didn't really want to bring him into this, but he had no choice.
"Have you seen Rachel?" he asked
"Not since school, why?" Philip responded
"She's not been home at all since you've been back?" Eddie checked
"No" Philip confirmed
Eddie sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair as he paced up and down.
"What's wrong?" Philip questioned, walking onto the landing
"She's just... disappeared. We were talking to the Inspector in the car park. Her phone started to ring, so she went to answer it. Next thing I know, she's nowhere to be found and her car is gone!" Eddie explained
Philip frowned. That was definitely out of character for his Auntie.
"I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation" Philip reasoned, in an attempt to reassure both himself and Eddie
Eddie nodded tentatively, unconvinced. Something wasn't right. He just wished he knew where she was.
Philip stood on the stairs, watching Eddie pace up and down the landing. He couldn't lie, watching him was making him dizzy. He didn't know what to do or how to help, even though he wanted to. Whilst he hadn't known Rachel for very long, he knew she wouldn't do something like this. Not without an explanation or a valid reason.
"Have you tried calling or texting her?" Philip asked
"Only a dozen times!" Eddie snapped, immediately regretting his tone when Philip flinched
"Sorry, mate. Yes, I've tried calling and texting. The calls have all gone to voicemail, and she's not replying to my texts" he added, softening his tone
"Maybe there was an emergency?" Philip suggested
"Maybe. But I'm her Deputy. She would have told me if there was" Eddie sighed
Philip nodded. Eddie was right; she would have told him if there was an emergency. She always consulted Eddie for everything, personal and professional.
"I'm sure she'll turn up, Eddie" he reassured
Eddie nodded. He was sure there was a reasonable explanation. He just wished he knew what it was.