Rachel sighed as she watched another candidate walk out of her office.
Ten down, one to go.
The candidates so far hadn't been bad. A few had a really good balance of working with young people, running healthy eating campaigns as well as cooking and catering. Rachel didn't think any of them were 100% up to scratch with what she or the LEA wanted though. Not that it was a massive issue. Most of the skills they were looking for could be gained on the job. She did wish she'd taken up Eddie's offer and let him sit in on the interviews with her. She needed a second opinion. That was meant to have been Kim's role, but she was tied up with searching for Karla.
There had been no update on Karla from Kim. She wasn't expecting to hear anything until the interviews had finished at 3pm. She felt guilty that she couldn't help out more with the situation. She was the one who had agreed to let the exhibition happen after all. She hadn't expected it to end like this though. Michaela could be a madam and a troublemaker sometimes, there was no denying that, but this was a new level. Rachel was disgusted by her behaviour, but it wasn't her priority right now. Eddie and Kim would sort it. All she had to do was focus on the interviews.
She stood up from her chair, heading out of the office and down the stairs to get the next and last candidate of the day. If she was honest, she was having trouble remembering his first name and hadn't looked at the list of names the LEA had given her to remind herself. She knew his last name was Fleet, but his first name just wouldn't come to her! Baby brain!
As she approached Reception, she saw him sat on one of the sofas, looking around. She couldn't help but feel that he looked familiar, and she didn't know why. Apart from Eddie and the rest of her colleagues and students, she didn't personally know anyone who lived in Rochdale. When she'd moved here a year and a half ago, socialising hadn't been on her list of priorities. It still wasn't really.
When his gaze met with hers, she watched as he examined her carefully. A hint of something flashed across his features, almost like he knew her but couldn't quite place her. She offered him a warm smile.
"Mr Fleet?"
He recognised her immediately, so much so that he struggled to act surprised like he had planned. She hadn't changed a bit.
"Amanda Fenshaw? Is that you?"
It all came flooding back to her as she took in his features. His gruff voice caused a dozen memories from her school days to resurface, along with his name. Judging by his appearance, it was clear that she wasn't the only one who had changed over the years.
"Adam Fleet? Is that you?"
"The very same!"
She chose to shake his hand instead of hugging him, like he evidently wanted her to. He was here for an interview after all. She wasn't going to throw professionalism out the window for someone she'd grown up with. Besides, she wasn't exactly over the moon to see him. He brought with him a lot of memories that she wanted to forget.
Still, she smiled.
"I can't believe it's you! What are you doing here?"
"I'm a Chef now. I wanted to apply for this job, new challenge and all that. I didn't know you were the Head Teacher! The LEA told me her name was Rachel Mason?"
"Yes, that's me. I had to change my name... it's a long story" she explained
Adam nodded quietly.
"Well, it's great to see you" he added
Rachel smiled politely.
"Yes, you too. Shall we go up to my office for the interview?"
"Lead the way" he agreed
They made their way up the stairs in an awkward silence. If Rachel was honest, she wanted the ground to swallow her whole. She knew Adam was going to ask questions about her name change. It wasn't really any of his business for a start. Adam was part of her past, a past she wanted to forget. Why did he of all people have to be here?
There was nothing she could do about her current predicament. She couldn't exactly tell him to leave. The LEA would question why she hadn't given him a chance. She just had to make it through the interview and hope that he wasn't a suitable candidate.
"So, you're a chef now?" she asked as they entered her office
"Yes. I have been for the last ten years" he explained
"Impressive" she replied, sitting down at her desk
"And you are a Head Teacher"
"It looks like things are going well for both of us" she nodded, gesturing for him to take a seat in the chair opposite her desk
"Why don't we go for a drink later and catch up properly?" he suggested
Rachel sighed. She'd had a feeling he was going to ask that. She also had a feeling he wanted more than to 'catch up' over a drink.
"I'm sorry, I can't" she mumbled
Adam's eyes fell on the engagement ring on her finger. His heart plummeted. He had come to Waterloo Road to interview for the job and to complete a task that only he knew about. But, after all these years, he still had feelings for Amanda Fenshaw.
Seeing her now, the name 'Rachel' didn't suit her. When he had first heard of her name change a few months ago, he had thought that maybe it would suit her. But it didn't. She would always be Amanda to him.
She was as beautiful now as she was back then. Soft, lightly tanned skin, silky brown hair with blonde woven in and chocolate brown eyes that sparkled in the sunlight. Why did she have to be engaged? It was an insult to him.
He swallowed painfully.
"I see. Who's the lucky guy?"
"His name is Eddie Lawson. He's my Deputy" she explained
Adam nodded. He had been warned about Eddie Lawson. After what he'd been told, he genuinely wondered what Amanda saw in him.
"Well, why don't you bring him along? It'll be nice to meet him" he suggested
"I can't, Adam. We have something planned for tonight" she sighed, subtly placing a hand on her stomach under the table
Adam smiled weakly, brushing off the rejection.
"Perhaps another night then?"
"Maybe. Let's get on with the interview, shall we?"
...
The car journey back to Waterloo Road had been a quiet one. Karla had spent it gazing out of the window, trying to calm herself down. Kim had focussed on the road in front of her, reflecting on her actions and their consequences. She was sinking further and further into her guilt.
Yes, Karla was safe for now, but she shouldn't have been put in danger in the first place. Seeing her on the side of the road, where cars were practically flying past her, had scared her. As a teacher and Head of Pastoral Care, she had really let this situation get out of hand. She'd been too busy worrying about David's threat that her job had taken a back seat. Her carelessness had put Karla, a vulnerable student, in danger. It wasn't going to happen again.
The car came to a gentle stop in the school car park. Kim sighed, turning to Karla, who was staring at her hands.
"Karla, I am so sorry about today"
"I just don't like people touching my things" Karla mumbled
"I know, I know. I let it go too far. I'm sorry" Kim apologised
Karla nodded quietly.
"Come on, let's go and let everyone know you're safe, yeah?" Kim suggested
They got out of the car, making their way over to the main entrance of the school. Kim smiled as Danielle and Aleesha ran over to Karla.
"Are you ok, Karla?" Danielle asked, looking her friend up and down for any sign of injury or harm
"Where have you been?" Aleesha questioned
Karla shrugged, eyes darting around. Danielle and Aleesha looked to one another. None of that mattered now. Karla was back and she was safe. That was what was important. It could have been so much worse.
"We went round to everyone that took your drawings and got them back" Aleesha announced, handing Karla her Art folder
"It's all in order, you can check if you want" she added
"It's not perfect, but..." Danielle chimed in
Kim smiled as she watched the three girls interact with one another. Yes, there were some badly behaved students in this school, and there were students that took advantage of the vulnerable, like Michaela had with Karla. But, there were students in this school who had a heart of gold, like Danielle and Aleesha. When a friend was struggling or having issues, they were the ones who pulled together to help. Karla was lucky to have friends who cared about her like that. It proved to Kim that there was still some good in this world and that Waterloo Road did help young people to thrive.
When she spotted Michaela loitering by the front doors, her anger returned. She wasn't going to get away with what she'd done. She needed to learn that there would be consequences to her actions.
"Oi, I haven't finished with you yet!" Kim called after her as she turned to go back inside
Michaela turned around, rolling her eyes.
"I'll be speaking to your Mum about your behaviour today. You'll be in after school detention for the next week, starting today. That's getting off lightly, considering. Bullies and chancers, you're just cowards, picking on people who can't stand up for themselves. I'm not going to stand for it Michaela! Get to the cooler, now"
Michaela huffed, storming away. Kim sighed triumphantly. Hopefully Michaela had learnt her lesson. She had defeated one bully today. Now all she had to do was defeat the one who was threatening her in her personal life. That would have to wait.
She wandered back over to Danielle, Aleesha and Karla, who were still chatting away to one another.
"So, what are we going to do with the money you raised from the portraits?" Kim asked
When no one answered, she looked to Karla.
"Karla? It's your money. What do you want to do with it?"
Karla thought for a moment.
"We could buy more paint for the art room?" she suggested
"That sounds good to me" Kim smiled, nodding in approval
All three girls smiled.
"Go on, get back to class" she instructed
"Thanks, Miss" the girls said in unison, heading into the school building
Kim sighed in relief, a sense of temporary calm washing over her. She still had a lot to do. She had to call the Police and Karla's Mum to tell them Karla was safe and unharmed. She also had to inform Rachel and Eddie. But that was ok. All of that felt easy compared to the events of the last hour or two. Karla was safe and that was the important thing.
"You found her then?"
Kim jumped, finding Steph stood next to her.
"How did you find out?" she questioned, frowning at the French teacher
"Oh, please, nothing like this stays a secret round here!" Steph laughed
Kim nodded.
"Are you ok, Kim?"
"I'm fine"
"You don't seem it" Steph argued
Kim sighed heavily.
"I'm just tired and... dealing with some personal problems, that's all"
"Anything I can help with?" Steph offered
"Not unless you can magic up some money for me" Kim huffed
"How much do you need?"
Kim was taken aback by the unexpected but sincere question.
"About a thousand pounds, just to keep Grace and I afloat until payday next week"
"Well, I can't magic it out of thin air for you. But I can lend it to you"
"I can't ask you to do that, Steph"
"Oh, please! You're a friend, Kim. You need help and I'm in a place to give it. Come on, let's go and sort it" Steph insisted
"Are you sure?" Kim checked
"Yes! Come on!"
They made their way up to Steph's classroom. Kim was confused as to why Steph was agreeing to do this. Had she actually heard her say how much she needed? When she'd said she needed a thousand pounds, she hadn't even flinched! This was a lot of money she was willing to lend her, especially with no questions asked.
Still, she was grateful. If it got David off her back, it would be worth it. She would pay Steph back as soon as her pay cheque came in next week and all would be well. Or she hoped so anyway.
"Thank you so much for this, Steph. You know I wouldn't ask unless..."
"Oi, will you stop it? I know how it is! Maxine used to..."
She trailed off, a pang of pain shooting through her heart. She used to complain that Maxine would eat her out of house and home. Almost half of her pay cheque was spent on her, which was something she used to moan about too. Now, she'd give all the money in the world to have her back with her. She swallowed the lump in her throat.
"Maxine ate me out of house and home. And that's without all the nappies and paraphernalia"
Kim smiled weakly.
"Look, just pop your details on there and I'll have it transferred" Steph instructed, handing her a pink post it note
"Thank you so much, Steph" Kim replied, scribbling down her details
"No problem. So, one thousand pounds, yeah?" Steph checked
Kim nodded, avoiding her gaze.
"Kim, are you sure you're ok? You know you can talk to me. A problem shared and all that"
As tempting as it was to Steph everything, she couldn't. Steph was an avid gossiper, but she could keep a secret if she wanted to. Kim trusted her, that wasn't the issue here. The issue was that she wouldn't understand and probably wouldn't look at her in the same way if she told her. No one would understand, so no one was going to find out.
"I'm fine, Steph. I'll give you the money back as soon as we get paid next week"
Steph nodded.
"You can thank me with a bottle of wine, when you've got yourself back on your feet again"
Kim smiled.
"Thanks, Steph. I'll see you later" she said, stepping out of her classroom as the bell rang out
Steph wasn't entirely convinced that things were ok with Kim. She looked troubled and seemed low in mood. Settling back into life in the UK with a baby wasn't easy of course. But there seemed to be more to it than that. She just hoped that Kim wouldn't choose to struggle alone and would talk to her when she was ready.