At the sound of her alarm clock at 6 o clock, Rachel woke up yet again not looking forward to a day at Waterloo Road.
Max Tyler really was making her life miserable at the moment and all Rachel wanted was to go back to the previous school year. If someone had told her twelve months ago that she would dread coming to work on a daily basis she never would have believed them. This was how Rachel did feel though and it was really starting to get her down.
Lexie and Olivia had both noticed that Rachel wasn't her usual self. As much as Rachel tried to hide her feelings around them and remain upbeat, she couldn't help but let on that something wasn't quite right.
Part of Rachel was tempted to phone in sick and spend the day at home catching up on paperwork. She knew there was no point in avoiding the situation though as it would only make things worse in the long run. Plus she had arranged for Lindsay and Emily's Mum's solicitor to come in today so she didn't want to miss that.
Rachel dragged herself out of bed and got straight in the shower.
Her mind kept wandering off as she let the hot water run down over her body meaning that she ended up spending much longer in the shower as usual. When Rachel came out of her en suite and saw the time she realised she needed to hurry up or she was going to be late.
It appeared that Rachel wasn't the only one who didn't want to go into school today. Olivia was saying she felt ill and asking for the day off but Rachel wasn't convinced that there was anything wrong with her.
"I really don't think that you're too unwell for school love"
"I really don't feel well"
"Well how about you try and if when you're in your lessons you feel really bad you can come up to my office"
"It's not fair, why are you making me go to school when I'm ill. If it was anyone else they'd be allowed the day off" Olivia shouted before flouncing off upstairs
Rachel ran her hands through her hair before going out to the hallway to shout Daisy and Lexie down for breakfast.
"Daisy, Lexie come down for breakfast"
After a few moments Daisy walked out of the lounge still in her pyjamas.
"Daisy I told you to go and get dressed ten minutes ago. What were you doing?"
"I was watching the end of Paw Patrol"
"Right, upstairs and get dressed as quickly as you can. I've laid your clothes out on your bed for you"
Rachel followed Daisy upstairs and went in to check on Olivia.
Olivia's door wasn't closed all the way so Rachel went in.
"You know if I really did think you were poorly I would let you have a day off, but I'm not sure that you are"
"I do have a bit of a sore throat" Olivia said sounding more calm than she had when they were downstairs
"Right, well how about I give you some paracetamol and then see how you get on at school?"
"Okay" Olivia said quietly
Olivia had calmed down but Rachel was a bit worried there was something at school that she was trying to avoid.
"Is there something at school that you aren't looking forward to today?" Rachel asked and Olivia shrugged her shoulders
"Have you had a falling out with your friends?"
"No"
"It's just that I'm pretty good at telling when someone is really poorly after working in a school for years and you don't seem like you are really poorly to me. So that makes me think that there's something or someone you're trying to avoid at school"
"I have to do a presentation in English today and I don't want to"
"Right, well first of all thank you for being honest with me. And second of all, I'm sure you're not the only one that's worried about having to do it today. I know it seems like an awful thing you have to do but once you've done it I think you'll realise it really wasn't that bad or worth getting worried about"
"I'm probably going to forget what I'm meant to be saying. I wish it was after lunch so I had more time to practice it"
"What period is it?"
"First period"
"That's a good thing love. That way you can get it out of the way and stop worrying about it. I'm sure you've practiced enough and you'll do an excellent job"
"Probably not"
"Yes you will. Just do your best and it will be over before you know it"
"I guess"
"So do you still want that paracetamol?"
"Well I do have a bit of a sore throat but I probably don't need paracetamol"
"Just come and see me later if you do need some"
"Okay thanks Rachel" Olivia said feeling a bit better for talking to Rachel about how she was feeling
"Right, are you going to go down and have some breakfast?"
"Yeah"
"I'm running a bit behind today so would you be able to get a bowl of cereal for Daisy please? I'll send her down once she's dressed"
"Okay"
"Thanks love"
Eventually Rachel managed to get them all out of the house.
They dropped Daisy to school before driving onto Waterloo Road.
Rachel said goodbye to Lexie and Olivia before facing the school day.
Just as Rachel had anticipated, it wasn't a good day.
Max was making things really awkward between her and Kim and trying to stop Rachel from helping Lindsay. Lindsay had her barriers up high which Rachel was trying to break through but Max wasn't supporting her in any way.
When Lexie and Olivia came up to her office at the end of the day Rachel decided to ask them both a really big favour.
"I need to speak with Mr Mead about something tonight. Could you girls please do me a really big favour and look after Daisy until I get home?"
"Yeah that's fine" Lexie said
"I'll still pick Daisy up and drop you girls home and then come back"
"We can just walk, it's fine"
"No don't be daft, it's freezing outside. It won't take long"
Rachel dropped the girls home before heading back to Waterloo Road to try and catch Chris.
Chris had also had a bad day after being accused of having an inappropriate relationship with Vicky McDonald. Rachel liked Chris and wished that he had come to her so that she could have helped him to sort it.
Rachel thought that they could both do with a drink after the day they'd had so suggested a trip to the pub.
When they walked out of school Rachel was very surprised to see Lindsay James still at school. The girl looked upset and vulnerable and Rachel hoped this could be her chance to get through to Lindsay.
Rachel went and joined her and this time all it took was for Rachel to mutter the words "tell me" for Lindsay to finally open up.
When Lindsay told Rachel that her Dad used to sexually abuse her she felt awful. It made the problems she was having at the minute seem like nothing.
Rachel was so pleased to finally be able to provide a shoulder for Lindsay to cry on.
After doing as much as she could for Lindsay tonight Rachel took her to her Auntie's house before meeting Chris in the pub. Rachel rang Lexie and explained she was going to be a bit later home and asked her to get Daisy's tea.
Rachel couldn't believe what a day it was turning out to be.
If she didn't have the responsibility of three kids she probably would have stayed for more than one drink at the pub.
Rachel knew that Lexie, Olivia and Daisy were at home waiting for her though so this wasn't an option.
After finishing her glass of wine Rachel went home. She had paper work that needed doing but she couldn't face it tonight. She couldn't stop thinking about Lindsay and the paperwork just didn't seem important.
Rachel walked into the kitchen where Daisy was having beans on toast and Lexie was sat with her.
"Thanks for getting Daisy's tea love"
"That's okay"
"Where's Olivia?"
"Upstairs doing some homework"
Rachel chatted with Lexie for a few minutes. Lexie seemed a bit quiet.
"Mia text me earlier asking if I want to go to hers for a bit"
Since moving in with Rachel Lexie had got quite close with Mia.
"Okay. Shall we eat after Daisy has gone to bed then?"
"Yeah sounds good. I'm going to go over now"
"See you in a bit then"
Once Lexie had gone Rachel nipped upstairs to speak to Olivia. She felt bad as she'd completely forgotten to ask how her presentation went with everything that had gone on today.
"I completely forgot to ask how your presentation was earlier. I'm so sorry love, it's just been one of those days"
"That's okay. You were right, it wasn't as bad as I thought. I'm glad it's over though"
"I bet you are"
"Did you have a good day?"
"Not really if I'm being honest"
"How come?"
"There just seems to be a lot of things going wrong at the minute. But I'm sure tomorrow will be better" Rachel said though she didn't sound very convincing
"Hopefully. How much more homework have you got to do?"
"Not much. I'm just finishing my English homework and then I'm done"
"Do you want to do it downstairs while I cook tea?"
"Okay. What are we having for tea?"
"I'm going to do something easy like pasta I think. Lexie has popped over to Mia's for a bit so we're going to eat after Daisy has gone to bed"
"Rachel how much longer is Lexie going to be staying with us for?"
"I'm not sure love. I'm still trying to get hold of her Mum but I haven't had any luck yet. Why, do you not like having Lexie living with us?"
"I really like her living here, she's so nice. I've started to wish that her Mum doesn't come back at all so she can live with us permanently. Is that bad?"
"It's not bad that you don't want Lexie to have to leave love. I love having her around too and can't say that I'm looking forward to the day she has to leave either. I know Lexie's Mum hasn't always been the best but I know she loves Lexie so I'm sure she'll be back"
"I don't understand how any Mum could just leave their children"
"I don't either love but we don't know Lexie's Mum's reasons or what she had going on"
"Do you think something has happened to her?"
"That's what I'm thinking the more time goes on I have to say. Don't say anything like that to Lexie though because we don't know"
"I won't"
Rachel and Olivia went downstairs. They stopped talking about Lexie's Mum before getting downstairs because this wasn't a conversation to be overheard by Daisy.
Olivia finished her homework while Rachel made a start on tea and got organised for tomorrow. Daisy was in the lounge watching TV.
Once their tea was nearly done Rachel text Lexie saying it was nearly ready before going upstairs to put Daisy to bed.
When she came back downstairs Lexie still wasn't back so Rachel rang her.
Lexie didn't pick up her phone so Rachel decided to pop next door to get her figuring that Lexie either didn't have her phone or had it on silent.
Rachel went over to Angela's and was very surprised when Angela said that Lexie wasn't here.
Angela went upstairs to double check but she definitely wasn't and Mia said she hadn't spoken to her all day.
This instantly made Rachel worry as she had no idea where Lexie had gone.
Rachel went straight home and tried to eat her tea with Olivia. She hadn't been that hungry anyway but now she had no appetite whatsoever.
"What are you going to do? Are you going to ring the police?" Olivia asked who was also clearly very worried
"Not yet, Lexie probably just needed a bit of space. It's only quarter to eight, I'm sure she'll come back soon"
"Something might have happened though. If she said she was going to Mia's then surely that was her intention"
"Lexie told me that Mia had invited her but Mia just said to me that she hasn't spoken to Lexie all day"
"Why would she lie?"
"I'd say because she didn't want me to know where she was really going"
After another hour Lexie still hadn't returned so now Rachel didn't know whether to go out and look for her herself or call the police.
Lexie could be anywhere and Rachel didn't know where to start looking.
In the end she decided to go to Lexie's Mum's house as this was the only place Rachel could think of that Lexie might have gone. If she wasn't there she thought she would call the police.
"I want to come with you" Olivia said
"No it's best if you stay here love. I'm going to ask Angela to come over while I'm gone. You can stay up until I get back though"
"I'm not going to bed until Lexie comes back" Olivia said with tears in her eyes
"I'm sure Lexie is going to be just fine, please don't worry Liv" Rachel said before wrapping her arms around Olivia
Rachel was just about to phone Angela when Rachel and Olivia both heard the front door close. They rushed out to the hallway straight away.
Lexie was there and it was obvious that she wasn't okay. She looked as pale as a ghost. Rachel wondered what on earth had happened and immediately feared the worst.
Rachel went over to the girl and guided her into the lounge as she seemed frozen to the spot by the front door.
"Lexie what's wrong? What's happened?" Rachel asked after getting Lexie sat down on the sofa
"I- I don't know what to do" Lexie eventually mumbled
Rachel signalled for Olivia to go upstairs. As much as she didn't want to because she wanted to know what had happened to Lexie, she also understood that Lexie would probably prefer to speak to Rachel alone.
Olivia went upstairs so Rachel turned her attention back to Lexie who was staring into space and not showing any emotion.
"You look like you've seen a ghost Lexie. Please tell me what's happened so I can help you"
"I don't know what to do" Lexie said again
"You're going to have to tell me what's happened Lexie or I can't help you. What is it you need to do something about?"
"My Mum"
"Have you… have you been to see your Mum?"
"She was at home"
"So is that where you've been?"
"I just needed to get something. I didn't know Mum was going to be there"
"Did she say where she's been?"
"I don't know. Maybe I should have gone yesterday instead"
Lexie wasn't being forthcoming with information at all.
"Well what did she say?"
"She didn't say anything"
"What was she doing?"
"She was lying on the sofa. She wasn't breathing"
It took a lot of questions but eventually Rachel managed to understand what had happened.
"Lexie are you trying to say that your Mum has passed away?"
"Yes. I stayed there with her for ages and I didn't know what to do. I came here but I don't know why, I'm not your problem"
"I'm so pleased you came here Lexie. You are my problem and I'm going to do whatever I can to help you"
Rachel cupped Lexie's face in her hands
"Listen to me, everything is going to be okay"
"I just left Mum lying there, I didn't know what do"
"It's okay Lexie. You don't need to do anything. I'm going to take care of it"
Lexie was so pale and also felt very clammy. She wasn't with it at all so Rachel laid her down and put a blanket over her.
"I'm going to make you a cup of tea Lexie. I'll be right back"
Rachel put the kettle on and rang 999. She had no idea how Lexie's Mum had died but right now finding out wasn't her priority.
The person she spoke to was really good and told her exactly what to do.
Once Rachel had made a cup of tea that was drinkable straight away she took it back through to Lexie who hadn't moved since Rachel had left the room and was still staring into space.
Rachel got Lexie to sit up and she had a few sips of the tea.
"A doctor is going to be going to your house to confirm that your Mum has passed away and then they're going to take her body away" Rachel said deciding to be as straight to the point as possible "do you want to see your Mum before she's taken away or do you want to stay here?"
"I don't want to go anywhere, I want to stay with you"
"That's absolutely fine Lexie. I'm not going to leave you. I can go with you to see your Mum if that's what you'd like"
"No I want to stay here"
"Okay, that's what we'll do"
Rachel then sat down next to Lexie and pulled her in for a hug.
Lexie still wasn't showing any emotion which was worrying Rachel.
Rachel looked over and noticed Olivia hovering at the door.
"Is Lexie okay?" Olivia asked when she saw Rachel looking at her
"Lexie's had a bit of a shock. Her Mum has passed away but she's going to be okay"
Olivia was shocked and didn't know what to say.
"I know it's a lot to take in. Come and have a cuddle if you want"
Olivia went and sat on the other side of Rachel.
"I feel sick" Lexie said suddenly
"Okay let's get you to the toilet" Rachel said before jumping straight to her feet and guiding Lexie into the downstairs toilet.
They got there just before Lexie was violently sick.
Rachel held her hair back and rubbed her back to comfort her as much as she could.
Once Lexie had finished she turned around and looked at Rachel. Lexie had a bit more colour in her cheeks now and looked less vacant.
Rachel pulled Lexie into her chest hoping that she might have a cry and let her emotions out. She didn't but she definitely seemed more with it than she had earlier.
"Is it okay if I go to bed now?" Lexie asked
"Of course it is if that's what you want to do. Why don't you go and get changed into your pyjamas and then I'll come up in a minute"
Olivia was sat in the lounge so Rachel went in and had a little chat with her.
Olivia felt worried about Lexie and also quite upset as it was making her think about the night her Mum died.
Rachel went and put Olivia into bed and told her to come and find her if she couldn't sleep before going to Lexie's room.
Lexie had changed into her pyjamas and was in bed.
"If you don't want to be on your own just now you don't have to be. I'm happy to stay up for as long as you want to. We can stay up all night if that's what you'd like or I can lie in bed with you"
"I want to get some sleep"
"Okay well you know where I am. It doesn't matter what time it is just come to me for anything"
"Thanks Rachel. I'm really sorry about all of this"
"Lexie you have absolutely nothing to be sorry for. You're being so strong and you don't need to be"
"I'm fine. It's not like my life will be that different now, my Mum never has been there for me properly"
"She's still your Mum love, you're bound to be upset"
"I'm fine. I just want to get some sleep"
"Okay. Hope you sleep well. Please wake me up if you want anything"
"Night Rachel"
"Night night love"
Rachel left Lexie's bedroom and closed the door behind her. She wondered if Lexie would cry now that she was alone or if she was going to try and bury her emotions.
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