Two hours later...
Rachel's morning had been quite successful.
After Tom and Rose had left, she had looked into trying to find some emergency accommodation for the Kelly's, just in case the trip to the Housing Association was unsuccessful. She had found a few options that Rose and Tom could look into if needs be. She wasn't supposed to be doing any of this of course, but she just couldn't sit and do nothing.
Once she had done that, she had filled out and signed off some paperwork, before picking up the phone and dialling Kim Campbell's number. To her surprise, the other woman had picked up straightaway. They'd chatted for a good hour and a half about various things, including Kim's past experience at Waterloo Road. After only ten minutes of talking to her, Rachel quickly began to understand why Tom had recommended her. She was confident, caring, passionate and driven.
To Rachel's relief, Kim had agreed to resume her role as Head of Pastoral Care at Waterloo Road. They had arranged to meet up at the end of the Christmas holidays to discuss things further and for Kim to sign the relevant paperwork.
Rachel had smiled when she'd put the phone down. She was so glad that Tom had recommended Kim. The school needed someone in Pastoral Care who knew the kids relatively well and who could also do their job properly. Before Tom had given her Kim's number, she felt she had no option but to put Steph back in the role again. The thought of doing that filled her stomach with dread, so Tom had saved her really. It was a weight off Rachel's mind, knowing they had something in place when they returned in two weeks time.
As the bell rang out for break, there was a knock on the door. Rachel frowned. It wasn't like Eddie to knock on the door, and it was also far too early for him to be strolling into her office.
Before she could tell whoever it was on the other side of the door to come in, the door opened. Rachel smiled when she saw Bolton enter, a sheepish grin on his face.
Bolton didn't really know why he was stood in the Head Teacher's doorway. He'd been contemplating going to see her this morning. After her being rushed into the hospital last week, he'd been worried, as had everyone else. He wanted a chance to apologise for the way he'd behaved last week. Mr Cleaver ordering him to take a break gave him the opportunity to do so.
"Alright, Miss?" he greeted
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the UK Boxing Champion!" she laughed
"I haven't won nowt yet, Miss"
"That doesn't mean that you won't, Bolton! Self- belief and perseverance goes a long way, you know?" she pointed out
"Yeah, yeah. I've heard it all before, Miss. Mr Cleaver just told me the same" he laughed
"Well, he's right. I'm really proud of you, Bolton. Everyone is so excited to watch and cheer you on"
"I couldn't have done it without you, Miss. I wouldn't have stayed in school if you hadn't helped me, innit?"
Rachel smiled softly.
"You did all the work yourself, Bolton. All I did was give you a little push" she shrugged
Bolton nodded. She'd done a lot more than that. The 'little push' she had given him had changed his life.
"Thank you for the flowers and card that you and your Mum sent, they're beautiful" she added, nodding to vase on the windowsill which held a colourful bunch of flowers
Bolton smiled.
"You're welcome, Miss"
"So, what can I do for you?" she asked
"I-uhm- well, I heard you'd been in hospital and I... just wanted to check you were ok" he explained
"I'm ok, Bolton. Thank you for asking" she reassured, smiling
"Good, everyone's been so worried, Miss"
"Well, they don't need to be. Everything is fine"
"And you're definitely staying on as Head Teacher?" he checked
"Yes, Bolton. I thought about what you said and the deal we made. I'm not going anywhere" she promised
Bolton's smile widened at her words, proving to Rachel that she had made the right choice.
"I'm really glad you're staying, Miss"
"Me too, Bolton" she nodded
"And I'm... sorry for the way I behaved last week" he mumbled
"You don't need to apologise, Bolton. You were scared and were dealing with a lot. You did the right thing and I'm proud of both you and Paul for making your statements. If not, Denzil wouldn't have been able to come home"
Bolton nodded.
"Just promise me something?" she continued
Bolton stared at her expectantly.
"If you are ever struggling with anything, and I mean anything, you come and talk to me, ok?"
"Ok, Miss" he agreed
"Good, thank you. So, are you ready for the Boxing Match this afternoon?"
"Just about" he nodded
"You'll be brilliant. I have every confidence that you will win, Bolton"
"Thanks, Miss. I need to get back to the gym"
"Alright, well, good luck!"
"Thanks, I'll see you later"
Rachel watched as he left. She was surprised he was so calm about the upcoming events of the afternoon. If it was her, she would have been ridiculously nervous! In fact, she was nervous for him! This was a big day for Bolton and she just wanted him to do well, whether he won or lost.
"Hey" Eddie greeted as he walked into the office
"Hi" Rachel replied, smiling softly as he walked over to kiss her
"What did Bolton want?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her
"He was just asking if I was feeling better, and to check that I wasn't resigning. I don't think taking your word for it was enough" she explained with a giggle
Eddie chuckled.
"Is he nervous about the match this afternoon?"
"Surprisingly not, no. He seems really calm" she told him
"I bet it hasn't quite sunk in for him yet" Eddie reasoned
Rachel nodded.
"So, how has your morning been?" he added, tucking her hair back behind her ear
"Not bad. The Kelly's are being evicted from their home though" she sighed
Eddie raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"Yep. Tom has taken Rose to the Housing Association"
"It'll be hard to find somewhere this close to Christmas" Eddie pointed out
"I know. Hopefully they'll be able to sort it" she nodded
"Any good news this morning?" he asked
"Yes, actually. We have a new Head of Pastoral Care!"
Eddie frowned at her, encouraging her to elaborate.
"Kim Campbell. She used to work here as Head of Pastoral Care before leaving to go to Rwanda. Tom gave me her number as she's back in England. She seems great! We're going to settle everything at the end of the holidays" she explained
Eddie raised an eyebrow. He knew of Kim Campbell, but he didn't know her personally. Her abrupt departure was what had led to Steph taking over the Head of Pastoral Care role. Her departure had left him and Jack with no choice but to put the French teacher in charge. Steph meant well, but she had been incredibly out of her depth. He couldn't help but feel that if Kim had given Jack more notice, they could have found someone more suitable for the role. For Eddie, anyone who left abruptly like that made him question their commitment.
He decided to keep his scepticism to himself. He trusted Rachel to make the right decision. By the optimistic smile on her face, he could tell that she was happy for Kim to come back. That was good enough for him too.
"Well, I wasn't expecting that!" he laughed
"You don't approve?" she questioned, sensing a hint of scepticism in his tone
He sighed. Just like he could read her like a book, she could do the same with him. She knew when he was angry, or sad. Happy or worried. She knew when he didn't approve of something. They knew everything about one another.
"Anyone is better than Steph Haydock, Rach" he pointed out
"That's what I said" Rachel giggled
"What about you? How was your morning?" she asked
"Oh, you know, the usual. I've got Year Nine next" he shrugged, rolling his eyes
"Just think, it's the last lesson of the term!" she reminded
Eddie smiled, pulling her closer to him.
"And then you're stuck with me for two whole weeks!" he whispered, placing a kiss on her cheek
Rachel hummed contentedly.
"How are we going to cope, eh?" he chuckled
Rachel giggled, smacking his hand playfully as the bell rang. Eddie groaned.
"Where does the time go in this place?" he grumbled
"Go and teach your class, Mr Lawson" she instructed softly
Eddie smiled, stealing another kiss from her before leaving.