Trigger warning: This story contains themes of domestic abuse and rape*
Rachel couldn't help but smile to herself as she drove through the gates of Waterloo Road for the first time in two years. As she'd expected, the place hadn't changed a bit. It was still the old building that she remembered, close to falling apart but full of life, charm and character. The students were chatting away happily to one another as they made their way in, even though it was only 8AM. It was like stepping back in time.
There was a mixture of emotions bubbling inside her. Excitement, joy, and a little anxiety.
She was technically starting a new job today, but it didn't feel that way in the slightest. It felt like she was coming home to where she belonged. What the next few years would bring, she didn't know, but she was excited all the same. There were new students to meet, colleagues to catch up with, and new ones to get to know. It was a challenge she was ready to take on, a new beginning. It was good to be back!
From the minute she had handed in her resignation two years ago, Rachel had regretted leaving. There were other reasons that contributed to her regretting the choice she'd made, but the main reason she regretted leaving was because she missed it. She missed the job, she missed the kids and she missed her colleagues. She even missed the paperwork, something she'd never thought she would miss! She hadn't realised how much she was giving up and leaving behind until it was too late. She'd believed she was unhappy and that she couldn't get much more out of her job and that better things were waiting for her. But really, she was the happiest she had been in a long time and this job was the most fulfilling Headship role she'd ever had.
The person sat next to her in the passenger seat of the car was the reason she had left Waterloo Road. He was also the reason she regretted leaving. Her stony-faced, arrogant husband, Adam Fleet. The charming and somewhat caring man she knew before they were married was sun and moon different from the abusive, cold hearted man he was now. He was a wolf in sheep's clothing. He had deceived her and everyone else into thinking he was a caring, loving man. But really, he was a controlling and cruel monster. The bruises littering her body were proof of that.
It was partly why she had taken the job at Waterloo Road again. To get away from him. It wasn't permanent of course, but it was 6-8 hours of the day that she wasn't at home worrying when he was going to come home from his job, most likely drunk and in a fit of rage for no reason. She did think she could survive in the marriage if he didn't take his anger out on her, but he did. Time and time again. And it wasn't just her he was hurting now. The baby growing inside of her was being hurt too.
Carrying Adam's baby had not been part of the plan for Rachel. Consent no longer mattered to Adam when it came to sex, he did as he pleased and if she resisted, there were consequences. He always got what he wanted. She hated herself for being so weak, but if she was honest, she had lost the ability to fight back.
When she'd taken the pregnancy test all those months ago and it had come back positive, her heart had sunk into her stomach. Not because she didn't want to be pregnant, she had always wanted to be a Mother. It was because the Father was Adam. If he was abusive to her, imagine what he would be like with their child? It made her feel sick.
She knew she needed to get away from him permanently. But she didn't know how. There was no one to help her, no one she could turn to. She was thirty two weeks pregnant, with hardly any savings. She'd lost touch with her friends and former colleagues at Waterloo Road. She'd isolated herself so much that she had no one left. Where could she go?
That was another reason why she'd taken the job, in the hopes to make enough money to get a place of her own, away from Adam, somewhere safe where she could raise her daughter. She'd have to find somewhere fast, considering she was already thirty two weeks pregnant.
"Remember, you are not to say anything about us to anyone. You are here for the job only" Adam growled
"I know" she mumbled quietly
"If I had it my way, you wouldn't be working at all. You'd be locked away at home with that brat" he grumbled, nodding at her stomach
Rachel sighed, choosing not to answer or retaliate. The last thing she needed today was to have an argument, or another cut or bruise to add to her collection. She wasn't really sure why he'd come with her, other than to intimidate her and to remind her who had the power. Thankfully, he had a morning shift at the restaurant in town, so he wouldn't be looking over her shoulder constantly.
"I'll see you later" she told him, getting out of the car
The weight that she'd felt pressing on her shoulders throughout the car journey immediately lifted as she slammed the car door. For the next 6-8 hours, she was going to be safe from her husband. The thought of it made her heart flood with relief.
Her hand moved to her stomach, smiling as she felt the little girl kick in response to her touch. Despite the circumstances, she loved her daughter so much. She was the best thing that had ever happened to her.
"It's just us two today, sweetheart. No one is going to hurt either of us, I promise" she whispered
Kick.
...
Eddie Lawson groaned when his alarm began to screech at him. He yawned, stretching as he dragged his protesting body out of the warm bed. He was already craving his morning coffee and was considering having two cups instead of one due to how exhausted he currently felt. It had only been a couple of hours since he'd finally managed to fall asleep. He'd spent the first half of the night lying in bed, wide awake, panicking about what the morning would bring.
The last he had heard, Rachel had left Waterloo Road, meaning there was a new Head Teacher, Karen Fisher. For whatever reason, after a year in the job, Karen had resigned, as had her Deputy Head, Chris Mead. So, when the LEA had called in July to offer him the position of Deputy Head, he had jumped at the chance and had immediately accepted. Despite his personal history with the place, he had loved working there and had always said he would go back if given the opportunity.
Eddie wasn't the only one starting a new job today. Due to Karen's departure, there was going to be a new Head Teacher for him to meet. Ironically, her name was Rachel Fleet. He knew it was just a coincidence of course. He doubted he would ever see Rachel Mason again.
No matter how hard he'd tried the last few years, forgetting Rachel and the feelings he had for her had been impossible. He loved her. He loved her like he'd never loved anyone else before and there was no changing the way he felt about her. Eddie didn't usually believe in soul mates, but he was sure Rachel was his. He'd loved her from the moment he'd met her, and he would probably continue to love her until the day he died.
He hadn't seen or heard from her since that last day of term. The day he'd broken both of their hearts. Letting her go was the worst mistake he had ever made, especially when he found out the truth from Melissa that the baby she was carrying wasn't actually his. Of course he could have gone back to Rachel after that, but he hadn't. According to Philip, she had moved house during the summer, a few weeks after their break up. She was planning to start fresh and she seemed somewhat stable from what Philip had told him. He needed to let her get on with her life. So that's what he'd done. He couldn't bear to cause her anymore pain.
If he was honest, he was rather nervous about meeting the new Head Teacher of Waterloo Road. After leaving the school, he had just gone back to being a maths teacher. He hadn't worked with another Head Teacher since Rachel. He'd believed, and still did believe that no other Head Teacher he worked with would ever match up to Rachel's standards or care about the kids in the way that she did. He was sure he'd never get on with anyone like he had done with her, professionally and personally.
He wouldn't be Deputy Head for long, however. In a few months time, he would be the Acting Head of the school, whilst the new Head Teacher was on maternity leave. This was his chance, finally. And he was ready for it.