Eddie made his way down the corridor as the bell rang out for the start of first lesson. He had been reluctant to leave Rachel to go and teach. She didn't seem in the right frame of mind to be at work.
He'd spent the last 25 minutes catching her up on the events of the last week and things that did and didn't need doing. He wasn't convinced she'd taken any of it in. If he'd ever had to catch her up on work-related things in the past (which was very rare), she always clung onto every word that came out of his mouth. Today, she'd just stared at the desk blankly, nodding occasionally. She was tearful and distant, in a world of her own. It wasn't like her at all.
He had thought about telling her to go home, but hadn't seen the point as he knew she would refuse. He wouldn't deny it, he was worried about her and he didn't know what to do. She'd told him she was 'tired', and maybe she was. But there was more to it than that. He'd seen Rachel tired and rushed off her feet and she'd been nothing like this.
Whilst he didn't know what to do, he was planning on doing something. If she wouldn't talk to him, he was hoping she might talk to Kim. Something was troubling her and he just wanted to help.
Once he'd arranged cover for his class, he knocked on Kim's office door, smiling weakly at her when she waved at him to come in.
"Don't you have a class to teach?" she asked as he closed the door
"I do, but there's something I need to talk to you about that can't wait" he explained
"Ok..."
Eddie sat down in the chair opposite her desk. Kim was surprised and taken aback by the look of concern and worry in his eyes. The two of them had never gotten along with each other, but she knew if Eddie was concerned enough about someone or something, he would talk to her. She knew from that, that whatever he had to tell her was serious. And it made her nervous. Safeguarding and Pastoral Care was her job, but she always felt sick to her stomach when a teacher or student disclosed a safeguarding issue.
"What's going on?" she asked
"Rachel is here"
Kim was a little taken aback. She'd been expecting him to say something very different to that. Still, she was relieved.
"Really? Is she ok?"
"Uhm- no, no, I don't think she is. That's why I'm here" he answered
Kim frowned at him.
"Something has happened, but she won't tell me what. She needs someone, I think, and I don't think she'll talk to me, but she might talk to you" he explained
"Are you sure she's just not feeling well? She has been off sick, Eddie" she pointed out
"If you count tearful, distant and quiet as 'ill', then yes" he shot back
Kim rolled her eyes.
"Please, Kim. I'm really worried about her" he added
Kim sighed. It definitely seemed out of character and concerning for Rachel to be tearful etc. She had actually been planning on catching up with her when she came back from being off sick. Now was her chance. She knew if Eddie was concerned that something wasn't right. If Rachel needed a friend, that's what she was going to be.
"Fine. Where is she?"
"In her office, I think" he told her
"Ok. I'll go and talk to her, but I can't and won't repeat anything she tells me unless she says I can"
Eddie nodded.
"I know. I don't care about that. I just think she needs a friend"
Kim nodded.
...
Kim anxiously made her way down the corridor, two mugs of tea in her hand. She thought it would make it less suspicious if she turned up with drinks. She was apprehensive about doing this. Of course she was more than happy to be there for Rachel, but she wasn't sure that Rachel would actually let her. Rachel's personal life was none of her business.
Over the last two years, she hadn't exactly been Rachel's best friend. They hadn't argued or fallen out; they had just lost touch with each other. It was a mixture of two things, one of them being that she had been caught up with looking after Dexter and everything else that came with being a single Mum. Rachel had also gone AWOL after the wedding. Kim had texted and called her, but it was very rare that she answered or replied, and if she did, the responses she gave were brief. Kim had put it down to her travelling at the time. She had wondered if maybe she'd done or said something to upset her and that's why she was so distant, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't think of anything she'd done. Also, if she'd upset Rachel in any way, Rachel would have told her. It was, or seemed to be, a mutual loss of contact. Even so, she still felt she should have tried to keep in touch.
She was surprised when Rachel had called her out of the blue in August to tell her she was going to be the new Head Teacher of Waterloo Road. A year and a half had gone by without them speaking and all of a sudden it was like no time had passed for either of them. Once she'd gotten over the shock, relief had washed over her. She'd sounded different on the phone, and not in a good way, but again, Kim hadn't really questioned it. Now, she was.
She couldn't stop thinking about what Eddie had asked her about Adam. She didn't think Adam would hurt her, or she hoped he wouldn't anyway, but she was questioning that now. Maybe Adam was the reason Rachel had stopped contacting her.
She had to admit, she didn't know him that well. Even when he worked at Waterloo Road, he'd kept himself to himself, unless he was around Rachel. Their relationship had progressed quite quickly; they were engaged within three months and married four weeks later. Of course she knew they'd been friends growing up, but it was still oddly fast.
And then there was Rachel abruptly handing in her notice to go and travel. Once again, Kim hadn't really thought much of it at the time, but deep down she had always thought it was out of character for Rachel. She was dedicated to her job, the kids and the school and wouldn't just give it up in a click of her fingers. She hadn't thought about leaving in advance either, it had definitely been a last minute decision.
She was now questioning if Adam had, had something to do with it, and not in a good way. The thought of him hurting her made her feel sick, and she knew Rachel wouldn't say if he was. She wouldn't ask for help.
Whatever was going on, she was about to find out.
She knocked gently on the open office door, not missing the way Rachel jumped at the sound. Her head shot over to the door, her posture instantly relaxing when she saw Kim standing there.
"I thought you might be ready for a cuppa" Kim explained, sitting herself and the mugs down at the table opposite her desk
"Thank you" Rachel replied, moving to sit opposite her
"So, how has your morning been so far?" Kim asked, sipping on her tea
"Yeah, not too bad. Lots of paperwork to catch up on, as usual"
"Are you feeling better?"
"Much better, thank you" Rachel nodded
"Good. And the baby is ok?" Kim checked
Rachel nodded again.
"She's fine"
Kim was observing Rachel carefully as she was talking. She had to admit, she didn't look ill, or like she had been ill. Of course this was nothing to go off; illness came in all different shapes and sizes. Some were visible and others weren't. But it ruled out a sickness bug, the flu or food poisoning. She had been hoping that Eddie was wrong, but Kim was slowly starting to doubt that now. She was also starting to doubt the fact that it was a good idea to be having a conversation like this at work.
"Did you need something, Kim?" Rachel added
"No, I just wanted to... do you fancy coming over for dinner tonight? Or I can come to you? We can get a takeaway and catch up properly"
"I... I don't know, Kim" Rachel replied hesitantly
"Adam can come too if he wants"
It was cruel, but she had said his name to test the waters, to see how Rachel would react. She was really hoping that Eddie had gotten the wrong end of the stick and that she was looking into things too much. But, judging by the way Rachel flinched at the suggestion made it clear that she and Eddie were on the right lines. The thought made her heart fill with dread.
"Can we... uhm... can we do it another time, Kim? I'm sorry, I'm just... I'm exhausted and I... don't think I'll be very good company" she explained
It was a reasonable explanation, Kim knew that. Pregnancy was exhausting, especially with a full-time, demanding job. But there was more to it with Rachel on this occasion. Kim could read between the lines without having to question her.
"Ok, well, the offer is there if you change your mind"
The forced, weak smile and silence she received in response from Rachel made her feel a little uneasy. She understood what Eddie meant when he'd said he was concerned. She was pale, despite the fact that she was wearing makeup. Her eyes were filled with deep sadness and worry. She'd pulled the sleeves of her dress up over her hands, fiddling nervously with the material. Kim was looking at a shadow of the friend and colleague that she knew. Her concern was level with Eddie's now and she had to ask the question.
"Rachel, are you ok?"
"Yes, why?" Rachel shot back, too defensively for Kim's liking
"You just... don't seem it, that's all"
Rachel sighed. She hated lying, but she had no choice. What was she supposed to say?
"I'm fine, Kim. I'm just really tired"
"Why don't you go home and get some rest, eh? Eddie and I can handle things here" Kim suggested
Rachel shook her head frantically.
"I can't take any more time off, Kim. I've already missed a week"
"So? Your health and the baby's health need to come first, Rachel! Adam would agree with me!"
Rachel, once again flinched, at the sound of his name. The mug of tea slipped out of her hand, smashing into pieces on the floor. Tea spilled out with it, soaking the carpet. She stared at mess for a moment, sighing in frustration. She stood up, quickly regretting the sudden movement as pain shot up her back. She couldn't stop the small cry of pain from escaping.
"Sit down, I'll do it" Kim told her
Rachel nodded weakly, sitting back down with a shaky exhale.
Once she'd located the dust pan and brush, the shattered mug and tea was cleared up within five minutes and put into the bin.
"I'm sorry, Kim" Rachel mumbled
"It's ok. It's only a mug" Kim reassured
Rachel nodded quietly.
Kim sat back down.
"Rachel, is everything ok between you and Adam?" she asked
It took Rachel a moment to come up with an answer. She had seen it coming. She hadn't exactly been subtle with her emotions when it came to the subject of her husband. The thought of saying everything was fine made her feel sick. It was far from fine. But she had no choice.
"Fine. Why?"
"Rachel, you're not ok, I know you're not ok! Something is wrong! Eddie has picked up on it and so have I!" Kim protested
"Picked up on what?" Rachel questioned
"That you're not ok!"
"I'M FINE!!"
"You're not, Rachel. Eddie is worried,"
"Eddie is worried about what?" Rachel interrupted
"You" Kim finished
"And he came and told you this, did he? He sent you to spy on me so you could feed back to him?"
"No, Rachel! I'm your friend, I'm worried about you! Something is going on, I don't know if it's to do with Adam or not, but something has happened and I'm here for you! Let me help!"
Rachel sighed. She wanted to tell Kim what was going just as much as she did Eddie. She knew Kim cared and would help and support in whatever way she needed, Eddie too. But it was dangerous. She was adamant that she couldn't drag either of them into this mess; she couldn't risk either of them getting hurt.
"Rachel, talk to me! I can help!" Kim pleaded
"I'm fine, Kim. If you don't mind, I have work to do, so if you could go, I'd really appreciate it"
"Rachel,"
"NOW, Kim, please" she snapped
It was as Rachel moved closer that Kim saw the cut and bruising threatening to break out through the makeup on her face. Her heart sank.
"Rachel, what did you do to your face?" she asked
Rachel frowned at her.
"What are you talking about?"
"You have a cut and a bruise. I can see it through your makeup!"
"You're seeing things" Rachel mumbled, refusing to look her in the eye
"No, I'm,"
Rachel put a hand up to silence her.
"Just go, Kim. Please. Go and tell Eddie to mind his own business"
Kim sighed heavily, stepping out of the office. She flinched as Rachel slammed the door, demonstrating her anger. She knew this was a bad idea, she shouldn't have got involved. She should have let Eddie come and do this himself.