My fathers best friend (Waterloo road)

Thirty

Ruby knew how Esmè had told her and Simon she was going to help them be a family. She knew she was thankful for it.

She had wanted to give her baby the family she never had. How her family was always falling apart. She knew how her sister had left to get away from their father.

She just wanted to give her baby the best. And she was going to do all she could to make it work. Despite the obstacles that got in her way.

She felt as though she needed to be the parent she wanted to be. And that was something she had set her mind to.

It wasn't going to be easy. She knew that. But she knew as long as she had the support, she could do it.

All she knew was that things were about to change in her life. And she wasn't sure how much she could handle with it.

Ruby walked into the kitchen. She saw Max Tyler there with Esmè. Ruby raised her eyebrows. "Oh yeah? The headteacher making house calls to make sure his favourite employee is attending today?" She joked.

Esmè rolled her eyes and threw an orange at her sister. "He's here because he owes me. I'm in charge for the day at the school. It was a bet we had. So you're looking at the headmistress for the day," she told her.

Ruby blinked a couple of times. She shook her head. "Mr Tyler. I thought you had sense. You've cursed us all to doom," she said.

Max smirked and nodded. "I know. I'll be there to step in if she causes too much trouble. It's gonna be okay," he said.

"Well if the school crashes and burns, I was there for it. And I died being apprehensive of this," Ruby joked as she helped herself to some pancakes.

Esmè rolled her eyes. Max left the room to check on Darcie. Esmè looked to Ruby. "Listen. Be careful okay? I know I said I'd help you with Simon. But just be careful. I don't want anything happening to you."

Ruby smiled and looked to her. "I'm gonna be fine Esmè. I'm just having a baby. There's nothing to worry about. It's not going to be easy. I know. But I think I'm gonna be okay."

***
Ruby smiled as Simon walked into the common room. He sat with her and smiled. "So, I've been thinking. And you're gonna need baby stuff soon. Why don't I pick you up tonight and we can go get what the baby will need?"

Ruby smiled and nodded. "I like the idea of that. My mum is still away in London. So my sister won't say anything. You could come for dinner too?" She said.

"Sure. Clear it with her though. Rumour has it she and Max Tyler are getting close."

"It'll be fine. I promise," Ruby said as she smiled and left. She knew she needed to make it work. But she was worried.

***
Ruby was sitting in the living room with Esmè. The door knocked and so Esmè went to answer it. She walked back in a few moments later with a police officer.

"Esmè? What's going on?"

Esmè looked to her. She was silently crying. "There's been an accident. They think dad is dead."

Ruby felt sick. But was her dad really dead? Or was it a case of mistaken identity?