I'll keep you safe

Chapter 127

One hour later...

It was 3pm. The second the bell had gone off, Eddie had shot up, packing his things into his bag. He couldn't leave until 3:30pm, but he could be ready to leave.

Rachel hadn't returned his call, making him even more desperate to get home. He wanted to make sure she was ok. That was his current priority.

As he packed his laptop away, there was a knock on the door. He looked up, smiling politely when he saw Charlotte stood there.

"Did Steph get home ok?" she asked

"Yes. Matt took her back to his. She's agreed to go on compassionate leave until at least next week" he told her

"That's good" she nodded

"I'm really sorry about the way she acted towards you. She's not usually like that" he sighed

Charlotte put her hand up to silence him.

"It's fine. She's grieving. People deal with grief in different ways. I should have been more delicate in my approach. You haven't suspended her, have you?"

"No. I thought about it. But, she is grieving and wouldn't do this normally. Rachel wouldn't have suspended her, and if I had, I would have been in trouble" he told her

"Good, I'm glad you changed your mind" she smiled

Eddie nodded.

"How did you get on with Janeece?" he asked, swiftly changing the subject

"Quite well actually. She's a promising young lady"

Eddie smiled.

"Maxine and Janeece were joined at the hip, inseparable" he explained

"Yes, I got that feeling from Janeece. I can see why Maxine was so loved by everyone in the school"

Eddie nodded quietly.

"How are you coping with it all?" she asked gently

Eddie sighed heavily. How was he supposed to answer that?

"I guess I'm... in shock, like everyone else. I can't believe it really" he shrugged

Charlotte nodded in understanding, willing him to continue.

"I'm more worried about Rachel if I'm honest" he admitted

"Because she's ill?" Charlotte questioned

Eddie nodded

"Have you spoken to her today?"

Eddie shook his head.

"Not since I left her to come to work this morning. I booked her a Doctor's appointment for this afternoon, but I don't know if she went or felt well enough to go, even though I told her to call me if she felt unwell and I would take her. I rang her at two o'clock and she didn't answer. So I don't know if she went or if she's lying unconscious somewhere in the house" he blurted

"I'm sensing you're worried because something like this has happened before?"

"Not exactly like this per se, but she has disappeared on me before and it... well... it isn't my story to tell... but it didn't end well" he explained

"It's understandable that you're worried about her" Charlotte sympathised

Eddie nodded. He felt like this was quickly turning into a counselling session. It was making him uncomfortable. He glanced at the clock on the wall, noticing it was now 3:20pm.