DISCLAMER: I don't own Waterloo Road. It belongs to Acorn productions and it is broadcasted by the BBC.

It was now 2007, life had changed a lot over the last 8 year for the newly formed Rachel Mason. Twenty six years of age and Rachel was a lady who knew more than most what it was like having to grow up quickly. The train pulled up at Rochdale. This was it. Stepping back in time, visiting a past she thought she had left behind. Eight years ago. The journey from Cornwall to Rochdale would usually take anything from a tiresome ten too eleven hours, however for a worried Rachel Mason time couldn't have gone quicker. With a mind full of thoughts, worries and little Ethan Mason crying numerous times. Rachel's mind didn't even stop to consider the time. A week before young, naïve Rachel turned eighteen, her life was ripped from underneath her due to her life choices. Everything she knew was taken away from her, her family, her home, her support and her dignity. She was left with no choice than to move to Cornwall, set up a new life for herself. Leave the past in the past. Now, a recent redundancy has resulted in Rachel debating quite possibly the hardest decision she had ever faced. On one hand, take young Ethan out of school, away from his friends, everything he knew and transfer to a place of the past – Rochdale, where she could provide the best possible life she knew she could for him and carrying on her passion of teaching, but this return would mean facing life where everything went wrong for her. Or on the other hand stay in Cornwall shying away from her past and giving up teaching to provide the best she can for her seven year old son, Ethan. After hours weighing up the pro's and con's Rachel had chosen to finally face it all. She needed to face the past in order to move forward in her life. It was the best way for both her and Ethan, as Rachel was sure Ethan sensed his mummy was struggling. Rachel was a kind caring women, who would always put Ethan before anything and everyone, his safety and well-being was paramount as far as she was concerned. She would not return to Rochdale if she knew it wasn't in Ethan's best interest. All she wanted was for Ethan to grow up living a 'normal' life and not follow in her footsteps. Rachel believed it was mentality that had found her with her young son on the longest train journey back to Rochdale, a place she never thought she'd see again. A place she promised herself she would never return. The train came to a standstill. Just like Rachel's heart. A small hand moved towards Rachel's hand which caused Rachel to shiver. A little voice spoke sweetly and in a bubbly tone "Don't worry mummy, it's just me." To which Rachel responded with a smile, gripping her sons hand tightly as they emerged from their train seats. As Rachel made her way to the train door, with Ethan by her side, the light lit up signifying it was safe to leave the train, a man's voice spoke calmly "Mind the gap." on the tannoy. Rachel's arm slowly outstretched to press the button which would determine their future. As the door opened, Ethan sprung forward, leaping on to the platform subsequently their hands parted. Rachel however still stood on the train focussed staring in to space with people wanting to pass her. Ethan turned back to grab his mummy's hand and said sweetly, "Mummy, mind the gap" to which Rachel smiled and stepped on to platform reaching for her little boys hand. He was so positive about this new start, she had to be strong, not just for herself but for her son too. Rachel must have walked a few paces, completely oblivious to where she was or what this town had in store for her, before a familiar voice from her past hollered "Amanda!" Rachel's face dipped in shame as she picked up a rather confused Ethan and walked as quickly as she could to the automated barriers not even looking back. Ethan's face gazed up at his rather paranoid mummy's face as he spoke in a concerned manner "What wrong Mummy?" Rachel's heart had sunk and was slowly melting. They had been there minutes … How could her past haunt her already. Rachel composed herself and smiled at her rather worried little boy and said, "Nothing baby, let' go." As Rachel bent down to pick up her bag she dropped as she picked Ethan up after the panic a cold hand touched Rachel's shoulder, saying, "Amanda, it is you!" Rachel's heart sank, as she stood up to turn around to great the random stranger from her past she was presently surprised to see her beautiful older sister stood in front of her that she had not seen since she moved out of her family home and to Cornwall eight years ago. A small breath of air left Rachel's mouth, a sigh of relief. Melissa her older sister, was more of an outgoing girl than Rachel and leaned towards her, "Well, Amanda, are you not going to give your big sister a hug?" she asked. She looked down at Ethan saying "This must be my little nephew eh Amanda?" Poor little Ethan was too busy stood there repeating Amanda in his head. Rachel and Melissa shared a hug before Rachel had time to ask how she had been, Melissa looked down at her watch and rushed off, calling behind her, "I hope to see you soon Mandy." As the pair walked out of the train station automated barriers at Rochdale kept persistently asking his mother, "Mummy, why did that lady call you Amanda?" Rachel did not respond, her little boy did not deserve to be overwhelmed by her past mistakes and problems as a result of poor choices. Ethan could tell what he was asking was making his mummy rather upset and eventually the questions seized.