Moment in the Sun

36. Job

Nick POV

Today is the first day at my new job. Since graduating , I've been working part time at a summer tutoring company but now I've got a job as an actual teacher in a local primary school.

"Look at you, you'll be the best looking teacher at that school." Charlie's voice comes from behind me and I turn to see him leaning against the door frame, still dressed in his pyjamas and looking adorably sleepy.

"Hey, why are you up?" I move over to wrap him in a hug. It's very early in the morning still, not even gone seven yet.

"You didn't think I'd miss the chance to say goodbye and good luck on your first day?" He kisses my cheek and smiles at me, "I'm proud of you, Nicky."

"I'm kind of nervous." I admit, still holding him close. I have to leave soon so that I have plenty of time to get settled before the school day starts, but I don't want to leave. I'd much rather stay home with Charlie.

"You'll be great. I know you will. You've already met the other staff, and the students. Today will be easy," He smirks and lets his hands drop to rest on my hips, "And I'll be waiting right here for you when you get home."

**********

It does get easier. I settle into a routine each day, waking up early and kissing Charlie goodbye as I leave. My students are easy to keep in line, eager to learn and have fun. When I get home in the evenings, Charlie is usually waiting for me, arms open for a hug which I gladly fall into.

The first few weeks have me buzzing with a new-found energy and I really start to feel like I've found my rhythm.

Which is why it hits me like a brick wall when I realise things have snowballed and I find myself struggling to keep on top of everything. It's a lot of little things, mostly administrative-type, that I thought I had a handle on but I suddenly find that I don't. It affects my work and my life; my time with Charlie.

I spend hours after work shut away in the study, going over lesson plans and assignments to be marked. Charlie is amazing and lets me be most of the time, just popping in to bring me food now and then. He's asleep most nights when I finally crawl into bed and I'm up and out of the flat before he wakes. I know he's trying to be understanding but it's also getting to him too.

At the start, he used to pack my lunch for me before he went to bed, leaving little notes for me to find. Or he would set his alarm to wake up just before I left so he could kiss me goodbye. Buy those little gestures had slowed down recently, completely stopping in the last few days. I feel awful, knowing that he is probably feeling neglected, but I just can't seem to get on top of things.

Getting into bed last night, Charlie actually rolled away from me in his sleep when I tried to cuddle him and I was left staring at the back of his head, tears spilling down my cheeks. Not even a year of being married and we're barely speaking. And it's not even because of a fight. It's because I'm an awful person who's been ignoring the ball of sunshine that is my husband.

**********

"Nick, can I talk to you for a minute?" My headmaster calls to me one morning as I hurry down the hallway towards my classroom.

"Yes, of course, um, I was just..." I gesture vaguely in the direction I was heading.

"Don't worry, I've already sent Jessica to watch your class for a few minutes." A lump forms in my throat as I follow the headmaster into his office. I sit in the huge leather chair in front of his desk and he sits opposite.

"Is something wrong?" I ask quietly, picking at my fingernails.

"Not in the way you think. You're not in trouble, Nick, so stop worrying." It's hard to relax when I've literally been called to the headmaster's office like a naughty kid. "I've noticed that you've been a bit stressed recently, am I right?"