This Life

Chapter 22

The weekend spa break had been just what Meredith and Derek needed - 48 uninterrupted hours with no family members in the spare room and no screaming toddlers.

They both missed Beth and between the pair of them must have called Sam and Gavin at least ten times over the weekend checking to make sure that she was behaving herself.

Derek had insisted that Meredith make use of all the resort facilities including the sauna, Jacuzzi and pool. The grounds also had a lovely tea garden and had some very scenic walks.

They arrived home on Sunday evening and Sam and Gavin flew home on Tuesday morning. Gavin had as promised made a stack of muffins for them and packed the freezer full of frozen home cooked dinners.

Meredith spent the majority of Tuesday doing housework and getting herself ready for her return to work. Adele had already called her to explain that she wouldn't be there on Meredith's first day back as she to attend a charity lunch on behalf of the hospital. Meredith used this chance to make sure Adele was okay with her reducing her hours upon her return.

Adele's answer had been short, sweet and to the point.

"As long you do the blasted rotas I don't care if you only work one day a week."

Derek had made Meredith agree to reduce her hours just for a while. So instead of her usual eight to twelve hour shifts she was now working six hours a day five days a week. Derek had insisted that she was not to overdo things and to rest if she got tired. The only downside of the shorter hours was that they could not drive to and from work together.

It was just after 6am when Derek woke Meredith with a freshly brewed cup of coffee before leaving for the hospital.

After having a quick shower and getting Beth organised Meredith left the house and arrived at the crèche at 8:45. That was when the fun began.

Meredith walked down the corridor to leave Beth in the tiny tots room. Beth was singing away happy as anything until they walked through the door. Last week Beth settled back into crèche brilliantly. Today she threw the mother of all temper tantrums and was crying her eyes out and clinging on to Meredith's leg when she tried to leave.

Meredith knew the best thing to do was kiss her goodbye and walk out the door. When she did that and walked out the door she could hear Beth screaming "Mama" after her, she felt physically sick and literally the worst person in the world. She walked over and hung Beth's jacket up on her named coat hook and walked into her office, sat down on her chair and switched on the computer. The whole time she was telling herself not to walk into the other room and hug Beth.

A few minutes later and Mel walked in the office and handed her a cup of coffee.

"You look like you need that," Mel said.

"Thanks, Beth is sobbing her heart out and I now know how the parents feel," Meredith replied.

"Um, I will be back in one minute," Mel said as she walked out of the office and headed for the tiny tots room.

Within a few minutes Mel was walking back into the office.

"Beth is currently painting a picture and is singing her little head off," Mel laughed.

"That wee madam," Meredith answered. "Why am I not surprised... at least she only pulled that stunt on me. If it were Derek he would be sitting there making the situation ten times worse than what it was".

"Well that's men for you." Mel laughed. "It's good to have you back Meredith."

"It's good to be back, although it does feel a little strange," Meredith replied.