One Shots 'The nursery nurse'

And with that, I lost everything Part II

Charlotte drove into the car park. Only her colleagues' cars were parked there. A strange feeling spread through her stomach.

When she got the message from Marjorie yesterday, Sunday, that the Nursery was closed today, but that she should come anyway for a workers' meeting, she didn't know what to make of it. Something had happened, she realised. But what, that question had been buzzing around in her head ever since.

When she arrived in the Staffroom, the others were already there. She sat down next to Carly.

"Does anyone know what's going on?", Carly asked.

The others shook their heads. "Where's Marjorie?", asked Charlotte.

Autumn, who was sitting next to Winter, looked at her. "She's in the office with my brother discussing something."

Winter looked round. "Does anyone know where Sorscha is?"

"No, I wrote to her yesterday. To see if she's coming. But she hasn't replied," said Charlotte.

The door opened. Marjorie and Reece entered. The manager stood in front of them. Reece sat down on a table behind her. He had a letter in his hand.

"Hello everybody.", Marjorie began. She looked as if she had been crying.

"Marjorie, are you all right?", asked Autumn.

But she just shook her head slightly. "I don't know how to tell you.... I'm sure you've already realised that Sorscha isn't here..."

The others nodded. "Has something happened?", Winter asked cautiously.

"Yes... Sorscha's parents contacted yesterday..", she paused briefly. "Sorscha took her own life early Saturday morning..."

"What...", muttered Autumn

"Oh my God...", whispered Charlotte.

Carly just looked at everyone in disbelief. "But she was so happy on Friday..."

There was a brief silence in the room. It was a shock, nobody wanted to believe it. Winter spoke up quietly. "She planned it, didn't she?"

Autumn nodded slightly. "That's why she had parted with so many of her things. She didn't want her relatives to have a lot of work to do when she was gone. "

Marjorie breathed heavily. "That's why she wanted to take minus hours on one day. To make sure her parents have access to all the important documents..."

Charlotte was staring at the table in front of her. "That's why she was so relieved on Friday, she knew it would be over soon..."

Marjorie had been trying to hold back her tears the whole time, but now they were flowing. She turned to Reece and took the letter from his hand.

"She left us a letter. I found it in the office this morning.", she placed it on the table in front of her colleagues. "Here if anybody wants to read it."

Autumn stood up. "I need some fresh air." With that, she stormed out of the room. Reece promptly followed her.

Charlotte carefully took the paper in her hand and unfolded it. There was Sorscha's handwriting.

"The funeral is on Friday. We're all invited." , said Marjorie.

Charlotte was still holding the paper firmly in front of her. "Shall I read it out?", she asked her two colleagues next to her carefully.

They nodded.

"Hiya,

I don't really know what to write here. I just want you to know, that you couldn't have prevented it.
My life ended the day I lost my family.

But you have to know. I am very grateful to you. You were more than my colleagues. You were my friends. I enjoyed every moment with you. Whether we laughed, cried or sometimes cursed.

Maybe we'll meet again one day.

I will miss you all.

Love, Sorscha"

"OK, here are your drinks.", said Marjorie. She and Reece brought a tray to the table.

"Autumn, there's not really any non-alcoholic drinks here. So I only have a water for you.", she continued.

"Wait. Does that mean I get alcohol too?", asked Carly.

The older woman nodded and placed a wine in front of her.

The group was in Dublin. Sorsha's funeral had taken place in the morning. Now everyone had gathered in a small Irish bar and decided to have a drink.

"You know, the Irish always get together after a funeral to drink and share stories about the deceased.", said Winter.

There was a brief silence at the table.

"Do you remember when Sorscha had a row with that one mum? Who thought it was a great idea. Giving her baby cola instead of milk.", said Charlotte.

Marjorie smiled slightly. "Oh yes, she was so close to smacking the woman."

Carly looked up. "Or do you remember when she did the biggest Uno reverse with Siobhan. After she made a homophobic speech and Sorscha just dryly said she was married to a woman."

The others had to laugh. "I would have paid good money to see Siobhan's face!", Marjorie shouted.

Reece smiled slightly. "Or when she brought Clodagh to the Nursery. That day, of all days. The day Autumn destroyed our father's car and I punched him in the face."

Charlotte clapped her hands over her head. "Yes, oh my God! I don't want to know what Clodagh thought about all of us!"

"When I think about it. Sorscha was the only one who just went to work and then went home again. She was never involved in any drama. Well, except when she reprimanded parents.", said Autumn.

The others nodded.

"I hope she's happy where she is now.", said Marjorie. But then she raised her glass.

"To Sorscha!", she shouted

"To Sorscha!", shouted the others.

And they all clinked glasses.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Relief washed over her. Now she could leave all the pain behind her.
She looked at the sunrise one last time. Before she closed her eyes.

And kept them closed forever.

For a moment, it was dark around Sorscha. She felt weightless.

But then it became warm and light around her. When she opened her eyes again, she didn't know where she was at first.

But then she realised that she was at home. But not in the cold and empty flat she had left. In the home that Clodagh and she had built together.

She walked carefully along the corridor. Until she stood at the door to the living room. There, on the couch, sat the love of her life. As beautiful as she remembered her. She had something wrapped in cloth in her arms.

She seemed to notice Sorscha and looked up. Her face became sad. "Why are you here so early, darling?"

Sorscha stood rooted to the spot, unable to answer at first. Tears formed in her eyes

"I just couldn't live without you...", she managed to get out.

Clodagh kept lookingat her. "Oh darling... come here."

Sorscha approached carefully and sat down next to her.

Only now could she see what her wife was holding in her arms. It was her daughter.

"Here..." Clodagh spoke and handed her the newborn.

Sorscha had tears in her eyes. "She's beautiful..."

Her wife laughed lightly and leant towards her. She gave her a kiss.

Sorscha was now where she wanted to be. She was finally home again.