Just us.

23. Apologies

(Charlottes pov)
I walk into the office to meet Reece after Mia dropped me off. Last night was so amazing. We went back to hers and just talked about anything everything. I really needed it. I'm just, she's leaving today. I don't know, it kind of makes me just feel alone again.

On a positive note she told me she's call all the time and come back as soon as possible. I also get the girls back today. For good.

"Morning Reece" I smile
"Morning Charlotte. You're looking more positive today" he replies
"Yeah, I feel much better"
"You're not wearing your wedding ring. Are you okay?" his eyes dart down to my hand, noticing the bare ring finger. Honestly, he is so observant I can't understand it.
"Yeah. I, uh, my husband and I, ex husband, we split up a few months ago" well that felt better than I thought. Easier than I thought
"Oh, Charlotte, I'm sorry"
"Oh no, it's okay! You know, we're co parenting the kids" sort off... "it just took a while for me to process what was going on, and it kind of had an effect on my work"
"Yeah I can understand that. You know, it's a big change. It's a lot for one person to deal with" I nod in agreement, "I imagine it's been made harder when none of your coworkers know what's going on" he adds.

"Yeah. I feel like I'm ready to start telling everyone now, though"
"Great. Well, anything I can do to support you, let me know"
"Thank you Reece" I smiles, "you know you've actually helped me a lot more than you'll know"
"Oh, I'm, okay? I, uh, ok. Where's your car?" He questions
"Oh, Mia dropped me in" I reply
"Mia?" He pauses, " I helped you more than I know because I rang her" he realises what I meant,
"Yeah" I confirm
"Huh. Well that explains all the smiles this morning. And why you're still wearing yesterday's clothes" he adds before walking out. Oh. I really didn't really think anyone would notice that...

...

(3ed person pov)
Marjorie walks towards the building when a certain red head walks over,
"Morning Marjorie"
"Mia? What are you doing here?" Mia rests her hands on her hips,
"Dropping char to work"
"Why are you-" she starts,
"No Marjorie I'm not gonna explain why" Mia interrupts, "You haven't taken a single interest in Charlotte these past few weeks. Why do you suddenly care now?"
"Excuse me I care about all my staff" that woman objects
"Really? You care about your staff? Tell me Marjorie, what's been going on with char?" She asks
"As a matter of fact, I actually came here yesterday not only to apologise but to actually find out what's going on with her"
"Some apology. You found out the flowers were from me and told her you felt sick and didn't want tot see her anymore" Mia reminds her. "You were gonna punish her for something I did"
"Because I was disappointed to find out that she was associated with the likes of you. I expected a lot more of her" Marjorie defends her actions
"I'm sure she expected more of you too" Mia comments which confused the woman,
"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, char did tell me that if I saw you, I was aloud to tell you that she's been going through a separation these past few months" Marjorie couldn't believe it. Months? Her friend had been going through a separation for months and she had no idea? Not one clue.

"She's been trying to process it all these months completely by herself because any time she tried to reach out to someone for help,they were so wrapped up in themselves they didn't even give her the time of day"
"Well why didn't she tell me?" Marjorie asked. She wasn't sure what to say, she felt awful.

"Marjorie char has been a walking cry for help for weeks! Shouting at parents, braking down in the classroom. Rather than actually reach out to her and try and help, you cut her off and send her to another nursery. Is that so you wouldn't have to deal with her?"
"I didn't know she was going through all that, okay. When I found out about the flowers and the flirting and thought maybe she had just been influenced by you"
"That wasn't my influence that was char imploding. It was the only coping mechanism she had. You are so blinded by your hatred for me that it was easier for you to just say she was turing into me than acknowledge that she might actually have problems of her own. Is that why you just write her off so quickly?"