(Mia's POV)
I park at the nursery to pick up Charlotte and see Marjorie in the office window rolling her eyes at my arrival. I give her a polite smile and step outside my car to wait for Char. 2 minutes later, I see her walk outside to the car park and come towards me.
"Mia," she says with a sigh. "Marjorie," I say looking up from my phone. "Pleasure as always." I've been trying to make somewhat of an effort with Marjorie for Char and lately I've been thinking had we met under different circumstances we could have been friends. I don't hate the woman as such we just don't have the best history to put it lightly.
"Mia I need to talk to you about something," she says sternly folding her arms. "Yes Marjorie?" I say putting my phone in my pocket and my hands on my hips. "About your announcement," she says. "All week I've had parents email me, call the nursery, come to the office to speak to me about your fee increase announcement." "Marjorie you do know I have no say in what the nursery fees are," I say.
"I know that thank you Mia," she says rolling her eyes. "It's not so much that there's a fee increase they're mad about, it's the fact you made a thinly veiled threat." "You mean the part where I told them I knew where they lived?" I shrug. "Just protecting my sweetheart that's all." "I appreciate that," Marjorie sighs. "But if you could just do that without threatening our parents next time it would be very appreciated." "Careful Marjorie," I tut. "If you and I are gonna be friends I'd suggest you watch your tongue."
"Amelia!" I hear Char's voice say over my shoulder. "Look I don't have the energy to stand and argue with you I have a nursery to run," Marjorie says. "So I suggest you watch your tongue and stop threatening my parents."She gives Char a quick smile before turning around and heading back inside. "I can still give you that throttling I promised," I call out after her. "Amelia Roberts!" Char says from behind me. I turn around to see her looking at me with her arms folded.
"Hello sweetheart," I smile. "What did I tell you about arguing with Marjorie?" She says. "Honestly I feel like banging your heads together sometimes." "Sorry sweetheart," I say smiling and creasing one eye. "This time I didn't push her buttons I promise, she came out complaining about that Instagram announcement. Apparently the parents aren't too pleased about my little warning." "Amelia," she sighs. "What am I to do with you?"
"I don't know sweetheart," I say before giving Marjorie a condensing glare through her office window. "Don't say you still hate her Mia," Char says putting one hand on my waist. "Everything is fine between us now I promise. You don't have to protect me all the time." She strokes my jawline and my chin gently, grazing her thumb over the edge of my lip. "But sweetheart that's my job," I smile stroking her hand that's on my jawline. I boop her nose quickly and she creases her eyes and nose cutely.
"Mia," she says softly. "Mmm?" I reply. "Who do you think would win a fight between you and Marjorie?" She asks, the top of her lip smiling slightly. "Me easily," I say quickly without a second thought. "Marjorie might look tough as nails but she's really just a pussy cat. Plus I've had my fair share of minor disagreements so I know good weak spots." Char gulps and tucks her hair behind her ears. "Weak spots?" She says clearing her throat. "Don't worry sweetheart I've never caused irreversible damage and... Charlotte!" I gasp, realising what she was hinting at mid-sentence.
"Sorry," she whispers laughing under her breath. "I shouldn't admit this out loud but a fight between you and Marjorie would be..." "Is that something you'd want to see?" I ask, taking a couple of steps towards the nursery entrance. "Not so fast," she says grabbing my wrist. "I don't think it would be a good idea for you and Marjorie to actually get into a fight. I'll just enjoy the thought." "Enjoy?" I say, slightly taken aback by her sudden boldness.
