A Mialotte Story: Good in a crisis

Handover

TW: Panic attacks, Harassment

It was the start of a new week at the nursery. Charlotte was working in the baby room with Jodie, and Carly was in the toddler room with Winter. She liked working with Winter because he never questioned her toilet breaks, so she'd often be found eavesdropping outside the office. Winter didn't mind so much because secretly, he loved hearing the latest office drama too.

"Good morning, how's Tilly today?" Carly's favourite part of her day was always the morning handover. Her heart swells every time a toddler runs to her in excitement or a baby coos in her arms. 
"Yeah, she's alright, she does need breakfast though" Tilly's dad, Graham, replied nonchalantly.
"Okay that's no problem, are we going to have a fun day today, Tilly?" Carly was particularly good at getting the children hyped up for their day ahead.
"I'm sure she will if she gets to spend all day with you, I know how much fun I'd be having" Graham said with a wink, looking Carly up and down. Carly thought nothing of it and carried on as she normally would, addressing Graham.
"So will it be you or Tilly's mum picking her up this evening?"
"Luckily for you, it'll be me. Does that count as a second date? HA!"
This was Carly's first encounter with Tilly's dad, she'd only ever done handover with her mum. She didn't mind admitting that it was an uncomfortable interaction. Carly wasn't concerned though, it seemed harmless. So she shook it off and continued with her day, not feeling the need to mention it to anyone.

As 6pm rolls around, the parents start to swarm in. Carly catches a glimpse of Graham and looked around to see if Winter was available to do Tilly's handover and, much to her dismay, he wasn't. "Well hey there gorgeous, fancy seeing you here!" Graham winked...again as he approached Carly. "So how's my precious little angel been today, she alright?"
"Oh yeah, Tilly's fine, she's had a lovely day playing outside in the sun. And, we've been practicing your four letter words, haven't we Tilly?" Carly explained to Graham as she prompted Tilly to tell her dad what she learnt how to spell today.
"S T O P. Stop" Tilly spelled out phonetically.
"Well done Tilly! And what's another word for stop?"
"N O. No"
Carly seemed that lesson to be apt, given her father's behaviour today.
"Oh right, that sounds good. Guess we'd better be off then! Catch you later, gorgeous." As Graham addressed Carly for the final time, he for whatever reason, felt it was appropriate to flirtatiously smack Carly's arse.

Graham finally left the room with Tilly. What a pervert. Then it happened. Carly felt her breath catch in the back of her throat, she had suddenly forgotten how to breathe. Her heartbeat racing, and chest growing tighter by the minute. Her hands felt numb. She was frozen, unable to move from the spot she was standing in. Winter could hear her fighting for breath from the other side of the room and turned around, only to witness her trembling. Carly was having a huge panic attack. "Carly? Carly? Carly, can you hear me? What can I do?" Winter was getting unsettled at the sight of the young girl, not knowing how he could help. He'd never seen Carly so vulnerable. Carly fought against herself trying to find words. "Char" is all she could muster up.

AN: I hate to leave Carly in this state but, next the part needs some careful planning, sorry! 😅 Hope you're all enjoying though x