One Shots 'The nursery nurse'

It all fell down Part VII

It's been a few months since Jennifer started her apprenticeship at the Knight Nursery. Today was her six-month review to assess her performance so far. She and Marjorie sat in the manager's office.

Marjorie went through the various points, finding it difficult to remain neutral. Although she didn't have to. Jen was excellent.

But every time Marjorie looked up from her notes, she had a sense of déjà vu.

Jennifer was sitting across from her in the deputy manager's chair, which was now Charlotte's.

But in moments like this, when she saw her niece. With a high ponytail, crossed arms and a neutral expression. That's when she saw Autumn.

Marjorie had seen pictures of her and Reece when their were young. And if Jennifer had dark brown hair, she would be an exact copy of her mother.

The conversation was almost over when the door opened. The first thing they heard was the thud of a walking stick.

Marjorie's eyes shot up and she immediately wanted to roll then.

" Roger... what are you doing here?"

It was a long time since he was the owner. After Autumn's death, their had managed to get him voted out. But he still showed up sometimes 'to see what was going on'.

Jennifer held back, looking at him in silence. She had met her grandfather perhaps a handful of times in her life and she was glad that it was that way. The last time she had seen him, must have been when she was ten years old.

"I just wanted to come round and see if my life's work was is still standing!" the old man grumbled.

"As you can see, it is, so you can leave now," said Marjorie, annoyed.

Roger looked at the girl sitting opposite his daughter-in-law. He knew immediately who it was.

"My God, you look like my daughter."

Jennifer didn't answer, it wasn't the first time she had heard this, and each time it was a painful reminder of what was missing in her life.

Roger now turned his attention back to Marjorie. "It's a good that this is still a family business. I expect my grandson to start working here too."

" Nate is still in school! And he should decide for himself what he wants to do afterwards!"

Roger shook his head. "Of course! I wouldn't have expected anything else from you and my son! My daughter was my one truth heir! She was everything I expected from an heir! But then you and this Winter had to sink your claws into her! You were her downfall!" He looked at Jennifer again. " I hope you will live up to her legacy!"

Marjorie had had enough of it all, she could already see the pain in her niece's eyes. "Autumn was more than just an heir! Was that all? If so, then go!"

" Hmph. Fine!" he pointed at Jennifer. "Remember what I said!" With that, he left the office, the sound of the walking stick hitting the floor again and again became quieter and finally disappeared completely.

Marjorie looked angrily at the door. The nerve of that man, to just keep turning up like this. "Jen... I'm so sorry..."

" It's all right.... I know I shouldn't give a damn about what he says," she put on a brave face.

"But that doesn't mean, that it doesn't hurt. Please always remember that you don't have to live to a 'legacy'."

"I know..." she just looked at the desk.

Marjorie slowly got up from the chair and went to the girl, she sat down in front of her and put her hands on the girl's thighs. "Jen, please always remember that your mum would be incredibly proud of you."

Jennifer fell into her aunt's arms and hugged her tightly. Silent tears ran down her face.

When Marjorie was alone in the office again and wanted to get back to her work. She couldn't help but look at one of the pictures on her desk. It was a photo from a Christmas party at the Nursery, many years ago.

On It, where herself with Reece, Winter and Autumn. All of them had already had a drink or two and it was clearly visible. Marjorie missed her friend more than anything.

She picked up the picture." Oh Autumn. I wish you were here..... I hope I've protected Jen enough for your liking. I know you would have just destroyed Roger's car again...". Marjorie could just imagine how Autumn would have dealt with the confrontation she'd just had. A slight smile appeared on her face. "I hope wherever you are, you still keep an eye on us." She put the picture back.

Marjorie began to throw herself into her work, when a smell caught her nose.

She hadn't smelt this for years and she had to think for a moment, where she recognised it from. When it hit her like a tonne of bricks.

It was Autumn's perfume, which hung very lightly in the air. Marjorie looked out of the open office door, to see if perhaps a parent had just walked past. But there was no one there.

Marjorie looked at the picture on her desk again. Well it seems like she had an eye on them after all.