The Apprentice.

Chapter Two

"Thanks Reece" Carly called as she entered the gates of the nursery, she loved the fact he always gave her a lift in even when she was working at a different nursery to him. She walked quickly towards the nursery doors when another car door shutting made her turn her head slightly. 

Annie smiled across at the other apprentice before grabbing her handbag out of her back seat and locking the car behind her. "Hi Carly" she called making her way over to the apprentice. Carly smiled inwardly taking a breath as she waited for the girl to reach her. Her outfit was totally different today, her long hair was curled but up in a simple pony tail at the back of her head. She wore an emerald green chiffon blouse tucked into some long black pants that showed off her small waist, they hugged her hips perfectly and slightly flared at the bottom. Her feet were clad in some simple black flats. 

"Hi" Carly responded meekly, her face dropping to the floor.

Annie lowered her bag in her arms. "Carly, are you alright? Have I done something to you?" She asked gently. She'd only met the girl yesterday Annie wasn't sure what she'd done to offend the young girl so quickly. 

"NO!" Carly shot back taking Annie by surprise. "It's not you" she blurted. "I'm just not used to having other you know, young person around" Carly responded and was able to give a weak smile to Annie "Our last few apprentices who I've gotten to know have either been rubbish at the job or have tried to get me fired" she laughed. Annie giggled back.
"well I hope I'm better then that, and from what I saw yesterday you're great with the kids". 

They entered the nursery together and Carly smiled "I think you'll be better too I mean if Reece hired you he must think you have what it takes." 
"Reece is a good friend" 
Carly looked at the other apprentice. Before she could ask about their friendship Autumn entered the building behind them along with Winter and Marjorie. 
"Honestly your family-" Margorie was saying before clocking the two girls in front of her. 
"Ah you must be Annie, nice to see you I'm Marjorie the manager" she started taking Annie's hand. 

"Hello" Annie smiled back at her this woman just gave off motherly energy, something she loved and settled the young apprentice straight away. "I'm excited to be working here with you." she shot a look at Autumn and Winter. "Hello Autumn" she nodded her head at the other woman who looked slightly taken aback. "Did Reece tell you I was working here?" Annie asked. Autumn moved must to everyone's surprise and pulled Annie in for a hug. Winter smiled at his wife. "That's one for the books" he muttered as Annie laughed and smiled up at the other woman. 
"I take that as you're glad to see me then" she giggled. 

"Well I never" Marjorie said entering the office with Autumn after saying good bye to the two apprentices and leaving Carly the task for getting Annie settled. "You hugging someone, never did I think I'd see the day". 
Autumn shot Marjorie one of her stoic faces. "She's family" she simply muttered. Marjorie was surprised. "She's family?" she repeated "But her last names is Jones not Knight". Autumn nodded. "She's not biological family" Autumn simply replied. Marjorie decided not to press the subject but would be asking Reece about it later.  

Annie and Carly entered the baby room after putting they belongings in the lockers in the staff room. "Ah ready for your first day?" Charlotte smiled at the two girls. 
Annie nodded already noticing the 3 babies in the room Charlotte had one of the babies in her arms and was giving them a bottle. Carly knew her role and went to grab a bottle of milk off the tray and picked up a little boy "This is Frank" she smiled taking him to Annie "Do you want to feed him?" she asked. 

Without hesitate Annie took Frank in her arms and placed the bottle to his mouth. The baby instantly started drinking and Annie bobbed a little rocking him gently. "Hi Frank, I'm Annie" she looked up at Carly who had since taken the final young girl and was currently feeding her. "He's so cute" Annie laughed looking at Charlotte. 
"Yeah he's a really cute little guy" she smiled. 

The rest of the morning continued and Charlotte was pleasantly surprised, Annie wasn't afraid to get down and engage with the children, she played with them changed their nappies and cleaned them up when they'd been engaged in a particularly messy activity. "Anyone would think you were used to children" Charlotte commented and Annie smiled back sheepishly once the final baby had gone down for their nap. "I've had a lot of practice, siblings" she muttered as they walked out of the darkened room. " well" said Charlotte "Because you're both apprentices you get a 15 minute break so you might as well go now whilst the children are asleep, we have 3 more joining us in half an hour so it will get busier." Charlotte smiled sitting down with the tablet ready to start uploading it with the children's morning activities. 

Annie nodded looking at Carly who led the way "Come on lets grab a drink" she smiled.