The Outbreak (The Nursery Nurse)

Twenty Eight

Charlotte walked forward, her arms folded.

She could tell that Vivian was trying to place her, trying to remember what Charlotte had looked like before. Her face was a mixture of shock and disbelief.

"Hi Vivian." She said, barely audible.

Vivian looked her up and down, "It's really you." She said more quietly now.

Charlotte nodded slowly.

Vivian smiled slightly, "Would you like to come in?"

Once inside Charlotte looked around, the house was well kept, there were pictures of Jamie displayed on the walls.

Charlotte stopped in front of one of them, her eyes widening slightly. It was clearly a more updated photo, he had gotten so much bigger than the last time Charlotte had taken care of him at the nursery.

"He's cute isn't he?" Vivian said proudly as she took a seat on the small sofa.

Charlotte smiled, "He looks so happy."

Vivian looked down with a small smile, "How could he not be." She chuckled.

Charlotte looked up to the ceiling, trying to detect any little footsteps, "Is he here?" She asked hopefully.

Vivian shook her head, "Not right now."

Charlotte walked over to the rocking chair that was adjacent to the sofa, she straightened up and looked around once more.

"How did you find me?" Vivian asked skeptically.

Charlotte turned her attention to her, inhaling deeply, "Parent files, I was hoping Siobhan would be here."

Vivian's eyes narrowed slightly, "Siobhan?" She asked, her voice was suddenly protective.

Charlotte nodded, "I was hoping she'd still be," she paused, "alive."

Vivian inhaled deeply, "Oh, I see."

Charlotte tried to analyse her expression but couldn't decipher it.

"She's taken Jamie out, they should both be back soon." Vivian informed gently.

Charlotte felt something in her chest relax, she released a breath she didn't know she was holding, "Oh thank god." She whispered as she brought a hand to her heart.

Vivian relaxed further into the sofa, "Charlotte as glad as I am to see you I am very confused."

Charlotte bit on the inside of her cheek, "Right of course, you deserve an explanation."

Vivian waited patiently as Charlotte struggled to begin.

Charlotte explained that she was vacated in one of Roger's houses along with the others, Vivian was shocked to hear all of the former staff members names yet didn't interrupt.

She explained how they survived, how she had found Siobhan's journal and lastly how she had landed here.

Vivian was taking in all the information in silence for a while before she spoke, "Does it not get crowded, that would make me feel like I'm suffocating."