Screaming (but no noise comes out)

Chapter 16

Trigger warnings - eating disorders, baby loss, funerals

Vivian felt her heart beating in her chest as she walked up to the police station. She'd just dropped Jamie to nursery, and seen Siobhan smiling at her. The woman rarely smiled but when she did, it made Vivian feel like her whole heart was lighting up. She knew once she did why she was about to do, that the blonde would never look at her like that again. She could only hope she didn't snuff out the younger woman's light. Then again, she knew that what she was doing was the right thing, even if Siobhan was going to hate her for it. She could only hope that in the end, she'd be forgiven one day. It was the right thing to do.

"Hi, I'd like to submit some ... evidence in the case against Roger Knight" Vivian said. She wasn't completely sure of the wording to use, it was evidence but it wasn't a full confession, but given it was from his partner it would help. She didn't know the full side of things, but imagined that there was some strong evidence to be keeping the man in for that long.

"Very well, take a seat and one of the police officers will be with you soon" the receptionist said. Vivian smiled and sat down, looking around the waiting area as she waited to be called through. She didn't know why she was nervous, as she knew it was the right thing to do even if it felt like she was betraying Siobhan. She'd persevered so hard for so long, and now she hoped that she wasn't throwing it all away by doing this. But it was all for the better. Even so, would it be enough? She didn't want to go through all that turmoil only for it to turn out to not be enough, but she took the phrase she often used with her patients family members—no news is good news, and turned it around. Any evidence is good evidence, she tried to convince herself and hope it was true. The thing she had with Siobhan was blossoming well, and even though Vivian knew this was the right thing to do, she didn't want that to be ruined.

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Surprisingly, Autumn enjoyed her two weeks off and almost didn't want to return to work. She didn't think the therapy was helping, wanting to do nothing more than sit and stare into space after the sessions, but a part of her had to admit that they were somewhat helping. She was less nervous and mistrusting, and while she still she still purged a lot of her meals, she didn't try to bring everything back up. She watched Winter like a hawk when he was cooking or she cooked herself, while she was grateful that Marjorie had offered to cook she knew that she'd likely end up with food poisoning so the older woman always ended up bringing takeaway. Autumn didn't know what was in there, so while Marjorie was there she'd sit and pretend to happily eat the meal, then she'd make sure to run to the bathroom and rid her body of the toxins soon after.

Mia and Reece had been working behind the scenes to get things finalised with the takeover. Roger was given a court date after some evidence was given in the form of a confession from his partner Siobhan. The court date was due to be at the end of August, but before that there was due to be a board meeting which would hopefully result in the siblings being able to take over the nursery. Apparently, Roger was not happy about the upcoming court date and had to be isolated in prison for violence, which only harmed his case more. Autumn had already from the lawyer and solicitor heard he wasn't doing well, and that the other inmates did not respond well to criminals who harmed children. That, and the fact that they had everything they needed for the takeover to take place on Tuesday.

Autumn returned to work on Monday, and went straight to the office to avoid seeing any parents. Fortunately, Siobhan wasn't there and she sat down at her desk across from Marjorie.

"You alright Autumn?" Marjorie asked.

"Fine Marjorie" Autumn answered, logging back onto her work computer for the first time in two weeks. "How have the last two weeks been?"