Shattered Perfection

eleven

A couple of days later, Marjorie bustled into the office, 'Right Autumn, we've got a problem...oh!' she stopped in surprise. Siobhan was leaning over the computer, typing away.

'Marjorie' Siobhan drawled in greeting.

Marjorie looked confused, 'Where's Autumn?'

Siobhan sighed, 'In a meeting with her Father.' She continued typing on the computer and ignored Marjorie.

'Why is she in a meeting with him?' Marjorie persisted. Siobhan sighed deeply again.

'No idea' she replied.

'Helpful,' commented Marjorie, then she asked, 'what are you doing on the computer?'

'Updating the system' Siobhan answered flatly.

'Ah, updating the system.' Marjorie grinned, 'Funny how it always crashes and needs updating on the same day that's Viv's little one comes in,' She wheedled, looking at Siobhan for a response. There was none. 'I'm just saying it happens to be the same time every week. System goes down and you come in and update it and then you two have a chat in the corridor.' She waved her hands around and looked sideways at Siobhan.

Siobhan rolled her eyes and stood up with her hand on her hip, 'Is there something you wanted to say, Marjorie?'

Marjorie acted shocked and surprised. 'What me? No, no, no, no.' She paused watching Siobhan closely, 'Only that a couple of times when you two have been in your, um, meeting, Roger has rung here looking for you.' Siobhan's reaction was instantaneous, her eyes were wide with alarm and she looked terrified so Marjorie went on quickly, 'and I've always said you are in a very heated meeting with an 89 year old grandparent who's got an issue with everything so you cannot be disturbed.' Marjorie held her gaze as Siobhan narrowed her eyes at her, her body relaxing slightly after the fright. Still Siobhan didn't answer. 'You're welcome by the way. As Autumn's not here I'll talk to you.' Siobhan rolled her eyes, sighing deeply.

'Lucky me,' she drawled again.

Marjorie tutted and rolled her eyes back at her, 'I've covered for you, have a day off. Right, I've just come from a meeting with Janice.'

Siobhan smirked slightly, 'She has good hair, doesn't she?'

Marjorie pulled her face, 'don't really care about Janice's hair about now.'

Siobhan was surprised 'Don't you?' she asked.

'Course I do, okay, its sublime. It's all I could think about from there to here.' Marjorie admitted, Siobhan smirked again. 'Anyway, she's not backing down on the manager's position and neither am I.'

'That tracks,' conceded Siobhan, 'she's a good manager at that nursery, I don't see why she would want to give up her position either.' Marjorie was exasperated. Did everyone think Janice would be better at manager than she was?

'Because she's already been put on the board of directors, she's already got a pay rise okay? By giving me the managers role it means she's doing less work for still more money than me. Why wouldn't she want that?' Marjorie shrugged, it seemed like Janice wanted the extra work.

Siobhan sighed again, 'Honestly, Marjorie it's like you've been on this earth for a day.' She said shaking her head.

Marjorie was confused, 'What does that mean?'

Siobhan explained, 'It means it's not about the money or the work. It's about the position and the power, okay? If she's manager, she rules over. It's that simple.' She shrugged. It seemed straightforward to her. People like Janice and Roger always wanted power and influence.

'Well, it looks like she is going to rule all because its gonna go to Roger to decide. And let's guess who he's gonna pick.'

Siobhan considered it for a moment, 'Hmm, good luck with that.' She replied as she walked out of the room.

Marjorie deflated, 'What has a girl gotta do to get a shoulder to cry on round here,' she whined. Siobhan walked out into the corridor, if she had timed this correctly then she should see...

'Well, well, fancy seeing you here' a friendly voice called out. Siobhan smiled and flicked her hair slightly.

'Would you look at that.' She said carelessly, her eyes skimming over Vivian's strong frame.

'Funny how you're always here at the exact time I'm dropping off Jamie.' She teased, winking at Siobhan.

'We can't rely on the system here to work, but we can always rely on it to break down at the exact same time every week.' Siobhan replied smiling warmly placing her hands on her hips.

Vivian laughed, 'Funny that. About our next meeting...' she paused.

'Mmm' prompted Siobhan.

'I thought we could switch it up, and?' Vivian's gaze flicked down Siobhan's body landing squarely on her hand. 'That's a nice ring' she said flatly. Siobhan's own eyeline was dragged down to the rock on her finger. She lifted her hand and inspected it without enthusiasm. It felt grotesque. Roger had complimented her choice but she had barely heard him. Her ears had been buzzing and she had felt dizzy. 'About our next coffee meet up,' Vivian finally continued, 'I'm going to have to cancel it.'

Siobhan was crushed, 'Oh' was all that she could say. There was a lump in her throat.

'Congratulations,' Vivian said without emotion before rushing past her.

Siobhan turned and called out to her, 'Viv!' But Vivian was already out of the front door and into the car park. Siobhan dropped her head in defeat. She had lost Viv, the only bright spot in her life. The walls felt like they were closing in. She turned to go back into the office and was confronted by Marjorie. Her eyes were as big as saucers.

'Is that an engagement ring?' she gasped.

'If you have to ask if that is an engagement ring, then I have to ask you again, is this your first day on this Earth?' Siobhan asked waspishly. Her heart was breaking and it was coming out as anger.

'Is that why Autumn is meeting with her dad today?' Marjorie continued. Siobhan softened slightly. She felt sorry for the siblings, they hadn't asked to have her as their step mum.

'Yes, if I were you I'd stock up on sausage rolls. I think Autumn's going to need them.' She told Marjorie before walking back into the office to collect her things.

Marjorie reached for her phone, 'Oh God,' she muttered, 'Winter, code red.'

Siobhan left the nursery and sat in her car. Her heart was breaking and she fought to keep the tears from making an appearance. She put the car in gear and pulled out of the car park. As soon as she was clear of the area she let the tears fall. The moment Viv saw her hand and realisation hit was the moment Siobhan's heart shattered. She couldn't bare it. She pulled the car into a layby and let the sobs consume her. Finally, she admitted to herself how much she cared for Vivian but she was trapped forever with Roger.

Vivian had made it out of the nursery before the first sob escaped past her hand which was trying to hold them in. She managed to get through her front door before sinking to her knees in the hallway. She felt sick. She had known she loved Siobhan for a while. Tried her hardest to make a safe route for her to escape. Provide her with the loving care that she was desperately lacking. What was going to happen to her now?