Unexpected

'Second home'

A week since Marjorie was threatened by Clara (Ivy's mum)

Marjorie was sat in the staff room with Charlotte until she noticed her phone ringing.

"Who is it?" Charlotte asked.

"Ivy." Marjorie responded as she answered the phone.

Ivy began to speak on the other end of the line "hey mu- Marjorie" she laughed.

"You alright my darling?"

"Yeah, yeah I'm good, do you mind if i pop in and see you for a while?"

"Yeah, of course, you're welcome anytime sweetheart, I'm on my lunch now so come and join us if you want."

"Us?"

"Oh sorry, forgot to mention, I'm with Charlotte."

"Okay, won't be a minute, love you."

Marjorie hesitated "lo- love yo- you too." And ended the call.

Charlotte smirked at Marjorie.

"What?" Marjorie asked jokingly.

"Why did you hesitate, when she said 'I love you' ?"

Marjorie looked up at Charlotte and shrugged "I don't know, we met quite literally two weeks ago, as much as I do love her deep down, it's quite hard to say to someone you've known for a couple weeks, you know?"

Ten minutes passed and there was a knock on the staff room door. Marjorie and Charlotte both turned their heads to see ivy stood at the door.

"Hey mu- Marjorie" ivy smiled.

"Take a seat sweetheart, what happened? I haven't heard from you in about a week, is everything okay?" Marjorie looked concerned.

"Yeah, after you dropped me home last week, my mum was angry and she said some things she probably shouldn't have, every time I went to message you or call you, she took my phone." Ivy's voice was breaking.

"I'm so sorry my darling, it's okay, come here."

Charlotte smiled as the two hugged, her smile widened when she noticed Marjorie place a soft kiss on her daughter's head, gently rubbing her back. The two slowly pulled away from the hug.

"Thank-you" ivy said as she pulled away.

"You don't have to thank me sweetheart, I may not have been there for you during the last fifteen years but I am certainly here now." Marjorie smiled "and I'm not going anywhere, I promise."

"Honestly, I do have to thank you, you don't understand how safe I feel around you, it's a weird feeling, I cant even compare you to my mum."

"Darling, I wish to be NOTHING like your mum, I know how it feels, my mum made my life hell for such a long time, I'd never wish that on anybody. Ever. Including you." Marjorie smiled.
"By the way, this is Charlotte, have you met her yet?"

"No, I haven't, it's lovely to meet you charlotte" ivy smiled.

"Wonderful to meet you Ivy, you're stunning by the way" Charlotte complimented ivy.

"I get my looks from my mum" ivy giggled.

"Aw" Marjorie smiled "have you had any lunch?"

"No, not yet"

Marjorie handed her a carbonara Reece had made the night before "I know it's your favourite"

"You don't have to, I'll grab something on my way home don't worry mu- Marjorie."

Marjorie insisted "have it my love, I'm lucky enough to enjoy Reece's cooking most days, try it."

Carly walked into the staff room with a huge smile on her face. She pulled herself out a chair and sat with Charlotte, Marjorie and ivy. Carly and Ivy hadn't met yet..