Unexpected

Missing.

About a week and a half passed, Marjorie hadn't had any backlash from Clara, she began to believe that she was 'all bark, no bite' but she hadn't heard from Ivy either.

That was all about to change.

The pregnancy hadn't been going so smoothly either, Reece was constantly worrying about Marjorie and the baby, trying to ease the pain or sickness.

Marjorie was sat in her office, sipping her coffee until she heard the phone ring.

"Hello?" Marjorie said as she answered.

"where is my daughter?" Clara screamed down the phone.

"Excuse you? What?" Marjorie yelled back.

"Marjorie. Where is Ivy? I know she's with you!"

"I'm at work..? Can I help you?"

"I don't know, I assumed Ivy would be with you since I've woken up, she's no where to be found, however, her bedroom window was left wide open and she won't answer her phone." Clara complained.

"Well, keep trying to ring her, since you blocked my number on her phone I can't really do much. If she doesn't answer then report her missing." Marjorie responded.

"Fine" Clara snapped.

"Why are you ringing me anyway? You moan that you're her mum and that I need to back off, so maybe get your priorities straight because If she is missing I'm guessing it's because of you d'you know what I mean?"

"Whatever, good day Mrs knight." Clara hung up.

"Ugh!!" Marjorie scoffed.

Reece walked into the office with Marjorie's coffee in hand. "What was that all about?" He laughed.

"Ivy's missing." Marjorie spat while taking the coffee from Reece.

Reece sat down. "How do you know?" He asked.

"Clara called me." Marjorie shrugged.

"Well have you tried ringing her?"

"My numbers blocked on her phone remember?"

Reece pulled his phone out of his back pocket "ring her off mine, here." He passed Marjorie his phone.

Marjorie dialled Ivy's number and the phone was ringing for a moment, a very short moment which felt like a lifetime. All of a sudden, someone answered.

"Hello?" Ivy said.

"Ivy, my darling. It's me. Where are you?"

"Don't worry."

Marjorie frowned "I am worrying? Where are you? Everyone's worried?"

"Mhmm sure they are, my mum probably couldn't care less." Ivy rolled her eyes.

"Which mum are we talking about? Because I care, come home sweetheart." Marjorie begged.

"Why should I?" Ivy snapped.

"Because I love you." Marjorie was on the verge of tears.

"Meet me at our coffee shop." Ivy smiled.

"Okay my love." Marjorie hung up.

Marjorie handed Reece his phone back.

"What's she said then?" Reece asked.

"I'm meeting her now, I need to ring Clara first."

Marjorie sat fiddling with the phone wire waiting for a response.

"Hello? Any news?" Clara snapped.

"Yes, I'm meeting her in a few minutes. Can I ask you something though?" Marjorie questioned.

"Fine." Clara snapped.

"Would you be okay with Ivy maybe staying with me and Reece for a few days? I think she needs it, it would do her good. We could maybe find out what the issue is?" Marjorie asked innocently.

"Whatever, she needs to be back, Friday morning, 11 am sharp. I am trusting you mrs knight. Remember, she's MY daughter." Clara shouted firmly.

"Yeah, yeah. Bye" Marjorie laughed.

Marjorie turned to Reece and spoke. "Right darling, I'm gonna go and meet her."

"I'll drive you." Reece insisted.

"No, Reece. It's fine, the coffee shop is literally up the road my love." Marjorie giggled.

"Well you know how I feel about you driving, please be careful gorgeous." Reece sounded concerned.

"Okay. I love you." Marjorie smiled, as she left the office with her car keys in one hand and the other instinctively covering her stomach.

____________

She walked into the coffee shop and immediately noticed Ivy sat at a table by herself.

"Darling?" Marjorie said softly.

"Mum!!" Ivy stood up and threw her arms around Marjorie.

The two pulled away from the hug and sat at the table. Marjorie cleared her throat. "Enlighten me, what happened."

"My mum- we were arguing one minute, next minute I know it she's telling me that she hates me and never wants to see me again."

"Oh my love- you didn't have to listen though, all of us were so worried, why didn't you just come to mine and Reece's?" She asked.

"She told me that if I were to go anywhere near you two that she'd do something terrible, something unforgivable were her exact words."

"That woman- anyway.." Marjorie started.

"Yeah?"

"I've got some good news, so.. your mum agreed to let you stay with me and Reece. Only until Friday.. it did take some convincing, but maybe that'll help take your mind off things?" Marjorie smiled.

"Oh. My. Gosh!! You're the best." Ivy laughed.

"You can come to work with me for the rest of the day if you'd like, maybe me, you and Reece could go out and grab a pizza or something later?" Marjorie offered.

"I'd love that!!" Ivy smiled.

The two left the coffee shop and returned to the nursery.