My Fair Ladies

I Can Do It With A Broken Heart

Vivian

Vivian woke up before her alarm went off. She sat up in bed assessing her surroundings. She still hadn't even fully unpacked. There were boxes scattered about the house, save one room. She made sure Jamie's room was fully setup.

The new town, new job, and new nursery weren't his fault. They weren't really her fault either, but she was an adult and had made choices that got them there. He was just four years old. He deserved for his space to be whole. His life to be whole, but she was working on that.

She showered and quietly packed his bag before waking him. "Come on, little man, we need to get you dressed. Today's a big day." She pulled him into her lap and helped him change his clothes. "Go to the bathroom and I will come in and help you with your teeth." He was still a little sleepy and she knew if she didn't watch him, he would only brush his front teeth.

They headed out to the car, and she got him settled into his seat, before hopping in the driver's seat. As she drove towards the nursery, she felt a pit in her stomach. She had always loved a good adventure but leaving him with strangers was never easy. Even after the settling in sessions, she was a bit nervous.

She had met the manager, deputy, and his key worker, and had liked them. They were all qualified, and she thought Charlotte was especially warm and welcoming. She felt she could easily talk to Marjorie and Autumn if there was a problem.

As she pulled into the car park, her nerves seemed to ease a little. She had made the right decision. These were the right people. He had done so well with the settling in sessions. He would do well here.

She got him out of the car and walked with him to the door. She pulled the little slip of paper with the code from her pocket and punched it in. Hand in hand they walked to the preschool room. He was full of energy and happy to be here. That was her sign to let go of the nervousness and just be happy with him.

"Hiya, Charlotte, Jamie is all ready for his first day." Charlotte smiled warmly at him and welcomed him into the room. "Good. Go see Carly and she will get you all set up for breakfast." She turned back to Vivian. "He'll be alright, Vivian, I know the first day is always hard, but if you need anything just call us." She turned to leave. "Okay, Char thanks, bye," she shouted back as she headed towards the office.

Siobhan

Groaning, Siobhan turned her alarm off. She was needed to cover at the nursery today because Marjorie and Autumn would be away for the day visiting Sorscha and her wife's new baby. She had no idea why they both needed to go at the same time. The conversation with Roger it played over in her head. "You're needed to cover at the main nursery while mutton chops and Marjorie go and visit the staff members new child." Just hearing his voice in her head caused a shiver to erupt down her spine.

He rolled over in the bed causing her to startle. Quickly she got up and headed into the bathroom to shower and dress for the day. When she had fixed her hair and make up, she quietly emerged from the bathroom. She didn't want to wake him. It was too early in the morning for yet another argument or dressing down from him making her feel belittled. Siobhan headed to the kitchen to make herself a black cup of coffee in her travel mug before heading out to the large hallway. Fumbling around trying to find her shoes, she quickly located them and slipped them on before heading out the door.

As she pulled her car into the car park, her phone began with the usual consistent ping of messages. Ignoring them she exited her car and met Charlotte at the door. She entered the code and opened the doors before heading straight to the office maintaining her usual cold demeanour. She wasn't in any mood for any pleasantries. She sat at Marjorie's desk and flicked on the computer when her phone began to ping again