In another life

18

One week. Seven days. 168 hours that it's been since I found out who Mia really was. And I haven't seen her since.

I went back to Marjorie's nursery, blocked her number, I haven't seen or heard from Mia since I left that office and yet I don't feel any better than before.

Carly has been telling me all about working at the other nursery and how Mia has been a complete bitch. Nothing new there I guess. It's just who she is. I've been trying to forget all about her but she's always in my head. I'm always thinking about her. And I hate it. What I hate even more is that I know it's been effecting me. I just don't even want to be at work anymore. I'm definitely loosing all my patience with these parents and I'm tired all the time. It's hard to sleep when every time I close my eyes I can see her.

"Charlie, you alright?" I snap my head up at Sorscha,
"Yeah, I'm fine. Are you okay?"
"Ah I'm grand. You've been a bit quite recently, more than usual"
"Just tired"
"Alright, I'll see ya later" I manage a small smile as she leaves the staff room. Ugh, the time. I've got to get back to work.

...

(3ed person pov)
Marjorie was saying goodbye to Reece on the phone when a parent walked in. The woman could tell by her face this was not a happy talk she was about to have, so she put the phone down and braced herself for the complaints to come.

"Hello, can I help you?"
"Marjorie, I have something I need to talk to you about"
"Is everything okay?" She wondered what could be the issue today, the majority of parents do find the silliest things to complain about,
"Well, no" she replies, "it's Charlotte"

Now Marjorie has had many complaints and worries she's had to deal with, but about Charlotte? That was extremely rare.
"Charlotte?"
"Yes, when I was talking to her today at handover she seemed awfully distracted"
"Distracted?"
"Yes! I'm not trying to make a fuss, you know that my little Amy adores Charlotte. But she didn't quite seem very bothered today and that's not like her at all"
"No it's not, is there an actual complaint you'd like to make here?"
"I'm more concerned than complaining, Charlotte hasn't seemed herself for quite some time now. I do hope it's nothing to do with-" the woman stopped herself,
"To do with what?"
"Oh nothing. Just some gossip I overheard"

Marjorie had to refrain herself from rolling her eyes. She was very much aware of the group chats circling around the parents and the main focus of gossip being her and her staff.

"Right well, I'll talk to Charlotte"
"Thank you Marjorie, I'm only concerned that's all" Marjorie knew this conversation wasn't about concern for a staff member at all, instead it was all about who can find more information for tonight's topic on the gossip squad. Marjorie held up her polite smile as the woman left and sighed once she was alone.

She thought back over the past week since Charlotte had been back at her nursery and the way she was acting. Charlotte has always been quiet and polite, she doesn't like to start drama at all and she's very patient with the worst of parents. Although recently she has been a lot quieter than usual. Maybe something is wrong?

...

Marjorie waited until Charlotte's lunch break so she could pull her in for a chat.
"So what do you need?"
"What? No, nothing! I just wanted a chat" Marjorie smiles,
"Okay. What about?"
"Well, how have you been?" Charlotte shrugged and leant back in the chair,
"Fine. You?"
"Yeah I'm alright. Are you sure my love? You've been a little... off? Recently"
"I'm fine Marjorie, just tired. That's all" Marjorie didn't believe her at all,
"Alright my love, I won't pry. But if you need to talk, I'm here. Alright?"
"Thanks Marjorie. I should get back to work" Marjorie nods and Charlotte gets up and walks out.

The woman sits back in her chair questioning who she was just talking to, because that was certainly not Charlotte. Not the woman she had known for almost ten years.

"Marjorie?" Marjorie's head snaps up to look at the blond,
"Oh, hey. I didn't even hear you come in"
"Something wrong?"
"It's just Charlotte, she's been acting a bit off since, well, since she covered at yours a bit ago" Reece thought back to that day where he found Charlotte in the hallway upset. He knew it had something to do with Mia. He just didn't know what.

Mia had also been a moody bitch lately, more bitchy than she usually is. Reece just assumed it's just 'Mia being Mia' but now he couldn't help but think something more was going on. Despite this, he didn't mention the red head to Marjorie as he knew it was a touchy subject for the woman. She really hated Mia. And of course that was understandable. But he didn't think she would care much of how Mia was feeling.