My Fair Ladies

I'll Be There Part One

TW: insinuation of DA/DV

Week One: Siobhan and Marjorie

The computer system had a fault at the nursery meaning Siobhan was rudely woken from her sleep. "You need to go to mutton chops' nursery and fix that damn computer system again. Seeing as you know so much about it." Siobhan sat up in bed wiping the sleep from her eyes. "Okay, I'll work from there today just in case there are any more complications." Siobhan got up and headed to the wardrobe pulling out her signature black top and suit pants before heading to the bathroom to shower and dress for the day ahead. As she let the water wash over her body, her mind wandered to Viv and the pained look on her face. Her heart hurt. She never meant to hurt Viv, but she had no choice. Roger was never just going to let her walk away. She had been naïve to think he would. Would Viv ever understand; would anyone?

Siobhan dressed and fixed her make up before heading back into the bedroom where she was met by Roger. Her body jumped. "Roger, you scared me." Rooted to the spot, she stood and watched as he left the bedroom and headed downstairs. She sat at her vanity with her jewellery already laid out, standing out amongst everything was the big emerald stone that had already caused so much anguish.

Siobhan waited for Roger to leave before heading to the kitchen to fix her coffee in her usual mug. Mug in hand she left the house to travel to the nursery. As she pulled into the car park Siobhan took a deep breath. You can do this. It's only Marjorie. She knew Autumn was off today. As Siobhan walked into the office keeping her usual cold demeanour "Marjorie," Marjorie looked up "morning Siobhan you alright?" She walked past seating herself at Autumn's desk and begun working on fixing the internal computer system. As the day went on the two women worked in silence apart from the persistent ping of Siobhan's phone. Marjorie became annoyed after the fifth ping. "For god's sake, Siobhan, will you put that thing on silent!" raising her voice slightly causing the blonde to startle. Marjorie noticed the blonde tense. "I'm sorry Siobhan are you okay?" Siobhan's heart was racing but she kept her nerves hidden. "I'm fine." Siobhan needed to get out of the office and calm herself. Without a word she stood and left. Marjorie's mind was racing with thoughts about what had just happened. Should she push her to talk about what just happened or should she just let it go. No, Marjorie, something isn't right there! Battling with her thoughts Marjorie's mind settled and made a decision.

Siobhan made her way to the family room, as much as she didn't want to be in there. The memories of the last weeks too painful, but she couldn't be seen by anyone in that moment in time. Pull yourself together. She chastised herself. Quickly she righted herself and headed back to the office to resume her work. Marjorie looked up as Siobhan took her seat again at Autumn's desk. It's now or never, Marjorie. Take the leap. She waited as Siobhan got herself comfortable again. "Siobhan?" "What?" Marjorie wasn't surprised with the tone Siobhan used it was her usual icy demeanour. "Autumn's not going to be home till late. How about you come back to mine for a drink? You look like you could use a friend." Siobhan sat with her thoughts for a moment or two. "Okay."

As the last child was collected at 6:30, they packed their belongings before heading out to Siobhan's car to drive to Marjorie's house. Marjorie wanted to talk to her about the incident that happened earlier in the day but decided, against her better judgment, to leave it for another time.

Week One: Vivian and Autumn

Viv wandered to the kitchen, her head thudding. She didn't care. The weekend was a blur of varied states of drunk, passed out or hung over. Today likely wouldn't be any different if Jamie weren't coming home this afternoon. She was all out of whiskey anyway.

She stood at the counter looking for meaning. Anything that would make her feel something that was not this. Shower. She could shower. Maybe take a drive. Clear her head. Her thoughts came to her disjointed as she struggled to grapple with all of the emotions. She was hurt, angry, and disappointed, but she was also sad and disgusted. How could she?

After her shower she made her way through the morning cleaning up the house and halfheartedly trying to watch a TV program. Fuck it! I'm going out! It was nearly ten, but she still had plenty of time before Jamie would be home.

The sun made her eyes burn as she settled into the Golf. Driving in and out of streets aimlessly she found herself in the carpark of the bar near the nursery. The ache in her chest at the mere thought of the nursery was nearly too much to bear. She didn't know how she would face going in there and especially if she ran into the once familiar blonde.

Cautiously she entered the bar. She didn't want to run into anyone from the nursery. Not today. She settled in at the bar. "Whiskey double, please." As she ordered, a familiar brunette turned to face her. "Autumn, you alright?" Autumn's response was little more than a grunt.

She turned back and brought the glass to her lips. The familiar burn giving her solace. Her thoughts were interrupted when Autumn spoke. "What is your issue with the nursery? Why did you need so many meetings?" Vivian pinched her nose. This was not the bar conversation she had hoped for. If she was honest, she was hoping for none at all. "Autumn, I don't have an issue with the nursery. The meetings were about general stuff really. Nothing to do with Jamie's placement there." Still covering for her.

"You must have a really dull life if you chose to spend the last eight Monday mornings with Shibby" The dark-haired woman glared at the brunette. "You know she doesn't like that nickname, right?" Still protecting her. "I don't really care." She glared at her and turned back to her whiskey. Maybe just one and then home. No, she would not let that stand. "You Knights are all the same. I get that she has a history of saying things she shouldn't. I know all about her prickly demeanor, but you lot treat her like a punching bag instead of a human."

Autumn's eyes went wide. "What do you mean by that?" Vivian turned away and gulped down the last of her whiskey before standing to leave. "Vivian, stop! What do you mean by that?" She squinted her eyes as she stared at the brunette. It wasn't worth it. As she made for the door, she heard Autumn call after her, but in her mind, there was nothing more to say.