One Shots 'The nursery nurse'

Blast from the Past

"Thank you, Marjorie." Clodagh said as she took the information sheet. "No problem, my love. I thought I'd give it to you better than Sorscha. Sometimes her mind is just elsewhere," said the manager with a broad smile. That made Clodagh smile too. Yes, it was true, Sorscha sometimes had her thoughts everywhere. Something she loved about her wife, because the trains of thought that emerged were always interesting. She thanked Marjorie and made her way back out of the Nursery.

Clodagh closed the Nursery door behind her and breathed in the fresh air of the early afternoon. The sun shone through the delicate canopy of trees, and a few children's voices echoed from the opposite side of the garden. She was just about to walk along the gravel path when a woman came towards her with an energetic stride. Auburn hair, sharp cheekbones, expensive sunglasses. Clodagh recognised her immediately. Bethany. Sorscha had spoken of her several times. She was the reason why her wife had moved away form Dublin at the time. Sorscha had actually wanted to move on to Central Europe and live there for a while. But when she missed her connecting flight in Birmingham and had to spend a night there. She met Clodagh, and the rest was history. Sorscha had been more then surprised when she told Clodagh a few days ago that Bethany's son now went to the same nursery.

"Ah hello, I don't know you yet." Bethany said immediately, before Clodagh could even say anything. "Hello." she replied softly and was about to move on, but the woman stopped her. "So, how do you like it here? Is your child happy?"

"Oh yes... my daughter couldn't be happier." Clodagh replied. Even though she actually wanted to leave this conversation as quickly as possible. But Bethany didn't let go of her that quickly. "Which of the rooms is she in?"

"Babyroom." Another short answer from Clodagh, hoping that she could finally continue on her way. But she immediately noticed how Bethany raised her eyebrow and took off her sunglasses, grinning slightly. "Babyroom then... I hope for your sake that your daughter isn't in Sorscha's group."

Clodagh felt fine goose bumps forming on her arms, even though the sun continued to shine warmly through the canopy. "What do you mean?" she asked, trying to remain calm. Her voice was soft but firm.

Bethany tilted her head slightly to one side, the grin still on her lips. "Oh nothing, don't worry about it. I just find it interesting how sometimes you can't quite put the past behind you after all, you know?"

Clodagh looked at her in silence. She wasn't in the mood for games. Not today. Not here. "I don't know what exactly you're trying to tell me, but Sorscha is an excellent carer. The children love her," she finally said, matter-of-factly. "And so does my daughter."

Bethany shrugged, circling the sunglasses in her hand. "Of course they do. That was never the problem. Sorscha was always good with children... only... How can I put it, she has her favourites. You know, I speak from experience."

Clodagh felt something tightening inside her. She didn't know whether it was anger or insecurity - or simply an instinctive desire to defend Sorscha. But she forced herself to remain calm. "Maybe we should have this conversation another time." she said, "if ever."

"Whatever." Bethany put her sunglasses back on. "I'm sure I'll see you more often." She turned and disappeared down the path towards the main entrance.

Clodagh stood still for a moment. She heard the laughter of children again, the chirping of a bird. Finally, I took a deep breath and wanted to go on. She would tell Sorscha about it when she got home today.

"Bethany."

The voice was familiar - warm, yet strong with an Irish accent. Clodagh turned round and Bethany flinched at the sudden opening of the door in front of her. "Sorscha!" Bethany called out. Her face brightened, almost a little too quickly. "What a coincidence."

Sorscha stepped closer, gave Clodagh a quick look, the kind of look that asked: Is everything okay? Then she turned to Bethany with a polite smile. "I see you've made some new friends." the sarcasm was clear in her voice.

Bethany seemed to be thrown for a moment, but she quickly caught herself. "Yes, but of course! I was just talking to..." - she faltered.

Sorscha raised an eyebrow and tilted her head playfully. "...my wife?" Her voice remained friendly, but her grin spoke a different language.

Bethany's face stiffened. "Your... Wife?"

Clodagh smiled softly. "Yes. Married for four years. Happily," she added as a little side-swipe.

Sorscha now stepped right next to Clodagh and put her arm and waist around her. "I've already told her so much about you, Bethany. But I actually thought you two had already met." Clodagh had to pull herself together to keep from laughing.

Bethany opened her mouth, then closed it again. Then she forced herself to smile, almost convincingly. "Oh... oh... I... Then... I guess I didn't quite realise."

"Obviously not." said Sorscha calmly. "But now you know her."

Silence fell over the three women for a moment. A light breeze brushed through the trees. The voices of children playing could be heard in the distance; it was as if the world had stopped for a moment. Bethany finally nodded curtly. "Have a nice day, then." She turned away and left, her steps a little more hurried than before.

Sorscha looked after her, then turned to Clodagh and grinned. "She's just as dramatic as ever."

Clodagh looked at her, serious for a moment, then laughed softly. "And you're just as good at popping up at the right moment." Sorscha rubbed the back of her neck, embarrassed. "I just have a good instinct when someone is boarding you." Clodagh took her hand." Lucky me..... The Parents Whatsapp group will explode later."

Her wife looked at her in surprise and laughed. "Oh yes!"