TNN ONESHOTS

Lunch time - MK & AMR & CV & RK

The clock struck twelve, and Marjorie's stomach rumbled in perfect sync. It had been hers and Autumn’s time to go and food from greggs ever since Autumn fell pregnant.  Marjorie envisioned Autumn's face lighting up at the sight of a warm, flaky sausage roll.

With a spring in her step, Marjorie grabbed her purse and headed towards the door, already mentally calculating the quickest route to Greggs. She could almost smell the savoury aroma wafting through the air. But then, halfway to the door, it hit her like a ton of bricks. Autumn wasn't at work. There was no desk to deliver a sausage roll to, no expectant smile waiting for her.

The realization deflated Marjorie's enthusiasm like a punctured balloon. What was the point of a sausage roll peace offering if there was no autumn to offer it to? With a heavy heart, she turned back to her desk, the lunchtime craving now tinged with a wave of sadness. The office felt strangely empty without Autumn's presence, and even a Greggs sausage roll couldn't fill the void.

With a sigh, Marjorie slumped back against her chair, the image of those perfect sausage rolls now a cruel reminder of what she was missing along with the thought of Autumn snuggling her newborn, blissfully unaware of Marjorie's feelings. The office just wasn't the same without autumn.

Mia noticed Marjorie didn't leave the office and look over at the other woman. "What's wrong now, Marjorie?" Mia asked in her usual cold tone. She didn't mean it, but she had been seen as cold-hearted by the younger woman for so long that it was easier to keep up the facade.

"I forgot Aut wasn't here, and i was going to get her sausage rolls," she muttered while looking down at her hands in her lap. "But it's fine, im just a pillock," Marjorie mumbled nervously while putting herself down.

Mia sighed before moving to stand next to Marjorie's desk. "Just take my card and go to greggs. Get enough sausage rolls me, you, and Char and get Char a gingerbread man as well. Then, when you are back, we will have lunch with you. In here, together, all on me." Mia told her with a slight smile while holding her card out for Marjorie to take.

Marjorie shook her head quickly. "No! You just want me out of the office and to get your lunch so you dont have to." Marjorie snapped back to which Mia rolled her eyes. "Some people just can't be helped, clearly. Im trying to be nice because i know you miss Aut, but if you want to be on your own, then you carry on!" Mia scolded just as Charlotte entered the office.

"Amelia!" Charlotte warned as she placed her hand on her girlfriends shoulder, only for Mia to shrug her hand away. "Go to the car and grab my phone, please, baby." Charlotte spoke calmly as Mia rolled her eyes and walked away. "Right, that will give her some time to calm down. Marj, what have i missed?" Charlotte asked quietly as she perched herself on her friends desk.

Marjorie looked down at her hands that were in her lap. "I snapped at her first. I got up to get Aut lunch because its habit and mia offered to buy us all lunch if i go and get it but, i snapped about her for just wanting me out the office and it saves her getting lunch." Marjorie told her honestly as tears welled up in her eyes. "Oh Marj, come here. She will calm down again. Trust me,  she snaps, but then she calms down again and feels guilty." Charlotte spoke confidently, reaching out to wipe the stray tears that rolled down her friends cheeks.

After a moment of quiet, Mia walked into the office, the familiar Greggs bag held high. "Lunchtime, ladies!" she announced, her voice lighter than it was earlier. Marjorie and Charlotte looked up and over towards the door, their faces instantly brightening at the sight of the golden pastries. "You're a lifesaver, baby," Charlotte said, already reaching for a sausage roll.

They settled on the couch in the office with Charlotte in the middle, while the aroma of warm pastry was filling the air. Mia took a bite of her sausage roll, a contented sigh escaping her lips. "Honestly, is there anything better than this?" she asked, grinning at her friends. Marjorie, however, was unusually quiet. Mia glanced over, noticing tears welling up in her eyes. "Marjorie, what's wrong?" she asked, concern etched on her face.

Marjorie dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. "It's just," she began, her voice thick with emotion, "this is exactly what me and Aut used to do. Every lunch break, I'd bring back sausage rolls from Greggs for her cravings. It just reminds me of her. I know she's not dead, but she's also not here." Mia and Charlotte exchanged sympathetic glances, understanding the wave of nostalgia that had washed over their friend. Charlotte wrapped Marjorie in a comforting hug, the simple act of sharing a sausage roll suddenly carrying a much deeper meaning.

"Marj, why don't you take he rest on the day off and visit Aut. I can finish in here, and I'm sure she will need help with the twins, especially with Reece being there. You know how well winter and Reece get on." Mia told her calmly, but she shook her head. "She doesn't need me at all, dont lie!" She yelled at her. "Mia, im sorry, i didn't mean to shout." She quickly corrected herself before going quiet.

The three of them sat in silence for a while, but the tension between them was thick. "Right, i can't stand this. Mia, this afternoon you are covering me in the room with Sorscha, and im staying in here with Marjorie.  Apparently, you two can't just be nice, so im splitting you both up. She's upset enough over Aut without you two being at eachothers throats." Charlotte told them both with confidence, the kind that left no room for arguing.

Lunch soon finished, and as told earlier, Mia picked up her water bottle and left the room without a word. As the door shut behind her, Marjorie let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Dont think you are off the hook because she has left. This stops now. She is trying, Marjorie." Charlotte told her while typing on her phone.

Charlotte soon stood up at the side of Marjories desk, a gentle but firm expression on her face. "I think it’s time you headed home, Marjorie. It’s all getting to you now, but it doesn't have to."

Marjorie, who had been engrossed in an email, looked up, a hint of disappointment in her eyes. "Do I have to? Can’t I stay here with you? I dont want to be alone at home, not really." She mumbled nervously.

"I'm sorry, but i know you too well. You need time awake from this office. Between you and mia arguing and working in general, i know it's a lot." Charlotte replied, ushering her towards the door. "But Reece is on his way to pick you up and take you to Autumn's house so you aren't alone."

Marjorie’s face instantly lit up. "Oh!" She grabbed her small handbag from Charlotte, her earlier disappointment replaced with  excitement about seeing her best friend and her twins.

Just then, Reece’s car pulled up to the curb. He hopped out, a friendly smile on his face. "Hey, you two," Reece said, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he enveloped Marjorie in a hug. "Ready to go?" Marjorie nodded, turning back to Charlotte with a grateful look. "Thank you for everything," she said.

"You’re welcome. Have fun at Autumn’s and make sure to give the twins an extra cuddle from their auntie Char and auntie Mimi!" Charlotte called out as Reece helped Marjorie into the car. With a wave, they were off. Charlotte smiled, watching them drive away, glad that everything had worked out so smoothly.