Consequences

Chapter 10

As she promised to Grace, Connie spent the rest of the week focusing on her daughter and only did any work in the evenings once she was asleep; when the following Monday morning came around, Connie had dropped Grace off at school before heading to the hospital. Entering her office, she sighed at seeing Henrik sat on her sofa, already waiting for her; she hung her coat up and sat up to her desk as she reluctantly looked at him.

"To what do i owe the very early appearance?!" She quipped.

"I wouldnt call this early; it is now 9.30 and you've only just arrived" he said, looking at his watch.

"Not that it's any of your business but i had to take my daughter to school and see her head teacher; Zoe agreed to cover for me"

"This is not acceptable Mrs Beauchamp; as Clinical Lead, it is your duty to be here on time and ready for any major incidents"

"Let me tell you something; i have put this job before my daughter for far too long. I have jumped at your every whim and right now, i dont give a stuff what you think; she comes first and as i told you the other day, i have plenty of job opportunities so go ahead and fire me. We'll soon see how your precious department goes downhill so fast you wont even know what's hit it. Now if you dont mind, i do actually have work to do..." she said, gesturing a hand to the door.

"We are not finished" he insisted.

"Yes we are; and i would like to get to treating patients which, as you've already pointed out, is my job as well as finishing your reports..."

As she stood at the door, holding it open for him, Henrik reluctantly left without a word; she shut it rather forecefully behind him and sighed heavily as she rested her hands flat against her desk, letting her dark hair hang over her face.

"Not now" she whispered as she heard the door open.

"Sorry...i was hoping to see you before you saw Henrik" Zoe apologised as Connie looked up at her. "I tried to keep him away but doesnt take no for an answer"

"I know; thanks anyway." She said before retaking her seat at her desk.

"How's Grace?"

"Good; back to school this morning and she'll probably be tired so i would like to try and be able to pick her up"

"No worries; things going okay between you?"

"For now; now i'm back at work and she's at school, we'll see"

"You'll work it out: Grace has grown up a lot in the last few weeks"

"I know; she doesnt seem like my daughter" she chuckled. "I'd gotten used to the attitude..."

"Trust me, she'll never lose the Beauchamp attitude; she's too much like her mom" Zoe smiled.

"Thanks Zoe"

As they got to work, Connie kept checking her phone regularly in case Grace needed her; by keeping busy, she'd barely realised the time until Zoe approached her.

"Connie, you wanna get Grace? I can hold the fort"

"Thanks"

Waiting at the gate, Connie pulled her coat around her cold body and declined an incoming call from Henrik; she looked up as the kids started piling out the gates until Grace ran out and hugged her.

"Hey baby, you okay?" She asked, kissing her hair.

"Tired"

"I know; i have to go back to work for a little while, is that okay?"

"I just wanna sleep mom"

"I know baby; i promise, it's just for a little while and then we'll go home"