Consequences

Chapter 15

Over the course of the weekend, Connie barely got anymore answers out of Grace; she'd offered to take her shopping and to the cinema but Grace had refused so the most they'd done was watched a film. Everytime Connie would ask Grace if she was okay, she either got no reply or a very curt response; and everytime, her heart broke a little bit more. If she hadnt been certain about her decision at the start of the weekend, she was more than certain by the end of it; she only had to decide whether it was going to be temporary or permanent.

"Zoe, can i have a word?" Connie said on Monday morning as she breezed through reception where Zoe was looking over some notes.

Shutting the folder and taking it in her hand, she followed Connie into her office, shutting the door behind her; watching as Connie hung her coat on the rack and pulled a long, thin white envelope out of her bag.

"How's Grace?"

"Not good so...i wanted to give you a heads up; as of the end of the week, i'll no longer be Clinical Lead"

"What? Did Grace force you into this?"

"No, i offered; a spur of the moment comment last week but now...i dont have a choice. She's completely shut down on me and...she wont speak to me; i made a comment about how i thought the accident had brought us closer together but...she said it wasnt enough" She sighed, tearfully.

"Oh Connie, she doesnt mean it"

"She did" she sniffed.

"Listen, dont do anything today; let me pick her up from school and talk to her? See if she'll open up to me or Max?"

"I dont know"

"Let me try?"

"Okay" she whispered.

"I've gotta get upstairs but please, dont call Hansen yet"

Connie nodded as Zoe quickly left the office, closing the door behind her; collapsing onto her chair, she rested her head into her hands as her hair fell over her face, masking her tears. Upon hearing a knock on the door, she quickly wiped away her tears as Charlie entered; quickly closing the door behind him to stop prying eyes.

"Do you need me?" Connie asked, her voice croaky.

"No, just came to see how you are? Zoe thought you might need a friend?" He said, holding out a cup of coffee for her.

She smiled gratefully before they sat on the sofa, drinks in hand; she sighed as Charlie sat there, patiently waiting for her to start the conversation.

"Why are you here?" She asked.

"I told you..."

"But why? Forget Zoe, what made you decide to come and see me?" She asked, looking at him.

"Grace called last night" he admitted.

"She did?"

"Yeah"

"What for?" She whispered, scared in case he said Grace had wanted to live with him.

"She wanted to talk; said she'd upset you and that you werent talking to each other"

Connie sighed, resting her head on the propped up arm on the side of the sofa.

"Want to talk about it?" He offered.

"What's there to talk about? She hates me; nothing that i am doing is good enough for her. She said...that it would've been better if she'd died in the accident" she admitted.

"Connie, she's bound to be confused and emotional..."

"It's more than that; i'm losing her again Charlie"