Consequences

Chapter 33

Authors note: i am so sorry for lack of updates. Have started a new fic for any eastenders fans starring roxy and ronnie.  You'll find it on my profile page.

Three weeks later, it was the end of October; Grace's tutor, Jane, was away for the week and with Connie working, she gave her daughter the option of staying at home with Rachel or going to the department with her. Grace had decided to go with her so that was how Connie found herself walking into the department on the Monday morning hand in hand with Grace.

"Morning sweetcheeks" a cheery voice welcomed.

"It's Mrs Beauchamp Staff Nurse Masters" she replied, not looking at him as she entered her office.

"Mom...why does he call you that?" Grace asked as they hung their coats up on the rack in the corner.

"Because he's annoying darling and likes to annoy me"

"Cant you tell him to stop?"

"I do...but i dont think he likes to listen very much; he thinks he knows best" she replied as she put her stethoscope round her neck. "Why dont we go and find Charlie?"

Grace smiled and took Connie's hand as they exited her office; they found the older nurse in the staff room making a drink.

"Hi uncle Charlie" Grace beamed.

"Hi darling, want a juice?" He offered.

"Yes please"

As he handed Grace her juice, he handed Connie a mug of coffee before they sat on the sofa, catching up until their shifts officially started.

"How's it going with your tutor Grace?" He asked.

"Good"

"And dance?"

"It's awesome; we have a show next week. Are you coming?"

"Wouldnt miss it for anything"

As Grace spotted Zoe walking towards the office, she went out to talk to her leaving Connie and Charlie alone.

"How's it going? Honestly?"

"Pretty good; if i'm honest, i think her coming today will be the test. It's the first proper time she's had to spend time here since i went on leave; albeit, she chose to come in. I just gave her the option of coming or staying with Rachel; i hope it's not a decision we both end up regretting" she answered.

"I think...she's grown up a lot since you went on leave; you've done a lot of talking and made a lot of changes to get to where you are. Just keep remembering that and if things start to get tense between you, take a step back and reassess before you respond"

"Always are a wise one aren't you Mr Fairhead?" She smiled.

"I try" he grinned back.

"I guess i should get to work"

"Dont worry about Grace; i'm stock-counting the none-medicinal supplies so she can help me"

"Thanks Charlie"

Watching as Charlie went and found Grace and disappeared, Connie sighed and headed to her office, ready to tackle the pile of paperwork waiting for her; setting her mug onto her desk, she took a seat and switched on the computer, logging onto the emails to respond to the many that awaited her.

It was hours later when her door opened and Grace walked in, Zoe following behind her; Connie smiled and held her daughter close as she sat upon her lap.

"Am i needed?" Connie asked, looking up at Zoe.

"No; came to let you know you can take Grace for lunch if you want? I can hold the fort until you come back..."

"You hungry sweetheart?" She asked Grace as Zoe disappeared again.

"No; uncle Charlie got me a sandwich"

"How about we take a walk then?" She said, gesturing for Grace to stand before they pulled their coats on.

Grabbing her bag so she could pick up a sandwich on the way back, Connie took her daughter's hand and led her out of the department; she decided to  take a walk to the nearest newsagent.

"Did you have fun with Uncle Charlie?" Connie asked.

"Yeah, he was telling me loads of funny stories from when he was younger"

"Must've been a lot of them" she smiled.

"Mom...is it hard to be a nurse?"

"It can be; there's bad days but...there's also a lot of good ones too"

"Is it hard work to be one?"

"Some people found the training easier than others; why do you ask?"

"Could i be a nurse if i'm not at school?" Grace asked, causing Connie to stop and look at her daughter.

"Is it what you want to do?"

"Maybe..."

"Been a nurse" she started as they carried on walking. "It requires a lot of training and hard work but...if you set your mind to it and try your best, there's no reason you cant be a nurse; you just have to try really hard in your work, particularly science and maths and english"

"Okay"

Heading into the newsagents, Connie couldnt help but wonder if that was the direction her daughter was looking to go in the future.