Caring for Carers - Minizerk

Chapter 3

The next morning, Josh wakes up with neck cramp, splayed in an uncomfortable position across the sofa, upon which he is half lying down, half sitting.

He stands up, and feels that tingling pain sensation run up towards his neck, making him twist his head in different directions to try and ease the feeling, and it seems to work slightly, his hand moving upwards to massage the back of his neck.

So much for the all-nighter.

Peaking through into the office, it's clear that Tobi's had a little bit of a sort out and showed himself out while Josh slept, which he feels a bit guilty for. He's HM, and he can't even be trusted to stay awake to help one of his keyworkers assist in what is essentially his job.

He'll apologise to Tobi the next time they see each other.

Josh moves through to the kitchen, thinking of which cupboards to dedicate to which foods, as well as which cupboard to put the child-lock on, to prevent Ethan from potentially eating something he shouldn't. It wasn't as though he was going to eat everything in site, but with things like bleach and detergent in a residential home, you can't be too safe.

Especially with an overqualified member of staff coming in, who could get you fired within minutes.

Josh hadn't quite thought of that, Simon could be watching his every move within House 4, so he would have to be on his best behaviour at all times.

Not that he wasn't usually professional around the kids, it's just that if one of them hugs him, he likes to be able to hug back. Without parental consent to do so, he's going against company policy, and depending on how petty Simon is, he could be done for that. Part of him knows he's worrying over nothing, Simon seems nothing less than empathetic and understanding from his notes and the brief email-based correspondence the two have had, but it doesn't hurt to be nervous, considering Simon's qualifications.

Speaking of which, Josh glances at the clock and his eyes widen. It's 10:15. He's got to meet Simon in 45 minutes. That's not quite enough time to go home, get changed and get back here in time, so he's going to have to wash here, and wear the same clothes as yesterday. The concern over first impressions comes back stronger, due to the added time pressure now, but he's going to have to give Simon his all, to make up for his failed all-nighter.

Time passes, simultaneously fast and slow for Josh in his frantic limbo, when at 10:59, he hears door bell ring. More than punctual, Josh likes that in a staff member.

With a deep intake of breath, Josh heaves himself up from his seat in the kitchen, where his leg has been hammering up and down like a jackdaw, he thinks.

Snapping himself out of his inner monologue, Josh mentally sobers. He places his hand on the door handle, gripping firmly, and presses his pass against the scanner. He pulls the door open, and himself into his more openly jovial public persona. Trustworthy and approachable, with a hint of goofiness to it.

He's not quite sure what he expected, to be honest. A slim bloke, taller than himself with blond hair smiles back at him, balancing folders and files in the crook of one arm, steadied against his hip, his other arm reaching forward, hand outstretched, to shake Josh's.

"Hey, I'm Simon, and I'm assuming you're Josh?" The man inquires, the movement of their arms causing the files to start to slip under his other arm.

"Yep, I am. You want a hand with those files?" Josh asks, reaching out to slide a few of the files away from Simon's hip so he can move to hold the ones still under his arm more solidly. "Damn things can be slippery if you try and walk with them like that. You end up with little marks all over your hips where they've dug in."