The next day, Marjorie was sat in her office waiting for Diana to arrive for her interview, until she was interrupted by an incoming phone call from Roger.
"Hello?" Marjorie answered the phone.
"Has Diana arrived yet?" Roger asked.
Marjorie shook her head. "Not yet, she should be here in about twenty minutes."
"Okay." Roger spoke. "Just try and get as much information out of her as you possibly can."
"I will," Marjorie began. "What if someone recognises her?"
Roger laughed. "Oh please- nobody is going to recognise her, other than myself. The last time Reece saw her was when he was four years old, and autumn was too young to even remember her."
"Alright," Marjorie glanced over her shoulder and noticed a woman walking down the corridor. "I think she's here, I've got to go."
"Good. Remember what I said." Roger smirked.
Marjorie rolled her eyes. "Yes."
The woman was wearing a tight, black dress. She had long, light brown hair- with a few blonde highlights, and she had bright blue eyes. Marjorie walked over to her and smiled. "Are you Diana miller? You're here for an interview, right?"
The woman nodded. "Yes, I am." She had a very well spoken British accent.
"Great," Marjorie smiled. "Just follow me."
Marjorie led Diana into the meeting room, they sat opposite one another, Marjorie flicked through some paperwork and asked Diana the usual questions, just as she would ask anyone else.. but then she asked a few personal questions.
"You do know who owns this nursery, don't you?" Marjorie asked.
Diana nodded. "Of course I do, Roger knight, my ex-husband."
"Do you know who else works here?" Marjorie asked.
"Reece and autumn," Diana sighed. "Wait- do you know who I am?"
Marjorie nodded. "You're my mother in law."
"Oh my goodness." Diana gasped. "Please don't tell anyone who I really am,"
"Don't worry." Marjorie giggled. "I won't,"
"How do you know who I am?" Diana asked.
"It's a very long story, I'll save it for another day." Marjorie smiled. "I'll give you a call later on this week, and we can discuss further information."
"Sounds good." Diana smiled. "One last question.."
"Yes?" Marjorie replied.
"You're married to Reece, right?" Diana asked.
Marjorie nodded. "Yeah, I am." She smiled.
"Is he happy?" Diana asked.
"Of course," Marjorie responded.
Diana sighed. "Do you think he'd forgive me and give me a second chance?"
"I know he's got a lot of questions to ask you, but I think it would be best if you just left him alone." Marjorie said with a fake smile plastered across her face.
"Oh- okay. I'll see you soon," Diana smiled. Marjorie led Diana to the door, and then wandered back into her office where Reece was stood.
"You alright, darling?" Marjorie asked.
"Yeah, who was that woman that you were just with?" Reece asked.
"I interviewed her, she applied for the deputy managers position." Marjorie replied.
"I really recognise her.." Reece sighed. "I've definitely seen her before.. what's her name?" Reece asked.
Marjorie scratched her head. "Uh- I don't remember." She lied.
"Hm." Reece hummed in response, he then looked down and spotted a cheque of £50,000 sat on Marjorie's desk, but he couldn't help but notice the signature in the bottom left corner. 'Signed: Roger knight' he picked up the cheque and raised an eyebrow. "Fifty thousand pounds? Who's this from?" He asked.
Marjorie snatched the cheque and shoved it into her top drawer. "Uh- it's j-just some inheritance, from my uh- my dad."
"Marjorie, your dad died 25 years ago." Reece reasoned.
"I know." Marjorie smiled awkwardly.
This was the second time she'd lied to Reece, the cheque was most definitely from Roger.. but why was she lying? And what was she hiding?
"Anyway.." Reece began. "I'd best get back to work."
"Alright, my love." Marjorie smiled as she watched Reece leave the room. Deep down, she felt awful for keeping such a big secret from him, but she knew it was for the best.
She dialled Roger's number and called him.
"Hello Marjorie," Roger spoke.
"I am giving Diana the job." Marjorie said bluntly.
Roger smirked. "Perfect."
"I've called her in for another meeting, later on this week." Marjorie spoke.
"Good." Roger replied. "Don't you dare tell a soul about this.. because if you do, then I'll do something unforgivable." He threatened.
"As much as I do NOT appreciate being threatened.. your secrets safe with me." Marjorie replied.
Autumn was stood by the door listening in on the conversation.. what did Marjorie mean by secret?
"I'm trusting you." Roger smirked.
"Whatever- bye." Marjorie huffed as she hung up.
Autumn walked into the office and stood with her arms crossed. "What 'secret' were you talking about?" She asked.
"It's none of your concern." Marjorie replied.
"Very well.." autumn sighed. "Although- I know you're hiding something, Marjorie."
Three days later..
Both Marjorie and Reece were on the early shifts, they exchanged kisses before heading to their offices. Marjorie replied to a few emails while she waited for Diana to arrive for the meeting that they'd scheduled.
A short while later, there was a knock on the office door. "Come in!" Marjorie yelled.
Diana opened the door, and sat opposite Marjorie at her desk. "Morning, Marjorie." Diana smiled.
"You alright?" Marjorie asked.
"Yeah," Diana responded. "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes- I just wanted to let you know, that you've got the job. Personally, I think you'll do very well here." Marjorie winked.
"I hope so," Diana smiled.
"I'm sure you've read the job description, but I think it would be nice if i showed you around, and you could meet a few staff members?" Marjorie offered.
Diana nodded. "I'd love that,"
"Great." Marjorie smiled. "Follow me."
Marjorie gave Diana a quick tour of the nursery, and gave her the opportunity to meet a few of the other staff members, like Carly, Charlotte, and Sorscha, making sure to keep Diana away from Reece and Autumn.
Once they'd finished the tour, Diana turned to face Marjorie. "Could you do me a huge favour?"
Marjorie nodded. "Of course, what is it?"
Diana handed Marjorie a piece of paper. "Please give this to Reece,"
Marjorie took the paper and fake smiled. "Yes- I'll make sure he gets it,"
"Thank you." Diana smiled. "I'll see you on Monday."
"Yeah- see you Monday." Marjorie replied as she watched Diana leave the room.
She unfolded the piece of paper and read it.
Reece,
I heard that you're settled down, that you met the love of your life, and you're married now. I'm beyond happy for you, but I'm so sorry I couldn't be the mother that you so desperately needed. I know I let you down, but I'm sorry, please forgive me.
- mum.
Marjorie knew how much it would mean to Reece if she were to give him the letter, but she didn't want to spill the secret. She folded the letter up and placed it in her top drawer, she questioned herself.. should she give Reece the note? Or would someone else find it first?
To be continued.
A/N: what do you all think of this story so far?ð¤