Hallo! Hope you're all still enjoying this- I'm coming to quite like it actually :D
I'd tell you what the next chapter will be about, but I haven't actually gotten round to writing it yet xD So I hope you like this one, and reviews would be welcomed! -Sophie x
(P.S- I tried to write this whilst my 2 year old brother was jumping all over me, so if there are any spelling mistakes or it doesn't seem to flow properly then that's probably why XD)
Connie switched off the monitor and stood, stretching her arms out before padding into the hallway, movement's soft with the lack of heels.
"Eleanor? Where are you?" She called, voice ringing throughout the house. It stayed silent, and Connie frowned.
"Eleanor?" She went into the living room to find it empty, the kitchen too. She jogged up the stairs, fleeting thoughts of the little girl running away entering her mind. She seemed very down before she left Connie's study, what if she'd tried to leave? What if something had happened to her?
She moved a little faster and went straight to the door to her room once she reached the landing, and knocked gently.
"Can I come in?" Connie asked quietly, looking down at the handle as she waited for a reply.
"Yes." Came a small voice, and she smiled with relief to herself before opening the door. It was immediately wiped from her face however when her eyes fell upon the little girl. She was hunched up on her bed, as far into the corner of the room as she could get, and she had her head on her knees. Small, muffled sobs drifted towards the clinical lead, and she frowned before gently sitting on the bed.
"What's the matter?" She asked gently, watching as her head rose to reveal a red, upset face.
"Nothing." She mumbled, bottom lip quivering.
"Evidently there is." Connie tilted her head to one side slightly. "Why are you crying?"
She sniffed and wiped her nose on her sleeve. The woman winced slightly and handed her a tissue from her pocket, which the girl received without a thank you.
"Grace doesn't like me does she." Eleanor said, voice disappointed, pulling her legs even closer to her chest. Connie sighed, before tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Grace doesn't like a lot of people." She explained, putting her hand on the duvet to lean on. "Me included at the minute. It's nothing personal, she was probably just shocked to see you here."
"Why doesn't she like you?" The girl asked, sitting up slightly and looking at the clinical lead with intent, yet blood shot eyes.
"She thinks I'm trying to replace her." She came straight out with is as she couldn't think up any other reason at that moment.
"With me?"
The woman bit her lip.
"Yes. But it's not your fault, I should have let her know." She reassured the girl quickly as her face crumpled.
"If I wasn't here she would be happy with you. It is my fault."
"No, it isn't. Really. It's my silly fault, ok? I'm to blame, not you."
More tears began to fall down the girl's cheeks, and Connie bit her lip again.
"Sweetheart you've got to believe me on this one." She whispered, moving slightly further onto the bed, before stopping abruptly when she realised Eleanor had flinched.
"Don't let it get to you, okay? You're a very likeable little girl, and I happen to like you quite a lot. It's just Grace, I promise." She smiled optimistically, but Eleanor just looked down. Connie cleared her throat and stood up, smoothing her top down.
"Well I'm going to go downstairs and do some ironing. Come down whenever you feel up to it, alright?"
The girl nodded and Connie turned and left her room, shutting the door with a soft click before going back downstairs.