Page 18 of Catching Trouble

“Maybe, but we don’t want to corrupt you or give you any ideas. You’re responsible for a child, now.”

I laughed out loud. “A child? She’s a full-fledged pre-teen. I was expecting daisy chains and colouring books all summer. I think I’ll be dealing with moods and endless angst instead.”

Iris giggled. “Even adults use colouring books. I’m sure it’ll be fine. She’ll love you. Who wouldn’t?”

Her father?

“Well, I only hope she’s not as grumpy as her dad.”

A long silence followed, and I could just imagine the two of them grimacing at each other.

“So, you’ve met Maxime?” Esmé asked.

I’d forgotten she knew him through Luc. She’d been the first one to describe Maxime as “prickly.”

“I have,” I said, careful not to mention that both times I’d been wearing next to nothing. And despite what Iris told me about him being older, she’d failed to mention he was also hot as all hell. “He almost drowned me earlier.”

“Sorry?” asked Iris.

“Don’t worry, I’m alive and I’ll tell you the story one day over a glass of something chilled and heavily alcoholic. But...” My heart beat hard in my chest, “I might not have made the best impression.”

More silence greeted me before Iris spoke. “What did you do?”

I rolled my eyes towards the kitten, but he was fast asleep. “Why do people, including those I love the most, always think the worst of me?”

“You’re avoiding the question,” she said.

Probably true. “Okay. I called him a bored playboy.”

“Oh,” said Esmé.

At the tightness in her voice, I bunched the sheets in my hand. “He was being all moody, and I got cross and now he’s probably going to fire me.”

“I doubt it,” Iris said.

My pulse skittered. “What? Why?”

“According to Luc, he’s only got his daughter for such a long time this summerbecauseof you. Something to do with having an English-speaking nanny. If he fired you, I doubt he could find anyone else in time.”

My skin tingled. Maxime had told his daughter that she had to speak English. I wasn’t sure why, but if language was the only thing keeping me here at the beach, I’d speak in tongues if required.

The idea of having to go home and face Mum’s “grow up and settle down” onslaught filled me with dread. And I didn’t want to let Luc and Iris down. They’d been amazing to find me the job.

No. I’d stay in Furze, and behave, even if Maxime made my blood boil.

“Okay, I’ll try to make amends. I’ll see if…” Before I could finish, the connection dropped into silence. The reception must have gone again. I could picture both Esmé and Iris trying frantically to call me back.

I could’ve done the same, but instead, I let out a long breath. I wanted to save my strength.If I had to wrangle a tweenager for the next month, I needed my wits about me, and my energy bar full.

7

CHLOE

Icrept around the side of the villa, hovering near the outdoor shower. I’d dropped the kitten off under the same plant he’d sprung from. He went with a squeak. I’d come and check on him before bed.

I moved further towards the house, edging around the pool. The sun had set, and a faint glow of light spilled from the open kitchen doors. I hadn’t explored yet—hadn’t even seen the interior. I didn’t want to intrude on any father-daughter reunion. But if I was here as a paid employee, I should probably clock in.

I sucked in a breath, squared my shoulders, and walked past the pool to the French doors. Hovering just out of sight, I cocked my ear. Where was the laughter and chatter? All I heard was an occasional murmur and crickets. Insideandout.