Page 39

She was still thinking about this as she walked into the house.

She could hear shouts and laughter coming from the garden, so she walked through the long living room to see what Hadley was doing with the kids.

They'd settled into a comfortable routine. Two weeks had gone by with no real incidents. Sure, it was tiring looking after the kids and working at the coffee shop, but they were pulling together and doing what needed to be done.

Mrs. Mercier had said nothing about the strange arrangements, but Florence had noticed that she'd started to offer the children healthier snacks, started to occupy them in the kitchen for a half hour or so, so that whoever was looking after them could have a break. Almost as though she was pulling together with them.

She looked out into the garden. The children were dressed in a ridiculous collection of clothing. Bathing suits and floppy hats, Henry sported a yellow evening gown that trailed behind him, and if she squinted she could see what looked like a mustache drawn haphazardly on Emily's face.

Then Hadley herself came into view. A pink wig draped over her head, a feather boa wrapped around her neck, mismatched shoes on her feet and an over-sized man's shirt belted around her waist. She was laughing, her head tilting back, the sun outlining her throat.

The children cried out and started to run. Still laughing, Hadley chased after them. And Florence watched.

Happy. That was the word that sprung to mind. They all looked so happy.

Hadley was still laughing, the children were smiling, they all looked happy. And Florence wondered when she had last been that happy. If she'd ever been that happy.

She kept her distance from the children. It was what she'd been taught to do. It was professional. Not that she disliked them or didn't care for them. In truth, her heart broke a little every time Emily asked when her mom was coming home, or when Charlie took her hand, or when Henry grinned his gap-toothed grin.

But she had to retain an air of authority. She had to keep control. That was her job.

Except Hadley didn't do those things. Hadley gave out hugs and kisses, she laughed and played, she was involved. And the children loved her for it. And Hadley was happy.

Florence closed her eyes, breathing in the warm stuffy air of the living room.

She didn't want this. Who would? Who wanted their flaws, their way of living, of being, of believing, pushed in front of their face and compared with something different? Something that may even be better?

She hated Hadley for it. Hated her for making her doubt herself, for changing things. But she couldn't deny that Hadley might be right about a few things. Maybe.

She definitely couldn't deny that Hadley was dangerously attractive and these weird, odd, queer feelings she was having were related to her.

“Florence!”

She opened her eyes and Charlie was waving madly at her, his floppy hat falling over one eye. She smiled and nodded in acknowledgment. Then she went upstairs to change her clothes.

THE CANDLES FLICKERED on the polished wood of the dining table and Florence took her seat at the foot. Hadley was still technically in charge of the kids, so she took the head.

They chatted pleasantly enough about their days. Florence might have expected complaints about the lack of trips, the lack of entertainment in their days, given that there was not much money to be spent on them.

But the McLeod-Allan children had proven surprisingly unspoiled. They seemed perfectly happy swimming and playing, having treasure hunts and dressing up. And willing, if not exactly happy, to read and do the odd educational activity.

Florence was just noting to herself that she really should plan a trip for them all when Hadley's voice broke into her thoughts.

“You're not eating your veggies, Henry.”

“Don't want to.”

Florence frowned, but Hadley was still smiling. “Come on, Henry, be a good role model for the twins,” said Hadley.

Henry folded his arms. “No.”

Florence bit her tongue. This was Hadley's turn, not hers, she desperately wanted to step in, but she knew she really shouldn't.

“Henry, veggies are good for you. They'll put hair on your chest,” joked Hadley. “Come on, do it for me.”

“Fuck no.”

The whole table stilled and the twins sat with eyes round and mouths open.