Page 2 of The Accidental Nanny (All Of You #1)

CHAPTER TWO

Alex

“ D addy, don’t go out tonight,” Eden, my five-year-old daughter, begs me.

Ace sits at the dinner table, not eating his food. It’s been a difficult time, and as much as I want to, I can't skip this evening.

“Come on, buddy.” My eight-year-old son looks mad at me. “It’s just one night.”

“You said you’ll always be with us,” he whines.

He’s so angry all the time now. I can’t even remember when he smiled last. In fact, when did I smile last? I feel the guilt eating at me.

“I am, but I need to go to this Easter ball. Granny is coming over,” I explain. "It'll be fun."

“I want Mummy,” Eden cries.

Sweet Eden doesn’t understand where her mother is. I can’t bear to tell them how their mother walked out on her two children. To leave me was one thing, but not to contact her kids was another.

It isn’t like I can even tell them anything.

My wife’s parents aren’t giving me any details.

All I know is that she is alive. The divorce papers are on the desk in my office where they have been for two weeks now, waiting to be signed.

I don’t even know why I’m delaying—maybe for a reason as to why she packed one small bag and disappeared.

Since she went, everything has changed. Of course, it has. Her presence is missing in our lives. Julia has betrayed all of us.

The front door opens, and my mother walks in with a cake tin in her hands.

“Look what I’ve made,” Mum proclaims. Heading over to Eden and then Ace, she kisses their heads. Ace’s face lights up. “Eat your dinner first,” she says placing it down on the kitchen unit.

“It’s horrible,” Ace replies, pulling a face and pushing his plate away.

Mum takes his fork, tasting it. “What the hell is this?” Her face scrunches up, spitting the food into a paper towel.

The children start giggling. At a guess, it’s because Granny said ‘hell.’

“Spaghetti?”

Mum grimaces. “Darling, you need help, so why not get a nanny for the children? I can’t be here all the time; it’s tiring at my age.”

Mum is getting close to seventy now. She isn’t supposed to be doing my housework and watching the children full time. Neither should she be taking them to and from school each day. She’s meant to be enjoying her retirement.

“A nanny?” The thought hasn’t even crossed my mind.

“I’ve been thinking about it. The house is a mess. They can do the housework while the children are at school,” my mother suggests. "It would help you so much," she says.

“I don’t know. I need to think about this. It’s a big decision and there’s the financial aspect too.” Could this be the answer to all my problems ?

“Don’t worry about the money. If you can’t afford it, your father and I will pay,” she offers.

"We just want you to get the help you need."

“I can afford it.” Ace is eyeing the cake tin, almost drooling. "Granny will make you something proper to eat, and you can have cake after that," I say to him.

“Don’t wait too long. Your father and I are away for several weeks next month. Who’s going to be around to help you then?” Mum quirks an eyebrow at me.

I forgot they booked a cruise for Mum’s seventieth birthday.

It’s the first time I’ve noticed how tired she looks.

Her eyes have bags under them, her hair isn’t as well-kept as normal, and her manicured nails are broken.

I can’t keep doing this to her. Before I have a chance to say anything, Eden speaks first.

“We have a nanny. Granny is our nanny.”

“No, this is someone who will be here all the time, not like granny who only visits,” I explain to her in a way she understands.

Eden’s whole face lights up, a cheeky smile creeping across her face. She was lost in her own thoughts. “Will the nanny be pretty like Mummy?”

Mum is making a sandwich for Ace, and she looks up at my exchange with Eden.

“Yes, she’ll be pretty,” I tell my daughter.

“Will she have blonde hair like me?” Eden asks.

“Yes.” Now I’m making promises I can’t keep. She comes over to me, her little hands wrapping around my legs. “I love you, Daddy.”

Hearing a slight cough, I look up. My mother’s lips are pursed together, trying not to smile.

What the hell am I meant to do now? Backed into a corner, I feel like there’s only one option works.

I’m running late. The taxi arrives and my work phone hasn’t stopped going off. With no time to shave, I head for the front door. Eden’s waiting there for me with her favourite teddy, Mr Snuggles. Her puppy dog eyes are making me feel guilty.

"Be good for Granny. I'll see you later." Kissing her head, I duck out before she can make me feel even worse about going.

The party is in full swing when I arrive. Opening the front door, I head across the large entrance hall. Servers in black and white formal wear carry trays with champagne or delicacies.

I’m certainly not in the mood to be here. I’ve been friends with Darren since we were little. His parent’s house was like my second home. I was there when they found out about his sister’s cancer, and I was there when she went into remission. It was like I was another family member.

“Alex.” Beth, Darren’s sister, comes up from behind me. Her huge baby bump puts her tiny frame out of proportion, but she’s glowing from within.

“Hello, how are you doing? Where’s Fred?” I kiss her on the cheek, looking for her husband who is usually by her side.

“I’m great, although I don’t know where he’s got to. How are you?”

“I’m good.” I lie through my teeth. She gives me a look that says she knows better.

“Don’t bullshit me or I’ll get my brother. Patrick is here as well.”

Patrick is Darren’s boyfriend and isn’t meant to be here tonight. His personality is too outgoing for my liking; he always wants to be centre of attention. I never fully understood what Darren found attractive about it, but they were happy which was the important thing.

“I’m fine.”

“I’m warning you.” She starts to shout to them.

“A mess,” I answer quickly. “I’m a mess. All right?” I don’t want her calling him. “Mum suggested getting a nanny. I think I might have to.”

“That sounds like a good idea,” Beth says, rubbing her belly. "We're considering one for when I go back to work."

“Where do I start?” I need help.

“Maybe you could put out an advert," Beth suggests with a soft smile.

“Eden has a list. She must be pretty, blonde, no doubt young, fifty thousand a year…” I sigh going over Eden’s wishes. "How am I meant to find all that?”

"Those things are easy. The trick is to find someone who cares for the kids, someone who is interested in them. Someone confident and who doesn't just consider it a job." Beth touches my arm. "You'll find someone. It isn't hard, I promise."

Gemma

I’m hiding in the downstairs toilet, sobbing softly. My makeup is ruined from the silent tears rolling down my cheeks.

Dad doesn’t mean it. I’m sure he doesn’t want me to get a job?

But then he said I had a week or I would be out…

I sigh. Could he be serious this time? No, he won’t throw me out.

Mum won’t let him. I tell myself the lies over and over, hoping I’ll start to believe them.

Reaching for some tissue, I blow my nose loudly and check my face.

“I don’t care anymore. My life is over.” I dab at my splotchy face, applying a little foundation to cover the redness.

Grabbing my clutch bag, I open the door to walk through it with my chin up. I can do this. As I’m about to leave, I hear voices. There’s what seems to be a private conversation taking place in the hallway .

“…she must be pretty, blonde, no doubt young, fifty thousand…”

I open the door a little more. It squeaks, making me miss the last bit they say. My eyes drink in the man in the blue suit. He’s a little old, but holy shit in hell, he is hot. The way his hand rubs his scruffy beard. I need to introduce myself right now.

He’s chatting with Beth, who’s already married, very pregnant, and she isn’t blonde, so there's no threat there. I shut the door, checking my makeup again. I reapply my lipstick, wipe away my mascara streaks, dab some more blusher on, and spritz a fresh spray of floral perfume. I’m as stunning as I can make myself after my little meltdown.

Striding out of the room, I head straight towards him. Wesley who? Wesley isn't going to solve my problems, so I'll be proactive and solve them myself.

“Hi, Beth.” I shoot her a quick smile, then turn to Mr Gorgeous. “Hello.” I put my hand out for this man to shake.

Closer, I can see more of the tiny details. He must be forty, if the way he’s greying at the temples is anything to go by.

"Hello, can I help you?” He shakes my hand with a firm grip. Nice . His face doesn’t waver from its serious look.

“I heard what you said, and I think I can help.” I hand him my card with my name and picture on it.

Beaming, I walk away. I didn’t need to look behind me to know he was watching me leave; I could sense it.

I spot my brother standing by himself. He’s checking out some woman and is about to make a move on her. They are both smiling at each other across the garden.

Ha! Payback time.

I take my time as I make my way over to him.

Just at the right moment, I make sure the woman who is eyeing him thinks we’re together.

My right hand touches his shoulder. Brody turns to look at me, and I lean over, taking his drink as I give him a kiss on the cheek.

When the woman sees what is going on, her face turns sour, and she walks away.

“That was a bitchy thing to do. I was about to make my move,” Brody says.

“I did you a favour. When she found out I have a bigger dick than you, she would leave you in a heartbeat. Why did you tell Dad?” I ask.

“Same reason you told Fern to come to work with the gay pride flag I wanted. I had to explain to Dad and all our work colleagues that I wasn’t making a joke about the LGBT plus community, and you thought it was a silly prank.

You didn’t think about Fern in all that, did you?

She was so embarrassed. I can’t believe she even forgave you.

” He takes his drink back. "You're cruel and mean, and no one likes you. "

Yes, it was the wrong thing to do, but I couldn’t lose my best friend to him.

Fern was too kind and I know when he tells her about his feelings she would go out on a date with him.

That’s the kind of person she is, trusting and caring.

It was never going to happen on my watch, she was far too good for him, and if she thought he was gay, or secretly in the closet, she would never say yes to him.

“Stay away from Fern,” I declare. "You're a creep."

“Why should I? You don’t stay away from Wesley.” He sips his drink.

“You’re not even friends though. You hate each other, and she’s my best friend.” I cross my arms.

“Your only friend.”

“Not true,” I snap at him.

“Who else is there, besides her?” he asks.

I had to think. Of course, I had other friends, but he was right. Fern was my only true friend—even more reason to keep him away.

“Why don’t you like Wesley? Is it because he’s so much better looking than you? ”

“Don’t be a bitch all your life, Gem. He’s just a grumpy dick. Anyway, why are you in such a good mood?” he asks.

“I found a man.” I smile at my brother.

“You always find men.” If only he knew.

“This time it’s different. He’s older, hot, dresses well, and has money. A sugar daddy.”

“How do you know all this?” He takes another sip of his drink.

“I heard him say fifty thousand. I presume that’s how much he’s going to pay. Now I don’t need Dad’s money.”

“Are you going to whore yourself out? Jesus, Gem. Nobody said to sell your body, just get a job.”

“Oh, this will be a job,” I say with a mischievous grin. "My kind of job."

Brody pulls a face and shakes his head. "You'll always be a disappointment."

"Not quite as big of a disappointment as you," I shoot back before I go to find Fern to tell her what's happening.

She’s standing by herself in the back of the garden. "Hey, what are you doing?"

Fern blushes and shakes her head. "Nothing. Wesley went to go speak to someone for work, so I said I'd wait here for him to get back."

"You're going to spend your life waiting for Wesley and get nothing done yourself," I say with a smile. "You need a man to flirt with, Fern. Get yourself a husband or a sugar daddy. Set yourself up for life." I sigh, I’m so proud of myself.

"That's more your style," Fern says quietly before she looks around. "I might go home before you do something to embarrass both of us." She turns and walks off for the second time today.

I have no time to tell her about my mystery man. I’m unsure why Fern thinks I embarrass her. I think I’m a catch. I make everyone around me look good. People just don't value me for who I am.