Page 3 of The Accidental Nanny (All Of You #1)

CHAPTER THREE

Alex

“ H i, Beth.”

I turn around at the pleasant voice beside us as Beth smiles a little uncertainly at this young woman.

Who the hell is this stranger? She’s everything Eden wanted. I look at Beth, but she rolls her eyes as the woman turns to me.

“Hello.” She puts her hand out.

Taking it, I give her a firm handshake. “Hello, can I help you?”

“I heard what you said, and I think I can help.”

She opens her clutch bag, handing me a pink card that smells of flowers.

It has her name on it in white swirls, with a faint picture of her face in the background.

She doesn’t seem the kind of woman who would do well with children.

Giving me a wink, she walks off. She’s confident.

Eden needed someone just as strong willed as her.

“Who is she?” I ask Beth.

“That’s Gemma Winters. A wannabe socialite.

Her father is Quinton Winters of Winters and Co.

Digital Services. She’s an influencer on social media but lives off daddy’s money.

I think she did some sort of childcare course and worked in a nursery, but that was a while ago. I thought she gave that up.”

I nod as we stroll over to the window. I watch as the blonde takes a drink out of a man’s hand, kissing his cheek.

“That’s her brother, Brody,” Beth explains. “He’s a bit of a posh boy, but I don’t have anything bad to say about him.” Beth shakes her head. "They're always arguing."

Studying her, even I can see she seems to fulfil everything on Eden’s list, and she said she could help, which is a bonus. I watch as she walks off from Brody, and I make a mental note of what he looks like. I want to talk to him later.

At last, I spot Darren; he’s busy talking to a group of people. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other, and he’s sporting a new beard. As I’m about to make my way over to talk to him, Patrick is suddenly on the scene. His arm is draped around Darren, so I change my course of direction.

Heading towards Brody instead, I loiter for a moment. He’s standing alone studying a tall redhead who’s chatting to a man with dark curly hair. He seems jealous and keeps giving the man dirty looks.

“Brody?” I ask.

“Yes.” He sounds annoyed that I’ve disturbed him. “Can I help you?”I judge him to be a good ten years younger than my almost forty-two years.

“My name is Alex Whitlock.” I offer my hand.

“Of Whitlock and Son?” He knows me then and his demeanour changes, he suddenly has a big smile on his face and takes my hand to shake.

“Yes. You’ve heard of me?” I’m far too tired for small talk.

“You’re in computing as well,”he says.

I nod. “Well, we have developed some major security apps and software,” I admit .

“I know, we’ve been using your software for years. How’s business?” He grins at me like I should be impressed.

“Business is good, thank you,” I reply courteously. “And yourself?”

“We’ve just expanded the company and started a new online advertising division for small businesses.”

I feign interest in what he is saying. I don’t realise he has stopped talking to me until there is a complete silence.

"Actually, I want to ask you about your sister, Gemma.”

“What has she done now?” His tone changes. He becomes stiff and looks like he is ready for bad news. That isn't a good sign.

“Nothing, she gave me her card. I’m after a nanny. I’m working long hours, and I have two young children. She told me to contact her, she said she could help. Does your sister have any qualifications with children?”

Brody breaks into a massive smile. “Very much so. She loves children,” he says. "She's excellent with them. She did a full course and worked at a nursery. You'd be contacting the right person if you're looking for a nanny, if I do say so myself."

"That’s high praise considering I was told you two didn’t get along," I comment.

"We have our differences, mostly childish things, you know? However, I support my sister wholeheartedly in her career choice."

He looks so pleased with himself. "Great, thank you for your input. I'll take it under advisement."

"She's looking for a new job at the moment," he says quickly. "But I'm sure someone will snap her up."

"I'll keep that in mind," I say before nodding and walking away.

I make my way home, and when I walk through the front door, exhaustion settles on my shoulders. Eden is fast asleep on the sofa, and Mum is dozing in the armchair beside her. They look peaceful, and I’m sad to wake Mum.

“Hi, how was it?” she asks. “She wouldn’t go to bed. She was waiting for you,” she says, rising from the chair with a light groan.

“Thanks, Mum. I think I found a nanny for the children. I’ll message her in the morning. She’s exactly what Eden requested,” I inform her.

“Does she have any qualifications?” Mum asks, looking a little worried. "That's awfully quick to find someone."

“Apparently so. I spoke to her brother and he instilled some confidence in me.” I yawn, covering my mouth.

“She’ll need to have a DBS check. You know her brother could be biased.”

I look around the house and notice it is spotless.

“I know. I’ll do the check. You didn't have to clean the house. Will you be staying tonight?” I ask. "I can set up the spare room."

“No, your father is picking me up. Love you, son,” she says, coming over and giving me a kiss on my cheek.

“Love you, Mum.”

My parents live close by, so I wait outside for her until I know my father has arrived. Going back inside, I pick up Eden in my arms. Her soft snores turn into one loud snort.

“Daddy! You’re home. Can I sleep with you?” she mumbles, her eyes half open.

“Sure, buttercup. I found you a nanny, just like you asked for,” I whisper in her ear. "I'm going to see if she's good enough for you."

“Really?” she murmurs.

“Yes.” Walking her into my room, I place her in the bed, she is fast asleep again.

I undress, getting my pyjamas on. Eden is already in a starfish shape, leaving me to perch on the edge of the bed.

This was going to be another restless night, like the many other times Eden has slept in my bed since Julia left.

No matter how many times she starts off in her own room, she always ends up with me.

Grabbing my phone, I make sure it’s silent.

It takes a while, but I find what I’m looking for—Gemma’s account.

I want to see what type of things she posts, to get a feel for her.

I’m greeted with videos of her and music in the background, she doesn’t seem to talk in any of them.

Then one video stops me. She’s in a barely there white bikini on a luxury yacht, with the sun setting in the background.

Not very appropriate. I begin to question if I should contact her or not.

It's not long before I’m up, I only had the one beer, but my head feels like I was at an all-night drinking party.

The kids are eating their breakfast at the table.

Ace is on his iPad, and Eden is watching cartoons.

I take my phone out of my jeans pocket. Gemma’s card is on the kitchen unit where I put it last night.

I send her a text.

Hi, Gemma, it’s Alex. I’m in desperate need of a nanny for my two children. It will be from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Sometimes I may require you to work weekends. I need you to take the children to school and clean the house. The salary is fifty thousand a year. I need you to start ASAP. Alex.

I set my phone down and sip my coffee, but I get a response almost straight away.

Please send me your address .

I text back with my details and Gemma responds again.

I’ll see you Monday.

I sigh with relief and look over at my children, I hope I’m doing the right thing. I don’t have much time

Gemma

Twenty minutes earlier

My head is pounding; how much did I have to drink last night? I don’t remember getting home. A loud banging on my bedroom door isn’t helping matters.

“What?” I shout, ready to kill the person waking me up. Brody storms into my room. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing, breakfast is almost ready.”

So, he’s just being a jerk as usual.

“Did you hear back from the sugar daddy last night?” he teases.

“Not yet, but I will.” I wink at my brother. “Pass me my dressing gown, please,” I ask him.

“What did your last slave die of?”

He stands at the door in his tennis outfit with his arms crossed. Oh, now he is asking for it.

“I’m naked,” I warn him as I start pulling back my quilt. I’m not going to give in; he doesn’t seem to move, either. It’s not until my legs slip from underneath the blanket, he throws me the gown.

“That wasn’t hard.” Slipping it on under my quilt, I get out of bed and head into my bathroom.

After my long shower, I’m refreshed and relaxed. At least I was until I find Brody is still in my room, lying on my bed with his tennis shoes on. They’re filthy, and my lovely white silk bedsheets are covered in mud and stinking man sweat. More importantly, my phone in his hand .

“What are you doing?” Running over, I grab it from him.

“Your password was far too easy to guess, but chill. Sorry, I deleted a message by accident, but Alex from last night wants to give you a job.”

My eyes light up and I can’t contain my smile. “He wants me?”

“Yes, Monday morning seven a.m. It’s for forty hours a week, maybe more.”

“You’re kidding me. Hang on, seven a.m.? Don’t you mean p.m. I’m confused… He wants me to go over. He’s not just going to send me stuff?”

“No, a.m. as in before work. He wants you to earn it.”

“Oh… okay.” It wasn’t what I’d expected, but it’s a job, and an easy one at that.