Page 5 of The Accidental Nanny (All Of You #1)

“Not like that. Put some effort into something for once in your life.” There’s a bite to Fern’s tone that takes me by surprise.

“Woah, what’s that meant to mean?”

“You’re so clueless. You’re selfish at times. I’ve not gone out of my way to help you so that you can stand there and do nothing,” she retorts.

“I’m not clueless.”

“Gem, you really are, but we can argue about this later. I’m trying to save your arse here.”

When the washing machine stops, and the floor is clean, I pull out the washing, but the white shirts are now pink, and so are the socks. Some of the items look a lot smaller. We both stare at the wet bundle with resignation.

“I’m guessing this wasn’t like this before you put it in?” Fern asks.

“No shit. Of course it wasn’t.”

“Okay, don’t panic. Let’s sort out what we can save, then move on to the rest.”

Thanks to Fern, we manage to salvage some of the items, which isn’t a lot. She helps me sort the next load of washing into piles of whites and darks, with a pile for mixed colours.

“I’m going to get sacked.” Placing my hands on my head, I start panicking.

“Just explain. I’m sure it will be okay,” she says in the most unsure voice I have ever heard in my life.

“I’m meant to iron as well. I need a drink.”

“No, you need to pick up the children.”

I look at the time. It’s already three. My heart skips a beat. “Fuck!”I run out of the house, leaving Fern beside the piles of washing.

Alex

My day goes from bad to worse. The new phone security app we are working on has failed, again. Then, I dropped coffee all over my new shirt. And I haven’t had a chance to speak to Gemma about the children.

The fire alarm has been set off during an important meeting, and my wife called, enquiring about why I haven’t signed the divorce papers yet. She didn’t even ask about her kids. To say I am in a bad mood is an understatement. It’s been months of no contact.

“Mr Whitlock.” Ivy, my secretary, walks in.

“Yes,” I growl at her, then clear my throat. It’s not her fault my day is crappy.

She gives me a sympathetic smile. “It’s six o’clock. ”

“Fuck! Go home.” My voice is still gruff.

“It’s not that. Have you found my replacement?” She folds her hands over her stomach.

“Replacement?” I gape at her for a second, then stare at her massive baby bump. She is due to go on maternity leave soon.

“How long do you have left?” I clear my throat again, feeling like a fool.

“Three weeks. But I have to train the new person. I have a list of candidates I’ve forwarded to your email. I’ve shortlisted five for you.”

“Thank you, Ivy.”

“I’ve starred a Fern Fletcher,” Ivy says with a tired smile. “Her C.V looks amazing.”

“I’ll be on it tomorrow. Now, go home. Bye, Ivy.”

She leaves, and I grab my coat. Exiting the building I go down to the Lamborghini and drive home. The car may be ostentatious, but it sure is a pleasure to drive.

I open the front door and hear my son laughing and a high-pitched squeal coming from Eden’s mouth. It’s good to hear them enjoying themselves and I breathe a little easier that their day has gone okay.

It isn’t until I step through the kitchen door that I see the mess. The children are filthy, their clothes stained, and the laundry basket is on the kitchen unit. The whites are pink. Apparently, the kids had a take-out pizza, too.

Gemma is scrolling on her phone, eating a pizza slice. She’s not paying any attention to what is happening around her.

“What the hell is going on?” I shout. The three of them looked up with a fright.

“Daddy.” Eden smiles. “Look what I made you.” She lifts a painting. It’s a picture of a fat man with one eye and very black hair. “It’s you.”

She looks so pleased with herself. She drops the painting on the table and comes running over to me. Her little hands covered in paint as she wraps her arms around me.

“Eden, no!” I scold her.

She looks up at me in horror. Tears fill her eyes as she bursts out crying. She steps away from me as if I had burned her.

“I’m sorry, sweetie. Daddy didn’t mean to shout.”

Gemma looks at me like I’m the devil for upsetting my daughter.Eden’s sobs are unbearable. Ace glares at me, just as mad. He gets off his chair and chucks his painting in the bin, storming out of the room.

“Ace,” I say as I try to stop him, but he’s gone. Loud footsteps echo through the house and a door slams shut.

Gemma shakes her head at me.

She’s only been in my home for one day, caused chaos, and is now judging me.

“Eden,” I try again, “I’m sorry.” I approach with my hands extended towards her.

“I hate you!” she yells.

I cringe. Those are the words I never wanted my children to say.

“Eden, honey. I need to talk to Daddy,” Gemma cuts into Eden’s soft sobs after her outburst. “Can you go and play with your dolls like a good girl?”

Eden nods, shoots me an evil glare, and storms off, leaving Gemma and me alone.

“What the hell has happened here?” I demand the moment Eden has left the room.

Gemma takes a huge breath. I notice she is wearing my wife’s clothes. Mum must have shown her where to find them.

“I’m sorry about the mess,” Gemma begins.

“I asked you to tidy up. The house is in a worse state than when I left this morning. What the hell happened to the washing? And the takeaway? They’re supposed to have a healthy meal. To top it off, my children have ruined their school uniforms with paint.”

“I can explain.”

“Explain then.” I cross my arms and wait for her response.

“My brother replied to your message about the job. I didn’t know you wanted me to be a nanny.”

“What did you think I was after…” I pause as a thought crosses my mind. I gape at her. The way she was dressed this morning… Oh God, she thought I was after sex.

As she notices me staring, her face blushes a deep red.

“I only heard half a conversation and… I got the wrong end of the stick. I thought you just wanted adult company. Dad has cut up my credit card. I have one week to find a job, or he will kick me out. This seemed like the perfect opportunity.”

I breathe heavily through my nose, and get angrier with every word she says. “You’re a prostitute?”

“No!” she shouts back. “Of course, not.”

“Then what are you? You thought I wanted to…”

Her face turns even redder than before. “I’m sorry. Okay?”

“Do you even have any childcare qualifications?” I growl, trying to hold onto my sanity.

“Yes, I do. I’m qualified. But I didn’t like working in the nursery.”

“I’ve left you alone with my children, and you don’t like kids?” I stab my fingers through my hair.

“That’s not what I said. I said I didn’t like the nursery. I love kids.”

“I think I should find somebody else. It’s obvious you don’t want the job, and the house is a state.”

“I’m… I’ve never cooked before or done any washing. We have housekeepers and a chef.”

Can this girl be real? I gawk at her in shocked amazement as she carries on.

“I flooded the laundry room, but I’ve cleaned it up,” she adds quickly. “I’m sorry, okay. I can do better.” She gets the key for my car and hands it to me. I give hers back.

“I want Gemma to stay,” Ace says, standing behind us.

We both spin around to look at my son.

“Ace, I think your dad is right. This job isn’t for me.” Gemma kneels beside Ace and runs a gentle hand down his arm.

“Daddy, you promised me. I like her.” Eden’s voice pops up next, coming from the other side of the room.

“Guys, I don’t think I’m cut out for this. Your daddy needs to find someone who knows what they are doing.” Gemma opens her arms, and Eden goes to her.

“You let us paint. I’m never allowed to paint.” Eden starts to cry again, and Gemma holds her.

“And we got sweets after school,” Ace adds.

“Secret sweets, guys. Secret. I’m in enough trouble here.”

Laughter fills the room from both children. Gemma seems to have a natural way with them that she doesn’t even realise.

“Daddy, I like her. She’s fun, unlike you,” Ace says.

His statement is a real punch to the gut. I watch as he gives her a small grin. This is the first time he has laughed since Julia left us. Hell, it’s the first time I’ve laughed.

“Gemma, play with me. This is you.” Eden gives her a naked doll with blonde hair.

She walks off, leading Gemma to her playroom. The kids have spoken. Neither Gemma nor I have a say in the matter. They want her, even if I don’t.

I spend an hour tidying up and going through my clothes—most go in the bin as they are pink.

“What time do the children go to bed?” Gemma asks a while later.

I look at my watch. It’s a quarter past seven.

“Shit, sorry, I forgot you’re still here. Let me put Eden to bed, and I’ll be down.”

It is another hour before they are asleep. Gemma is sitting on the sofa in the living room, scrolling through her phone again.

“I don’t know what you have done to make them want you to stay.” I take a seat on the chair opposite her.

“You don’t like me.” She puts the phone in her lap and looks directly at me.

“I don’t know you, but I don’t think you’re qualified enough.” I stop talking, taking a deep breath. “I need to ask, have you ever slept with men for money?”

She doesn’t blink or look away, but her cheeks redden. “No, never. I thought it would be an easy way out without having to work.”

“Thank you for your honesty. For now, you can stay. One more mistake, and you’re gone.”

“I understand.” She swallows hard and, for the first time, she looks down at her hands. “My parents don’t think I’m capable of anything.”

“Prove us all wrong, then. I’ll see you at seven.” I am trying to be nice, even if my temper is trying to gain the upper hand. “Mum is coming tomorrow. She’s going to teach you how to cook and clean. Just the basics.”

“That will be helpful. Thank you for not firing me.” She gets up, ready to go.

“The kids like you. How?” I want to know.

Gemma stops by the front door. “How what?”

“How did you get them to smile again, Ace especially?”

“I’m just me with them.”

“Bye, Gemma.” She walks out the door, closing it gently as she goes.