Page 12 of The Accidental Nanny

“You should be thanking me. You’re using your childcare qualifications.” There’s still amusement in his voice.

“You will pay for this. I will get my revenge.”

Brody hangs up on me, leaving me fuming.

Where is Alex’s mother? I go back into the kitchen. As I enter, the little girl looks up at me and smiles. She’s kind of cute.

“I’m Eden,” the little blonde girl introduces herself. She has flower clips in her hair. “You’re pretty like Mummy.”

“Thank you,” I manage to say, although it’s a little awkward. “Where is Mummy?”

“Mummy is having a break,” Jill replies.

“She left us,” the boy says matter-of-factly.No mother, good-looking father; maybe this can still work in my favour.

“What’s your name?” I flash him a sweet smile.

“Ace,” he answers. He doesn’t look happy that I’m here.

“Don’t be rude, Ace.” Jill gives me an apologetic look. “Alex had to run off this morning, but he left a note about things that need to be done around the house while he’s nothere. I’ll come with you this morning to introduce you to the children’s teachers. Alex will get you on the approved list for pickup. He drives them in the morning, or we walk.”

Jill looks at my heels, and that blush rises again. What is wrong with me?

“I thought we were just meeting today. I didn’t realise I was starting. My brother must have deleted the message and didn’t tell me. I think it’s his idea of a joke.”

“Come with me. Ace, watch your sister, please. We’ll be five minutes.” Leaving the kitchen, I follow Jill up a set of stairs to the bedrooms.

“This is the spare room. Alex put his wife’s things in here. I’m sure you can borrow something for today. You look like you’re a similar build.”

The room is of a decent size; maybe half the size of my room, but it does have a double bed. Jill opens the wardrobe door. She pulls out a yellow summer dress with flowers on it and some white pumps.

“It’s a bit old for you…” she muses.

“It’s okay, just for today. I need some trainer socks.”

She carries on looking, rummaging through some drawers, and finding a new pair. I’m relieved I won’t have to wear anyone else’s, even if they had been washed.

“Thanks, I’ll be down in a moment,” I tell her as she leaves and closes the door behind her.

I look cute in the dress. It isn’t a designer, but it suits me well. I head down to the children and Jill. I pick up the paper with my name on it. It’s the list of jobs Alex wants me to do while the children are at school.

Cook a healthy meal for dinner tonight.

Do the washing in the laundry room.

Clean the kitchen.