Page 41 of The Accidental Nanny

“Yes,” Ace replies, his voice just above a whisper.

“There you go, all good,” Gemma says with a wink, Making Ace look at her.

“Gemma, please. I’m trying to parent here.” I’m getting impatient with her and not getting anywhere with Ace.

“No, he said the child deserved it, end of story,” Gemma retorts.

We are going to have an argument any second now. She is being irresponsible again. I take a breath. “Ace, why did they deserve it?” I ask, trying to stay calm.

“No reason.” He sulks again.

“There must be a reason. You don’t just go around pushing people,” I say.

Gemma grumbles at me. Why is she huffing? What is wrong with the women in my life today?

“I’m sure when he wants to tell you, he will. Getting madat him won’t get you answers. If he said the boy deserved it, then he did,” Gemma offers.

“I wasn’t getting mad,” I growl. How am I the one in trouble?

“Tell your voice that,” she remarks, her tone snide.

“Ace? Why did you push him?” I ask again.

Instead of answering, he storms off, taking a biscuit with him. Gemma shrugs her shoulders.

“I’m trying to find out what happened,” I snap at her.

“You’re trying to blame him,” she argues back.

“I’m not. I want to know why Ace pushed someone. And no snacks before dinner.” I slam my hand down on the counter.

Gemma looks at me with a frown and then hobbles away, muttering to herself about men.

We don't speak much after dinner. Unbelievably, she is annoyed with me! She’s the one acting like a child. I decide to have it out with her when the children are asleep.

That, however, isn't easy. Getting them to sleep as they're both in moods takes the majority of the evening. I’m an hour later than normal, but I manage to get them off. Gemma is in the kitchen filming something for her social media. I don't want to disturb her until I hear her talk about Ace. She never speaks in her videos.

“What are you doing?” I stand in front of her while the camera is still recording. She leans over and stops it.

Gemma

“I didn’t mention him by name,” I say. He’s making me cross.

“I don’t want you at any point talking or saying anything about the children. Do you understand me?” Alex’s eyes are practically bulging. I've never seen someone so mad.

“I just want another opinion.” What is his problem? It isn'tthat big a deal. Everyone airs their issues in public now. Nothing is private anymore.

“He’s not your son! You’re just the nanny. You do as I say.”

“Just the nanny? Are you taking the piss? You think I don’t care about them?” I snap at him, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Not like I do, no.”

Oh, now he's pissed me off. I stand up.

“You are a fucking asshole. That kid is amazing, and as soon as he said the other child deserved it, that’s it. I believe him, and I know when he’s ready, he will tell us what’s going on. You jumping down his throat will achieve nothing.”

“You don’t need to tell me how amazing my children are. I know!” he yells at me.