Page 65 of The Accidental Nanny

“So, it’s true.” She’s standing in the kitchen with us.

“Mum.”

“You’re getting married?”

“Eden!” I call, she pops her head around the door, giggling.

“You must stop telling people we are getting married,” I tell her.

“She’s done this before?” Alex asks me.

Alex

Everyone was outside except me and my mother.

“Alex, is this wise?” she asks me, loading the dishwasher, while I wash the remaining items by hand.

“Mum…”

“She’s so young, does she know about the… you know.” She doesn’t want to use the word vasectomy.

“No, I’ve not told her.”

“Is this fair to her, and the children? Have you thought about any of this?”

I haven’t stopped thinking about it. That’s the problem. “Mum, please. I don’t need a lecture.”

“I think you do.”

The conversation stops when Gemma comes in. I can feel myself smiling. She grabs a glass, leaning over me as she pours some water into it. She gives me a kiss on the cheek before she heads back outside. Mum follows her, leaving me with my own thoughts.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Gemma

After dropping the kids off at school, I dig into cleaning our home. Comfy in my cheap clothes, I’m mopping the kitchen floor when there is a loud knock at the door. Who else has the code to get in? I put down the mop and go to answer.

“Hello?” I stare at the middle-aged blonde woman. She looks livid, kind of like Eden when she's throwing a tantrum.

“Where is he?” she snaps at me.

“I’m sorry, who are you? You’ll have to be more specific than that.” I look at her confused.

“That is none of your business. Where’s Alex?” She folds her arms over her chest, staring at me.

“At work,” I say simply.

“Get him here now. He’s not answering his phone.” Her face is red.

“What am I meant to say to him? A crazy woman is at the door demanding to see you, but she won’t give me her name.” I look at her, bewildered.

Her face twists as though she's sucking a lemon. “Leave the crazy part out,” she bites at me.

“I hope he has a better idea than I do.” I get my phone, calling him. It doesn't ring more than once.

“Hello,” he answers. His tone is sharp.

“Alex, a mad woman is at the door demanding to see you, but she won’t tell me who it is.”