said Fleur, handing Charlie a thick cream embossed business card. ‘Sorry, I forget to give it to you earlier.’
‘Melvyn Halsey, Chiropractor. What do I need that for?’
‘Job, Duh? Their nanny is having a baby. They’ve got two girls… no two boys… or is it one of each? Anyway they’ve got two children and they’ll soon need a new nanny and they only live ten minutes away from me, so it would be perfect.’
Charlie gazed at the business card. This was her get-out clause; the easy answer. ‘Um, thanks,’ she said, stuffing it into her jeans pocket and trying to halt all the questions it was triggering in her mind. Was this the point where she made a decision? She could wish the children well and walk into a new job. That would be the sensible thing to do. She’d worked hard to get her life on track and this would be another step in the right direction, with another professional family on her CV. Or she could risk everything and fight for the children she loved.
‘Pa will give you a reference because, well, the Cobleys can’t.’
Charlie felt a wave of grief come over her. Why did the Cobleys have to die? Why did everything that was so perfect have to change? She lay back on the grass and fought hard to stop the tears she knew were brimming in her eyes.
They had to visit the Joy of Life Fountain before they left the park, as Millie always loved to hurl coins in. Charlie already had a few pennies in her pocket in anticipation. The others usually wandered off when they got to the fountain, but today they all took a penny from Charlie, tossed them in and stood silently. Charlie wondered what wishes they were making and if any of them could possibly come true. Millie asked for another coin and this time did an impressive over-arm lob and narrowly missed Fleur.
‘I bet your wish was that you weren’t standing in Millie’s firing line,’ joked George.
Charlie flipped in a coin and watched it disappear under the water. Her wish was a simple one – she wished she knew what to do.
The walk back was definitely more upbeat, the children seemed to have perked up at the thought of returning to school and it was good to feel that they were taking steps in the right direction, even though they were baby ones. Ted was still looking slouchy but even he had a fleeting smile on his face. Charlie started to mentally go through all the school things she would need to get ready for tomorrow. She would also get Millie back into her toddler groups, which she knew she had been missing. That would also mean that Charlie was back in her old routine and she felt a great wave of comfort at the thought of it and realised that this must have been the same for the children.
‘Is that people at the house?’ asked Fleur, pointing up the road to where two figures were standing on the steps.
Charlie squinted. ‘Oh great, it’s Ruth and she’s got some woman with her.’
‘Hello,’ said Charlie, turning to the smiley woman wearing a funny little brown hat with a gold letter N on it, a white-edged beige dress and white gloves. Charlie couldn’t help grinning, but it was more in response to the outfit than the woman’s smile. ‘Children, say hi,’ added Charlie, as they streamed up the steps.
There was a mumbled chorus of ‘Hi’.
Charlie opened the front door and the children trooped in followed by Fleur. Charlie turned to address Ruth and the oddly dressed woman.
‘I’m Charlie,’ she said, offering the woman her hand to shake, which she did enthusiastically.
‘Hello! I’m Sally.’
Charlie nodded and looked to Ruth for an explanation. Ruth was looking rather smug. ‘Sally is a Norland Nanny, and actually… shall we go inside?’ said Ruth, stepping past a stunned Charlie and into the house. Charlie took a moment to get the sudden rush of emotions in check before following them inside.
‘What’s going on?’ whispered Ted, as his eyes followed the Norland Nanny.
‘I think this is a hostile takeover,’ said Charlie, handing all the picnic stuff to him, which he took and put on the floor at his feet.
‘Edward could you show Sally round the house while I speak to Charlie?’ asked Ruth. Ted looked to Charlie and she nodded that he should do as he’d been asked.
‘I know this will come as a shock,’ said Ruth, handing Charlie an envelope, ‘but I think you’ll find I’ve been more than generous.’
Charlie said nothing but she felt sick. She tore open the envelope and as she opened the letter that was inside a cheque floated to the floor. Fleur picked up the cheque as Charlie scanned the typed letter. There was lots of jargon and long words but the two things that hit her were ‘one week’s notice’ and ‘terminating your employment’.
‘Ooh, this is good, Charlie, look,’ said Fleur, trying to distract Charlie with the cheque. Charlie closed her eyes for a moment, reviewed her ‘Kipper List’, and proceeded, in her mind’s eye, to whack Ruth with a kipper. When she felt she was in control she opened her eyes again as Ted and Sally returned to the hall.
‘It’s a lovely house. It’s a shame I’m only here as a stopgap for a permanent placement. I would like the en-suite room, if that’s possible?’ said Sally.
Charlie turned to her and spoke slowly and deliberately. ‘That’s the Cobley’s bedroom. I don’t think that’s appropriate.’
‘Right, well. I only wanted to serve you your notice and introduce Sally to the children, so we’ll be off,’ said Ruth, her tone jolly. ‘Bye, children.’
‘Hang on,’ said Charlie. ‘If you’re sacking me you need a reason.’
‘You can’t do that!’ said Ted, before turning to Charlie. ‘She can’t do that, can she?’
‘Your friend, Charlie, is not all she pretends to be,’ said Ruth to Ted, before leaning towards Charlie. ‘I know about your past and because of that I can dismiss you without notice. But, like I said, I think you’ll find I’ve been more than generous in the circumstances.’
Charlie slowly sucked in a steadying breath. ‘Ruth I am going to call the solicitor and take advice from him about this situation. Would you both like a cup of tea?’ asked Charlie, looking from Ruth to Sally and back again. Ruth was eyeing Charlie suspiciously, perhaps this wasn’t the reaction she was expecting or hoping for.
On Charlie’s suggestion Ted took Ruth and Sally into the living room whilst Charlie and Fleur went to the kitchen. Fleur put the kettle on.
‘This has worked out quite well,’ said Fleur, distracting Charlie from dialling the solicitor’s number.
‘What?’
‘You can leave here with a big fat cheque, have a few weeks’ holiday away somewhere, then start the new job. I’d say that’s great timing!’
Charlie blinked hard. She was tired and she did need a holiday, but what she wanted above everything was a family holiday like the ones she used to go on when the Cobleys were alive, not a week on her own. ‘Fleur, the
