Page 53 of Daycare Santa

“Of course, I will. I’ll do it now in your bedroom.” She tipped her head toward the living room. “Little pitchers, big ears, and all that.”

She rinsed her hands under the tap, dried them, and left.

While she waited, Gina returned the cloves to the cupboard and wiped the counter a second time with disinfectant.

Seya shuffled into the room a few minutes later with her bottom lip tucked into one corner of her mouth. “I can’t believe that man-stealing witch said no. As a matter of fact ...”

Chapter 22

“She sent a bailiffto evict me?” Gina stared at the paperwork the policeman handed her two minutes ago.

After spending the night flopping around in bed, she woke to a heavy atmosphere she couldn’t shake despite the many prayers and affirmations she said. Something told her more was coming after Nichelle’s refusal last night.

Gina still didn’t understand her need for vindictiveness. Relationships went sour all the time, but they didn’t have to lead to the sort of madness she was dealing with now.

She faced the policeman who delivered the eviction notice. The irony was that they met him after another driver ran into the back of Gina’s van and refused to honor his promise to fix the vehicle.

Constable Russell had been helpful and eventually got the man to pay. She wondered how Nichelle had gotten the officer to serve her this notice, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of asking.

Why so many things were going against her now was hard to understand, but Gina ignored the start of that pity party and focused on the present moment. The officer’s clean-shaven face reminded her of a young boy’s. That alone made her soften her attitude when she said, “As you can tell, I’m in the middle of prepping for a function.”

“I’m sorry, Miss Wright, but I have to serve this eviction notice. Miss Wedderburn wants you out today.”

Nichelle had lost her mind. Or, Gina was in the middle of a nightmare, but Anna, the kitchen assistant who stood next to Gina, carried the same anxiety that weighed her down.

Gina massaged her temple, where a dull thudding started. Her heart was crushed. The fight left her and her knees almost gave out, but she stood her ground. She’d made it this far and overcame too many issues to let this situation get the best of her.

“Tell you what,” she said. “Let me finish up here, basically complete what I need to do for this function. Then, I’ll start packing. You can tell Miss Wedderburn she’ll have the building tomorrow.

Gina didn’t know how she’d cater the function, plus pack up and get out by the following day, but as her mother like to remind her, nothing was impossible. Not if she wanted it badly enough and was willing to fight for it.

The policeman scanned the corridor, where boxes lined the walls. “I’ll make a call and let you know what Miss Wedderburn says.”

“Thank you.”

He turned away and went through the front door.

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