Page 2 of The Accidental Nanny
“No, this is me. I’ll see you later.”
I grab my stuff and the dress she left on the rails. Heading over to look at the shoes, I pick some up to match her outfit, then pay for our items.
The trip home is short, and I can’t help but wonder what's up with Fern. She never storms out on me. It’s so unlike her. I contemplate if she’s on her period. I mean, that's the only reason she would be so moody, right? I didn't say anything wrong other than mention her inheritance.
Mum and Dad are waiting for me when I arrive home. They’re sitting in the conservatory overlooking the vast garden. The lawn is being tended by one of the gardeners, no doubt giving it the perfect stripes my parents insist on.
They happily spend money on the staff, but not their own daughter. My allowance is down to just twenty thousand amonth. Apparently, the staff deserved a pay rise what with having to deal with me and Brody since he moved back home, or so my mother said.
“How was the job hunting?” Mum asks me.
“Good. I found a couple of options,” I say, bending the truth into a pretzel.
“Don’t lie. Brody saw you shopping with Fern,” Dad shouts.
“That snitch,” I say through gritted teeth.
“Gemma, you were meant to be looking for work. How much did you spend this time?” He places the tea he was drinking on the table before him, waiting for my response.
“Oh, it’s not that bad. Just six thousand.”
“Six!” Dad exclaims.
“Well, it’s not all for me,” I admit. "I wanted to do something nice for someone."
“Explain,” he grumbles.
“Fern didn’t want to spend two thousand on a dress and shoes. Well… she doesn’t know about the shoes, but they are so cute.” I smile. “I couldn’t leave them behind, so I got them for her for tonight," I explain. "Anyway, I’m sure I’ll find a husband.” I watch as both my parents shake their heads at me. "What?"
“Gemma…” Dad runs his fingers against his forehead. “Get this notion out of your head that you will stumble upon a husband who will let you spend his money. You’re twenty-five. You have one week.”
“One week for what?” Dad’s confusing me.
“If you don’t find a job, you’re out of the house,” he says with a note of finality.
“Seriously?” I yell. “That’s so unfair. How am I supposed to find a husband or a job in a week?” I drop my face into my hands.
“I mean it,” he says, his voice showing no sign of compromise. “Credit card.” He stretches his hand out in front of him, waiting for me to hand it over.
“What?” my mind slow to catch on.
“Give me your credit card.”
“But…”
“Now!” Dad roars.
I get my purse out of my handbag to give him the black card. He has a pair of scissors handy on the table next to him. In one swift motion, he cuts right through the chip. He must have had this all planned.
“But,” I say as tears run down my cheeks, “how do you expect me to get a job? I’m too pretty.”
“This is our fault,” my mother says in exasperation.
“I’m going to Fern’s.” I head back into the house and out the front door with my parents calling after me. I ignore them as I jump into my hot-pink Lamborghini and speed away.
A short drive later, I pull onto the driveway of Fern’s house, which she shares with her stepbrother, Wesley. After losing her whole family, Wesley moved back home to be with her. Unlike Brody, he always looks out for her, like a big brother should. She can’t afford to run the house on her stupid salary. She needs him. Not just for his money but on a emotional level too. Even I can see that.
Standing at her front door with the bag of clothes in my one hand, I keep pressing the bell with the other until someone comes. When Wesley answers the door, he stands there in a towel, hard abs on show. His thick, dark, curly hair is wet. I want to run my hands through it. Wesley Fletcher is the hottest man I've ever laid eyes on. I lick my lips. I just need one taste.
