Page 8 of The Accidental Nanny
"Not quite as big of a disappointment as you," I shoot back before I go to find Fern to tell her what's happening.
She’s standing by herself in the back of the garden. "Hey, what are you doing?"
Fern blushes and shakes her head. "Nothing. Wesley went to go speak to someone for work, so I said I'd wait here for him to get back."
"You're going to spend your life waiting for Wesley and get nothing done yourself," I say with a smile. "You need a man to flirt with, Fern. Get yourself a husband or a sugar daddy. Set yourself up for life." I sigh, I’m so proud of myself.
"That's more your style," Fern says quietly before she looks around. "I might go home before you do something to embarrass both of us." She turns and walks off for the second time today.
I have no time to tell her about my mystery man. I’m unsure why Fern thinks I embarrass her. I think I’m a catch. I make everyone around me look good. People just don't value me for who I am.
CHAPTER THREE
Alex
“Hi, Beth.”
I turn around at the pleasant voice beside us as Beth smiles a little uncertainly at this young woman.
Who the hell is this stranger? She’s everything Eden wanted. I look at Beth, but she rolls her eyes as the woman turns to me.
“Hello.” She puts her hand out.
Taking it, I give her a firm handshake. “Hello, can I help you?”
“I heard what you said, and I think I can help.”
She opens her clutch bag, handing me a pink card that smells of flowers. It has her name on it in white swirls, with a faint picture of her face in the background. She doesn’t seem the kind of woman who would do well with children. Giving me a wink, she walks off. She’s confident. Eden needed someone just as strong willed as her.
“Who is she?” I ask Beth.
“That’s Gemma Winters. A wannabe socialite. Her father is Quinton Winters of Winters and Co. Digital Services. She’san influencer on social media but lives off daddy’s money. I think she did some sort of childcare course and worked in a nursery, but that was a while ago. I thought she gave that up.”
I nod as we stroll over to the window. I watch as the blonde takes a drink out of a man’s hand, kissing his cheek.
“That’s her brother, Brody,” Beth explains. “He’s a bit of a posh boy, but I don’t have anything bad to say about him.” Beth shakes her head. "They're always arguing."
Studying her, even I can see she seems to fulfil everything on Eden’s list, and she said she could help, which is a bonus. I watch as she walks off from Brody, and I make a mental note of what he looks like. I want to talk to him later.
At last, I spot Darren; he’s busy talking to a group of people. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other, and he’s sporting a new beard. As I’m about to make my way over to talk to him, Patrick is suddenly on the scene. His arm is draped around Darren, so I change my course of direction.
Heading towards Brody instead, I loiter for a moment. He’s standing alone studying a tall redhead who’s chatting to a man with dark curly hair. He seems jealous and keeps giving the man dirty looks.
“Brody?” I ask.
“Yes.” He sounds annoyed that I’ve disturbed him. “Can I help you?”I judge him to be a good ten years younger than my almost forty-two years.
“My name is Alex Whitlock.” I offer my hand.
“Of Whitlock and Son?” He knows me then and his demeanour changes, he suddenly has a big smile on his face and takes my hand to shake.
“Yes. You’ve heard of me?” I’m far too tired for small talk.
“You’re in computing as well,”he says.
I nod. “Well, we have developed some major security apps and software,” I admit.
“I know, we’ve been using your software for years. How’s business?” He grins at me like I should be impressed.
