Page 21 of Sunshine
“I thought it was rhetorical. But look.” She points at the television screen where a frozen frame shows a blonde Julie Andrews wrapped in a hideous green curtain. “We’re watchingThe Sound of Music. You can’t get more wholesome than that. Plus, it’s research.”
“Research?”
“Yeah. You know. How To Be a Nanny 101.”
I rub my eye with the heel of my palm to massage away the beginning of a headache. “Are you planning on making Izzy clothes out of the drapes?”
“No, but if you’re not careful, I might teach her how to yodel.”
“You don’t know how to yodel.”
Poppy’s eyes sparkle with mischief. “Exactly.”
“Jesus freaking…” I cut off when I notice Izzy watching me with curious eyes. “How was school, Little Bee?”
She thrusts her pointer finger in my face, the tip wrapped with a princess-printed bandage. “I got a booboo.”
“Oh, no. At least your teacher had a cool bandage to make it all better.”
“Poppy gave me this one,” she corrects me. “And you know it’s not all better yet, right?”
“Right.” With a solemn frown, I take her hand in mine and press her finger to my lips. “Is it all better now?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“But aside from the booboo, did you have fun today?”
She shrugs. “I guess.”
I dart a glance at Poppy, wondering if there’s anything she can tell me about Izzy’s day with nothing but a look. She doesn’tseem concerned, and it makes me hope today was better than the last two. I’m glad Izzy told someone she was having trouble with her friends, even if it was Poppy and not me, and though I was ready to storm into that classroom and demand someone fix it, the upside is that I’m now more comfortable with the decision to transfer schools. Izzy needs to be in an environment that rewards her achievements, not punishes her for them.
“And your Spanish lesson this afternoon,” I say. “How was that?”
Izzy glances at Poppy for guidance, and Poppy nods supportively.
“Muy buena,” Izzy says slowly, eyes on Poppy’s lips as she mouths the words at the same time.
“Very nice,” I compliment her before turning to Poppy with an eyebrow raised. “Are you learning Spanish too, Pippi? Or is it Heidi now? I’ve lost track.”
Poppy sticks her nose in the air in pretend offense. “I’m a woman of many names. Many talents.”
I snort out a short laugh.I bet you are.
A lull in our conversation highlights the fact that the house is quiet.
“Is Daisy still at the stables?” I ask.
“Yep.” Poppy stands and makes a swipe for the remote control, and I hold it up out of her reach. “She sent me a text to say she won’t be done until after eight.”
“And I suppose Charlie is still at the reception house?”
“All I know is she isn’t here.”
Poppy lunges for the remote again, but I’m over six foot and she can’t be more than five-three, so all I have to do is raise my arm a little to keep her jumping for it. She grunts when she misses it again, and Izzy takes that as her cue to climb onto the sofa and dive for my back. She weighs next to nothing, hanging from my bicep, but when she wraps her legs around my torsoand starts tugging and giggling, I pretend I can’t take it anymore, groaning with defeat as I lower my arm and surrender the remote to Poppy.
“Nice work, Izzy!” Poppy holds up her palm for a high-five and Izzy gives it with a resoundingsmackbefore she lets go of me and drops onto the couch with a soft thud.
