Page 195 of Unspoken Words
“At least take a look over her portfolio.” Jackson handed me some paperwork.
I sighed. “Fine. But I’m really not on board with this idea.”
“Just take a look and maybe meet her. We’ll go from there.”
*
“Rightyo, baby girl,”I said,as I suspended Christina over the kitchen bench, her little legs dancing like a Leprechaun. “I’m thinking we need some kind of private signal between us. I don’t know … maybe roll from your back to your front to your back again if you like her, and do that I’m-about-to-crawl-but-fall-flat-on-my-face thing if you don’t like her. How does that sound?”
She kicked some more and said, “Bub bub bub.”
“Yes, bub bub bub. When are you gonna say dad dad dad?”
She ignored me and dribbled on my hand.
“Nice.”
As if not so perfect, perfect timing, my doorbell sounded, so I moved Christina to my hip and wiped my hand down the front of my jeans before heading along the hall to answer the door.
Through Trevor’s stained glass fish body was the silhouette of a blonde woman wearing a green dress. My stomach tightened and my throat grew thick. The decision to meet this nanny wasn’t made lightly, and I still wasn’t sure it was the right decision to make. But I’d made it and at least had to give her a chance.
Swallowing heavily, I turned the handle and opened the door. “Hello, Madeline is it?”
She smiled and nodded, and something about her made me feel a little more at ease.
“Please, come in.”
I held the door open as she entered my home, but she paused on the threshold and slipped her finger into Christina’s hand. “And you must be Miss Christina. Hi, cutie pie. Pleased to meet you.”
Christina opened her arms like a friendly scarecrow, but rather than ward Madeline away, she leaned toward her instead.
“Oh, you want to come to me?” Madeline glanced up. “May I?” she asked, opening her hands to take Christina.
“Surrrre.” A little shocked, I passed her over, but to be honest she didn’t really give me a choice. “Well, that’s a promising start.” I shut the door and followed behind them just as Madeline started speaking in baby-tongue.
“Peek-a-boo. That’s a pretty pink dress you’re wearing. A-boo. And I love your bow.”
“Last door on the right,” I advised.
She glanced back, still smiling. “Thanks.”
“Can I get you a drink?”
“No thanks. I’m fine.”
Madeline knelt down on the floor after entering my lounge room and laid Christina under her activity gym. “There you go. Lots of pretty coloured toys to play with.”
Christina squealed and kicked like a seasoned kickboxer.
I chuckled. “She loves that thing.”
“Yes! I can see that. It’s really great for their motor skills and building strength in their legs.” She stood up and brushed down her skirt, and in the split second she performed that action, my world began crashing in.
Memories of Ellie brushing her skirt down at the river, in her room, in my room, and at the studio came thick and fast, and I had to blink my eyes to see past them.
“Is everything okay?” Madeline asked, her concerned face searching mine.
“Yes. Sorry. Just got a little something in my eye.”
