Page 54 of Grumpy Player

“This is a cute place.” She spins around. She’s wearing beige pants and a white blouse. Her auburn hair is blown out and short. Her makeup is impeccable. It’s actually a little weird that she and Ellie are almost dressed the same, yet they are so different where it counts.

“Hi, I’m Ellie,” Ellie says, extending her hand to Sybil. Syd remains by Ellie’s side, holding on to her.

“A pleasure. You’re the famous nanny.” Sybil smiles, an air of friendliness about her.

Ellie doesn’t reply but Sybil’s attention moves to Syd.

“Hi, Sydney, come give your mother a hug. It’s been so long.”

Syd begins to nibble on her fingers and shakes her head.

“She’s being shy,” Ellie covers. “What are the plans for today?”

Sybil’s gaze roams over Ellie. “Right, Connor did mention you’d be joining us.”

Ellie nods.

“Warren is downstairs waiting in the car. We should head out,” Sybil says, disregarding Ellie’s question about today’s plans.

Ellie tells Syd to put on her shoes.

“Wait, isn’t she getting dressed? We can’t go to a restaurant with her dressed like that. Sydney, go put on a pretty dress.”

Syd shakes her head with attitude.

“I’m sure it’s fine. I mean, she’s only six,” Ellie reminds.

“Seriously?” Sybil huffs and then she snaps her attention to me.

“A word in the kitchen, please,” I say. I’m still walking slow.

“You really did a number on yourself, Connor. You’re walking like you’re eighty. Did they give you a hip replacement?” Sybil asks.

We reach the kitchen, and I don’t bother indulging her question.

“Syd is a child,” I whisper. “Who hasn’t seen you in quite some time. She is nervous and unsure right now. Maybe you could go easy on her.”

Sybil’s mouth drops. “I plan to take her to one of the best restaurants in the city. She should be dressed appropriately.”

“I don’t think Syd cares where she eats. She’d be happy at McDonald’s. If you’re trying to win brownie points with our daughter, it isn’t working,” I say.

“Fine, let her stay dressed the way she is,” she huffs. “And what’s with the nanny, Connor?”

“What is that supposed to mean?” I snap.

“Nothing.” She drops whatever information she was fishing for, clearly reading my body language as I stiffened at the mention of Ellie. “We should get going. I don’t want to leave Warren waiting.”

“I thought he would come up too. You know, so I could meet your future husband,” I say.

“I’ll ask him to come up tomorrow,” she says.

“You didn’t mention being here for more than a day. Syd is still in school. I don’t want her missing another day.”

“It’s grade school. It won’t matter,” she replies easily.

Then she walks away, sauntering back into the main room.

“Let’s go, lovelies,” she says to Ellie and Syd.

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