by Jenny Frame
“Thank you. I appreciate it,” Trent said.
Dale cocked her head in the direction of the gaming shop and said, “Let’s put smiles on their faces, then.”
* * *
Wendy strummed her guitar to finish the song she had been singing with Alice and Noah. She had set up the keyboard for Alice and taught her one piano chord for their song, and Noah was on the tambourine. She was a great believer in using music and song to help children cooperate and express emotions.
She heard a key in the door and looked at her watch. Trent wasn’t due home this early.
“Who’s that?” Alice said nervously.
Alice was so jumpy and anxious about everything. Wendy was sure she was suffering from post-traumatic stress. The sooner she got to the psychologist the better.
Wendy put down her guitar and said, “It’ll be okay, honey. I’m here.”
Just as she was getting up, Trent walked through the door with someone. Alice immediately hurried to Wendy’s side and cuddled into her arms for reassurance, and Noah followed suit.
Trent and her companion were holding a lot of bags. Bags from a gaming store.
Wendy sighed internally. It looked like Trent had moved on from sweets and chocolates to toys and games. She put on her best smile and went to greet their guest. Alice and Noah stayed behind.
“Hi, Trent. You’re home early,” Wendy said.
“Yes, I finished early today so I could go and meet my friend. Wendy, this is Dale,” Trent said.
“Pleased to meet you, Dale.” Wendy offered her hand and Dale put her bags down.
“Aye, you too. Trent was telling me what a good help you’ve been to her,” Dale said.
Dale was gorgeous in a boyish, James Dean kind of way, and her Scottish accent was just charming.
“Oh, I’m just doing my job. Where in Scotland are you from?” Wendy asked.
“Glasgow. I came up to London when I was seventeen,” Dale said.
Wendy glanced down to Dale’s hand and saw a thick wedding band there. No surprise she was taken, Wendy thought. “I’ve been to lots of music festivals in Scotland. The Scots really know how to enjoy a concert.”
Dale grinned. “Aye, way plenty of drink.”
Wendy laughed. “Well, yes, there was plenty of that too.” She turned to Trent, whose eyes were narrowed and serious. What was Trent thinking? “What did you buy, Trent?”
Trent pulled a box out of one of the bags. “A games console. Dale helped me choose it.”
Noah squealed when he heard that and ran over to Trent. “You bought us Nintendo, Trent?”
Trent showed him the box. “Yes, I thought you would like to play with it over the weekend. My friend Dale is going to connect it all for you.”
Noah threw his arms around Trent’s legs. “Thank you so much!”
Something stirred in Trent’s heart to see how happy she had made Noah, and she wanted more. Alice stood in the background as always and said nothing. What could she do to get the same reaction from her?
Wendy turned to Alice and said, “Say thank you to Trent, Ali.”
“Thank you, Trent,” Alice replied.
Trent nodded. “You’re welcome. Dale, can you set it up for them?”
“Aye, nae problem.” She took Noah’s hand and said, “Let’s get this thing going, so you can play Mario Party, eh?”
Noah jumped up and down excitedly. “Yeah.”
When Dale reached Alice she dropped to one knee and said, “Hi, you must be Alice. It’s nice to meet you.”
Alice cracked a smile and then laughed when Dale told her a silly joke. Dale had just met her and got more of a response from her than Trent had in the whole time she had known her.
Trent didn’t like the feelings that were stirring inside her.
* * *
Wendy was preparing dinner in the kitchen while Dale was setting up the games console with the kids. Trent stood behind the sofa, quite apart from them, silently watching.
Dale had Noah and Alice in the palm of her hand. In fact, Wendy hadn’t heard Alice laugh so much since she’d met her.
Wendy put her tray of vegetables in the oven and washed her hands. When she turned around she couldn’t take her eyes off Trent’s lonely figure. How could someone with such a confident personality look so forlorn? She looked quite sweet, actually.
Trent appeared as though she felt left out. She was supposed to be the hero bringing home the exciting gift, and now the kids’ attention was all on Dale, who just happened to be a natural with kids.
She was drawn to go and stand with her. “Dinner’s prepared for later. Will Dale be staying?”
Trent crossed her arms defensively. “No, she has to get back home to her own family.” She turned her head and looked at Wendy. “She is married, you know,” Trent said a little sharply.
That was a weird reaction. Trent seemed to be jealous of the attention Dale was getting.
“Yes, I did know. I spotted the wedding ring on her finger earlier,” Wendy said.
“It didn’t stop you flirting with her. Dale’s married to my best friend.”
Wendy was taken aback. Where was this coming from? Was it just the attention Dale was getting, or was there something else bothering her?
Wendy whispered, “I wasn’t flirting. I was exchanging pleasantries. You know, that thing normal people do? Besides, I think I’m professional enough not to flirt with my employer’s friend.”
She could see anger and annoyance in Trent’s eyes. Trent held her gaze for a few seconds, then turned back to Dale and the kids. By this time Alice was sitting right next to Dale and Noah was on her knee.
Wendy heard Trent sigh with annoyance. “Dale, I’m just going to answer some important emails. I’ll be back out soon.”
“Aye, nae probs, mate. We’ve nearly got everything done,” Dale said.
Trent marched away and Wendy heard her shut her office door loudly. Alice looked back to her and Wendy gave her a reassuring smile.
There was an emotionally confused person hiding under that tough shell, Wendy thought.
* * *
Later that evening, Trent was finishing up some work in her office. She closed up her laptop and sat back in her seat. She could hear Wendy singing with Noah in the bathroom. It sounded like the brushing your teeth song, which she was beginning to know by heart. Wendy had a song for everything. She imagined what her nanny would think of Wendy’s approach. Her head would probably explode. Nanny Wilson didn’t need songs—she had threats of violence and psychological terror to get what she wanted.
Trent swung around in her office chair and gazed out of her window at the evening gloom settling down on the dockside apartment and it mirrored her mood. She was depressed. What was meant to be a nice gesture today had made her face some unpleasant feelings.
Dale had been her usual good-natured self and endeared herself to both the kids and Wendy. Trent didn’t know how she did it. She could charm a woman at a drinks party or a bar, but two kids and their nanny, that was foreign to her.
As she stood back and watched the attention Alice and Noah were giving Dale, she had to admit she felt jealous. They were her family and Wendy was her nanny.
She couldn’t understand why she was feeling so possessive and envious all of a sudden.
It really irked her when she thought Wendy was flirting with Dale. Why did Dale impress and charm all the women in her life?
Wendy is not a woman in your life, Trent chastised herself.
Her head and chest were a mish-mash of feelings. Before the children came into her world, life rarely confused her and feelings were not complicated.
She cringed at what she’d said, accusing Wendy of flirting. Apart from when the children were around, Wendy hadn’t spoken to her since. Trent had to make an effort with Alice and Noah and Wendy. Wendy was an amazing nanny and she wouldn’t be lucky a second time.
Trent wanted a drink, so she got up to leave the sanctuary of her office. She spotted
her iPad sitting on the edge of the desk and wondered if Alice would like to use it. Alice had been stealing Wendy’s iPhone to listen to audiobooks and play games a lot, so maybe she could let Alice use her iPad until she could buy one for her.
She imagined the smile she would get, like Noah today, if she came home with bags from the Apple Store. Trent felt a wave of excitement at that thought.
Yes that was what she’d do.
She picked up her iPad and left the office. She could hear Wendy in Noah’s bedroom, so she walked along to Alice’s door and knocked.
“Alice? Can I come in?”
“If you want,” Alice said in a low voice.
Trent walked in and found Alice sitting on her bed playing with Wendy’s phone. When Alice looked up she could feel the gulf and tension between them.
She had to speak first. “Did you enjoy the Nintendo?”
Alice didn’t smile but said, “Yes, it was fun.”
There was an awkward silence and Trent tried to think what she would have wanted someone to say to her when she lost her mother, but all she felt was pain in her chest and her mouth dry up. She couldn’t go there.
Then she remembered the iPad. “I saw how much you liked Wendy’s iPhone and I wondered if you’d like to use my iPad?” Trent walked over to the bed and held it out. Alice eyed it, looking unsure of herself. “You can read, listen to audiobooks, go on the net, play games, whatever you want.”
Alice took it from her and said, “Thank you. I won’t break it.”
“I know you’ll be careful. Buy any games you want—the app store is linked to my card.”
Alice appeared to be surprised at this turn of events and unsure how to respond. Trent wasn’t too sure either so she said, “I’ll say goodnight then.”
“Night, Trent,” Alice replied.
Then Trent left and hurried to pour out a drink. Her heart was pounding in her chest. She had never been nervous talking to anyone before, but one little girl made her so.
* * *
Despite having been completely pissed off with Trent over the flirting accusation, Wendy still wanted to finish the weekend itinerary she had started yesterday. She had dealt with emotionally distant parents before and giving them structured events helped them focus and reconnect.
Trent’s case was a little more extreme, but she was determined to make a difference and leave this family in a better place than where she found them. Wendy pressed print and went into Trent’s office after knocking, to pick up her printed itinerary.
“Now the tricky part,” Wendy said to herself.
Wendy walked into the living area and found Trent nursing a drink with the lights dimmed and some soft music playing. She felt a flutter in her chest. She looks adorable and gorgeous. Wait. Did she just think that? She was annoyed with her.
Wendy shook herself and walked over to the couch. “Trent, can I have a word with you?”
Trent, who had been staring into space, took a big intake of breath and said, “Of course, sit down. Do you want a drink?”
Wendy sat. “No thank you.”
“I gave Alice my iPad to use,” Trent said out of the blue.
“You did?”
Trent nodded. “I thought since she uses your iPhone all the time, she would like it. Most kids her age have all those things. I’ll order her an iPad and iPhone online.”
“No, wait.” Wendy sighed in exasperation.
“What is it?” Trent asked.
Wendy put down her paper and held her hands tightly under her chin, considering whether to say what she was bursting to say.
“Can I speak freely?” Wendy asked.
Trent looked at her quizzically. “Of course, we’re not in the army.”
“I know, but you’re my employer and could give me the sack if you don’t like what I say.”
“I won’t sack you over you giving me your opinion on something. The kids love you already, and this flat wouldn’t run without you. I’m tough—I can take it, Ms. Darling.”
Wendy had to come out and say it. “You can’t just buy Alice and Noah presents to show them affection.”
Trent furrowed her eyebrows. “Are you saying I’m trying to buy their affection?”
“Not in a bad way, but you bought the games console today and now you’re planning an iPhone and an iPad? I mean, Christmas is in a few months’ time. You’ll have nothing left to buy them.”
Trent gulped down her drink and got up to pour another. She hadn’t told Wendy she had started to make plans to go skiing at Christmas. She didn’t think she could go through a family Christmas. Too many bad memories.
She tried to curb her anger and annoyance. After all, she had promised Wendy she could speak freely, and Trent hadn’t behaved well when Dale was here.
“It’s not about buying anything. I’m providing. That’s what I do. Any relationship I’ve ever been in, I provide. They see a nice coat they like, shoes, a beautiful piece of jewellery, I buy it. That’s just who I am, so if these children need things, I provide them.”
Wendy looked at her silently, then said, “I think more than any games console or iPad, Ali and Noah would like a hug or just to talk and listen to them.”
Trent sat back down and stared into her glass. “I don’t know if I can. This is the best I can do.”
“I don’t think so,” Wendy replied.
After a few seconds of silence Trent said, “I’m sorry for earlier—accusing you of flirting. It was childish.”
“That’s okay,” Wendy said.
Trent met her eyes. “It’s not, but I was feeling sorry for myself, I suppose. Dale can just walk into a room and immediately have everyone onside. The kids, and you. I envy her that.”
“You said Dale was your friend. Where did you meet her? You look like you move in different circles,” Wendy said.
“I mentioned that she was married to my best friend, Becca? Well Becca is my ex-partner.”
“Oh, I see,” Wendy replied.
Trent snapped her head around. “What do you mean, I see?”
Wendy shrugged. “Just that those relationships can be difficult.”
Trent nodded. “Yes, I suppose.”
“How long were you together? If you don’t mind me asking?” Wendy asked.
If this had been anyone else like Claudia, she would have minded. Trent was a very private person, but something about Wendy made her feel at ease, and safe.
“Seven years. We have been split up for about twelve, though,” Trent told her.
“Becca is a big part of your life, then?”
Trent nodded. She became fascinated with the two blond braids hanging down the side of Wendy’s face. She had the biggest urge to touch them.
“Trent?”
She had been so busy daydreaming, Trent didn’t hear Wendy’s follow-up question. “Sorry, Wendy. What did you say?”
“I said, did you get on with Dale straight away?” Wendy asked.
Trent chuckled. “Oh no. In fact, I tried to break them up, but over time I realized Dale gave Becca everything I couldn’t, and then Becca was determined to make us all this big extended happy family.”
“But you hadn’t quite let go yet, had you?” Wendy asked.
Trent wasn’t ready to answer that, so she picked up the piece of paper Wendy had brought through and said, “What’s this?”
Wendy held her gaze for a few seconds and Trent was sure she wasn’t going to let the last question go.
“I made an itinerary for your first Sunday alone with Ali and Noah. You don’t have to stick with it. I just thought it might be helpful.”
Trent cleared her throat nervously. “I actually thought the games system would keep them busy.”
Wendy narrowed her eyes. “You can’t leave them in front of a TV all day.”
Having the reality of her inner thoughts and plans repeated to Trent made her realize how bad it sounded, similar to when Lady Claudia advised her to pack the children off to boarding school.
> “I suppose not,” Trent blustered. “I thought they would be happier than spending time with me.”
Wendy appeared as if she was choosing her words carefully. “Earlier you said that you envied the way your friend Dale could naturally have a rapport with the kids.” Wendy turned around to face her straight on. “If you want to develop that relationship with them, you have to spend quality time doing activities with them. Just living in the same house won’t develop that affinity.”
Trent nodded. “I suppose you’re right.”
Wendy gave her the biggest smile and then winked. “Of course I am.”
Trent’s stomach fluttered and clenched at the sight of that cheeky wink. Oh no. They were not going down that path, Trent warned her body.
Suddenly Becca’s warning about choosing an attractive nanny resonated. She couldn’t afford that kind of complication in her life at the moment.
She got back to the business at hand and scanned the paper. “Item one, breakfast—cereal. Item two, take out frozen meals for dinner. Wait, what frozen meals?” Trent asked.
“I’m going to make dinner and freeze it, so all you have to do on Sunday is take them out, defrost, and put in the oven,” Wendy explained.
“I should be able to manage that.” Trent smiled and she was sure she saw a blush on Wendy’s cheeks. So she was cute as well. Trent sighed inwardly and went back to the Sunday itinerary. “Item three, drive or take the Tube to either the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, or the Tower of London. Hmm, I think I know which one Noah would choose.” Trent was trying to remain calm but the thought of being responsible for the children all day was daunting, to say the least.
Wendy smiled. “I know, he loves dinosaurs. I would have said London Zoo but I think we’d need to go together. It’s a big place.”
Trent loved the idea of Wendy coming with them. She wished Wendy was coming with her on Sunday.
“Okay,” Trent said.
Wendy apparently saw the tension on her face because she said, “Don’t worry. You’ll do fine. Just keep your eyes on Noah. He gets so excited when he sees something, and runs off.”
