She pushed herself out of bed and put on her black gym leggings and sports bra and loose bright orange t-shirt. The sooner she got into her workout clothes, the less likely she was to roll back into bed.
After washing her face, she gathered her brown locks in a ponytail. Darcey looked at her phone, checking for messages or emails. There was one from her mother reminding her go to grandpa's birthday and to bring a gift next Saturday. Bring a DATE, the message added. It wasn’t a request, sounded rather like an order.
Darcey’s mum was truly an amazing woman. When her dad left, her mom raised Darcey all by herself. Fortunately her grandparents were able to help out financially and Darcey stayed at her grandparents’ home when her mum was at work. Her grandmamma was one very sophisticated lady with only a few grey hairs. Her beautiful face showed creases of a life well lived. Darcey inherited her grandmamma’s smile and her grandpa’s love for reading. It came as no surprise to her entire family when she opted to study Creative Writing.
Growing up, Darcey and her grandpa would read in compatible silence in her grandparents’ vast estate by Surrey. Her grandfather was a well-respected General in the British Army but, formidable in battle, grandpapa was afraid of his wife. It wasn't fear rather love, he insisted. Her grandmamma would talk about how grandfather had sent love letters when he was in the army during the Second World War. Second to the Little Mermaid, her grandparents’ story was Darcey’s favourite love story, a story that had been told to her in slightly different versions.
It mattered not whether it was her grandma who liked grandpa first, or the other way around, the important thing was they truly loved one another. Grandpa would regularly ride horses with Darcey around the estate and was the biggest male figure in her life. She rarely saw her father and knew at a young age that her parents weren't getting along.
When her father packed his bags after one huge argument she wasn't surprised he didn’t return. She would never forget that day and the words he told her, "Darcey, I'm sorry. I can’t see you often but I want you to know that Papa really loves you. One day, when you're old enough to be married, remember to marry for the right reasons.” He then gave her a hug and planted a soft kiss on forehead.
The ear-piercing sound of her mobile phone interrupted Darcey’s reverie. It was a text message from her boss: Darcey, I will need you to do the school run for the kids today, Maria left. Be here by 8.
Darcey groaned loudly. One look at her watch told her she still had at least half an hour to jog and another hour to shower and train ride to her boss’ place. She grabbed her sports jacket and ran down the stairs. With only half an hour left, jogging would probably be smarter than her leisure walk.
She had Jessie J blasting through her earphones and she felt the cold autumn wind on her face. Cars and buses passed by the main road she was on. Pigeons flocked by the lake and a few swans floated dreamily on the water but the sun hid, making Darcey shiver.
“London weather,” she thought bitterly.
The weather seemed to match her mood that day. She continued to jog and focus on her breathing. She took deeps breaths, making sure she kept the right pace. Luis, the gym buff, taught her how to jog properly. Her mind was occupied with the things she needed to do for the day. Added to her list of task was being a temporary nanny.
She mentally recited the things she needed to do. I need to message Mr. Carlisle and confirm the interview. I have to pay my mobile phone bill, went over my minutes again. Dry-cleaning. Oh, and I need laundry soap.
She was too engrossed with her thoughts she didn't notice a hole on the pavement. What seemed like a slow motion scene from a movie, Darcey stepped into the hole and lost her balance. She expected to fall flat on her face, like the klutz that she thought she was.
The previous night's dew was evident on the ground, the earth moist like melted chocolate dirt. She half expected the mud to hit her face in the face when strong arms captured and held her. She didn’t get a view of the person's face right away. She smelled his scent. He smelled crisp and clean, the smell of beaches in Cornwall.
Darcey had her hands on his shoulders and her face buried into his chest. He was definitely fit, the hard muscles were hard to miss beneath her skin. She quickly looked up and their faces were so closed to each other. She could feel the short stubble on his face and smell his aftershave. She recognize him as Dimitri. Not a bird, not a plane. Superman in the flesh.
Heat rushed to her face. She secretly wished that the hole would eat her up alive.
"Whoopsey, " he whispered softly in her ear. He looked relieved, his eyes never leaving hers.
She felt at a loss for words. Dimitri slowly, almost hesitatingly, settled her back on her feet.
"Thanks," she muttered, just above a whisper.
“Are you ok?" He gently shook her from her shock.
“Yes, sorry. I wasn't …um paying, um... I didn't see the hole."
She pretended to check her watch and then gave him a hurried excuse that she needed to get back to her flat. He looked almost disappointed right before she turned around and jogged her way back home.
Back in her flat, Darcey set to carry on with her daily routine. She quickly showered and put clothes on. She chose to wear her favourite black trousers, her go-to ballet flats with the pretty ribbons and blue sparkles. This pair always added colour to her outfits. She put on a white chiffon top with black stud buttons, another favourite. She love the top so much she owned two identical pieces. To keep warm while looking her best she put on an inherited dog-toothed Chanel blazer, a gift from her mum after Darcey graduated from university. She topped off her look with simple day make-up and lip-gloss.
Darcey glanced at the watch on her wall and grabbed her bag. She looked for her keys and after a desperate search found them on one of the desks. She ran downstairs, braving the chill weather once more that day. She was walking briskly to catch the train. One look at the sky told her it was going to be raining again soon. As if on cue, the dark clouds gave in and it poured down hard.
Darn! How is it possible I have no umbrella with me!
She never failed to carry an umbrella, especially with London weather being as unpredictable as a woman's mood. She scolded herself for not bringing one. She was going to be really soaked. The train was a good 15-minute walk away and even with a fast-paced walk she knew she would be drenched by the time she reached Finsbury Park station.
As she was contemplating whether to run back home and grab an umbrella Darcey quickly noticed the raindrops halting. Strange. What?
She realized there was someone holding an umbrella next to her. Curiosity filled up her mind and she looked to her side to find out who was the owner of the umbrella that was providing shelter from the angry raindrops. She turned her neck to look and found herself staring into the same dark brown eyes, brown like roasted chestnuts, that expressed the same warmth. A smile was forming on his face, deepening the dimples on both cheeks.
"Thanks,” she beamed at him. “It's the second time today you came to my rescue.” She felt nervous.
"Yea, I was worried Superman had been neglecting his duty, not being there to catch you, or make sure you don’t get wet.” He cocked his head. His eyes narrowed and he added, “You sure you have the right address? I'm pretty sure I had not seen anyone flying in and out the windows.” He made her chuckle and they walked towards the station. Darcey felt herself relax.
"Where you headed to?" She spoke first.
"I’m off to the gym. I own a small gym by Shoreditch. I’m a personal trainer.”
“Oh, that explains plenty,” she replied. Then realizing he was waiting for her to continue, she added, “…that you like jogging. She felt heat rising to her cheeks again. She tried to hide what was really in her head. Darcey cleared her throat, realizing that moment was the best opportunity to invite him to dinner.
"Dimitri, it looks like my debt to you is increasing and one day you might charge me interest fees.” She turned to look at him as they waite
d for the pedestrian light to turn green. “I was wondering if I could invite you over for dinner. I would like to thank you for today and repay you before my debts start piling up."
She wanted to congratulate herself for sounding casual, professional even. But her stomach was full of butterflies. Flashing him a sincere smile with little hesitation on her part, she stared at his face. She knew her face had a hopeful look, one that suggested she was praying for him to say yes yet bracing herself for rejection at the same time.
For what almost felt like a lifetime, he bit his lower lip and replied, "Why, that would be a good idea, Darcey. Shall I come in a Superman costume?” He teased with such rasp in his voice. It made him sound sexy. His eyes were dancing with satisfaction.
They stared at each other like two love-struck teenagers in a teeny-bopper movie. She was mesmerized by his breathtaking gaze. She felt like she was drowning in those chocolate eyes. She smiled and he smiled back. The air held a complimenting silence between them.
They both jerked when the sound and green man replaced the red light on the street light. He held out a hand to escort her on the zebra crossing and she took hold of his hand. They walked hand in hand, both smiling.
Chapter 6
The train’s PA system announced Darcey’s stop. She had to keep herself from giggling at the announcer’s accent. Even the man across her carried a startled look on his face. London was a hub of immigrants from all over the world. That was clear to see based on the tourists, foreign students and transit-workers on the train.
Her stop was Green Park. Darcey rose from her seat and realized people were giving her a funny look. During the whole duration of the ride she was grinning, smiling silly all by herself. She tried to ignore the weird looks her fellow travellers in the carriage gave her. People on British trains didn’t tend to talk to each other. It was rare to see a smile from a stranger. In some few occasions American tourists freely gave out greetings. Some would talk loudly about the things they loved or hated about London.
That day there were fashionable Japanese tourists dressed in unique outfits. Little kids stared at other passengers simply because they could, being children and all. Despite the train being so cramped, especially since it was the morning rush hour, Darcey was ecstatic and deliriously happy. She couldn’t imagine how she got Superman's attention. How lucky could she be? It was like all the constellations finally came together and decided to send a guy, the kind she was looking for. Deep set brown eyes, dimples on both cheeks—his features were her weakness. And that athletic built, a reward from hours of physical activities, no doubt. A cute bum.
She continued to daydream about Dimitri as she stepped off the train, walking briskly towards her boss' castle of a home. October had fully welcomed autumn with open arms. Brown and orange leaves on the ground were sprayed with a tiny bit of what was considered London sunshine.
The sight of fall made Darcey smile even brighter. She could sniff the aroma of fresh coffee from the French, Italian and American cafes that were rampant on the high street. Something about the leaves and the smell of fresh coffee added more romance to the whimsical encounter she experienced with Dimitri.
When she finally got to the grand house of the Leightons she took her keys out. As she was about to turn the key in the lock, Mr. Leighton stepped out of the house. He wasn’t very tall, more stout than lean and had a grey balding hairline. Darcey had met him only a few times and those moments were brief. She couldn’t remember saying more than a sentence to him.
Stress was written all over Mr. Leighton’s face. He typically seemed grumpy but that day he looked extra pessimistic.
"Good Morning, Mr. Leighton." She sounded polite yet tried to avoid eye contact.
He studied her for a second and said, "Are you the new nanny?"
She shook her head. "No sir, well. I, uh…. I'm actually your wife's PA."
"Well, I think you have to work as a nanny until we find a new one.” He coughed a bit. “What is your name, again?" His eyes appraised her, the expression on his face held reservation. It was embarrassing to be under such scrutiny.
"Darcey Vaughn." She felt nervous.
He motioned for his driver to bring his car forward, a luxury model with a name Darcey couldn’t bring herself to pronounce with confidence.
He turned to her as the art piece of a car rolled forward, a uniformed driver behind the wheel.
"How can you even stand my wife?” It wasn't a question.
"By the way,” he added, “please tell Max I won't be able to take him to the Chelsea match. I have a meeting on Wednesday.”
Darcey nodded, her eyes shifting between the older gentleman and the car that probably cost as much as her flat. She wasn’t sure where her stare should rest.
After the awkward pause, he added, "Maybe you can take him? The season passes are with my wife." That wasn’t a question, either.
He walked to his silver ride. Darcey pushed the heavy oak door open and hung her coat.
"Here you are, Darcey,” cried Mrs. Leighton, looking up from the magazine she was reading. “I'm so glad you're here. I mean, Maria just left without giving us a month's notice!”
Her boss was seated on the sofa. Mrs. Leighton took a sip of tea. “How rude of her, isn’t it? Now I know why Carmen doesn't like her. Go run upstairs, Carmen is waiting for you. Max can dress himself and will join you. Then once you've dropped them off, I made a list of all the errands for today.”
Darcey nodded politely.
Looking pleased with herself, Mrs. Leighton carried on, “I took the liberty of printing a list so it will be easier for you." She handed Darcey a piece of paper. Her boss looked smug, proud of her good deeds, as if she was handing her assistant a present rather than a list of work to do.
Great, Darcey thought to herself. I not only have two jobs with the same pay but I also now feel indebted to my boss who’s painfully trying her best to be kind by giving me less load.
Luckily Darcey woke up on the right side of the bed that day and was still nursing the more than pleasant hangover from her double encounter with Superman. This kept her from protesting at work.
As Darcey entered Carmen's room upstairs, she scoped the princess bedroom. It was to die for. Any five year old would have died of envy at the sight of the girlie space. An emerging artist was commissioned by the Leightons to paint the delicate walls, creating an Alice in Wonderland experience. The bed was enormous. It was pink with a ballerina print duvet cover and a collection of zoo animals occupied the bed.
Carmen was wide awake, playing with an electronic tablet. Darcey tapped on the wall.
"Carmen. Time for get ready for school. "
No reply.
"Carmen, enough with the games. We need to get dressed.” She ordered using a gentle yet authoritative voice. “I don't know your room too well and we don't have time, sweetie.” She added the last sentence more forcefully. The little girl still pretended not to hear.
Darcey walked towards the little girl and sat on her soft and luxurious bed. "Carmen." She tried to stay calm. Finally the little girl looked up and stared at Darcey with cute cornflower blue eyes. The little girl looked as if she was trying to figure out what Darcey was saying.
Carmen was one of the cutest girls in the world with her angelic blonde locks. One had to resist the urge to pinch her rosy chubby cheeks.
"Where is Maria? You work for mummy don't you?" The little girl had a curious look on her face.
"Well, Carmen, Maria can no longer work for you because she has things to attend to.” Darcey gently patted Carmen’s porcelain face. “So, until your mummy finds you a permanent nanny, it looks like I’ll be taking you to school, picking you up and helping you with homework."
"It's all my fault because I have nits, that's why Maria left, isn't it?" The little gave her a cute pout.
"No sweetie. It isn't that at all. You know what? We will get rid of these nits in no time,” Darcey replied, stroking the five year old’s golden locks.
“And, if you're good, after school I’ll take you to my friend's cafe and get you a treat—a hot cocoa with marshmallows and maybe some cake."
"I can't have gluten," Carmen informed her.
"That's OK because the chef makes gluten-free brownies, too."
"It's got sugar but I guess it's fine if I was being well behaved and I deserved it right?" Carmen’s reply was full of innocence and her face looked eager.
"Yes, and we can even cook brownies here. I happen to know how to bake brownies. But for now we need to get you in your school uniform and take you to school. Today we can pass by the café to get our special treat.” Darcey winked at Carmen.
"Darcey, I really like Maria a lot but you're my second best nanny." Carmen handed over her tablet. Darcey got the little girl ready in her uniform.
As she was brushing the kindergarten’s hair, Carmen looked up and proclaimed, “You need to tie your hair, you know, because you can catch my nits. I learned that from my school assembly."
Be Mine This Christmas: A Lovers in London Book Page 5
