The New Nanny

The Nanny

EMILY

I trapse into my sister's lush penthouse after yet another failed job interview. 

"Hey Em, how did it go?" My sister, Sandie looks up from the laptop, balanced on her crossed legs.

"Terrible! I have no skills to work in a bloody office!" I throw myself down on the couch next to her.

"What about the agency?"

"Not a peep since the last family moved away....I miss it."

My actual qualifications were in nannying and it was what I really loved. Unfortunately, the last family I had been with ended up moving to Australia. That was almost 4 months ago, and I've had no offers since, leading me to having to move in with my big sister, Sandie.

She moves her laptop onto the arm of the sofa, before wrapping an arm around me.

"There's no rush my love, you're welcome to stay here as long as you want."

"Thanks...but it's about time I paid my way."

I knew my sister certainly didn't need the money. She had worked hard through her twenties and at the age of just 35, she was head architect at one of the leading firms in London. She moved from our sleepy Suffolk village to London for school 12 years ago and wherever my big sister went, I always followed.

"Wine?" asks Sandie with a smile, I return it with my own.

"You're the best sister ever."

****

Come Monday morning, Sandie has already left for work and I'm trying to multi-task, eating my breakfast whilst scanning for jobs online. As I take a bite of my toast, my phone rings and I spit it out when I see Andrea's name pop up on the screen. She works for the nannying agency I previously worked for, but I haven't heard from her for ages. In my excitement, I almost hang up on her. 

"Hi Andrea." 

"Hey Em, sorry I haven't been in touch for a while...but I've got good news."

"Really? Is it a job?"

"Yup, it's a pretty high profile one too." I can hear the smile in her voice. "I thought of you as soon as it came up. Have you heard of John Hawthorne?" I feel my heart speed up as I hear her say the familiar name.

"As in the actor?"

"That's the one. He moved from the States a couple of months ago with his family. He's been away a lot and his wife is struggling with her own business. They are pretty desperate for a live-in nanny if you're interested?"

"Of course!" In my excitement, I practically yell it down the phone to her and hear her chuckle.

"Perfect, I'll set up a meet. " I can hear her typing away on her keyboard. "Just one thing, the wife, Maria can be a little...difficult."

"I'm an expert at difficult, Andrea."

"Don't I know it. I'll send you a message with a time once I've spoken to Miss. Hawthorne."

"Thank you so much."

"Don't thank me yet....speak soon."

Hanging up the phone, I can't help but let out a little scream. THE John Hawthorne! The man is a massive movie star and a gorgeous one at that. I have to call Sandie and let her know.

She picks up on the third ring.

"You alright, Em?" She sounds concerned, as I try not to bother her at work, but this just can't wait.