Nanny Diaries 2 - The New Litter

The American Dream

Despite the ungodly hour, our disgustingly early morning arrival in Los Angeles was hardly unobtrusive. I was wearing my distinctive uniform, and pushing Caris in her pushchair, whilst Bella walked beside us in her voluminous gown and cloak, so we attracted quite a few looks as we progressed through immigration and customs. But no one knew why we were there, and I was quite relieved about that, really. Because I was expecting there to be a lot of press interest in the fate of the Bethlehem Sisters as soon as the news about Mr Durante broke. They were big news in Britain, but I suspected that they were bigger in the States, and I was a little nervous about being caught in the middle of a media furore. I must admit that I had my concerns about Mr Brewster's intentions with his granddaughters. I was not at all sure that it was the right thing to do, even without the possibility of negative publicity. But I was being paid to do a job and that was what I decided to concentrate on, whilst also recognising that the three girls would need looking after. If their father was in serious trouble with the law, and I had to admit that getting arrested by the FBI sounded serious, they were effectively alone in the world. If Mr Brewster did not take them on, I had no idea what would happen to them. So, I girded my loins and prepared to do my best for everyone.

Mr Brewster had sent a car to collect us, and I got the girls in, all of us in fine fettle, thanks to sleeping well on the flight, and we were whisked away to a magnificent house in what our driver told me was Beverley Hills. It had electric gates, and high walls, and it was huge. There was a swimming pool, palm trees and some very large cars parked outside. I got Caris out, as the driver hauled our luggage out of the trunk, leaving Bella to slide out of her door, and stood up, with Caris clinging to my side, to be greeted by a young woman, probably not that much older than me, wearing sunglasses, white jeans and a leopard skin blouse.

"You're the nanny, right? But who the fuck are these freaks? I already told Brewster that we have instructions from the studio, so you are going to be unemployed...but you can stay in one of the guest cottages until they arrange a flight for you..." She began, talking fast and not really bothering to check if I was following her or not, and I must admit that I lost my temper. I am a calm person, in normal circumstances. Working with children, it is important to be cool and to maintain at least an illusion of serenity, even when the little ones are throwing tantrums, but I did not even know who the woman was, and I did not appreciate her language in front of Caris and Bella.

"Kindly moderate your language in front of the children," I huffed as I straightened up and treated her to a look of what I hoped was icy disdain. "I have no idea who you are, but I am here to take care of the Durante girls, acting on instructions from Mr Brewster, who has been awarded custody of Faith, Hope and Charity...as I believe they are called here. I will be staying in the main house, and you...whoever you are...will stay out of my way!"

"I am Candy Wellman...personal assistant to Mr Durante...and we have our own lawyers on the case, sweetie...so, take your Mary Poppins act and shove it up your..."

"Miss Wellman...I thought I had already dispensed with your services," Ben Brewster said as he appeared from the house, just in the nick of time. He was quite old, about sixty, and he looked tired and rather sad, but he had an air of authority and I was very glad to see him, as that was not the welcome that I had been expecting.

"We have contracts to honour...and I am taking the girls to the studio, which is where they want to be..." Miss Wellman retorted, but she immediately sounded less sure of herself, I was delighted to hear. "You are costing us millions...Brad is going to sue your arse, and the studio too...you ridiculous old man! You can't fire me; I don't work for you...and those girls need to get back to work..."

"Get off this property, young lady...if you are still here in five minutes, I will call the police to remove you...and do not return," Mr Brewster said, his eyes narrowing as he pointed her to the gate. "And leave the car...that belongs to the family...test me if you dare, but you will end up in trouble with the police! Miss Scott...do please come inside with me...we have a lot to discuss..."