Nanny Diaries 2 - The New Litter

Christmas Eve

"Such pretty dresses, Helen...and I love what you have done with Daphne's hair." My mother said, as Mama handed her a cup of coffee. She was sitting on the big sofa in the drawing room right next to the playpen, where I was sitting next to the bars, closest to her, sucking hard on my pacifier. It was Christmas Eve, and our holiday guests were starting to arrive. Mum and my father were among the first, and Helen Hughes was fussing over them. Mum kept looking down at me, as if she could not quite believe her eyes.

"She needs to grow it a lot more, but ringlets suit her, I think." Helen smiled, pleased with the compliment, taking the seat next to mum. My sisters and I were all wearing dark red velvet dresses with gold sashes. Mum, much to my eternal surprise, presumably out of respect for our hosts, was wearing a full gown, royal blue and white. She looked incredible. I kept looking at her, bewildered by her appearance. "Once you have had your coffee, I'll get her out and you can have a cuddle, but I do like to keep them in the playpen when we have guests."

"Only if it is convenient, Helen...she can stay there with her sisters, otherwise...we will have plenty of time together whilst we are here and we do not want to inconvenience you at all...she has caused you enough trouble already." Mum said, giving me one of her sterner looks. I bowed my head and blushed furiously. She was obviously cross with me. I did not know why, because I was being good, but she did not seem to be pleased to see me.

"As I am sure Sheila Blackstone told you, it is not so unusual...maidenhood is never easy to get used to, even if a girl has had a traditional upbringing...which Daphne has not enjoyed, of course...and Daphne really is doing much better since we started taking a tougher line." Helen assured her, offering some case for the defence at least, although I was sure she was still a little disappointed in me. But I was still being good, despite provocation from Bella, Annie and Miss Davenport, and she seemed to appreciate that, even if the sight of my mother in Reformist garb had rather unnerved me. I did not understand anything anymore. "She will make us all proud of her yet, I am sure."

"Sheila did explain everything...and you have our full support, Helen." Mum said, raising an eyebrow at me.

"Indeed, you do," Dad added, looking smart in his best suit. "Daphne made a commitment to you and the church...and she has a wonderful opportunity here to make a good life for herself here, in the future. I will happily spank her myself if we have any more nonsense...she needs to keep her promises and knuckle down."

"Personally, I think she was run down...she just wasn't looking after herself properly." Mum said, reaching out to pet my head and straighten my velvet bow. "She does suffer a little from OCD you know, Helen...I think she needs this little firebreak to recharge her batteries and get her head around things."

"No, Elizabeth...I didn't know that...but it really does explain a lot...and I do blame myself for letting her work so hard," Helen frowned and I closed my eyes, getting rather tired of people talking about me, over me, all the time. "But she has been getting twelve hours sleep a night for the last week, plus some afternoon naps and a proper diet..."

"Oh, yes...that will certainly help...I am sure she didn't eat properly at Norland..."

"I must admit that I noticed her eating habits, when she first started working for us...she had a tendency to graze, and snack...but now she is getting lots of fish, fruit and vegetables...and no alcohol or coffee, of course." Helen continued, fanning just about all of my mother's worries about me ever since I left home, to go to college. But then Miss Davenport came in, carrying a bottle and the mood changed, for me, at least. "And here is Nanny now, right on cue...Miss Davenport, Elizabeth and Barry...Miss Davenport is taking most of the real strain, in terms of settling Daphne..."

"Pleased to meet you, Mr and Mrs Scott...I brought a bottle for Daphne...it is a bit early for her, but I thought you would enjoy feeding her, Mrs Scott?" Karen beamed, shaking hands with dad before giving mum the bottle. I was extracted from the playpen and settled on mum's lap in seconds, and Helen helped her get me started. I remained passive, and submissive.