Nanny Diaries 3 - Pride and Prejudice

Revolution

Rather like Karen Davenport, as was, Miss Danvers was a competent nanny. She had nine dependent nurslings to look after, plus whatever she did for Mama and Madeleine, with only the maid to help her with the work, but she imposed a routine and stuck to it like glue. She was not affectionate, and she really did not like anyone to have any fun on her watch, but we were all very clean, perfectly presented and constantly focused on what we were all supposed to be doing. She was very strict, and far too quick to punish in my opinion, but she was consistent, and persistent, efficient and attentive. If we all behaved perfectly, she left her paddle in reserve and worked us harder. And that entire week, we were all perfect for her. Most of that was just about normal, because Caris, Natalie, Naomi and the Brewster sisters were all really good little girls, and I urged Nicola and Camilla not to do anything to risk annoying her. My darling Caris had regressed in her first year in the nursery. She wanted to be good, more than anything, and Henrietta, Georgina and Philippa followed her lead, although I could see that they were finding the changes to our blended family hard to cope with. Their grandparents had been travelling for some weeks, on a cruise, and in that time, the world had turned, and they were not sure what was happening to them. But they worshipped Caris, and loved me, and between us we got them all to keep their heads down and just do as they were told, like the angels they were.

Miss Danvers was quite delighted, of course. Our blind obedience proved her worth, and she became, if anything, more imperious. Helen Hughes bore the brunt of that, I fear. Miss Danvers treated her with disdain in our presence, and I longed for her to say or do something to stop the monster bullying her, but Helen seemed incapable. She was allowed to help feed us, and even came to school to collect us on the Friday afternoon, but always under discipline. None of us got to talk to her, and she could not say a word to us. Meaningful looks were exchanged, but I could not be sure that she was getting my message. My strategy up until that point was entirely defensive. I was not going to give Danvers the chance to hurt my sisters. I did not care so much what she did to me, and I was the perfect nursling for her, leading by example. But then, on the Friday afternoon, the inevitable flashpoint arrived, and I was forced to act.

Naomi got upset. She was still only thirteen, and after her year in the nursery, she really was the baby of the family. It was probably just tiredness, after a long week at school, but she really wanted her Mummy to feed her before bedtime. Everyone was out of the bath, and Helen was in the nursery to help with our bottles, but Nanny gave Naomi to the maid to feed, already in her sleepsuit, and the poor dear burst into tears and struggled a little. I was standing right next to them, still wrapped in towels, waiting to be put in my own suit, and I watched Miss Danvers drag Naomi away and smack her leg. It would not have hurt much, through the sleepsuit, but we all knew that she was going to spank poor Naomi, and I reacted instinctively. If it had been me, I would have just let Naomi go to her mother. But Danvers did not think like that, and she was going to punish, not nurture. And I refused to let her do it. I just barged in-between them and put myself in the firing line. Danvers slapped my face. It all happened so quickly. I am not sure that anyone said anything. Not until Helen found her voice.

"You will leave my girls alone." She growled, as her pacifier fell to the floor.

"You will remember your place, Mrs Hughes." Miss Danvers snapped, moving around me to get to Naomi. And I hit her back, rather hard, using my fist rather than the flat of my hand and connecting with her nose. I was only wearing my nappy. I let the towels fall to the floor and stood over her, ready to strike again, but Helen, resplendent in her afternoon gown, floated into the fray and took charge.

"My place...you bitch...is to be the mother of these girls...and you are fired...and if you do not leave this nursery now, either Daphne or I will hurt you again," Helen snarled, as Danvers slumped on the floor, wiping blood from her nose. The maid moved forwards, as if she wanted to intervene, but Nicola pushed her out of the way. "Girls...Daphne...look after yourselves for a few minutes...I am going to see Miss Danvers and her stooge off the premises, and then I am going to talk to your Papa...but don't worry, no one is getting the paddle tonight."