His Nanny

5. Saving Elsie

Elsie jumped into my lap at the sound of her uncles voice and wrapped her hands around me. Before I could say anything her head was buried into my neck. She clearly didn't like Dr. Ross.

"Dr. Ross, please calm down. She's absolutely fine. We're just having a cookie and some milk to calm down before going back to nursery."

I looked at him square in the eye and he seemed to relax slightly while a look of pity took over his face.

I rubbed Elsie's back and she started to bring her head out to look at me. I smiled at her and she looked a little calmer.

"Eat your cookie sweetie while me and Uncle Adam have a little chat ok?" She nodded at me and took the cookie from my hand but not moving from my lap.

"Dr. Ross, have you spoken to Elsie about why she keeps running away from nursery?"

"What? Of course I have. Her only response is to shrug her shoulders. She won't speak to me."

"Well, I've spoken to her and from what I can gather, Miss Jones likes to place Elsie on the naughty carpet. Elsie dropped her water today and was told to sit there. Personally, I completely disagree with such a thing in a nursery, especially using it for accidents that little ones will have often!"

He just stares at me speechless.

"I think the reason why she refuses to talk to you is because you come rushing in like a bull in a china shop and it's quite scary. You need to remember that she is a child not an adult and you have to alter your strategy to get answers from her."

He smiles then and it shocks me more than him having a temper. His emotions switch quicker than the British weather.

"Once again, you're right Sophia—"

"Fee-Fee" Elsie seems to have found her voice and she's correcting him. Shoot!

"Err, it's fine Elsie. Uncle Adam can call me Sophia." I wriggle my nose and she bursts out laughing.

Dr. Ross just looks back and fourth between us and smirks. He knows he's missed something and is dying to know what.

"Www, Uncie Adam not Fee-Fee's friend."

He looks at his niece skeptically and then at me.

"What on earth are we talking about?"

I just laugh along with Elsie. We sound like two little giggling girls. I tickle her gently on the side and shush her. Little monkey!

"Nothing."

"Of course. You're filled with surprises Sophia aren't you?" I just shrug my shoulders and he seems to find it amusing. "You seem to have a lot in coming with Elsie too!" I notice his comment was linked to the shrug so I shrug again which gets an even bigger smile from him and a shake of the head.

"Dr. Ross, I think it's important that you take the time to listen to her even if it takes you a while. I know you're a very busy man but she should be on the top of your list." This brings the serious side of him back and he looks very sad for a moment before masking it. So that's where Elsie gets it from.

"Elsie why don't you tell Uncle Adam what you learnt about him today?" I smile at her and she giggles before looking at him and smiling even brighter.

"You're a superhero Uncie Adam!" She giggles even louder and I can't take my eyes off her.

"I'm a what?" He sounds incredulous and I have to chuckle.

"You help people. Fee-Fee says you a superhero!" She shouts the last word and I blush a little at the look Dr. Ross is giving me.

"Did she now? Well just remember it's a secret. Don't tell anybody about it though ok? We'll keep it between us three." She looks at him seriously and holds her pinky out to him. He clearly has no idea what to do so I hold mine out to her and she shakes mine and he does the same with her.