Naturally, he was certain they could find them. Resigned to cooperating with his efforts, she stepped back and let him try allhis tricks. It felt like it took forever, but eventually he gave up. Perhaps he’d seen the pair of young male customers entering the shop, but he quickly produced a box containing a cheap phone that looked similar to the one she had lost. He smiled stiffly then passed her off to another employee whose English wasn’t so great, but at least he knew how to ring up a sale. Finally, with her little bag containing her new phone and charge cord, she left the store. Some of life’s obnoxious challenges, it seemed, were global.
Although she was more than ready to go home—or what she thought of as home for the moment—she felt she needed to enjoy her day off a bit more. The charming gelato shop with its striped awnings called her name, and she decided to treat herself to a frozen treat. She ordered a peach gelato, took it outside, and sat at one of the little tables. Again, she wondered if the children would enjoy something like this. Or was this considered too humdrum for a prince and princess? For some reason, when she was with the children, she forgot about the royalty baggage. They were just kids. She didn’t treat them differently than anyone else. But today she was cognizant of their status, trying to imagine how their lives might feel different. Or maybe she was overthinking it.
As she walked back to the Land Rover, she wondered how their river cruise might go. She would treat them like she always did, but what if someone else knew they were royalty? Would that change things? She had no idea. Mrs. Warner had not expressed any concerns about a trip like that, so Meredith figured she shouldn’t worry either. As far as she knew, Kat and Mishka were looking forward to the outing. Perhaps they would do like Mrs. Warner had said and go tomorrow. Why not? She had to laugh at herself as she started the engine. For a nanny’s day off, she sure had spent a lot of time obsessing over her two charges. How was it possible that after just two weeks, thosetwo kids had gotten under her skin like that? Maybe it was just loneliness.
13
On her way home, Meredith remembered her intention to call Carrie before the workday ended at the consulate. Seeing a pretty countryside pullout, she stopped to test her new phone. Carrie’s consulate business card was in her purse, and after a bit, she got Carrie on the other end of the call.
“I’m so happy to hear from you,” Carrie gushed. “I was just thinking about you this morning. How are you?”
“I’m doing great.” She described her delightful day off.
“Wow, I’m jealous. And what about the kids? Are there a dozen of them? I forgot to ask Mrs. Warner when I called.”
Meredith laughed. “Only two. But they were a bit of a handful at first. They’ve settled down some.”
“Well, I’m so happy for you.”
Meredith explained she wanted to send the repayment for the loan. “I meant to get traveler’s checks or something in town but forgot.”
“There’s no hurry. Just do it when you can. And you can send anything here to my work. It’ll be fine.”
Meredith told her about the river cruise she wanted to take the kids on. “How about if I send it then?”
“Perfect.”
They chatted a bit longer and then Carrie had to return to work. Meredith thanked her for the umpteenth time, and as they hung up, realized once again what a blessing Carrie had been. Truly a guardian angel.
She looked longingly at her phone. If only she could call Dad. Then she remembered the school where he taught. The administration office would be open. Vera, the secretary, would likely be there. She could get Dad’s number from her. She did a quick mental calculation of the time difference and realized it might be too early for the office to be open. But a quick online search unearthed the school’s number. She could probably leave a message.
Via voicemail, she explained her lost phone situation and about being a nanny in Austria. Finally, she asked Vera to text her Dad’s cell phone number. “I know he and Mike and Brad are on the PCT right now, but I had hoped to at least text him.” Realizing she was over-sharing, she thanked Vera and hung up.
By the time she returned to the villa, she was happily worn out but eager to see the children. They didn’t appear to be outside, so she went in through the kitchen. Mrs. Warner, who was preparing dinner, looked up with a slightly weary expression. “You’re back.”
“Yes. It was a wonderful day. How were the children? Were they good for you?”
Mrs. Warner wiped her forehead with the back of her hand and sighed. “I’m sorry to report they were their usual cantankerous selves.”
“Really?” Meredith was disappointed. “Where are they now?”
“I made them go to their rooms.”
“Well, that’s where they usually are this time of day for academia hour.”
“I sent them there several hours ago.”
“Oh?”
“They just bickered and fought. I couldn’t take it anymore.”
“I’m sorry.” Meredith felt guilty now. “I’ll talk to them.”
“Dinner will be in an hour.”
As she went upstairs, she wasn’t sure how she would talk to them. Part of her wanted to scold them, but another part of her warned that she needed to hear their side of things first—probably more for Kat’s sake than Mishka’s. If she wanted her befriending plan to work with Kat, she shouldn’t come down on her like a ton of bricks. She was less concerned about Mishka since he seemed determined to please her. And for that reason, she decided to visit his room first.
She put her bags in her room then tapped quietly on his door. When he didn’t answer, she opened it to find him lying on his bed with a lost expression and tear trails on his flushed cheeks. “Mishka?” She went over to check on him, worried he was hurt or ill.
