After all, she was a woman alone. And other than Carrie and Faith, she was on her own in this country. But underneath everything, she felt a deep peace. Somehow, as crazy as the circumstances seemed, she felt that God was leading her. But she also knew that feelings weren’t always facts.
4
“That went well,” Carrie said once they were alone in the living room.
“It did. But I don’t know what to say…or think.” Meredith slowly shook her head. “It happened so quickly. I don’t even see why he thought he should hire me.”
“Well, let’s hear whathis manhas to say.” Carrie motioned toward a door now opening.
The “man” introduced himself simply as Geoff then began to explain to Meredith that the children were on holiday at the family’s villa outside of Vienna. “The butler and housekeeper are with them, so they are not unsupervised. But they are without a governess. Or anannyas Master Spencer says. And the housekeeper is most eager for help to arrive. So unless you are unable, we can arrange your transport for this afternoon. The limo and chauffeur will return after transporting the master to the helipad. Can you be ready by, say, four o’clock?”
Meredith glanced at Carrie, who shrugged. “I don’t see why not,” Meredith said quietly. And really, what did she have to get ready?
“But where is she going?” Carrie asked him.
He reached to an inside pocket and produced a card. “This is the location and phone number.”
“Oh?” Meredith looked at the card written in German then handed it to Carrie, and Geoff handed her a second one. “Okay,” she told Geoff. “I can be ready by four. Where do I go?”
“Just bring your luggage to the lobby downstairs and wait there. The chauffeur will bring in a placard with your name. Does that work for you?”
“Yes, thank you.” Still, everything about this was surreal, and dizziness almost overcame her. She felt like Dorothy in Oz, wishing she could click the heels of those ruby red slippers and go home. She’d never missed home more.
“Okay then,” Carrie answered firmly, like she was playing Marge in Charge for both of them, acting like all would be just fine. “We will call the number on this card, and if it all checks out, Meredith will be ready by four.”
“Very good.” Geoff was already making his way to the door, as if it were time to go. Just like that, they were riding down the elevator again.
“Was that for real?” Meredith asked. “Because I’m seriously dazed and slightly confused.”
“To be honest, I’m a bit dazed myself.”
“Do you trust them?”
“I plan to call the number here and find out,” she assured Meredith as the doors opened to the lobby. “In the meantime, can I treat you to a coffee?”
Meredith frowned at her. “I don’t know. Last time I was offered coffee in Vienna, I got taken to the cleaners.”
Carrie just laughed then hooked her arm. “Listen, honey, you’ve got nothing I want.”
“I know. I guess I’m just gun shy. Or coffee shy.”
“Well, you gotta face your fears, girlfriend.” She held up the business card. “Let’s place our orders and then I’ll give them a jingle.”
While Meredith waited for their coffees and pastry, Carrie made the phone call. After several minutes she returned with a broad grin. “The woman on the other end sounds legit. She’s British, and she confirmed she was employed by Spencer Hawthorne. Her name is Ella Warner, and she’s the housekeeper. Her husband of more than twenty years, Howard, is the butler and chauffeur. They’ve been with the family for about fifteen years. She described the summer villa where you’ll be staying and even the room you will have, which all sounds quite nice. And she assured me she’ll do her best to freshen it up for you today. She’s eager to have you come and lighten her load. The last two nannies didn’t last long. She went on quite a bit about what a handful the children can be. Her job is to cook, clean, do laundry, and manage the entire home, which she pointed out multiple times is more than enough for a woman her age. Poor woman, she sounded exhausted.”
“Did she say how many kids?” Suddenly, Meredith was imagining dozens. “Or anything about the mother?”
Carrie’s brow creased. “No. And she didn’t actually say a number. But goodness, she sounded so overwhelmed, there may be houseful. How would you feel about that?”
Meredith shrugged. “Well, I sometimes sat at children’s homes for a weekend to be the grownup while the house-parents took some time off. Children’s homes are like a dormitory for school-aged kids on the main base—ones who have parents working in remote villages. They were definitely housefuls. But I managed. And we had fun.”
“You’re a brave woman, Meredith.”
“Not sure I have much choice.”
“Well, if it doesn’t work out, I’m sure you can leave.” Carrie pulled a business card from her purse, writing something on the back. “This is my number at the embassy, and I’ll put my number and Faith’s on the back. Just in case.”
“Thanks.” Meredith looked at the borrowed blazer. “And thank you for loaning me this, but don’t let me forget to give it back.”
