Oh, shit. What is he doing? I can’t do without her. How would I work?
Her face turns the brightest shade of pink. “Who are you to come into this house and tell me what to do?” She’s almost breathing fire. “My hours are seven a.m. to seven p.m., and I’ll continue to work during that time until I’m told otherwise.”
“Okay,” Tommy says, standing tall and slightly more intimidating than my Pitbull nanny. “Otherwise.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t follow,” she says blankly.
Tommy raises an eyebrow. “You said you work seven a.m. to seven p.m. until you’re told otherwise. So, I’m tellingyou ‘otherwise.’ You’re done here and no longer needed by Mrs Knox.”
I turn around to face him and mouth, “What are you doing?”
“I’ve got you,” he mouths back.
I swallow hard at his words, worried sick. What the hell is happening?
“You’re not my employer, so I’ll take no notice of what you have to say unless I hear it from Mrs Knox herself.”
“I—” I want to tell her I don’t think she’s a suitable fit for our family, but what’s stopping me is the fear of not having anyone to help when I need it most. What do I do? The way my discussion went with Chris earlier means working from home more. It might not be a bad thing.
“Mrs Knox?” she questions again.
“Yes. I, um—” I can’t find the right words without hurting her feelings.
“You’ll be paid up to the end of the month, with a little extra for the inconvenience.” Tommy steps in.
Agatha looks at me for confirmation and I give it when I bow my head. He said he’s got me and I believe him.
“I see. I suppose there’s nothing more to discuss. I’ll gather up my things.” As she doesn’t live in, there isn’t a lot for her to collect. She soon walks sheepishly towards the cloakroom, and we wait in silence, exchanging eye contact until she finally comes into the hall. By this time, Tommy is waiting with the door open.
“Goodbye then, Mrs Knox. I wish you much luck for the future. You’re going to need it.”
“That’s enough,” Tommy growls. Agatha gives him an evil glare and flares her nostrils as she walks past, but it doesn’t faze Tommy. He simply slams the door behind her. “Jesus, what a dragon.”
I sigh as I head back to the lounge and drop myself on the sofa. “Well, it looks as though Chris got his wish. I’ll call the office in the morning and tell them I’m working from home.”
“No need,” Tommy says as he sits beside me. “We can share my nanny until you find someone else. And don’t worry. I’ll cover Angina’s extra wages too. I realise I offered it without checking with you.”
“I can’t let you do that.”
“Yeah, you can.” He spreads his arms across the back of the sofa. “I’ll be in Braebeach for a few more weeks, so it gives you time to look for someone new and better. Come off it, Angie. She was a goat.”
I let out a giggle, but what he said wasn’t lost in the humour. He’s not planning on staying in town much longer. It’s a shame. I liked having him around today. “Thanks, Tommy. I appreciate you helping me out. You don’t have to.”
“I want to.” He smiles softly and the connection we found so easily in the car earlier, returns. We don’t move an inch and stare into each other’s eyes for a fraction longer than friends should.
I shake my head slightly as if bringing myself to. “Well, then, thank you.”
He sits up and clears his throat. “No problem. Do you need anything else?” he asks casually.
“Um, no. I don’t think so.”
“Cool.” He sits forward, and I think he might be getting ready to leave. I don’t want him to. I love his company. It’s familiar and we haven’t hung out for a long time.
“Josh will be so happy to spend time with Ozzie,” I blurt to keep him here for a few minutes longer.
“Yeah. Oz missed him. He’ll be pretty excited when I tell him he’s sharing Connie with Josh.”
That poor girl. We haven’t asked her if she’s even willingto do the job yet. “And how will Connie feel? I don’t want to put her out.”
