“You haven’t upset me,” I reassure him.
He looks back at Gemma. “You’re mad at her.”
“No,” I give him my hand, helping him off the sofa. He doesn’t want to leave.
“Don’t shout at her, Dad. She made it better,” Ace says, looking distressed.
“I won’t,” I say, unsure I can keep that promise. My eyes feel like they are bulging. Ace leaves the room, and Gemma gets up to dispose of the pizza box and ice cream container.
“Don’t,” I say in a deadly voice. She stops and turns to me. “My son is being bullied, and I’m just now finding outabout it,” I hiss at her. "You have no right keeping this information from me."
“I only found out today,” she replies in a calm manner.
Crossing my arms, I seethe inside. “Why didn’t you ring me?”
“He asked me not to tell you, so I didn’t.” She picks up the items and goes to the kitchen. She chucks the cardboard in the bin.
I take it out and put it in the recycling bin, when I return, I stand in her way. “So, you’re keeping secrets from me.” I stand in her way.
“Yes, but I persuaded him it was for the best that you knew, so he stayed up to tell you. So, everything is fine.” Her steady look bores into me.
My voice rises slightly. “I had a right to know. You should have told me as soon as you found out.”
“I will not break my promise. They've had enough of that,” she snaps back at me.
I run a hand through my hair. “He’s eight. He doesn’t get to keep secrets from his dad.”
“No, but if he knows he can trust us, then he'll be more willing to come to you.” I don’t notice that she is standing next to me until her hand is stroking my arm.
“Us?” I ask, shocked.
Her head tilts sideways. Now she’s pissed. “I’m his nanny.”
“You’re more than that,” I retort.
“Am I?” She bites her bottom lip and she gives me a cheeky smile.
“Don’t mess around with me.” I cage her against the kitchen unit, stealing a long kiss. “Why were you eating pizza again?”
“Because I need more cooking lessons,” she says, stroking my chest softly.
“And cleaning.”
“Alex.”
“Yeah?”
“Ace.” She raises her eyebrow and tilts her head to the left.
Looking over my shoulder, I see Ace staring at us. I release Gemma, who goes to load the dishwasher, while I take Ace's hand and lead him upstairs.
As he climbs into bed, he looks up at me. "You are girlfriend and boyfriend." It isn't a question.
I kiss his head. "It's complicated. Get some sleep. I'm glad your problem is sorted. Remember, you can always come to me with anything."
"I know, Dad," he says. "But this one Gemma had to fix. Girl to girl with the other mums."
"Goodnight, Ace,” I say, wondering if he’s right.
