A Family Holiday: A heartwarming summer romance for fans of Katie Fforde. Bella Osborne
shaking her head in dismay. Sometimes she wanted to give Fleur a good shake and this was one of them. ‘Right, I’ll round up the troops, you unpack the hamper,’ and Charlie strode off towards where she’d last seen Wriggly trying to wee up a litterbin.
The children all ate their sandwiches in silence apart from Eleanor, who lay on the rug copying Fleur. Some teenagers walked close by them and Millie waved at them. When this elicited no response, she happily called after them, ‘Riff Raff!’ George started to chuckle and a smile broke out on Eleanor’s face and then, like the best disease ever, they all started to laugh. Fleur lifted her sunglasses to survey them all. It was like a release valve and the laughter went on a fraction longer than was sane.
The laughter trickled away and Charlie saw her opportunity. ‘I’m glad we’re together. I need to talk to you about going back to school,’ she said, checking each face in turn and waiting for the deluge of complaints. ‘I’ve been speaking to your schools regularly and they’re keen to have you back.’
Ted looked at his siblings and shrugged at Charlie. ‘Fine, it’s boring at home,’ he said.
‘Even more boring than school,’ said George. They all turned to look at Eleanor.
‘I’ve missed school. Can I go tomorrow?’
‘If you want to,’ said Charlie, totally stunned by the reaction. Maybe getting back into their normal routine was what they were missing, but she couldn’t help but worry how they would manage all the questions and curiosity that would surely come their way from their classmates. She knew she couldn’t protect them from that. All she could do was be there when they came home.
‘Are there any crisps?’ asked Eleanor, and Charlie handed them over and resisted the urge to hug her.
After the food, the children disappeared with the football and whatever the game was they were playing Wriggly appeared to be at the centre of it. Charlie packed away all the leftover food before any flies got interested and Fleur grabbed the last couple of chunks of celery before they were hastily wrapped in cling film. Charlie leant back against the tree and felt herself relax a little.
‘Here you go,’ said Fleur, handing Charlie a thick cream embossed business card. ‘Sorry, I forget to give it to you earlier.’
‘Melvyn Halsey, Chiropractor. What do I need that for?’
‘Job, Duh? Their nanny is having a baby. They’ve got two girls… no two boys… or is it one of each? Anyway they’ve got two children and they’ll soon need a new nanny and they only live ten minutes away from me, so it would be perfect.’
Charlie gazed at the business card. This was her get-out clause; the easy answer. ‘Um, thanks,’ she said, stuffing it into her jeans pocket and trying to halt all the questions it was triggering in her mind. Was this the point where she made a decision? She could wish the children well and walk into a new job. That would be the sensible thing to do. She’d worked hard to get her life on track and this would be another step in the right direction, with another professional family on her CV. Or she could risk everything and fight for the children she loved.
‘Pa will give you a reference because, well, the Cobleys can’t.’
Charlie felt a wave of grief come over her. Why did the Cobleys have to die? Why did everything that was so perfect have to change? She lay back on the grass and fought hard to stop the tears she knew were brimming in her eyes.
They had to visit the Joy of Life Fountain before they left the park, as Millie always loved to hurl coins in. Charlie already had a few pennies in her pocket in anticipation. The others usually wandered off when they got to the fountain, but today they all took a penny from Charlie, tossed them in and stood silently. Charlie wondered what wishes they were making and if any of them could possibly come true. Millie asked for another coin and this time did an impressive over-arm lob and narrowly missed Fleur.
‘I bet your wish was that you weren’t standing in Millie’s firing line,’ joked George.
Charlie flipped in a coin and watched it disappear under the water. Her wish was a simple one – she wished she knew what to do.
The walk back was definitely more upbeat, the children seemed to have perked up at the thought of returning to school and it was good to feel that they were taking steps in the right direction, even though they were baby ones. Ted was still looking slouchy but even he had a fleeting smile on his face. Charlie started to mentally go through all the school things she would need to get ready for tomorrow. She would also get Millie back into her toddler groups, which she knew she had been missing. That would also mean that Charlie was back in her old routine and she felt a great wave of comfort at the thought of it and realised that this must have been the same for the children.
‘Is that people at the house?’ asked Fleur, pointing up the road to where two figures were standing on the steps.
Charlie squinted. ‘Oh great, it’s Ruth and she’s got some woman with her.’
‘Hello,’ said Charlie, turning to the smiley woman wearing a funny little brown hat with a gold letter N on it, a white-edged beige dress and white gloves. Charlie couldn’t help grinning, but it was more in response to the outfit than the woman’s smile. ‘Children, say hi,’ added Charlie, as they streamed up the steps.
There was a mumbled chorus of ‘Hi’.
Charlie opened the front door and the children trooped in followed by Fleur. Charlie turned to address Ruth and the oddly dressed woman.
‘I’m Charlie,’ she said, offering the woman her hand to shake, which she did enthusiastically.
‘Hello! I’m Sally.’
Charlie nodded and looked to Ruth for an explanation. Ruth was looking rather smug. ‘Sally is a Norland Nanny, and actually… shall we go inside?’ said Ruth, stepping past a stunned Charlie and into the house. Charlie took a moment to get the sudden rush of emotions in check before following them inside.
‘What’s going on?’ whispered Ted, as his eyes followed the Norland Nanny.
‘I think this is a hostile takeover,’ said Charlie, handing all the picnic stuff to him, which he took and put on the floor at his feet.
‘Edward could you show Sally round the house while I speak to Charlie?’ asked Ruth. Ted looked to Charlie and she nodded that he should do as he’d been asked.
‘I know this will come as a shock,’ said Ruth, handing Charlie an envelope, ‘but I think you’ll find I’ve been more than generous.’
Charlie said nothing but she felt sick. She tore open the envelope and as she opened the letter that was inside a cheque floated to the floor. Fleur picked up the cheque as Charlie scanned the typed letter. There was lots of jargon and long words but the two things that hit her were ‘one week’s notice’ and ‘terminating your employment’.
‘Ooh, this is good, Charlie, look,’ said Fleur, trying to distract Charlie with the cheque. Charlie closed her eyes for a moment, reviewed her ‘Kipper List’, and proceeded, in her mind’s eye, to whack Ruth with a kipper. When she felt she was in control she opened her eyes again as Ted and Sally returned to the hall.
‘It’s a lovely house. It’s a shame I’m only here as a stopgap for a permanent placement. I would like the en-suite room, if that’s possible?’ said Sally.
Charlie turned to her and spoke slowly and deliberately. ‘That’s the Cobley’s bedroom. I don’t think that’s appropriate.’
‘Right, well. I only wanted to serve you your notice and introduce Sally to the children, so we’ll be off,’ said Ruth, her tone jolly. ‘Bye, children.’
‘Hang on,’ said