Annie Lyons - Life Or Something Like It

‘Well you can banish that thought right now.’

‘Why?’

‘Do I need to spell it out? Your children don’t like me and I don’t have the first clue how to look after kids. Do you really want to risk leaving them with me?’

‘Yes.’ Cat shook her head in exasperation as Andrew continued. ‘I think it would be good for all of you. It’s about time my children got to know their aunt and I think it would be good for you too.’

‘What do you mean?’

Andrew was silent for a moment as if choosing his words carefully. ‘Well it’s not as if you’ve got a lot on at the moment and it would really help me out.’

‘Oh no, don’t start that tugging at my heartstrings. You’ll be dragging Bear out and asking me to sing you to sleep next.’

‘I’ve got him in the car actually.’ Andrew grinned. ‘Seriously, Cat, where’s the harm? You’ll be helping me out and you might even enjoy it.’

‘I wouldn’t say that our sleepover was a resounding success.’

‘But that was only one night and it was all very last-minute. You were stressed with work and the kids were wound-up and tired. This will be different.’

Cat stared at the ceiling. He’d got her. She was at a loose end and her brother needed her; there was nothing she could do.

‘Fine,’ she said, getting up from her chair. ‘I’ll go and dig out my body armour now.’

Andrew grinned. ‘Don’t forget your helmet and shield,’ he joked, receiving a punch on the arm as Cat walked past. ‘Ow and thank you,’ he added.

‘Whatever,’ said Cat, climbing the stairs. ‘On your head be it when it all goes pear-shaped.’

‘It won’t.’ Andrew smiled. ‘I have great faith in you.

‘I’m glad someone does,’ muttered Cat.

Three hours later Cat was feeling more positive about the world. Her brother was cooking dinner and the children were occupied with various electronic devices whilst she remained glued to her iPad. Jesse had been right; the Alvarro story was starting to slide away and her phone hadn’t rung in the past hour. One of Cat’s strongest qualities was her resourcefulness and she could feel a plan emerging in her mind. She would look after the children until Melissa came back and use that time to maintain her contacts and ease her way back into the PR world. It was a very immediate world with a short memory and Cat had enough credibility to ride this storm. Everything would be fine; she just needed to be patient.

Charlie and Ellie had taken the news that Cat was to be their new nanny with relative indifference. Cat also had a plan in that regard. She would show the children the best summer, take them to the most fabulous places, let them experience a little of what her world had to offer. It would be educational and fun. She counted her blessings that she didn’t need to deal with nappies or toddler tantrums too. The children were bright and Cat would work on them and make them see what a good aunt she was. After all, she had dealt with some of the trickiest divas and most demanding celebrities in the past. She just needed to channel what she knew and apply it to the world of the child. How difficult could it be?

At dinner time, her question was answered. Having been told to stop playing his game, Charlie sloped into the dining room, his face clouded with irritation. He frowned at his plate.

‘I don’t like salmon,’ he said.

‘Well it’s what we’re having,’ said Andrew cheerfully, ‘so you better eat up.’

‘I don’t like it,’ repeated Charlie, scowling at his father.

‘Charlie, you eat salmon all the time.’

‘I like it,’ said Ellie brightly.

‘Shut up, squirt,’ snapped Charlie.

‘Charlie, stop this,’ warned Andrew. ‘You’ll scare Auntie Cat away.’ He was trying to keep his voice light but Cat detected a tightness to his tone.

‘Good,’ said Charlie. ‘I don’t want her here. Why can’t you take time off?’

Andrew glanced at his sister, embarrassed. ‘I can’t and Cat doesn’t have to work at the moment so she’s offered to help.’

‘She lost her job because of that stupid footballer and you asked her. She didn’t offer.’

Andrew shifted in his seat. ‘She is doing us all a favour and you are being very rude. I want you to apologise.’

‘No,’ said Charlie, staring defiantly at his father.

‘Charlie, I’m warning you. Apologise or you’ll go to bed.’

Charlie jumped up from his seat and upended his plate, scattering fish, potato and sweetcorn all over the table and floor. ‘Fine!’ he shouted, storming from the room and stomping up the stairs before slamming his bedroom door with some force.

‘Awkward,’ said Ellie, forking sweetcorn into her mouth.

Cat stared at her brother. ‘He’ll be fine. He’s just having a moment,’ reassured Andrew. They could hear Charlie shouting and screaming and throwing things around his room.

‘That’s quite a moment,’ murmured Cat.

‘When’s Mummy coming home?’ asked Ellie, jiggling backwards and forwards on her chair, seemingly oblivious to her brother’s outburst.

Andrew, who was looking up towards the noise, glanced back at his daughter. ‘I don’t know, Ellie,’ he said.

‘I hope it’s soon,’ said Ellie, casting a meaningful look at Cat.

Andrew sighed. ‘I better go and talk to Charlie. Excuse me.’ He disappeared upstairs leaving Cat and Ellie alone.

‘Charlie does that a lot,’ observed Ellie.

‘Does what?’ asked Cat.

‘Shouts and screams.’ She leant forwards and whispered to her aunt, ‘I think he’s got anger issues. That’s what I heard Mummy and Daddy say anyway.’

‘Oh. Right,’ said Cat, unnerved.

‘I don’t really like you,’ observed Ellie.

Cat was almost impressed by her honesty. ‘Well I’m sorry to hear that. I suppose we’re stuck with each other at the moment though.’

Ellie sighed. ‘I suppose we are but hopefully it won’t be for too long.’

Wow , thought Cat, talk about telling it like it is.

Andrew reappeared a moment later. ‘Everything all right down here? My, Ellie, you’ve done well. Would you like some pudding?’

‘Yes please, Daddy,’ replied Ellie angelically. ‘Is Charlie okay?’

Cat could tell that Andrew was choosing his words carefully. ‘He’s very tired so he’s gone to bed. I’m sure he’ll be all right in the morning.’

After Ellie had gone to bed, Andrew poured two glasses of wine and they carried them out into the garden. It was a warm evening, the sun casting a beautiful pale pink colour over the sky. Cat looked at her brother in the fading light. He still looked like her little brother, eyes bright like a puppy, but his youthful exuberance had been replaced by the stresses of life. He looked worn down.

‘Tell me the truth about Charlie,’ she said.

He looked up at the sky and sighed. ‘The truth is I don’t know. We had a few problems with some boys at school but that was ages ago and it all got sorted.’

‘Have you tried talking to him?’ asked Cat.

‘Of course but have you tried talking to a ten-year-old? They’re not exactly chatty, nor are they in the habit of telling you what they’re feeling.’

Cat took a sip of her wine. ‘Ellie told me that she didn’t like me.’

Andrew gave a snorting laugh. ‘She tells it like it is, that one. Reminds me of someone else I know,’ he said, glancing at his sister.

Cat pulled a face. ‘It’s not funny. Basically you’re leaving me with two small people who hate me, one of whom has anger issues.’

‘I thought Cat Nightingale liked a challenge.’

Cat raised her eyebrows. ‘A challenge yes, not an impossible task.’

Andrew looked incredulous. ‘Surely my big sister isn’t giving up?’ he teased.