Page 32 of The Accidental Nanny
“No chocolate for breakfast!” I order before I swipe my phone and head upstairs for a shower, bumping into Ace on the way. “Hey, mate, what’s up?” I ask, watching him.
“Nothing.” He runs up the stairs.
I need to spend time with him. Eden is so demanding, and then Gemma joined us. I am sure he is feeling pushed out.
I run back downstairs one more time to find Gemma eating chocolate with Eden.
“Can you just collect Eden tonight? I’m taking Ace out; a bit of father and son time.” She doesn't look surprised, which means she knows it's needed as well.
“Sure, I think we will go and get our nails done after school,” Gemma says. "If that's okay?” she asks.
I nod. Gemma can walk to school this morning and pick up Eden in her car after she collects it later. I’m taking mine today.
After school, I collect Ace, who seems surprised to see me.
"Why are you collecting me?" he asks.
"I thought we could hang out a little," I say.
We drive to the local animal park, where we can hold bunnies. He wants a pet rabbit, but animals need a lot of time and care, as I keep reminding him. It isn't a sensible idea at the moment, never mind that we need more than one bunny and a massive enclosure. Though I said no, I have been doing my research and have contacted a local rescue for more advice.
Ace is holding onto his favourite, a black and white bunny with huge floppy ears called Jimmy. He looks content to just sit there with the ball of fluff in his lap.
“How are you doing, mate?” I ask him.
He doesn't look at me. "I like Gemma, but she’s not Mum.”
“No, she’s not your mum." It breaks my heart to hear how sad he is.
“She’s far less strict.” Ace grins.
I laugh at his comment. Trust Ace to find a random positive spin to something crappy.
“I’m glad you like her.” I mean it, too. I want someone in my kids’ lives who is happy to be there for them.
“Do you want to talk about your mum?” I ask as I stroke Jimmy’s ears.
“She didn’t love me.” He looks up at me with big eyes.
“Mate, don’t say that.” I don't want to badmouth Julia in front of him, but I could curse her for what she’s doing to the kids.
“She didn’t, she wouldn’t even talk to me.” I can see tears forming in his eyes, but he blinks them back, fighting his own emotions.
“She didn’t?” I ask. What the hell was this woman doing when I wasn’t around?
Ace shifts Jimmy around so he can stroke the bunny's side. It’s like Ace was born to look after animals. I should encourage him to be a vet one day.
“No, she would play on her phone and tell me to go away, make me watch Eden.” My blood is boiling. “I had to put Eden to bed if you weren’t home.”
“I’m sorry, son. I didn’t know.”
Ace shrugs his shoulders. He is so young and has been neglected by his mother.
“Why didn’t you tell me before?” I ask.
“She’s my mum. I thought it was normal until Gemma… She likes me.” Ace's voice cracks a bit, I can tell he wants to cry. "She lets me play and she doesn't shout."
I take Jimmy from Ace, returning him to the enclosure. Then, I sit back down. I put my arm on his shoulder, pulling him in for a hug, which he desperately needs. My shirt is soon soaked in his silent tears. I wait until he’s ready to move out of my arms, before we talk again.
