Page 18 of The Accidental Nanny
“How did you get them to smile again, Ace especially?”
“I’m just me with them.”
“Bye, Gemma.” She walks out the door, closing it gently as she goes.
CHAPTER FIVE
Gemma
To say I'm pissed off is an understatement.“Where is he?” I shout to nobody in particular as I come running into the living room.
I’m going to kill him. I have thought of every way possible to murder him on the way home. There is nothing I won't do.
“What’s wrong, Gem?” Brody laughs at me.
“You’re dead!”
Heading straight for him, I jump on his back, hitting him hard on the arm and chest. He wriggles until I fall off, and I land on the floor. As fast as I can get back up on my feet, going in for another attack.
“You’re a psycho,” I yell while I throw the hardest punches I can land square on his jaw.
“What the hell is going on? And where have you been all day?” Dad shouts as he and Mum walk into the living room. They look at Brody, whose hand is covering his mouth.
“Ask him,” I say as I stamp on his foot.
“I got that nutcase an actual job and she just punched me in the mouth,” Brody groans, dabbing at his lips.
“Really?” Mum's eyes light up with excitement.
“No, he tricked me. I thought…”
“Just stop.” Dad uses his parental voice and takes control of the situation. “Why did you punch your brother?”
“She thought he was a sugar daddy,” Brody answers for me, suppressing a smile.
“Please tell me that isn’t true,” Mum moans, looking disgusted that I was going to do that.
“I just thought… I’m a nanny. But…” The words don’t come out, and I’m getting angry again.
“But what?” Dad asks, raising his eyebrows.
“I have to do housework,” I groan and hang my head.
Everyone bursts into laughter, and heat fills my cheeks. Mum now has tears running down her face. It is as if this is the funniest thing they have ever heard.
“What?” I look at them all, waiting for them to calm down. It wasn’t that funny.
“Darling, you’ve never done anything like that in your life,” Mum finally says.
“And? You don’t think I can?” I square my shoulders and lift my chin.
“No,” Dad says. “When have you ever shown any interest? You have had one job. How long did that last, Gemma? A few months. When have you shown any responsibility? You act like a teenager most of the time. You need to grow up.”
“You wanted me to get a job. But now I have one, you’re saying I’m too immature, and I can’t do it.” I glare at them. “What do you want me to do? You are cutting me off, then at the same time, you’re laughing in my face.” I shake my head. “Thanks for the support, guys. I don’t need any of you. I can do this alone.”
I storm off to my room, slamming my bedroom door as loudly as I can. Childish, maybe, but satisfying. I sit on my bed, feeling sorry for myself. Then, an idea pops into my head. I jump up, find the two biggest suitcases I can, and packall my essentials. Walking out of the room with my bags, I let them bang down the steps behind me.
“This is a bit dramatic. Where are you off to?” Brody stands in front of me in the hallway, blocking me from going any further.
