What the Nanny Saw by Fiona Neill

Author:Fiona Neill
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2012-07-05T21:00:00+00:00

13

Foy stood up in The Menace, one hand on the steering wheel, the other saluting Julian Peterson, as he navigated his way rather too fast toward the small jetty at the foot of the Petersons’ house on the edge of the bay at Agios Stefanos. The nose of the boat bumped the newly built wooden gangway, wrong-footing Julian, who for a moment looked perilously close to toppling into the water beside them. He stepped back to regain equilibrium, and Ali could see that his beige shorts and blue short-sleeved shirt were spattered with seawater.

“Let the party begin,” Foy shouted triumphantly as he finished his salute by doffing his panama hat toward Julian. Bryony put an arm on his shoulder to restrain him because he was rocking the boat, but Foy resisted. His sudden enthusiasm at the prospect of drinks at the Petersons’ was all the more astonishing, given the way he had spent most of the ten-minute journey complaining that they should bring their own food and wine because Julian was so stingy.

“What’s all this?” Julian asked as he leaned forward to read the boat’s name and get a better view of the hand-stitched-leather interior.

“Birthday present from my son-in-law,” Foy said, struggling to feign nonchalance.

“God, it’s a Silvestris, isn’t it? You lucky bastard,” said Julian, reacting in exactly the way Foy hoped he would. “Nick must be doing well. Either that or he’s trying to kill you.”

“Requires a clear head and a steady hand, and fortunately I still have both,” said Foy, unable to contain his excitement. “Isn’t it a beast? Glides through the water like a torpedo. I’ll take you and Eleanor for a spin later.”

“Grandpa needs a parrot for his shoulder,” shouted Hector excitedly.

“Please get a parrot,” pleaded Alfie, “please get a parrot.” If someone could get a boat that cost more than a house for his birthday, then a parrot didn’t seem so outlandish, thought Ali, as she helped the twins onto the jetty. Bryony, Tita, Maud, and Ella followed close behind.

Ali stood awkwardly as everyone kissed Julian hello. She knew the routine by now. Two kisses, one on each cheek. Would Julian remember her? If not, would Bryony remind him? In the event, both forgot. Foy, who was generally better than everyone else at including Ali in a round of greetings, was too wrapped up talking about the engine of his boat to notice her unease. For a moment she considered introducing herself, even though she had met Julian several times before. It was a less embarrassing prospect than coming across him later and having to explain that she was neither a friend of Jake’s nor one of Hester’s daughters, and was, in fact, the nanny.

Foy strode up the steep pathway toward the Petersons’ new house, leaving Julian breathlessly trailing behind him. Now it was Foy’s turn to muster enthusiasm appropriate to the purchase of an eight-bedroom villa overlooking the Ionian Sea.

“Stunning location . . . beautiful garden . . . fantastic house . . .” he said effusively, sounding like an estate agent.

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