‘I’m talking to you aren’t it?’ I say.
‘That’s exactly what a dead body would say. Blink twice if you’re in distress.’
‘Flick, you can’t see me.’
‘That’s exactly what a kidnap victim would say,’ she laughs.
‘You’re not helping,’ I huff, but she is helping in her own way, and a grin begins to creep in at the corners of my lips.
‘Take it easy,’ she says, her voice turning genuine. ‘You really want to show up looking like you’ve run a marathon? What if the dad is super hot and has a thing for nannies? He’s not going to want to sneak into your bedroom and play tickle under the covers if you look like a swamp monster.’
‘Ew,’ I say, my tummy twisting. ‘Firstly, gross. Secondly, they’re married with kids.’
‘So?’ says Felicity. ‘I’ve fucked like two out of the four dads I’ve au-paired for, and they were married. Men have a major hard-on for cute nannies.’
‘Again, you’re not helping.’
She gasps. ‘Maybe he’ll spank you for being late?’
‘Stop it,’ I giggle, my outburst drawing the ire of an old man tending to his garden.
‘Don’t sweat it,’ she says. ‘The first couple of times it hurts, but before you know it, you’ll be begging for him to do it again.’
‘You’re sick,’ I say.
‘I’m manipulative,’ she pouts, correcting me. ‘And I get massive tips. Sometimes, just the tip…’
‘Flick,’ I snap, but she’s taken the edge off my stress and I’m already feeling better. I take a deep breath and exhale slowly. ‘Thank you,’ I say reluctantly.
’My pleasure,’ she says. ‘Seriously though, you’ll be fine. No one could ever be mad at you for more than like, three seconds, max. You’re way too hot.’
I smile. ‘Call me again in an hour?’ I say, cringing.
‘Only if I get to listen,’ she says, gasping for breath suddenly. ‘Ooh, Mr Ledger, hurt me again.’
‘You need help.’
‘Because I’m so naughty.’
‘Goodbye, Felicity.’
‘OhMackenzie,’ she moans deliriously. ‘I love it when you full name me.’
I shake my head, laughing as I end the call, then I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths, slowing down my pace and listening to the sounds that surround me as I walk; a sprinkler bouncing on its spring, a lawn mower buzzing in the distance, the splash of someone diving into a backyard pool. It’s an old trick I used to use when I’d get into a mess on whatever base we were living on at the time, and it still works, although now I can’t get the vision of being spanked by the mystery hands of Mr Ledger out of my head.
Get it together, Mackenzie.
It’s highly unlikely that he’s hot and even more unlikely that he’d be my type anyway. After all, musclebound bad boys that treat me like dirt and cheat on me are few and far between in neighbourhoods like this, and this is all overlooking the fact that he’s married with kids. Regardless, I relax a little, but as soon as I do, I’m standing in front of the house and my heart accelerates dangerously.
Shit.
It’s even bigger than it looked on street view. Mock Tudor cladding, uneven brickwork, barn doors on the garage, curved walls and a porch with wooden pillars, it looks like somewhere a wizard might live, not a family of four. There’s something off about it though, and I can’t put my finger on it like something is… I don’t know. It’s too late to start trusting my instincts, I’m way past that point. An hour past.
Deep breath.
The driveway is paved with white bricks and lined by lush green grass and palm trees that sway gently in the breeze as I walk. The agency girl who put me on this job said this place was swanky, and she wasn’t lying. It’s a damned mansion. I never got around to asking why they needed someone so urgently, and it’s been bugging me for the last two days, but right now I don’t care, because before I know it I’m standing in front of the main entrance, looking up at the security camera and wondering if anyone is looking back.
I adjust my cardigan just in case, check my ponytail, straighten my posture and-