Read Online Turned by Clare Revell - Free Book Online Page A

anymore.
    The clock in the hall struck three and Amy set off to collect Vicky from school. At first it felt weird standing in the playground with all the mothers, but no doubt she would get used to it in time and it would get easier. No one spoke to her; in fact it all seemed rather cliquey.
    Vicky plodded over to her, her shoulders slumped and eyes downcast.
    Amy smiled in greeting. “Hey, Vicky. Did you have a good day?”
    She shook her head, scuffing her shoes on the ground.
    “I’m sorry. Would milk and cookies help?”
    She shook her head again, slowly heading to the gate.
    Amy frowned and caught up. “Did you do any painting today?”
    There was no response and despite trying several times more on the way home, Vicky wouldn’t even look at her. As soon as they got back to the house, Vicky headed up to her room and shut the door.
    Amy sighed. Two steps forward and one back…it seemed that what progress she’d made that morning had been wiped out already.
    She let Jodie in a few minutes later and watched her run up the stairs, waiting for the outburst she knew would come as soon as Jodie reached her room. She wasn’t disappointed.
    “Who’s been in my room?”
    She went to the foot of the stairs. “Something wrong?” she called.
    Jodie appeared on the landing. “Where’s my stuff? Who’s been in my room?”
    “I have. Your clothes are washed and either drying, or in the airing cupboard. The rest are folded and organized in the labeled drawers so you know where they are. Feel free to change them around, but you’ll find the system works fairly well.”
    “And my other stuff?”
    “The rubbish is gone. I’m assuming you weren’t keeping the empty bottles, cans, glasses, and crisp packets for a reason. Everything else is either in boxes under your bed or in the wardrobe. Books are on the bookcase now. There is also a laundry basket in your room for you to put things in when you take them off. Towels will be hung back in the bathroom, is that understood?”
    “Or you’ll do what?” Jodie stuck her hands on her hips and screwed her face up in disgust.
    “Or you can go back to living in a pigsty, and each week you will have less and less stuff and also be given the hoover to clean it yourself.”
    “You wouldn’t dare. Dad won’t let you.”
    “Who do you think put me in charge of your room, your laundry and so on?”
    Jodie stamped her foot and raised her voice. “You’re not my mother.”
    “I have no intentions of trying to be. I never knew her, but from what I’ve learned she was a wonderful lady who loved you, Vicky, and your dad very, very much.” Amy sucked in a deep breath. “The only reason your dad hired me is to look after you when he’s at work.”
    “He’s paying you? But you’re living here.”
    “Yes, he’s paying me. The job comes with the room. Because sometimes he has to work nights or early mornings or late. A nanny is simply a live-in babysitter who also does housework and cleaning and does a lot of fun stuff with the kids. Assuming they want to do fun stuff after school and on the holidays, that is.”
    “Fun stuff like what?” A faint hint of interest sparked in her voice. Not that you could tell by looking at her.
    “We could go swimming, go to the park, walking and shopping. I did see an advert for some stables, so maybe we check out riding lessons at some point. We could cook or do homework or all sorts of things you like to do. But you have to work with me here. Your room doesn’t have to be spotless. But you’ll get a lot less spiders in there if rubbish goes in the bin and clothes don’t live on the floor.”
    There was a moment of hesitation, then Jodie narrowed her eyes. “I’ll try.”
    “That’s all I ask.” She lightened her tone. “So I was thinking, do you want to help me cook dinner? I could teach you how to make pork casserole. Surprise your dad by him not having to cook when he gets in.”
    “OK.”
    Amy nodded and returned to the