Chapter 9
Alicia
I put the phone down and get up to make a coffee, I needed caffeine because my head was buzzing and I could feel my tolerance waning as the day progressed. Some people were just so lazy when it came to keeping track of their expenditure, which made my job very difficult.
I was halfway down the stairs when the phone rang, I let it ring out but I hung back just in case the person on the other end was going to leave a message. It would most likely be one of my clients that I had been chasing today.
Hi Mrs Smith, this is Mrs Roberts from John Buchan School. Could you please collect Olivia from school as soon as possible, please? Thank you.
I glanced at my watch, which told me it was three-thirty. Rebecca was supposed to collect Olivia at three o clock, as arranged.
I get into the car and hit dial on Bluetooth, Rebecca’s phone went straight to voicemail, even more annoying! I left a message – Hi Bex, it’s Alicia, I am on my way to collect Olivia from school. I am unsure why you did not collect her, can you call me as soon as you get this message, please. Thanks.
I knew that I sounded curt but I was annoyed and even though it was out of character, I wanted to let her know that I was not OK with it.
I pull into the short-term parking bay and race up to the school feeling flustered that my daughter had been left hanging around for almost an hour after school had closed; I was greeted by Olivia and her teacher in the foyer.
“I am so sorry, Mrs Roberts. I have no idea why Olivia was not picked up from school by her nanny, she’s usually so reliable. Olivia darling, are you ok?” I asked, reaching out to her. She pulled back angrily and uncharacteristically. I felt myself flush aware that Mrs Roberts was absorbing all of the body language and unspoken words between us.
“Where’s Bex?” Olivia questioned accusingly, as if I had deliberately asked her to stay away.
“I have no idea, darling, but we’ll call in on her when we get home. Come on, let’s go as I’m sure Mrs Roberts is eager to get home herself. Sorry again, Mrs Roberts.”
“No harm done, Mrs Smith. Bye, Olivia, see you tomorrow.” She replied cheerily.
We head to the car and Olivia stomped off ahead before turning to me. “Do you have to tell the teachers that I have a nanny? You made me look like such a baby in there. It’s embarrassing, mum.”
I realized that my little girl was growing up and was now concerned about how others viewed her.
“I’m sorry, honey, I didn’t think it would be a problem. I’ll make sure I don’t mention it again. Let’s go home and we can knock on Rebecca’s door and find out what happened today.”
We pulled into our drive and Olivia went to knock on her door while I locked the car up.
“There’s no answer, mum.”
“OK, let’s leave it an hour or so and then we can try again. I’m sure she’ll not be far. Let’s go and have something to eat.”
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