Chapter 3
Despite the hard floor, strange city sounds and surroundings, and a mountain of troubles to face the next day, Meredith had slept relatively well.
But when she woke up the next morning, she was lost and confused.
Where should she begin to untangle this kind of mess?
The police had heard her story, thanks to Carrie’s help, the credit card was stopped, and a search was on for her phone, but the rest of her challenges still lay ahead.
According to Carrie, it could take weeks to get her passport replaced.
And the airline might help with her missing ticket, although that sounded a bit iffy.
In the meantime, how was she supposed to live?
She couldn’t sponge off her hosts the entire time.
The apartment was overly crowded with three women sharing one postage-stamp-sized bathroom.
This morning was quieter with Carrie sleeping in and Faith having already gone to work, but Meredith was anxious to figure out her life.
To occupy herself, she’d been giving the apartment a thorough cleaning.
Not that it was filthy, but perhaps it was a bit neglected.
She was just putting the finishing touches on the bathroom when she heard Carrie approaching. Not wanting to be a nuisance, she scurried out.
“Good morning,” Carrie said in a surprisingly cheerful tone.
Meredith returned a muttered greeting then scooted off, wanting to stay out of the way. She was nearly to the kitchen when Carrie called after her.
“Did you sleep okay?”
Meredith stopped, turning to her host. “Yes. Surprisingly well. Thanks.”
“Really? On that hard floor?”
She shrugged. “I think I was too exhausted to care.”
“Well, I got a super good idea after we all went to bed.”
“Really? You mean for me? My situation?”
“When we discussed other means of you getting money, you said it would be difficult to reach your father, so I thought instead you could probably find part-time work.”
“I’m willing to do anything.”
“You mentioned you were a schoolteacher, which means you like kids. And you have experience.”
“Yes, but a teaching job in the summer?”
“Tutoring maybe?”
Meredith shrugged. “Or perhaps remedial—”
“Wait a minute!” Carrie eagerly waved a finger in the air.
“I have this friend who works for the British Consulate. Kristen McAdams. She actually sent me something to post on our US employment opportunity list just yesterday. It was a little odd that she’d send it to us.
But it may interest you. Have you ever been a nanny? ”
“No, but besides teaching first grade for a few years, I did a lot of babysitting in Papua New Guinea. It’s how I earned the money that got stolen yesterday.” Meredith frowned, remembering how long it had taken to save that much…and the European trip that was now ruined.
“I think Kristen may be personally acquainted with the party that needed a nanny. And if I remember that posting correctly, it was only a temporary position. I think the family is on summer holiday or something, maybe for six weeks or so. But it may be perfect for you. I mean, think about it, you’d have food and lodging and could earn enough to pay for your new passport and plane fare home. Would you be interested?”
“Yes, of course. I’d be more than willing to be a nanny for a while. It sounds perfect, but I’m curious why you thought it was odd.”
“The British Consulate coming to us for a nanny? Wouldn’t you think they’d have plenty of Brits to do that?”
“I suppose that makes sense. Maybe it’s an American family.”
“Maybe. But why did they go to the Brits?” She shrugged. “Anyway, I’ll call Kristen as soon as I’ve had my shower. And my coffee.” Carrie turned to go back into the bathroom.
“I’ve got coffee all ready to make. I’ll start it before you get out,” Meredith offered.
“Wonderful. I’m going to grab that shower.”
“And I could fix you a little breakfast, if you want.”
“That’d be lovely. And don’t worry, I’m not picky. Especially when someone else is doing the cooking. Thanks.”
Meredith felt cheered as she began to put breakfast together. She hadn’t eaten yet, partly because she’d had no appetite and partly because she felt guilty about eating food she couldn’t pay for. Everything was so awkward. Nothing about this was anything like she’d hoped and planned for…like life.
At least she had something to look forward to.
Being a nanny wouldn’t be so bad. She loved children, and it would be a temporary position.
Perhaps she could earn enough to spend some time exploring Europe this summer.
Even a week or two would be better than nothing.
She had to return to the United States by mid-August if she wanted to secure the grade-school job her dad had scouted for her.
It was by no means a done deal, but the prospects seemed solid.
She hummed to herself as she prepped some veggies, grated some cheese, and whipped several eggs for omelets she would begin to cook after Carrie finished her shower.
She set out some pastries she suspected were gleaned from the coffee shop she’d visited yesterday.
Then she shook her head, wishing she could forget yesterday altogether.
Hearing footsteps, Meredith started heating the pan she’d already buttered.
She’d learned to cook early on, thanks to a kind grandmotherly neighbor who gave her lessons after Mom got sick.
She’d been only ten when her mom got cancer and twelve when her mom passed.
It hadn’t taken long before Meredith was handling all the household chores.
She hadn’t minded the work. It had felt good to be needed, and Dad was always appreciative.
She didn’t mind it now either, although she wished the circumstances were different.
“This looks fantastic, Meredith,” Carrie gushed when she saw the neatly set breakfast bar. “I feel like queen for a day.”
“It’s my way of saying thanks for taking me in.” She set a mug of coffee in front of Carrie. “And you can call me Meri. My friends do.”
“Here’s looking at you, Meri.” Carrie lifted her coffee mug.
“Veggie omelet coming right up.”
“Are you kidding? I really do feel like royalty now. And I couldn’t help but notice how clean everything looks. I know it’s not Faith’s doing since she always goes in early on Saturdays.”
“It felt good to stay busy.” Meredith poured in a layer of veggies.
“By the way, I sent my friend Kristen a text before I came out about the nanny job. Apparently, someone told her about it, and she has the name and phone number. She said if we called right away, you could get an appointment today. Otherwise, you’d have to wait about a week.”
“Great, but I don’t have a phone.” She turned the edges of the omelet carefully.
“No worries. I already called. I spoke to a man with a British accent. He must work for the family. They’re staying at the Ritz-Carlton—one of the poshest hotels in Vienna, by the way. You have an appointment at eleven. I wrote down the suite number.”
“That was quick work. I’m impressed. Thanks so much.” She slid the omelet onto a plate and took it to Carrie. “Voila.”
“Wow, that looks amazing. Now I’m tempted to forget the nanny job and just ask you to stay here.” Carrie laughed as she picked up her fork. “Unfortunately, I can’t afford to pay you, and you really need to make some dough fast.”
“Not to mention that living like sardines would get old.” Meredith returned to the stove to cook her own omelet. “And I never expected you to let me stay on. I just hope I can nail this nanny position. It sounds perfect. There must be dozens of applicants.”
“If you ask me, whoever gets you for a nanny will be lucky, Meri.”
“But what about references?” Meredith felt a wave of panic as she poured in the veggies. “And I don’t even have ID. They may think I’m here illegally.”
“I can explain it all to them.”
“I sure hope so.” But Meredith felt slightly hopeless as she cooked the second omelet.
Really, why would anyone hire a perfect stranger with no references and no ID to care for their children?
It sounded ridiculous. Just the same, she shot up a prayer as she cooked.
Please, Lord, if it’s your will, let it happen. Give me a miracle.
After breakfast, Meredith cleaned up as best she could with the donated items Carrie had supplied.
She’d claimed they were just things she had spares of or had been collected from hotels during her travels, but Meredith suspected her host simply was generous.
She’d put them all into a string purse and given it to Meredith, who was sad to admit that besides the clothes on her back, it was all she had to call her own.
Carrie drove them downtown in her little electric car, getting there early enough to secure parking and get into the fancy hotel lobby before eleven. Meredith was a bundle of nerves.
“Do I look okay?” she asked. Carrie had insisted Meredith borrow a linen blazer to wear over her summery cotton dress that, although she’d pressed it this morning, still felt pretty casual for an interview.
But the blazer helped. And her sandals, which she’d gotten new for the trip, still looked decent.
Still, she couldn’t help but feel like a street urchin as she stood in the luxurious lobby.
“You look just fine.” Carrie smiled. “Just hold your head high. And hope the mother of the kids won’t be intimidated by a young pretty girl. You know some people think old grannies are preferable for nannies.” She chuckled. “I’m a poet.”
Meredith smiled. “Thanks for the pep talk. What now?”
“To the elevators,” Carrie proclaimed, leading the way. They followed a well-dressed couple into the elevator, where no one spoke. After the couple exited on their floor, the elevator continued up and Meredith was almost sick to her stomach.
“I don’t know if I can do this,” she whispered.
“Of course, you can.”