Chapter 4
“That went well,” Carrie said once they were alone in the living room.
“It did. But I don’t know what to say…or think.” Meredith slowly shook her head. “It happened so quickly. I don’t even see why he thought he should hire me.”
“Well, let’s hear what his man has to say.” Carrie motioned toward a door now opening.
The “man” introduced himself simply as Geoff then began to explain to Meredith that the children were on holiday at the family’s villa outside of Vienna.
“The butler and housekeeper are with them, so they are not unsupervised. But they are without a governess. Or a nanny as Master Spencer says. And the housekeeper is most eager for help to arrive. So unless you are unable, we can arrange your transport for this afternoon. The limo and chauffeur will return after transporting the master to the helipad. Can you be ready by, say, four o’clock? ”
Meredith glanced at Carrie, who shrugged. “I don’t see why not,” Meredith said quietly. And really, what did she have to get ready?
“But where is she going?” Carrie asked him.
He reached to an inside pocket and produced a card. “This is the location and phone number.”
“Oh?” Meredith looked at the card written in German then handed it to Carrie, and Geoff handed her a second one. “Okay,” she told Geoff. “I can be ready by four. Where do I go?”
“Just bring your luggage to the lobby downstairs and wait there. The chauffeur will bring in a placard with your name. Does that work for you?”
“Yes, thank you.” Still, everything about this was surreal, and dizziness almost overcame her. She felt like Dorothy in Oz, wishing she could click the heels of those ruby red slippers and go home. She’d never missed home more.
“Okay then,” Carrie answered firmly, like she was playing Marge in Charge for both of them, acting like all would be just fine. “We will call the number on this card, and if it all checks out, Meredith will be ready by four.”
“Very good.” Geoff was already making his way to the door, as if it were time to go. Just like that, they were riding down the elevator again.
“Was that for real?” Meredith asked. “Because I’m seriously dazed and slightly confused.”
“To be honest, I’m a bit dazed myself.”
“Do you trust them?”
“I plan to call the number here and find out,” she assured Meredith as the doors opened to the lobby. “In the meantime, can I treat you to a coffee?”
Meredith frowned at her. “I don’t know. Last time I was offered coffee in Vienna, I got taken to the cleaners.”
Carrie just laughed then hooked her arm. “Listen, honey, you’ve got nothing I want.”
“I know. I guess I’m just gun shy. Or coffee shy.”
“Well, you gotta face your fears, girlfriend.” She held up the business card. “Let’s place our orders and then I’ll give them a jingle.”
While Meredith waited for their coffees and pastry, Carrie made the phone call.
After several minutes she returned with a broad grin.
“The woman on the other end sounds legit. She’s British, and she confirmed she was employed by Spencer Hawthorne.
Her name is Ella Warner, and she’s the housekeeper.
Her husband of more than twenty years, Howard, is the butler and chauffeur.
They’ve been with the family for about fifteen years.
She described the summer villa where you’ll be staying and even the room you will have, which all sounds quite nice.
And she assured me she’ll do her best to freshen it up for you today.
She’s eager to have you come and lighten her load.
The last two nannies didn’t last long. She went on quite a bit about what a handful the children can be.
Her job is to cook, clean, do laundry, and manage the entire home, which she pointed out multiple times is more than enough for a woman her age. Poor woman, she sounded exhausted.”
“Did she say how many kids?” Suddenly, Meredith was imagining dozens. “Or anything about the mother?”
Carrie’s brow creased. “No. And she didn’t actually say a number. But goodness, she sounded so overwhelmed, there may be houseful. How would you feel about that?”
Meredith shrugged. “Well, I sometimes sat at children’s homes for a weekend to be the grownup while the house-parents took some time off.
Children’s homes are like a dormitory for school-aged kids on the main base—ones who have parents working in remote villages.
They were definitely housefuls. But I managed. And we had fun.”
“You’re a brave woman, Meredith.”
“Not sure I have much choice.”
“Well, if it doesn’t work out, I’m sure you can leave.” Carrie pulled a business card from her purse, writing something on the back. “This is my number at the embassy, and I’ll put my number and Faith’s on the back. Just in case.”
“Thanks.” Meredith looked at the borrowed blazer. “And thank you for loaning me this, but don’t let me forget to give it back.”
“No, you keep it. It was a little tight on me anyway. Looks good on you. But we should get you a few other things to take. We can’t send you to the fancy villa looking like a homeless waif.
” Carrie told her about a thrift store nearby that usually had good deals.
“And we’ll stop by a pharmacy to get some shampoo and things to get you by until your payday. ”
“But I don’t have any—”
“I know, I know. Call it a loan. You can send it back to me care of the consulate after you get paid.”
Meredith felt slightly teary at the generosity. “Thank you so much.”
She waved a hand. “Hey, I’m enjoying this little adventure. I want to hear how it goes once you settle in with the family. Already I’m imagining you like Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music.”
“I love that movie,” Meredith exclaimed. “Dad and I used to watch it every year around the holidays. But I sure hope I won’t be caring for seven kids.”
“Mrs. Warner did sound a bit overwhelmed.”
Meredith bit her lower lip. “I’m used to taming unruly children. I suppose I’ll manage somehow. At least Mr. Spencer didn’t seem as intimidating as Captain Von Trapp when he met Maria.”
“Or as grumpy,” Carrie added.
“I heard that Christopher Plummer wasn’t just acting either. Apparently he wasn’t too fond of children.”
“Do you play guitar and sing by any chance?” Carrie’s tone was teasing.
“I’m sad to say that I play no instruments, but I do love to sing. Not that anyone loves to listen to me. My dad used to kindly say that my voice reminded him of a foghorn.”
They both laughed, and afterward Carrie took Meredith to a shop that had a good selection of travel-sized personal products and other items she’d need to get her started.
They also bought a touristy shopping bag to put them in.
Next they hit the thrift store, where, after some diligent searching, they discovered enough pieces to mix and match and, Meredith hoped, get her through about a week without doing laundry.
By the time they got back to the Ritz, it was close to four, and Meredith was a bundle of nerves. Sitting in the lobby, she twisted the handle of her shopping bag tightly. What was she doing?
“Are you going to be okay?” Carrie asked for the third time. “You don’t have to do this. If you have any serious misgivings, just say so.”
“No…I think I’ll be okay. I’m just nervous.”
“That’s understandable. It’s a lot to take on.” Carrie smiled. “But it could be the adventure of a lifetime too.”
“Maybe I’ll write a book about it,” she said weakly. “I just hope it’s not a thriller.”
“Oh, honey. You make me feel like I’m sending the lamb to the slaughter.”
Meredith forced a laugh. “I’m being dramatic. No, really, I’ll be fine. I think I’m just tired. And maybe having a little culture shock.”
Carrie reached over and grasped her hand. “I’m going to be praying for you, honey. And I’m going to believe that God will bring good out of what has seemed evil.”
Meredith blinked, surprised but encouraged that Carrie had brought God into it. “Really?”
“Absolutely. I don’t think it was a coincidence that you came upon Faith at the coffee shop yesterday. Or that she brought you home to me. I think this is all part of God’s divine plan.” Carrie’s smile looked more sincere now. “But it takes some faith, doesn’t it?”
Meredith nodded.
“Oh, look by the door. There’s a guy holding a card with your name on it.” Carrie stood, waving. “Let’s go check him out.”
The young man only spoke German, but Carrie translated, explaining to Meredith that this wasn’t Mr. Warner, the family’s chauffeur, but a hired driver.
Carrie paused to hand him her consulate card then explained her job.
She insisted on walking Meredith outside to the car, which was a nice charcoal gray limousine.
Before allowing Meredith to get inside, Carrie took photos of the front and rear license plates as well as the young man and his operator’s license.
The man smiled and saluted her then opened the door for Meredith to get in, peering a bit curiously at her single shopping bag before asking Carrie about other luggage. Carrie explained that was it.
Once he sat in the driver’s seat, Meredith waved goodbye to her guardian angel, and they were off.
As he drove through the busy city, which Meredith now watched with interest, she no longer felt nervous.
In fact, she was amazingly relaxed, as well as relieved to be on her way.
Of course, she then had a flashback to yesterday.
Wasn’t that how she’d felt with Louise and her fancy car? But this was different. Wasn’t it?