CHAPTER TWELVE #2
“I found it!” Ozzie screams, running head-on towards us.
“Where was it?” Connie asks, picking up my boy while he swishes Mr Potato Head above her head.
He grins. “Under my bed.”
She shakes her head. “Come on. Let’s get the rest of your things packed,” she says, taking him into his room. “And I’d love some dinner, please,” she calls over her shoulder.
While I continue to cook, my mind wanders. I guess from her reaction, Connie doesn’t have a clue about Dylan and Chelsea, which is kind of a comfort. For one, whatever she’s upset about—and I know she’s upset about something—it has nothing to do with me or Chelsea.
So, what is wrong with our nanny? I know she has a boyfriend, but I haven’t met him yet. She keeps her relationship private and I get that, but if I ever find out who he is and if he’s upset her, I’ll have two guys on my hit list to deal with.
Apart from the usual press hassle at the airport, our journey home is smooth.
The flight is trouble-free thanks to Connie.
She keeps Oz occupied with stories, games, and watching his favourite film on the iPad, which of course is Toy Story.
After only five minutes of viewing, he’s fast asleep.
This gives me time to catch up with her and make sure she’s okay.
“Hey, I really appreciate you coming back to Braebeach with me, and I’m sorry for what you’ve gone through lately with Chelsea and me.”
“It’s okay.” She smiles and shrugs.
“I’m pretty sure it wasn’t okay. It was probably difficult listening to us fight, and I’m sorry if we made you feel uncomfortable.”
“Actually, Mr Graham, I always felt bad for you. Mrs Graham… she’s quite difficult, especially when you’re not around.”
I furrow my brow. “Are you trying to say she was rough on you ?”
“Well, maybe a little.” She shifts in her seat.
I grit my teeth before I reply as calmly as I can, “I’m sorry that happened. If I had any idea she treated you badly, I would have sorted it, I promise.”
“I know, but I didn’t want to cause any more trouble. It was easier to stay quiet.”
I nod in understanding, but it still makes me feel bad.
I bet she hated working for us some days.
“Look, Connie, can you do me a favour? Can you drop the Mr Graham thing? That was all Chelsea’s idea, and I was never really on board.
It’s way too much for me. I’m just Tommy, or even Tom if you want, okay? ”
“But what if Mrs Graham comes back? What do I do then?”
“She won’t be coming back. Not to me anyway. Obviously, if you come into contact with her, you’ll probably have to stick with the formalities, but never again with me. Okay?”
“Mr Gra—” I raise my brows towards her. “Sorry, Tommy. I’m going to slip up, you know that don’t you?”
“It’s okay, you’ll get used to it. What did you want to say?”
“Oh, yeah. Who do I answer to? Do I work for her? Or you? What happens now?”
“I haven’t had a chance to go into the practical stuff with Chelsea, but I know I want you to work for me, permanently and full-time.
If Chelsea has any other ideas, well, that’s up to her, but I want you to stay on my payroll.
If she agrees, and you’d be willing to put up with her, I’d like it if you could stay with Oz when he visits his mum.
He needs some kind of consistency in his life and I need peace of mind that he’s being well looked after. ”
“I understand, but will you continue to live in New York?”
“I haven’t thought about it. I’ll keep the apartment, and Oz is due to start school soon, so I guess so, at least for now.
But I hope, however it turns out, you’ll stay with Ozzie wherever he is.
How would you feel about shifting from one house to the other on a regular basis?
There could be a lot of travelling involved. ”
A huge smile slowly forms on her face. “I’d be totally honoured, Mr—Tommy. Jesus, this is difficult.”
I laugh at her slip-up. “Thanks, Connie. That means a lot.”
“It’s okay. I love Ozzie. He’s such a great little guy.”
“I know. He’s all me.”
She giggles, and now her mood is a little lighter, I try to find out why she was upset yesterday. “Listen, I hope coming to England didn’t cause you any problems, you know, personally.”
“No, everything is fine. I wanted to see my family anyway.” And there’s that tight-lipped smile again.
“And your boyfriend? Was he okay? I bet he’s going to miss you.”
“He’s not exactly my boyfriend. We’re not official or anything like that. I don’t really know what we are.”
“Right. Sticky situation, huh?” I raise my brow in question.
She shrugs. “I guess.”
“You know, this trip could bring him to his senses. Not being around might kick him into touch.”
“I doubt it.” Okay, there it is. Her bottom lip is quivering.
“Connie, I just want to know that you’re okay and he isn’t being an arsehole.”
She’s silent for a moment and I know straight away I’ve hit the nail on the head. Eventually, she says, “Things aren’t so straightforward, that’s all.”
“Didn’t he want you to leave?”
“It’s not that. Me being in England just causes complications. But you know, this is my job, which I love, and I can’t let you or Ozzie down. You’re my first priority.”
She’s so loyal, but if she really loves this guy, I don’t want her to feel like she has to choose. “Well, I appreciate that, Connie, but I don’t want to get in the way of true love, so if he ever wants to come and stay or you need more time with him, I’d be happy to get that arranged—”
“That won’t be necessary.” Her interruption causes her cheeks to flush pink and I guess I’ve embarrassed her all over again. “I’m here to look after Ozzie so you can work. I don’t need any distractions.” She half smiles briefly while her hands fidget.
“Well, if you change your mind, you only have to say. You’re entitled to time off and I won’t expect you to work additional hours. Plus, I could spend some more time with Oz. He’ll be feeling it now that his mum isn’t around so much.”
Her hands clasp together and her eyes focus on their washing motion. “May I speak openly for a moment?” Her tone is so formal.
“Sure. What’s up?”
Her fingers link together and she continues to look towards them as she speaks. “Don’t be surprised if Ozzie takes his mum’s absence better than you expect. I don’t want to speak out of turn here, but remember how I called you a couple of times when Mrs Graham didn’t come home?”
“Yeah, I remember,” I answer, crossing my arms.
“Well, it was a little more than that. Sometimes she would leave us for days while you were touring, and Ozzie was just fine.”
“Did she now.” I answer sarcastically. I’m not even surprised.
“Yeah,” she says, continuing to look down. “Anyway, I thought you should know.”
“Why didn’t you tell me at the time?”
“I didn’t want to get Mrs Graham in trouble, and the only reason I called you first was because I was worried something had happened to her. After a while, I got used to it, I suppose.”
My jaw clenches. Hard. “Thank you. I appreciate your honesty,” I say, looking out the tiny window.
“And Tommy?” She says, gaining my attention again. “I just want to tell you how sorry I am that Brett is leaving the band.” Her lips form a sympathetic line.
“Thanks, Connie.” I smile. She’s a good kid.
She picks up her book and begins to read, while I settle back in my seat and make a mental list of things to do.
It includes checking in with a certain friend of mine.
I haven’t spoken to Angie yet, although I’m guessing she knows I’m on my way to Braebeach.
There isn’t much she and Calla don’t talk about, which is why I’m also guessing she knows I’m no longer with my wife.