Turned by Clare Revell Read Free Book Online Page A

teacher sounded like a broken record over the talking issue. It wasn’t as if Vicky was mute. She’d just decided not to talk. “I want to introduce you to Amy, the new nanny. She’ll be dropping Vicky off and picking her up, if it’s not me doing it now.”
    Amy waved from where she stood with Vicky. “Hi.”
    Dane looked at his daughter. They’d suggested counseling for her before, but he didn’t see the need. She was a child and children bounce back. Vianne, Nate’s niece, had been the same age when her parents died and she’d turned out just fine. Maybe he should encourage Vicky to use sign language, by signing to her each time he spoke.
    Vicky walked up and tugged on his sleeve.
    “What is it, honey?”
    She pointed to the gate.
    “Sure, we can go home. We need to show Amy what happens after school.” He took firm hold of Vicky’s hand, and glanced at Amy. “Milk and cookies, her favorite thing and guaranteed to put a smile on her face.”
    Amy laughed as they walked. “Now that sounds like fun. Have you ever tried dunking the cookies in the milk?”
    Vicky looked at her with wide eyes and shook her head.
    “You should. It’s almost as good as chocolate.”
    Dane shook his head. “Then homework. Then an hour of TV before dinner if the homework is done.”
    Vicky scrunched her nose up and shook her head, pointing at one of the other boys from her class.
    “Does he get all his homework done?”
    She shook her head.
    “Then he’ll get in trouble. Miss Macnin said you have some tonight?”
    She nodded slowly, rolling her eyes. She may not speak, but she had no trouble making her feelings known.
    “OK. I’ll have a look when we get home.”
    Vicky held his hand tightly as they walked the short distance to the house.
    Jodie sat on the doorstep, blazer undone, and hair disheveled. Her tie was peanuted and her shirt untucked, covered in something he couldn’t identify. She leapt to her feet. “Where have you been? You’re late. Again. And where’s Grandma? She’s meant to be taking me over to Rebecca’s.”
    “Grandma isn’t coming tonight. I’m here instead.”
    “So how do I get to Rebecca’s house now? Because you won’t take me. You never do.”
    Dane scowled. He’d suspected Jodie had his parents wrapped around her little finger and this just confirmed it. “Walk, maybe—use the legs God gave you for once? And I wasn’t here because I had to speak to Vicky’s teacher.”
    “Great. What’s the freak done now?”
    “That is no way to speak of your sister. I had to introduce Amy, otherwise she can’t do the school runs.”
    “And who’s she?”
    Dane sighed internally, curbing his frustration. “This is Amy. She’s the new nanny. She’ll be living in the spare room and when I’m not here, what she says goes.”
    “Oh, really?”
    He unlocked the front door. Jodie shoved past him and straight up the stairs, slamming her bedroom door. “That was Jodie.”
    Amy rolled her eyes in mock amusement. “Twelve going on nineteen.”
    He nodded grimly as he deactivated the burglar alarm. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to go have a word. Vicky, can you show Amy where the milk, cookies, and glasses are?”
    She nodded and headed to the kitchen, Amy close behind.
    Dane took a deep breath and walked up the stairs for the inevitable fight with his oldest daughter.
     
    
     
    Amy looked at Vicky. She really didn’t say anything and now that her dad wasn’t there, she seemed to have shrunk several inches. Something had really traumatized the little girl and it was a fair guess it was the death of her mother. “So which cupboard are the glasses in?”
    Vicky pointed.
    Amy nodded and got down two. “Though I don’t suppose Jodie will want one, will she?”
    Vicky shook her head.
    Amy put one back. “Will Daddy want coffee or milk?”
    Vicky pointed to the kettle.
    “OK, then we’ll do him coffee.”
    Amy poured a glass of milk for Vicky and beamed as she reached down the box of