by Clare Revell
If she ever found a man like Dane, she would willingly give him kids, something she’d never really wanted for herself until now. She paused. What she really wanted was this family. To be part of Dane’s life…
Her heart skipped a beat whenever he entered the room. When he’d been mad at her the previous evening, her heart had almost broken, and then sang when he cared for her when she cut her wrist. His touch had turned her to jelly and burned through her.
Her face grew hot at the thought of him carrying her, his breath on her neck and his fingers pushing her hair behind her ears. Ray had looked at Rosalie the same way.
But now Amy was going too far. She was Dane’s nanny, well his daughters’ nanny, nothing more.
Vicky tugged at her hand, dragging her back to reality.
“Yes, I’m coming. Are you ready?”
Vicky nodded, holding up her bag.
“Then let’s go.” She slid the envelope on the counter into her handbag and glanced around. “Where’s my phone?”
Vicky grinned and pointed to the bread bin.
“What’s it doing there? Trying to hide from me, you say?” Amy asked.
Vicky shrugged, still smiling.
Amy put her phone in her bag. “There, now try to run away. OK, now we can go.”
She took Vicky’s hand and set the alarm before leaving the house. She took Vicky into the classroom, rather than leaving her in the playground as usual. She glanced around, taking in the colorful displays of children’s work and the swarm of children in navy blue uniforms.
“Miss Stabler. Is everything OK?” Miss Macnin came over to her. “We don’t encourage caregivers to come into school with the children. Mr. Philips should have made you aware of that.”
“No, everything’s not all right. Yesterday as I was passing by, I saw Vicky crying in the playground, the second time she was surrounded by a group of girls who were saying things to her, making her cry. I want something done about it.”
“Did you hear what they were saying?”
“No, but—“
“Maybe they simply wanted her to join in. She’s not the easiest of children. She’s more of a loner.”
“What if they weren’t asking her to play with them? Do you know for sure? I couldn’t see an adult anywhere on the playground.”
“I don’t really have time right now to discuss Vicky’s inability to join in with the other children at break time.” The teacher dodged three of the children. “Come and see me tonight.”
Amy stood there, about to argue. Was she being brushed off? Did no one but her care what was going on here?
The teacher turned away, clapping her hands. “Everyone on the carpet for registration, now.”
Amy slowly headed from the classroom and stood in the hallway. So, how did she get to the head’s office from here?
A woman wearing an ID badge on looked at her. “Can I help you?”
“I need to speak with the head teacher. I’m not sure which way to go.”
“It’s down this way.”
Amy followed the woman through the hallways to the office. “Thank you.” She looked at the receptionist. “I’d like to see the head teacher please.”
“And you are?”
“Miss Stabler. It’s in connection with Vicky Philips. I’m her nanny.”
The receptionist vanished, and Amy turned to look at the notices and staff photo board. She hadn’t realized the school employed so many teachers and teaching assistants.
“Miss Stabler?” The voice was deep, with the hint of an accent, almost at odds with the very tall, blond man who stood before her. His glasses perched on the end of his nose, and along with his suit, offered the picture of professionalism. “I’m Garth Tovey, head of Headley Cross Primary. How can I help you?”
She took the offered hand and shook it. “I’m Vicky Philips’s nanny. I was wondering if I could talk to you about her for a few minutes.”
“Sure. Come into my office.” He led her two doors down the corridor and shut the door. “Have a seat.”
Amy sat at the huge oval table that filled the room.
“Is there a problem with Vicky?”
“For the past week I’ve been doing a drawing therapy with her. As she won’t speak, we communicate by drawing instead.”
“I’ve heard of it. It’s meant to give good results.”
Amy nodded. She pulled the envelope from her bag. “She always draws herself under the tree with a bigger person standing over her with huge hands. This is last night’s.” She pulled out the picture and showed him. “As you can see this time there are four others around her. Yesterday morning I happened to be passing the school at break time and saw Vicky standing under the tree crying. Then on the way back, it was lunch time. She was still under the tree crying without an adult in sight and there were four girls talking to her. I don’t think they were trying to get her to play with them.”
“Could you identify any of the other girls?”
“I have a couple of photos I took yesterday.” Amy passed him her phone. “I took them because I wanted to compare the tree in her drawings to the one here. There were no staff members on the playground that I could see on either occasion.”
He glanced up sharply. “I will also look into that. There should have been at least two people there.” He scribbled names down on a piece of paper handed Amy back her phone. He pressed a button on the intercom. “Helen, can you bring Vicky Philips from 1M to my office, please?”
Minutes later, the door opened and Vicky came in slowly, with wide eyes. The color drained from her face as she saw Amy sitting there.
Amy held out a hand to her. “It’s all right, sweetheart. You’re not in trouble.”
Vicky slowly went over to her, perching on the edge of the chair next to her.
Mr. Tovey looked at her. “Miss Stabler tells me you’ve been talking to her through your drawings.”
Vicky nodded.
“She also tells me you’ve been having a few problems on the playground.”
Vicky looked at Amy, her eyes wide and her mouth open in horror.
Mr. Tovey pushed over a pad of paper and a pen. “Can you show me what happens in the playground, Vicky?”
Vicky hesitated for a moment then leaned over the paper. Her tongue hovered over her bottom lip as she painstakingly drew a tree and several stick figures. As she continued, her sleeve slid up her arm, revealing the bruises underneath it.
Mr. Tovey looked at Vicky. “You really should have come and seen me or Miss Macnin, when this first began happening. We could have stopped it.”
She shook her head, wrapping her arms around her middle.
“You go back to class, and I’ll speak to the girls in the photo.”
Vicky shook her head again, looking at Amy and then pointed to the window.
“Sweetheart, I can’t take you home,” Amy said, assuming that’s what she wanted. “But I’ll be waiting for you at the end of the day. I promise. And we’re doing something fun on the way home, remember?” She hugged her tightly. “We’re picking up Jodie and Vianne and going to the park, aren’t we?”
Vicky nodded. She hugged her back, then slowly left the room.
Amy looked at Mr. Tovey. “You’ll put a stop to this?”
“I’ll certainly speak to the girls responsible. Bullying isn’t acceptable in any shape or form. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. May I have a copy of the photos?”
“I’ll be glad to forward them,” Amy said. “I’ll be speaking to her father tonight. He’ll be glad to know it’s dealt with. Thank you.”
7
Dane changed gear and glanced at Nate. The morning had been a total waste of time. What they thought had been a lead had turned into a dead end. “Now what?”
Nate shook his head. “I have no idea. I wish I did.” He leaned back in his seat, looking out the window. “Hey, isn’t that your nanny sitting over there opposite the school?”
“Yeah—wonder what’s
up. I won’t be a sec.” Dane pulled over and parked the car. He got out and walked across the pavement to Amy. He took a seat on the bench next to her. “You can take watching the girls too far,” he joked.
Amy glanced at him. “Hi, Dane.”
His heart warmed at her use of his name. There was something about the way she said it, that was different from everyone else. “Aren’t you meant to be resting? How’s your wrist?”
“Sore.” Her gaze darted back to the playground. “But I’ll live.”
“Did you get to the doctor’s, to have the dressing changed?”
“No, something more important cropped up. Dane, I had something to tell you last night, but I wanted to wait for a good time, then I cut my wrist and...” She peeked around him, trying to keep her eyes on the playground.
He touched her arm, concerned. “Are you really OK? You seem distracted.”
“Not really. Watching Vicky.”
Dane looked over at the playground. It was heaving with children running here and there, the screams and laughter reaching them from across the road. “Where is she?”
“She’s under the tree on the left.” She handed him her phone. “Yesterday, as I was walking back to your house from the church, I saw her under the tree crying. It looked like the one from her drawings. It could simply be like her teacher said and the kids were trying to get her to play.”
Dane looked at the photos and beckoned Nate over. “But?”
“Something didn’t seem right. I spoke to the head teacher this morning, and he called Vicky in. She has bruises on her arms. The head said he’d deal with it. I wanted to sit here and make sure it was sorted.” She glanced up as Nate stood behind them, looking at the photos over Dane’s shoulder.
His fingers clenched into fists as he struggled with the rage filling him. How could he not have known something was wrong? How did he miss something as important as this? He shrugged off Nate’s calming hand, knowing Nate would react the same way if it were Vianne that was being hurt. As he watched the playground, four girls went over to Vicky and surrounded her. He scowled. “Sorted it, right…”
Then he leapt to his feet as they laid into her. “Nate…” He checked the road before launching across it, with Nate and Amy close behind him.
“Leave her alone!” he roared.
Amy rang the bell on the gate.
Dane watched in despair. The girls kept laying into Vicky, seemingly oblivious to everything around them. He looked for the adult on duty, but there was no one in sight.
“Hello?” A voice crackled through the speaker on the gate.
Amy leaned into it. “This is—”
Dane shook his head. He didn’t have time for niceties. “This is DS Philips and DS Holmes. There’s an assault in progress on the playground. I need you to let us in now.”
Nothing happened. “Amy, stay here and keep trying. Nate, with me.”
“Where are you…?” Amy began then turned back to the intercom.
Dane scaled the fence and vaulted over it quickly; knowing Nate would be right behind him. Landing on his feet, he charged toward the tree. “Get away from her!” he yelled.
Vicky cowered, with her arms over her head.
The children around her scattered, but Nate set off in pursuit, catching them.
Dane reached Vicky and crouched beside his distraught daughter. He wrapped his arms tightly around her. “It’s OK, honey. Daddy’s here, now.”
Vicky sobbed, her whole body shaking uncontrollably, as she clung to him.
Three teachers, Mr. Tovey, and Amy converged on the scene. Another teacher blew the whistle three times and got all the other children to line up in classes.
Talk about shutting the stable door after the horse had bolted.
Dane’s anger flowed from him without restraint. “I was told this had been sorted,” he said furiously. “I did not expect to see it happening again. Why wasn’t anyone out here on playground duty?”
“There should have been,” Mr. Tovey said. “I spoke to the girls this morning, but that obviously wasn’t enough.”
“Obviously,” Dane muttered, not hiding the sarcasm.
Nate put a hand on his shoulder. “Can we take this inside?” he said. “Away from all the other kids?”
Mr. Tovey nodded. He turned to a tall blonde woman. “Emma, take those four inside and sit them outside my office and ring their parents please. I need them all to come in—drag them out of work if need be. I’ll take Vicky to the school nurse to check her over.”
“That’s not necessary,” Dane said sharply. At this point he didn’t trust anyone from the school with his daughter. “I’ll arrange a medical checkup myself.” He stood with Vicky still in his arms, following the head teacher inside the school building. They all headed down to the head teacher’s office. “Amy will take her home.”
Vicky shook, still clinging to him, as he sat on one of the chairs around the large oval table.
Dane kissed her forehead. “Honey, Daddy is going to stay here and make sure this doesn’t happen again. I want you somewhere safe and right now that’s at home with Amy.” He glanced at Nate, who nodded. “Uncle Nate agrees. Actually…” He pulled out his phone and hit speed dial. It answered on the second ring. “Guv, its Dane. I need two patrol cars to Headley Cross Primary, now.”
“What’s up?”
“Assault. Four kids attacked Vicky, and it’s not the first time from what I understand.”
“You want to arrest a bunch of six-year-olds?” DI Welsh sounded incredulous.
“These kids aren’t six, but I have something else in mind. And I know better than to talk to the kids involved myself.”
“Is Vicky OK?”
“She’s shaken, scared, and it’s hard to tell if she’s injured or not here. I just want her home. Amy doesn’t drive, and Nate and I only have the pool car here.”
“Sure. Two cars on the way. Come and see me when you get back. I’ll need you both to bring me up to speed and fill out a report.”
“Thanks, Guv. Will do.” He hung up. “Vicky, honey, a uniformed officer is going to come and take you and Amy home. You’ll be safe there.”
She didn’t let go.
“I promise.” He hugged her. “And it won’t be long before I’m home. And don’t forget Uncle Nate, Auntie Adeline, and Vianne are coming for dinner tonight.”
She looked up slowly.
“Bringing chips,” Nate added.
“I need your help to make a pudding,” Amy said. She had as little color in her cheeks as Vicky did. “Maybe we make a chocolate one.”
Dane hugged her. “She said the C word,” he whispered, finally getting a slight smile from his daughter. “But I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”
Two police cars with blue lights flashing pulled up outside the windows.
Mr. Tovey looked at him. “Isn’t that a little overkill?”
Dane stiffened. “What would you do if it were your daughter?” he asked. “And I have no intentions of speaking to those girls myself. That is what the uniformed officers are for. Besides, you had two police officers witness the assault, from outside the school this time. There is no way this is now an in-house problem.”
He looked at Vicky. “Let’s get you and Amy out of here and then Daddy can sort things out here.” He glanced up. “I’ll be right back.” He stood and took Vicky’s hand, leading her out to reception.
Four tall uniformed officers stood there. He nodded to them. “Ben, can you take Vicky and Amy home and then come back here and help me?”
The officer nodded. “Sure, Sarge.” He winked at Vicky. “Would you like the flashing lights on all the way to your house?” he asked in a stage whisper. “Just don’t tell the Sarge.”
Vicky nodded shyly, taking hold of Amy’s hand.
Dane looked at Amy. “I won’t be late tonight. Just keep an eye on her, make sure she’s not hurt in anyway. If she is, text me, and I’ll get Janice over to check her out.”
“OK.” Amy nodded, her voice wobbling slightly.
Dane studied her and caught hold of her arm. He didn’t like how pale she was. “Are you all right? Is the cut aching? You seem a little out of sorts.”
“I’m fine. You see to things here.”
Her appearance belied her words, but now wasn’t the time to call her on it. He’d do that later, once the girls were in bed. She must really have come to care for his children if the assault had affected her this much. He nodded, his anger dissipating as his cop side kicked in. Vicky was safe, now he could deal with this. “OK.”
He walked them to the door, then turned to look at Nate.
Nate held his gaze. “You can’t arrest a bunch of seven–year-olds. Even if it was full blown assault, in front of police officers. Never mind the photographic evidence of a prior.”
“That’s what the Guv said, but I don’t intend to arrest them.”
“What are you planning then?”
Dane looked at him, Mr. Tovey, and the uniformed officers. “I figured let Steve and Marcus deal with the kids and their parents, just point out that bullying and assaulting someone isn’t acceptable under any circumstances. I’m not pressing charges. It’s up to the school to deal out whatever punishment it sees fit. And if Mr. Tovey could call a whole school assembly, I figured you, Jem, Ben when he gets back, and I could do an anti-bullying talk.”
Nate laughed. “I love it.”
Mr. Tovey nodded. “I’ll organize that now. I really am very sorry. I’ll make sure all the lunchtime controllers and teaching and support staff sit in on it as well.”
Dane smiled for the first time. “Thank you.”
Amy walked slowly out to the police car. Her heart pounded. She struggled for every breath she took, and her stomach twisted to the point of throwing up, even though she hadn’t eaten for hours.
Dane’s a cop? How could I have not known? The signs were there, if only I’d worked it out. Why didn’t he tell me?
The uniformed officer, whose name she didn’t remember, opened the door. Her throat closed on her, making breathing now nigh on impossible. Memories of the last time she was in the back of a police car assailed her. The car door thudded shut, and she jumped.