Free The School Gates by Nicola May Page B

girls. It’ll be a squeeze but I’ll give you a lift.’
    Once Joshua P was safely ensconced at his guitar lesson, Gordon and Inga stood side by side pushing the twins on the park swings. The girls squealed with delight, the higher they went.
    ‘So, what is it you want to talk to me about?’ Inga asked innocently.
    ‘How do you fancy living in a three-bedroom penthouse with one very handsome man?’
    Inga laughed. ‘And let me guess – two very pretty little girls?’
    ‘You’re a genius,’ Gordon mocked.
    ‘Can’t believe it’s taken you so long,’ Inga quipped, then slowed down her pushing, much to Lily’s displeasure. ‘I could see you needed help,’ she added. ‘But I felt I had to wait for you to come to me first.’
    The girls leaped off the swings and ran towards the climbing frame.
    ‘So, what do you think?’ Gordon asked her. ‘The girls are happy in their bunk beds so you could make the spare room your own. I don’t see you as a conventional au pair, so how about you treat it as renting a room from me, we liaise on my shifts, and as long as you are around for those, I’m flexible with what you do with any other spare time. Well, aside from helping out with a bit of shopping, cleaning and ironing and cooking the girls’ meals when I am at work.’
    ‘Gordon Summers, I think you were sent from heaven, that’s what I think. It’s perfect. It gives me time to have my own life too. To be honest I wanted a change, but if you can give me the freedom to do some different things then it’s perfect. Thank you.’
    ‘I haven’t discussed it with the girls yet but I know they adore you. I’ll talk to them over dinner. I just need to get a key cut and then if you want to, you can move in tomorrow?’
    ‘Sounds like a deal to me.’ Inga put her arm loosely round him as they made their way to the climbing frame.
    For the first time in weeks, sleep came easy for both the young Polish girl and Gordon Summers.
    Eliska pushed her nose against the train window, noticing the scenery change from fields to skyscrapers. It was Saturday lunchtime and the train was packed with Christmas shoppers and revellers.
    ‘Mummy, look at that big wheel!’ the little girl shrieked, catching sight of the London Eye as they approached Waterloo station. ‘Can we go on it?’
    Alana with her fear of heights couldn’t think of anything worse. ‘We’ll see, darling,’ she prevaricated, and Eliska pouted. ‘I thought we should go on an open-top bus first, see all the twinkly lights and then do some present shopping.’
    ‘Awesome!’ Eliska was easily appeased.
    They bagged seats on the top deck right at the front. It was a sunny winter’s day but they were glad of their warm scarves and woolly tights as there was a cold nip in the air.
    Eliska was kept amused spotting all the landmarks they had studied in a recent project at school.
    The bus brakes squeaked as they pulled up outside the Tower of London. A young couple got on with their daughter. The bus set off again.
    ‘Mummy?’ Eliska looked up to Alana.
    ‘Yes, darling?’
    ‘When are you going to find me a new daddy?’
    Alana cringed inwardly. ‘When I’m not so busy.’
    ‘But you’re always busy, Mummy. I hate it that you have to work so much.’
    ‘Oh, Lissy darling, it won’t always be like that.’ Diversion tactics were required. ‘Quick, look at that big boat on the river.’
    The day flew by in a whirlwind of bus stops, food treats and clothes shops and in no time at all they were back at Waterloo station, laden with bags.
    It was whilst they were queuing for a promised doughnut for Eliska to eat on the way home that Alana saw him, in fact saw them.
    She could feel herself burning from her toes to her scalp, but it was too late to hide, as Stephen was waving. She was certain that if it wasn’t for the fact that he wanted to get a proper look at Eliska, he too would have scurried in the opposite direction.
    ‘Hi, Alana, and this must be