Page 2 of The Dragon’s Accidental Manny

“I redesigned the logo in my own time and sent it to a colleague for a laugh.” I explained that I’d accidentally sent it to the whole company, including the CEO. “He made the original logo in 2003.” I lowered my voice as though my former boss could hear me. “Mine was much better than his.”

Meara almost lost her composure. She seemed to be struggling with a smile but kept it together.

“And you were dismissed for that.”

“Yes, for unprofessional conduct.” I maintained it was more a difference of opinion, but I wasn’t the one doing the firing.

“Tell me about your experience working with children.”

I rambled on about doing summer camp during my college years. “I’m good with kids.” Children were so direct, which I appreciated because I was similar. I said what I thought before my brain could stop me.

“We’ve successfully placed similar applicants in various positions, so I’d like you to speak with one for them before I assign you a family.”

Oh, wow. A second interview with another manny. And what did she mean by similar applicants? Was that people who didn’t have a manny diploma from a reputable college? Or applicants who’d embarrassed their boss?

She scribbled something on a card and handed it to me. “Speak to Ledger and get a feel for what the role involves.”

Hmmm, shouldn’t Meara be doing that? It was a little odd to be handing over part of the interview process to a working manny, but I studied the name, road, and house number on the note.

“It’s a private road, but your sat nav will guide you.”

I was about to say the car was so old it didn’t have sat nav, but I could use my phone. Did I have enough gas in the tank? I might have to run the last few miles.

We said our goodbyes, but as I strode toward my car, Meara called out.

“Send me that logo and your invoice.”

I swung around, but she’d already gone inside.

The indicator was almost on empty when I reached the road where Ledger lived. The residences here weren’t just houses but huge estates. My phone got me here, but one estate gate looked like the next, and it couldn’t tell me which was which. I drove up and down a couple of times squinting at numbers.

Damn, I couldn’t follow simple instructions, so how could parents trust me with their kids?

Oh no, was that a one or a seven Meara had written? Placing the note on my lap, I tried to iron out the wrinkles, but I was no more successful than I had been with the shirt. I always put a strikethrough on a seven to differentiate it from a one. Shoot. I’d been looking for 221, but it was 227. At least I thought it was, but it didn’t seem like the Meara I’d met would have messy handwriting.

A large gate appeared with the number 227 beside it. Yikes, it was imposing, but this wasn’t the family I’d be interviewing with but rather the manny. So no need for nervous level 10, maybe a 5 instead.

I pressed the intercom and waited, and when someone answered, it was a child. “Hello.”

“Hi. The au pair agency sent me to talk about the manny⁠—”

“Okay.” The gate opened.

As I drove through the entrance, the car stuttered and ran out of gas. At least it got me here, I’d worry about how to leave later. I gazed at the house which was a sprawling bungalow surrounded by neat lawns and towering trees along the fence. There was a court but not for tennis. Maybe pickleball.

My shirt was well and truly creased when I got out. If I impressed Ledger, it had to be with my charm and not my ironing skills.

The door opened as I approached and a small boy of about four stood in the doorway wearing a pair of well-worn plastic wings.

He looked me up and down and grinned. “I let you in.”

I nodded and wondered if he’d been supposed to do that. “You did. Thank you. I’m Cam.”

“Jack.”

“I came to see Ledger.” But Jack walked back into the house leaving the door open, so I followed him.

The heat hit me, and I glanced around thinking there was a fire burning, but the fireplace was bare. The weather was pretty mild, but they must have had the thermostat cranked up. Sweat trickled down my spine, and I wished I had tissues to wipe my brow.