It's a Small World

James woke up alone in his bed, momentarily confused by the lack of people in there with him. It’s curious, he thought, how quickly he’d gotten used to waking up with someone. He showered and put on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt then went downstairs. He found Jessica and Lucy in the kitchen, just about finishing their breakfast.

“Morning, how we doing?” he said, noting that they were both wearing nothing but their knickers and a smile.

Lucy grinned at him, “We’ve got sore arses and big grins, so I’d say we’re doing pretty well.”

James laughed, “I suppose we’ve started as we mean to go on.”

Jessica stood up and gave him a kiss.

“Coffee?”

“Yes please,” he said, sitting down.

“What do you fancy for breakfast? We’ve eaten fruit and pastries but I’ll make you something hot if you’d prefer?”

“Fruit and pastries will be great, thanks.”

“Dani messaged me, she’ll be here soon. Shall we stick to our plan and have a barbecue? The weather is lovely.”

“Sounds good to me,” said James, taking a couple of croissants and some blueberries.

Jessica brought his coffee over and sat back down, then stared at Lucy.

“Are you okay, why the long face?”

“Sorry, I was daydreaming.”

“When do you go back to work?” Asked James.

“Don’t remind me, I’m back in on Monday.”

“I’ll speak to Dani, she passes the tube station on the way to her gallery, I’m sure she can drop you off, it’ll save you time.”

As she spoke, Jessica saw the change in Lucy’s face, “Ah, I see, that’s what’s got you worried, it’s Dani, isn’t it?”

“Why would Dani worry her?” said James, then bit a chunk out of his croissant.

Jessica rolled her eyes and ignored him.

“It’s okay, she’s going to love you as much as James and I do, I know she will.”

“I hope so,” said Lucy.

He had just finished eating when the buzzer on the intercom went off. A few minutes later Dani’s car pulled up on the drive and the three of them got up to greet her at the door. Once James had said hello and complimented her on how nice she looked (which Jessica had reminded him to do) he got her bags from the car and took them up to her room, but she held onto one large plastic bag.

“Gosh, Lucy, it’s been so long since I last saw you. I think it was at Sarah’s twenty-fifth birthday party.”

“Yeah, I think that was it, I’d have been twelve then.”

“So you’re settling into the harem okay?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Dani could see what Jessica meant now, it would be very easy to think Lucy was an innocent little wallflower, but given that she was sitting there with her boobs out after what was presumably a night of debauchery with James and Jessica she had to remind herself that looks can be very deceiving. She could hear a touch of tension in the girl's voice as she sat there nervously twiddling her fingers.

“Oh that’s good. I don’t mind admitting that I’m a bit nervous, I don’t really know what to expect. Still, it’s exciting though, isn’t it?”

“I know what you mean, I’m dead nervous but excited too.”

Jessica smiled, Dani is wonderful she thought. Then James came back down to the kitchen.

“Ah, here is,” said Dani. “Now then James, I come bearing gifts.”

“Oh?” he said as she reached into the carrier bag.

She pulled out the photo of his mother and passed it to him.

“I have to say, retrieving this turned out to be quite fulfilling.”

James sat just there, staring at the photo of him and his mother.

“It’s a beautiful picture, where was it taken?” asked Dani, but he didn’t reply.

“James, are you okay?” asked Jess. “JAMES?”

“What? Sorry, I er…I…” he took a deep breath and swallowed, regained his composure and said, “I never thought I’d see it again. How did you get it?”

“It’s probably best if you don’t know. But let's just say I made your father an offer he couldn’t refuse.”

Before anyone could push her on the subject Dani asked her unanswered question again.

“So where was it taken? I’m guessing by the seaside somewhere?”

“It was in Margate, Mum took me there for my sixth birthday.”

“I got a few other bits while I was there, they’re in the bag. Oh, and nice bedroom by the way. I love the girly posters.”

James went bright red, “I can’t believe you were in my bedroom,” he said, taking the carrier bag from Dani.

He went to place the photo of his mother on the table but Jessica said, “May I have a look?”

“Sure,” he said and passed it to her.

“Oh my…that’s Susan!”

Everyone stared at Jessica, but it was James who spoke, “Yes, that’s her name.” he said with a frown, trying to remember if he told her his mother’s name.

“No, I mean, that’s my Susan, Nanny Susan.”

“Nanny Susan?” Asked Dani.

“Oh my, I feel quite giddy,” said Jessica.

“What do you mean your Nanny Susan?” said James.

“It’s just a bit of a shock seeing her again.”

“Jess, for heaven's sake, you’re not making any sense. How do you know the woman?” Said Dani.

“My parents hired a nanny for me while I was growing up, as far back as I can remember Nanny Susan was always there. She was a wonderful woman, I loved her dearly. I was devastated when she left. Oh good heavens, I’ve just realised something.”

“Realised what?” Asked Dani.

“Nanny Susan left because she was having a baby, that must have been you, James.”

“What year was that?” he asked.

“I was twelve I think, so that would have been two thousand and four?”

“I knew she used to work as a nanny before I was born, but I had no idea it was for your family. And you’re sure it’s her?” he asked.

“Quite sure, I loved her a great deal. I was heartbroken when she left.”

“Well isn’t that something?” Said Dani.

“It’s a small world,” said Lucy.

“I’m trying to think if I have any pictures of me and Nanny Susan. We must have some, I’ll ask my mother next time I speak to her.”

“You know what’s even weirder?” Said James, “You said you were twelve when she left, well I was twelve when she died. We both lost her at the same point in our lives.”

“Oh James…” said Jessica, jumping out of her seat and throwing her arms around him as the tears started to fall down her cheeks.

“Come on Lucy,” said Dani, “let’s give them some space. You can help me unpack.”