Not much trouble

You pull on a tight red sweater and some jeans, grabbing your purse and trotting out the door of your apartment. Mrs. Thornhaven greets you with a hug when she opens her door.

"Lisa, you're simply an angel for doing this," she exclaims. "Victoria's excited to see you again, and honestly dear it shouldn't be more than a few hours before Cody comes home."

"Mark! Lisa is here!" she calls as she leads you into the house. Her husband steps into the room, smiling at you, and extending a hand of greeting.

"Lisa, you're a life-saver!" he says with a grin of flashing white teeth. He's a handsome man, and you remember that you had a teenage crush on him when you used to babysit a few years before. The memory makes you blush a bit as you take his hand and smile.

"It's a business thing, absolutely essential that I be there," he says. "It will go late, and we're going to stay the night in a hotel. Cody said he'd be back by ten, but honestly, when he's playing games with his friends he loses track of time. I wouldn't be surprised if he was late." You nod in understanding, but feel a bit unhappy at the news.

"Let me take care of payment right now," he says, pulling some bills out of his wallet. "We agreed on a hundred, I understand. And here's another fifty for coming on such short notice and in case Cody is late." He gives you another smile, and you feel a bit of tingle at his gaze, and at the brief touch of his hand as he gives you the money.

Victoria comes running into the room and hugs you, laughing happily. Within a few minutes the Thornhavens are out the door with a chorus of thanks, and you settle down with with their daughter. She's the same little angel you remember, doing her homework and getting ready for bed without any fuss, leaving you to your own devices by nine.

As you make yourself a snack, thinking about how to spend the hour or so until Cody arrives, your phone rings. You pick it up to hear Mrs. Thornhaven's voice.

"Lisa dear, I'm so sorry, but Cody has really let us down. He texted Mark that he's staying the night at his friends place. We tried to call him but he's not picking up. I know it's a horrible inconvenience but would you be a dear and spend the night? Help yourself to anything, and the spare room is made up. I'm so sorry darling, I know this is horrible, and we'll pay you another hundred for the trouble. Oh, Mark says another hundred and fifty. Could you darling? Please?"

You frown in annoyance, but you remind yourself that you didn't have any other plans, and you can certainly use the money.

"No problem Mrs. Thornhaven. I can stay. And the extra money is very generous of you."

"It's the least we can do. Thank you so much darling. Make yourself at home, and help yourself to anything you want. I've got run, thanks again."

You shrug and carry your snack into their TV room, slumping onto the couch.