@mrs-actor-agent-of-change
If Alan was nonplussed by the man’s choice of words, he didn’t show it. Perhaps being an actor had other applications other than those used on stage or on film. ‘Ah. Well. Yes, quite. Only it’s not the babies that require wrangling, but rather the small boys you’ll be in charge of. Please, have a seat.’ He gestured towards the overstuffed armchair nearby and helped his wife to settle herself on the sofa.
Once he’d taken his seat, his hand came to rest on Jil’s thigh and she covered it with her own, almost subconsciously.
She smiled again. ‘So. Castiel. It’s okay if I call you Castiel? We do have some questions for you, yes of course, but we thought we’d start with a brief outline of what working for us would entail, if that’s okay? Then you can ask any questions you might have, and we can ask you a few things as well. Obviously you’ve come with good references.’
Jil waved her hand in Flip’s direction. Flip hadn’t been specifically invited to have a seat, but that was because Jil assumed that Flip felt comfortable enough in their home to seat herself where she well pleased.
Alan shot the fairy a brief yet warm smile.
‘Basically,’ Jil continued, ‘we’re looking for a Nanny. Or in your case, a Manny, I suppose.’ She giggled. ‘Someone to help me with day-to-day childcare. Perhaps a bit of light cleaning, but only tidying up after the boys and the like, nothing too strenuous. And perhaps giving them their lunch occasionally, that sort of thing as well. Again, nothing out of the ordinary. We’re not expecting Gordon Ramsay. Someone to help me with the little ones, bathing, nappy changes, feeding, entertaining, that sort of thing, and someone to help me with the school run with the older ones. We can outline exactly what your duties would be as we go, if you like or you need something more concrete, but that’s it in a nutshell.’
‘I don’t know if Flip’s told you, but I’m an actor,’ Alan interjected. ‘I work unusual hours and there isn’t a set shift pattern. It’s an unusual life. Jil’s coped admirably, but I would appreciate someone helping to take the strain off of her, especially when I’m working. Plus it would be nice to have someone we trust watch the boys when we have to attend premiers and the like. Mrs Robinson next door is ever so good to us, but she’s elderly and it isn’t fair to keep burdening her.’
‘Right.’ Jil nodded. ‘I suppose now I’d better outline who your charges would be. The oldest two are Patrick, who is twenty-five, and Hans, who is twenty-two. They have their own flat, so you won’t have to worry about them. Although they do pop in to raid the fridge and have their laundry done occasionally, so I’m sure you’ll meet them before too long. Your main charges will be the younger six. Soon to be eight.’ Jil chuckled and patted her belly. ‘I’m expecting twins, due next month. I’ll REALLY need your help, then.’
Alan smiled, placing a hand possessively on her bump.
‘So, the troops. Frank, we call him Cookie, is the eldest at nine. Bernard…Bernie…is seven. Brandon is five. Nicholas..Nick…is three. Tybalt…Ty…is two. And the current baby of the family, Elliot, or Lee, is eleven months. I’m expecting twin boys, to be called George and Sidney. And that’s our family.’ The pride was evident in her eyes.
‘Because of the fact that six of the children are under five, I would expect that you will live here with us. Rent free, of course. We will supply all of your food, you won’t need to worry about contributing to the household bills. We can negotiate days off and holidays, probably when Alan is home. You would be expected to travel with us, as we have a home in New York and a holiday home in Tuscany, as well as any other family holidays we might take. Your transport will be fully paid for. And of course, we will pay you a salary, which we can negotiate.’ She smiled kindly.
‘I know it’s a lot to take in. Do you have any questions, so far?’
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“Yes, that’s what I thought. Most Fae folk tend to label any ‘childe’ as a baby... young lords and ladies, it’s old reckoning, forgive me. I understand most of them are past their infancy.” he amended, shifting his gaze to Jilomena. “Castiel is fine. I have no surname. If it’s easier for the children, some people shorten it to ‘Cas’. Either way, I have no particular preference.”
Castiel nodded politely through the list of expectations, not knowing specifically who Gordan Ramsay was, but if context was an indication he was a food... person. Gingerly, he took a seat as requested and folded his hands in his lap.
“I have little practical experience. Perhaps I should preface that before continuing. Watching Humanity evolve from the beginning of time has led to a great deal of theoretical knowledge, but I like to think I am a quick study if only you would be patient enough to show me each objective once.” Cas requested, not wanting to mislead anyone into thinking that he was by any means fully qualified. “Flip did mention your profession. I believe I may have seen a performance of yours at the Royal Court Theater several decades ago when I was following a phantom in the field. It was enjoyable, as I recall.”
His eyes drifted down to his fingers, each one giving the faintest twitch as if numbering the children while their names were recited in mnemonic fashion. The amount of children was not quite so alarming to someone who was used to many generations of people birthing sometimes fifteen or twenty offspring for survival purposes. He couldn’t help but glance back to the Fairy perched on the bookcase, either from nerves or in question, at the mention of changing residence. It was logical, but unsettling. Logic overcame irrationality after a brief second and he accepted the terms with a resolute nod.
“Not... thus far, no.” he shook his head. “Considering that my recommendation came by way of a creature of magical persuasion, I expect you’ve been informed of my former celestial affiliation. Is there any discomfort or concern that you would like to address?”
