Chapter Text
JAMIE
It had been a long busy morning in the garden.
Jamie had encountered Hannah earlier that morning in the chapel and found out that the new au pair had already arrived.
Unusually reserved and not really interested in knowing more about the girl, Jamie merely shrugged the information away and went back to the greenhouse to repot some plants that had already overgrown their current recipient.
She found herself lost in thought as she cared for the plants, thinking about Rebecca, about goddamned Peter Quint, and the fact that having a new au-pair at the house was rattling her more than she cared to admit.
-/-
It was close to noon when her stomach reminded her it was almost time to eat.
Jamie made her way to the back entrance of the house that led directly to the kitchen, indulging her curiosity for a bit and trying to figure out what kind of woman the new au-pair would be.
She thoroughly wiped her boots before entering, and as she strutted into the kitchen, she robbed a quick glance at the unknown blonde woman, avoiding eye contact.
Jamie couldn’t really pin down what made her decide to be rude. To be fair, she never really was the type of person to actively introduce herself, unless it was a one-on-one situation.
It’s not as if she felt guilty. Putting some distance between her and people had helped her before. Most people were trouble anyway, and rarely any was worth the investment of her time.
It also didn’t help that the au-pair was beautiful.
Fine. Maybe I panicked a bit.
So, in the end, as a way of trying to mend the situation, Jamie picked on the kids, showing a glimpse of her playful side, lightening up the mood.
-/-
DANI
A woman that Dani assumed was the gardener entered the kitchen without even acknowledging her presence.
Dani scanned the intriguing figure, wondering why she’d avoid any kind of formal introduction. The way she walked exuded a kind of confidence Dani wished she had herself.
I wonder what her name is.
Ah well.
The gardener then messed with the kids, in a gesture that felt like something any older sibling would do. And even if it was just a small gesture, it instantly made Dani think she could trust her somehow.
Then she remembered something that had been in the back of her mind for a while, and with everyone on the table, it was probably the best opportunity she’d had to approach the subject.
“Was there…somebody…working on the grounds today? Maybe a repairman or something?”
As the au-pair proceeded to describe what she had seen, Jamie felt a small chill going down her spine.
Crap. Don’t tell me Peter Quint is back to steal more shit.
The three adults brushed the subject aside, trying to show there was no reason to worry.
Dani was not convinced, silently deciding to go and check out the parapet later in the day.