Chapter 6
Raymond hesitated at the mention of “Mom.”
Celia, however, was completely unfazed. “It’s already past Mom’s calling time, so she won’t know anyway! Besides, Miss Joanna always says we’re kids–we’re supposed to have fun! And right now, what would make me happiest is eating all these cupcakes.”
As soon as Celia finished, a warm laugh drifted down from upstairs–Joanna’s laugh.
She walked over and gently tapped Celia on the forehead. “You little rascal. All right, whatever Celia and Raymond want to eat, you’ll have it!”
“Hooray! Miss Joanna, you’re the best! I wish you could always live with us!” Celia cheered, her voice filled with innocent excitement.
Joanna couldn’t help but smile at their enthusiasm.
The nutritionist, standing nearby, frowned slightly. She looked as if she wanted to say something but, catching sight of Joanna, decided to hold her tongue. At first, she’d assumed Miss Selwyn was the lady of the house, but Miss Sinclair moved through the Fordham family home as if it were her own, and the children were clearly devoted to her. It wouldn’t do to get on Miss Sinclair’s bad side–Mr. Fordham wouldn’t be pleased.
Raymond, meanwhile, was torn. Last time he’d ignored his mother’s warning, he’d ended up terribly ill. He liked Miss Sinclair, truly, but his mother had said if he kept being greedy, he’d fall seriously sick and worry his father. He couldn’t let his parents worry just because he wanted more sweets.
So, as he nibbled at his cupcake, he did so with obvious restraint.
Celia, on the other hand, ate with abandon–mixing hot and cold, devouring too many cream–filled treats. By nightfall, she was curled up in her little bed, shaking with stomach pains. Her pale, cherubic face was now drawn and pitiful.
When Chester heard Celia was unwell, he rushed home at once.
She clung to his sleeve, eyes brimming with tears. “Daddy, is it because I was naughty that Mommy made my tummy hurt? Last time, Mommy said if I ate too many cupcakes, a witch would punish me. I didn’t mean to! I want Mommy to come home and break the spell… Waaaah…”
The truth was, every time she felt sick, her mother would make her a comforting bowl of soup.
Now, she sobbed so hard her face was streaked with tears and snot.
Joanna, standing nearby, bit her lip in guilt. “Chester, I’m so sorry. I should have kept a closer eye on her I let her eat too many cupcakes.”
Celia’s lower lip trembled. Fearing her father would blame Joanna, she rushed to defend her. “Daddy, it’s not Miss Sinclair’s fault! Mommy just forgot to call and remind me! She doesn’t
Chapter 6
care about me at all…”
Raymond blinked, confused. He was grateful he’d remembered his mother’s warning after last time, even if, in his eyes, she could never compare to Miss Joanna. Still, he knew his mother cared deeply about them.
Thinking of how kind Miss Sinclair was, he couldn’t help but speak up. “Dad, Mom always reminds us. Celia’s just little–she forgets sometimes.”
Chester’s tone grew a shade stricter. “Alright. From now on, you two need to listen to the nutritionist. No more sneaking sweets.”
He didn’t blame Joanna for what happened. If anything, he found himself growing more frustrated with Celestine. She’d always been so careful with the children in the past. If she hadn’t been so distant lately, would their daughter have gotten sick at all?
Was she really so upset that she would just stop caring about the kids after returning home?
