“Yes, um, it seemed like the other nanny left… in a hurry,” April said carefully. “And she made it seem like there was something wrong with Bolynne.”
But for the life of her, April couldn’t see anything but a sweet, if energetic little girl.
“What did she say exactly?” Janice asked.
“Oh, I don’t really remember,” April replied, not wanting to get anyone in trouble. “I just need to know if there’s anything special Bolynne will need from me, or if she has a diagnosis of any kind.”
“We have very strict privacy policies when it comes to children,” Janice said. “If there were a diagnosis, we would be required by intergalactic ethics law to disclose it to you. And we have not disclosed anything.”
There was definitely something Janice wasn’t saying.
“The father is permitted to share anything he likes, though,” Janice added. “So, if you want to initiate a conversation with him, that’s not only permitted but encouraged. Just keep in mind that your goal at all times is the well-being of the child.”
“Of course,” April said. “It just seemed like the other nanny was so angry. Did she say anything about why she was leaving that you can share with me?”
Janice sighed.
April buttoned her lip, hoping the other woman would have mercy on her and share something that might help. Bolynne deserved better than to have two nannies in a row making the same mistakes.
“Okay, it’s public knowledge that the agency’s highly experienced nanny pool won the sector lotto,” Janice said slowly.
“Yes, of course,” April said. “That’s why I got hired in the first place.”
Those nannies had bought lotto tickets together for decades. And when they won, they won big. They had all basically quit at once. Which had been bad for the agency, but lucky for April.
“And of course, you remember the cattle call interview you attended,” Janice went on. “We had those all over the Terras to replace our lost staff. And I’m sure you noticed how crowded your training sessions were?”
“So maybe there are more inexperienced nannies working with the agency right now,” April realized out loud. “It might be more likely that a nanny would get in over her head.”
“That kind of thing might happen these days,” Janice agreed. “Although, of course, I could never speak to an individual employee’s situation.”
“Of course not,” April said, feeling better. It made perfect sense that you could get stressed out in a new job. She was certainly feeling a little stressed herself.
“Anything else you need?” Janice asked.
“No, but thank you,” April told her. “I really appreciate your help.”
“Read your manual,” Janice suggested. “Even if you don’t think you need it yet. Emilia always said that when you actually need the tenets, you won’t have time to read about them. So, study it whenever you get the chance.”
Right. 132 Tenets of Childcare & Maintenance.
April was more of a fiction reader, but it was a good idea to keep doing her research, even though training was over. And Emilia had really been gaga about that book during the sessions.
“Have a good night, then,” Janice said. “And call anytime.”
April ended the comms and made a note to herself that the manual would be her bedtime reading until she had its contents down.
But for now, it was more important to read up on the Jordraaki.
She pulled her glass from her bag and activated the search function.
Pictures of Jordraaki streamed past. They were beautiful, and their colorful, mottled skin was so expressive. Otherwise, they were almost Terran-looking. Though there were text references to unusual sex organs that she chose not to look at.
It’s none of my business,she told herself. It doesn’t matter if we’re compatible. He’s my boss, and I need this job.
She found a reputable article by the Intergalactic History Council about the Jordraaki, and settled in to read it.
It was just as Janice said - the Jordraaki were descended from dragon shifters. A list of famous Jordraaki included celebrities, but also several inventors and scientists in the field of space travel. And of course, Khall Rivvor was on the list too, for his bravery and extreme skill during the attack on Nordholm.