The journey back to London had been pleasant as Ian Rider had taught his nephew how to shuffle like a croupier, play blackjack and started to teach him poker. Only just over five hours to get back, with an hour stopover in Paris. Not long enough to have to deal with a bored kid and it was now nearly two in the afternoon. Alex got off the train insisting on shouldering his rucksack and manhandling his pull along suitcase.

Ian answered his phone when he disembarked the train at Waterloo. A call to go to Liverpool Street as soon as possible. He was meant to be on sabbatical, but he always put his duty to Queen and Country first. He would have to leave Ms. Starbright and Alex to get to know each other, as he had ensured for this eventuality by hiring a housekeeper in the first place.

Alex watched the hustle and bustle of London as the Taxi drove west to Chelsea, crossing over Lambeth Bridge and down the Embankment. He had already purchased an A-Z and planned on visiting his mum's good friend Rashida, when he could get away. He had never been on a bus or the underground alone, but he would have to learn to do all these things by himself now. He had heard Ian, don't call me uncle as it makes me feel old, talk to the mysterious Mr. Crawley about going into straight to work as soon as Alex was dropped off. It meant his uncle had lied to Auntie Tulip. At least he knew that was the basis of his relationship with his new guardian. His mother and Aunty Julia had joked about don't expect anything and you won't be disappointed. Hard words were coming true for a bright and mature nine year old. He would plan and make lists like his mum had shown him. Keep up karate and football, enjoy school and work towards your own goals. He had his journal, a present from Aunty Julia, who had said it was important to write the good things about mummy and daddy down and not to forget them in the letter that had mysteriously appeared on the mat in his temporary home in Lyon. He had a small box of keepsakes. Both his parents had taught him to only keep what you needed and could carry as he travelled about and moved home often. In France, he had left his toys for the mischievous twins. He no longer felt like playing with his action figures or his toy cars. He still had his favourite books, even if he had no one to read to him at night, he could read Stig of the Dump and the Eagle of the Ninth to himself. His book of Anatomy was his only other must keep He then wondered if there was a library near by and where he would be going to school. He would write to Aunty Tulip about visiting in the summer holidays, but he might get to go to summer camp as Ian seemed to be set on working and not looking after Alex.

After the briefest of introduction, Alex was left with the housekeeper, Jack, who was a girl who dressed like a boy and had short hair and spoke very fast with an American accent, telling the young boy all about herself and her life to date, while pouring out a glass of milk and fixing a sandwich for her new buddy. He took in that she loved living in London, but had taken this job as she was short of funds and did not want to get a proper job. She was a lawyer, but wanted to do charity work. Her dad had been stationed at Mildenhall Air Base when she started her Law Degree at Kings College and she had completed her Masters in International Law. She had no plans to return to the States and then waited for any response from the young charge.

Sat in a strange kitchen, Alex stared at Jack. After five minutes of intense silence, Alex simply stated "I guess Ian told you all about me. A tour of my new home and the area would be great."

Taking that blunt statement in her stride, Jack smiled. "Sure thing, Alex."

His room was average, the furniture all looked brand new. Jack's room was across the hall and they shared a bathroom. "I'm a neat freak, so pick up after yourself and keep things tidy. We'll discuss chores after you're settled. Ian's room is upstairs on the third, I mean second floor, along with his office. He has an en-suite bathroom and his office next door. Both rooms are always locked. Yes, I tried to snoop, but I didn't get far as I can't pick locks." She then showed him the guest room and the small yard. "The neighbours are stuck up assholes, just so you know."

Later they walked up the Kings Road, the Housekeeper looked pissed as she read the message on her phone. "Right, Ian's not coming home tonight. We have to fend for ourselves. I told your uncle I was not a great cook, which means I pretty much suck at it. So, sandwiches again or take out?"

Alex shook his head. "I can cook eggs, pasta and soup. Not all together but different things, like omelette. I could show you how to make one. I like cheese and ham in mine."

"Show me, but if I try I can guarantee it'll be reduced to carbon in minutes."

…..

Alex woke the next morning to Jack singing loudly in the shower. It was just after seven and told the newcomer that his girl friday was an early bird. It was Sunday. He had time to eat breakfast and make it to mass.

"All dressed up!" Jack exclaimed, seeing the nine year old in his best trousers, school shoes, shirt and tie. "Going somewhere this morning, Handsome?"

They had walked past the Church of the Holy Redeemer and St. Thomas More on Cheyne Row, yesterday. Alex had made a note of times and would continue to be the son his mother wanted him to be. "Church, its only around the corner so I can go on my own."

Jack Starbright was then suddenly aware that Ian Rider did not know his nephew at all well. One the boy was Catholic and serious about it. Going to church when not forced to. She herself had rejoiced at her freedom from Sunday obligations when she left home at 18. Jack had only read snippets in the press over the deaths of Alex's parents, one murdered and his father driven by guilt and loss to suicide. His former best friend had murdered Helen, the love of his life. "So, you can go, but I take you and pick you up. Over lunch at the Trafalgar we will discuss your new school and after school activities as it looks like we might not see Ian for a while."

The while was seventeen days, Ian had been sent to Brazil and promoted to Overseas Account Manager. He said little on his return, only noting the fees needed to be paid as Jack had enrolled Alex in the local Steiner School as the Primary School place the Council offered was not fit for purpose in the trainee lawyers eyes. He raised an eyebrow at Alex's after school activities. Karate he fully approved of, football was expected, but ballet threw him.

Jack shook her head on seeing Ian's disapproval at a 'girly' activity. "Don't look at me about the ballet classes. The yoga teacher at school suggested it. Alex thought it was a great idea. Muscle strength, flexibility and appreciation of music, Alex also like the fact that his other activities were with boys and ballet class is 90% girls. His best friend, Sabina goes to ballet regularly. I think he's smitten already."

Ian then confessed, "God, I forgot about my brother John being a championship ballroom dancer for the same reason. He had the pick of all the girls, he always had dates lined up. I never got it, well being seven years younger, he was in the army before I even thought about dating."

Jack dated seriously, her social life curtailed to look after a lovely boy, who this bastard was neglecting. She also thought Ian Rider was not the marrying type, not gay, just he saw other people as tools or goals with no real emotional interaction. "Right, next three nights you are babysitting. Don't worry Alex clears up after dinner than goes upstairs to do his homework, study or read. He says his prayers at 9 then goes to sleep. He has nightmares, just don't fuss him. He'll either talk to you or not. I am going out. I will be back for breakfast." With that the forthright Ms. Starbright went to her room to get ready for a night on the town.