Authors Note: Bad Tandem! smacks herslef over the head...then groans cause she hit herself too hard and now has a headache. I'm sorry to those who have already read this so far and gone 'how's Darien talking?'. Obviously I haven't checked my editing as well as I thought I had, cause I could have sworn I put in a note that says how Darien communicates. Oh well, nobody's perfect, I didn't and so will remedy that now.

No, as someone has recently pointed out, Darien is not telepathic, nor is Serena. Darien uses sign language to talk to people. There we have sorted that out. I am going to go through and remedy some of the mistakes in the first chapters, so if anyone feels that they are stil confused please re-read them.

I hope everyone will continue to review and maybe even write me an email, perhaps telling me what made you read this story? No pressure intended. Tandem.

Chapter Three

" Ken Cathart speaking" The voice on the other end of the line was rich and cultured, with an English accent. Serena remembered well the inflection he had always placed on his A's, during the brief time she had had to get to know him the year before.

" This is Serena-"

" Serena from the convention last year!" The voice cut her off.

" Yes. How are you Mr Cathart?" Serena asked politely.

" Ken please. And I'm well, overworked and understaffed as usual, but fit and healthy as always. You?" Ken said cheerfully.

" Quite well thank you. Although I must admit, I'm a little confused as to why you called."

" Straight to the business part of the conversation, just as you were when I first met you. Doesn't that ever annoy your husband?"

" I don't see that that has anything to do with you." Serena said stiffly.

" No offence intended." Ken assured rapidly.

"Yes, well..."

" Anyway, the reason I called is that last year you indicated that you were interested in working at a childrens centre that catered for mute children?"

" I was." Serena said cautiously.

" Would you by any chance still be interested?"

" That depends on what you are getting at."

" Well, I happen to run a childrens home catering for the needs of deaf, blind and mute children of varying ages, and a place on my staff has been open for some time now and has yet to be filled. Up until recently, the board has been adamant that someone within the local, or near, community fills the place. Since no one has been found to fill the position, they have relented and allowed me to search for someone elsewhere. I remembered you saying that you would be interested in a placement like the one being offered and thought I might give you a try."

"Where is the home?" Serena asked slowly, tossing up the idea in her mind.

" A place called Liss, about forty-five minutes outside of London."

" London!?" Serena exclaimed, her hopes flying out the window.

" I know it's a long way away from your current home, but if you decide to accept my offer, you and your husband will be provided with a cottage on the grounds and a car."

" I don't have any qualifications." Serena said.

" I think looking after your husband provides you with all the training you need. The position is only that of a carer. That means you will be given three or four children, of roughly the same age, to care for. You'll be required to make sure they learn their lessons, supervise them when they play, make sure they're in bed at the right time and basically fill the role of a mother figure. They desperately need to feel that they're loved and have someone who they can run to when they fall down and scrape their knees, or when they have a nightmare. They're all separated from their families, most of them for very long amounts of time, because their families live too far away to visit them regularly. As you probably know, children with these sorts of disabilities are mostly like other children, they're just hindered a bit. There really aren't any qualifications needed for the position vacant, just a warm heart, sharp eye and lots of love to give, which I think you have."

" I'm flattered." Serena said, a little overwhelmed.

" Have I got you at least a little bit interested?" Ken asked hopefully.

" Yes you have, but I can't even think about it until I've talked to my husband." Serena replied.

" Of course. If you decide to accept this offer, I think you will find that the home is well run and does a lot of good for the children placed in its care. I think you could add to the atmosphere there."

" I'll call you back when I've talked to my husband and we've reached our decision." Serena said.

" I will need to know by the end of next week. Call me anytime." Ken said.

" Ok."

" Hope to hear from you soon."

" Thank you for the offer." Serena said.

" I couldn't think of anyone better for the job." Ken replied.

Serena hung up the phone, pressing her hands to her hot cheeks. " Serena, I think you just got offered your dream job." Serena whispered to herself. She sighed, looking down at the work she had piled on her desk. She looked over at the door and decided to take it home. She picked up her jacket and walked out of her office.

" Back again Serena? My, my we aren't going to make a habit of this are we? I don't think I could handle Darien being as cheerful all the time, as he is when he's been around you. It's sickening really." Andrew said when Serena walked into the reception area of Dariens office. He walked over and gave her a hug. " Your in luck, I'm not intending to make a habit of this. But if you ever tell me my husband is sickening again, I will get you fired." Serena said playfully.

" Oh no! What ever will I do? Please Serena, I'm ever so sorry, I won't say it again." Andrew said in an over dramatic voice.

" Go on get going!" Serena said.

" I'm off. Darien is in his office, whistling away. Terribly out of tune, as always."

" Thanks Drew."

Darien looked up when Serena walked into his office, smiling at her as she sat down in the chair opposite him.

You look cheerful

" I am. You sound cheerful." Serena replied.

Pardon?

" You're whistling, that's normally a sign that someone is happy." Serena pointed out.

Right

" So what are you so happy about?" Serena asked.

Nothing much. Just thinking of whipped cream

Serena burst out laughing, slumping forward in her chair to hug her middle.

" I will never forget your face when the first bit hit you."

That wasn't very nice

" No, but it was fun, and it felt good." Serena said.

I'll remember that, and the next time I'm feeling down, I'll cover you with whipped cream and make myself feel better

" Don't you dare." Serena said, panicking over the idea of Darien carrying out his threat.

So what has got you so cheerful?

" I think I would rather talk about it over lunch. Do you have time for a nice leisurely lunch and Tandem's?" Serena asked. (Hey, I gotta get my name in here some how)

Give me tow minutes to finish this and I will have

" I'll meet you at my car." Serena said.