My name's Sarah and I am a twenty two year old nanny. I'd like to tell you about an interview I've just had for a job. I replied to an advert placed by an American couple requiring a nanny for a period of time whilst they will be working in the U.K. I attended the interview held in a meetings room at a hotel in Cardiff. I met the parents Mr and Mrs Richmond (Jo and Maria) who conducted the interview and I felt I had presented myself well to them. At the end of the interview they informed me that they had other candidates to meet and they would get in touch with me to let me know the outcome and if successful to invite me to a second interview. I returned home and later that evening I received a phone call from Mr Richmond and he invited me back to Cardiff for a further interview the following afternoon.
When I arrived at the hotel and enquired at reception for Mr and Mrs Richmond I was informed that I was to go up to their suite as they were expecting me. I ascended in the lift to the tenth floor and found their room. I knocked and the door was answered by Mr Richmond who invited me in. Mrs Richmond was sat on a plush leather sofa in the lounge area and she invited me to sit down and join her. They were both dressed a little more casually than the day before. Mr Richmond offered me a drink and I requested a dry white wine. He poured me a glass and brought it over to me. They both already had drinks and he went and sat in an easy chair opposite us.
Mrs Richmond was the first to speak and she informed me that I was their first choice for the position but they had some further details to discuss with me. They explained that the position was a live-in post and that I would be given a one-bedroom apartment in the roof of the four-storey house that they were leasing for the length of their stay, due to be five years. The accommodation was rent-free and I would be able to order food and other items cost free. She then went on to explain the type of schedule I would have in looking after their four-year-old son Ben.
Mr Richmond then took over and told me that there were some important things I should know about that I might want to consider before accepting or not. He said they wanted to be perfectly honest with me. He then went on to tell me that he and Maria were in 'the life-style'. He could see a look of puzzlement on my face. He then explained that 'the life-style' meant that they were swingers.
Mrs Richmond then said "Although we are very much in love we both enjoy having other partners and watching each other with other partners. This would mean that on occasions you would see us at home with someone else either together or alone, knowing what we would be doing and sometimes we could be part of a larger group when we host a party."
"We think it only right that you know this as you would be part of the same household and wouldn't want you to discover it after commencing your employment. We realise you may not be comfortable with such a situation and would understand if you decided not to proceed with your application," said Mr Richmond.
"We know it's quite a decision so we think you should take a little time to consider it. Why don't you go down and take some time in the hotel lounge and then let us know," said Mrs Richmond.
I did as was suggested and sat in the lounge with a coffee for about half an hour thinking about the situation. I am not a prude and everyone should be allowed to please themselves. I found the whole thing quite interesting, fascinating and exciting. I had made up my mind and decided to return and inform Mr and Mrs Richmond of my decision.
I again knocked on the door Mr Richmond answered "Sarah come on in," he said.
I stood in front of them both "Mr and Mrs Richmond," I started.
"No Sarah call us Jo and Maria," said Mr Richmond.
"Jo and Maria I would like to thank you for selecting me for the position to be your nanny during your stay in the U.K and I would kindly like to accept your offer," I said.
"Oh great!" said Maria "We were both hoping that you wouldn't turn us down."
"I think you should finish your wine now to celebrate your new job," said Jo.
"Thank you," I said, taking up my previous seat on the sofa next to Maria. "In the end it wasn't a difficult decision."
"No we should thank you for being such a broad minded young lady," said Jo.
"I don't think people should dictate how others run their lives or have fun so long as no one is getting hurt and nothing illegal is being done," I went on.
"Of course you'll be free to use our house as if it were your home and do what you want to," said Maria.
"That's very much appreciated," I said "I think were going to get on well."
We continued our conversation talking about America and my training in England. We also talked about Ben and they informed me that he wasn't Jo's son. Jo's sperm is infertile and they didn't want to go through the clinical process of a hospital sperm donor. Instead Jo selected five guys who were not known to them and during one week Maria spent the night with all of them in turn. They all filled her up and shortly afterwards she discovered she was pregnant. They didn't know who the father was, nor did they want to know and Jo has taken all the legal steps and is now Ben's lawful parent. This reinforced my opinion that they were really loving parents. We talked a bit more, their conversation making me feel more at ease all the time. I could tell by their conversation that they really loved each other. We talked a little about me and my life in England and they were probing to find out if I had a boyfriend, which I didn't.
"So! No boyfriend then, but your so attractive. We've both had Cindy, our current nanny back home and she's not half as good looking as you," said Jo.
"Jo! Don't go embarrassing Sarah like that. I'm sorry Sarah," reprimanded Maria.
