Nannie Annie

By Alice Starzl

Delia and Rose are two children housebound by illness. They long to play outside with other children. Then one day, a mysterious nanny appears on their doorstep during a snowstorm. With her sidekick, a little unicorn called Luna, Nannie Annie helps the girls heal.
Join them on a magical voyage to The Land of the Unicorns, and a trip to the moon (and back).
Nannie Annie is the debut work of liver transplant survivor Alice Starzl. Cover art also by Alice Starzl.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alice Starzl
• Release date: Dec 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463699836

Alice Starzl

A liver transplant survivor dabbling in writing.

Book preview

Nannie Annie

Alice Starzl

Distributed by Smashwords

Copyright 2019 Alice Starzl

ISBN: 9780463699836

Chapter 1 – An Unexpected Visitor

One wintry Sunday morning in February, the doorbell rang. The Robins family were not expecting anyone, and especially not on a day like today. There was a fierce snowstorm outside, and most of the roads had been closed since yesterday. Mother and father sat startled for a few seconds. Delia and Rose, their daughters, lit up and looked at each other in excitement. They loved visitors.

Alright, said father, finally getting up and putting down his toast, I'll get that.

A gust of wind swept through the hall as the front door opened to the figure on the porch. It was an unfamiliar lady, wearing a navy skirt with a red stripe near the hem, a woollen navy overcoat, and carrying a black satchel. She had curly ginger hair, sparkling sea-green eyes, and a warm smile. Father tried not to act surprised as he asked the unexpected visitor, How may I help you? Delia and Rose, who were now in the hall, stared on in amazement.

I'm Nannie Annie said the stranger, stepping into the hall as father closed the door, and I'm sorry you were not expecting me. But I have been sent here to look after your girls. She smiled towards Delia and Rose as she said this.

Oh, are you from the hospital? asked father.

Not exactly.

But did the hospital send you?

In a way, yes.

Oh, great. The girls are doing better now but we could do with an extra pair of hands. Father took Nannie Annie's coat and hung it over the railings.

You see, Delia and Rose have spent the past year or so either in hospital, or at home with mother and father, due to their poorly health. They did not play outside with other children.

It's nice to meet you, Nannie Annie said Delia with a curtsey.

I'm glad you're here added Rose. Nannie Annie smiled and took both girls' hands as they all walked into the kitchen to meet mother.

Father, on the other hand, remained in the hallway.