Page 14 of Meeting the Billionaire Boss

On Friday afternoon, while Joe is having a snack in the snug and watching a nature documentary — he’s fascinated by them and Cynthia told me he’s allowed to watch some TV in the evenings once his homework is done, and on Fridays after school he can have more time seeing as how it’s almost the weekend — Edward finds me in the kitchen.

‘Ava.’ He nods at me as he enters the room and goes to the fridge and gets a beer. ‘Want one?’ He holds it out towards me.

‘No thanks. I’m still on duty.’

‘You can have a beer, you know. If you want one.’

‘I’m OK thanks.’ I continue folding the towels I’ve brought in from the line despite Polly’s protestations about it not being my job. I need to keep myself busy.

Edward unscrews the top of the bottle then throws it into the recycling tub next to the bin. He seems awkward, unsure of himself as he leans against the cupboard and sips his beer.

‘I meant to speak to you sooner about this, but tomorrow, Joe has a party.’

‘Oh?’ This is news to me. I have an app on my phone with his schedule and everything that’s added to it appears there for me and for Edward, including things like parents’ evenings, playdates and medical appointments. ‘It’s not on the calendar.’

‘I know. It’s my fault. I forgot to add it. Look… I can take him. It’s no problem if you have something else planned. Or you could take the day off if you like.’

I meet his brown eyes and see the shadows beneath them. ‘You’ve had a busy week.’

He shrugs. ‘Lots to do. Some meetings that overran. An awkward client. Just the way business goes.’

‘Would you like me to take Joe to the party so you can rest?’

He licks his lips. ‘Not really. I mean… I need to go. It’s a party for the son of family friends who we also do some business with from time to time. The boy is turning five and he and Joe have known each other since they were babies. Therefore, it’s important that I show my face but… uh… I’d really like it if you’d come too.’

For a moment I get a flicker of something inside. He wants me to accompany him to this party. But then the flicker is doused as my common sense reminds me that I am the nanny, and of course he wants me there to look after Joe. It will probably be one of those parties where the children play and the adults talk business or make deals or whatever it is the upper middle class do to get on in the world.

‘I’ll come. Of course I’ll come.’ I smile primly then fold the final towel and place it on top of the pile.

‘Thanks.’ He takes another sip of his beer. ‘It’s an outdoor event so if you could make sure that Joe has a hat and a waterproof coat, just in case, that would be great. We’ll leave at two.’

‘I’ll be ready.’

He walks to the door then pauses. ‘Ava?’

‘Yes?’

He holds my gaze, something going on behind his dark eyes, but then he sighs and shakes his head. ‘Never mind.’

He’s gone before I can respond, leaving me with a sense of frustration although I can’t really pinpoint why.

Chapter17

Ava

The next day, I get Joe dressed then Polly watches him in the kitchen while I get ready. My hair was a state so I washed and dried it then moisturised my face and put some lip gloss on. I emptied my wash bag on the bed to see if I had anything in there but apart from an old mascara and tube of concealer, it was empty. I threw them in the bin, deciding that it didn’t matter anyway. After weeks of spending time outdoors with Joe, my skin is lightly tanned and my freckles more prominent across my nose and cheeks. It would take a barrel of foundation to cover them so there’s no point trying. No one’s going to be looking at me anyway so I’d just as well not worry about trying to enhance my appearance. I dress in a pair of navy cropped jeans and a white cotton blouse that I picked up in a charity shop. It still had the label on it so hadn’t been worn and is cool and floaty, so it seems appropriate for the mild September day. I put a cardigan in my bag just in case then slip on my navy pumps and head downstairs.

I blow a kiss at Mr Darcy as I pass him and I’m sure his scowl deepens, which makes me giggle, and head for the stairs. Edward and Joe are waiting in the hallway, and I do a double take at how handsome Edward is. He’s wearing navy chinos with a white shirt, and I groan inwardly because it occurs to me that we’re matching. When he sees me, he grins.

‘What are we, twins?’ he asks, and I laugh.

‘I can go and change.’ I pause on the stairs.

‘No, it’s fine. Joe won’t mind, will you?’

Joe looks from Edward to me and back again. ‘Same colours,’ he says. ‘Matching.’

‘That’s right.’ Edward scoops him up and swings him over his shoulder, making Joe screech with laughter. ‘OK, then, do we have everything?’

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