Page 15 of Meeting the Billionaire Boss

I nod as I pick up the bag I left in the hallway earlier. It has a change of clothes for Joe as well as a birthday card that Polly procured from a cupboard in the kitchen. Apparently, she has a stock of cards for occasions like this.

‘I’ve got the gift.’ Edward goes to the hall table where a large box sits wrapped in brightly coloured paper. He tucks it under his free arm.

‘That’s very organised of you,’ I say, impressed, although why wouldn’t he be? I don’t know him well enough to assume anything.

‘My PA popped out during her lunchtime yesterday and got it. It’s some sort of Lego rocket that’s all the rage with the kids these days.’ He raises his eyebrows as if he’s baffled. ‘I always thought Lego was great but had no idea it was so fashionable now.’

‘That’s because you’re old, Daddy.’ Joe giggles. He is still hanging over Edward’s shoulder, his fair hair fanning out like a brush.

‘Don’t be cheeky, Joe, or I’ll have to tickle you.’

‘No, Daddy!’ Joe wriggles and Edwards laughs.

‘OK, maybe not now but later.’ He looks at me. ‘Ready?’

I nod then follow him out to the car where Jeff is waiting.

The journey to the grand Missenden Abbey takes twenty minutes and all the way there, Joe chats away like his life depends upon it. He’s clearly excited about the party and seeing his friends. I’m content to listen while Edward responds to his son and occasionally asks him questions. Their relationship is sweet. Edward is a good father and in spite of everything he’s been through, he still shows patience and understanding, still makes his young son feel valued. Not all people have that capacity for interacting with young children. I suspect that Edward might have wanted more children with his wife. Would they have had just one more or kept going? She was a model so perhaps she wouldn’t have wanted to ruin her figure with multiple pregnancies. Or perhaps she didn’t care and loved being pregnant and a mum. How sad then to be torn away from her husband and child before they had a chance to extend their family and before she could see Joe grow up. My heart hurts for the poor woman who lost out on so much. The more time I spend with Joe, the more I’ve started to think that one day, I’d like to have a family of my own, but with my vow to avoid men and love, it’s unlikely to happen. Still, not everyone has to get married and have children. For some people, there are other priorities and mine are caring for my mum and brother. They need me and I’ll always be there for them. I can’t afford to let anyone else into my life if it means putting their welfare to one side.

Jeff stops the car right in front of the abbey and we get out. I reach for the bag with Joe’s change of clothes but Edward stops me. ‘Don’t worry about it. Jeff won’t go far.’

‘Oh… OK.’

‘Don’t look like that.’ Edward smiles. ‘He’ll go and get some refreshments and spend time with the other drivers. He’s not expected to wait in the carpark all alone with nothing to eat or drink.’

‘I’ll just grab the card though.’ I get the card from the bag then tuck it into my handbag.

Jeff gets back in the car and drives off around the side of the building.

‘Ready Joe?’ Edward asks.

‘Ready, Daddy!’ Joe takes Edward’s hand then holds out his other hand to me. ‘Come on, Ava.’

When I take his hand in mine, emotion wells inside me. I expected to walk with them but not be part of this human chain, Joe holding on to me like I’m part of their family. It’s nice and I’m happy to join in. I can almost pretend that we are a little family unit of three.

Around the back of the abbey are grounds that stretch out for as far as the eye can see. There are trees to the left and right and dotted ahead on the landscape of endless green. Gazebos have been set up on the lawns and they appear to have different activities in each one which makes me think of the stalls at a fairground. And there are lots of people. This isn’t a small birthday party like the ones Daniel has been to over the years. There are twenty children maximum at those parties but here, there are too many to count. There are also lots of adults, many of whom are very smartly dressed, some look like they’ve come expecting a day at the races. I suddenly feel self-conscious in my understated outfit. Perhaps I should have worn a dress. But then again, I am here to work.

We put the gift Edward’s PA bought on the table that’s groaning with other elaborately wrapped gifts and I add the card from my handbag, then we walk towards the gazebos. Off to the left, I see that they actually have fairground rides. There’s a mini Ferris wheel, a carousel, a house of mirrors and a helter skelter slide. It must have cost a fortune to hire the abbey and the rides, and all for a child’s fifth birthday party.

Joe squeals with delight. ‘Can I go on them all, Daddy?’

‘We’ll see.’

‘Come on them with me, Daddy?’ Joe tugs at Edward’s hand. ‘And you, Ava, come and have fun.’

Edward looks at me and raises his eyebrows in question.

‘I’m game,’ I say.

‘Excellent.’ Edward’s eyes linger on my face for a moment as if he’s trying to work something out, then he leads us towards the rides. We haven’t even said hello to the birthday boy or his family yet and we’re heading towards the fairground with all the enthusiasm and abandon of four-year-old Joe.

I giggle all the way, caught up on a wave of joy and excitement and it feels pretty good indeed.

Chapter18

Edward

Ihonestly can’t remember the last time I had this much fun. We arrived at the party and should have gone to see the Fitzroys first but instead, we went to the rides and I’m so glad we did. I knew Joe had energy but Ava really surprised me. Of course, she is younger than me by almost ten years but even so, she was enthusiastic about all the rides and even went down the helter skelter with Joe five times.

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