Page 17 of Meeting the Billionaire Boss

‘Where’s Charlie?’ I ask, looking around although I can’t see much other than the red mist in front of my eyes.

‘Having some photographs done for one of the mags.’

I know what she means because Hattie loves a photoshoot and an Instagram grid, just like Lucille did. But selling your son’s birthday party… It’s not something I’d be happy doing. Lucille sold her pregnancy photos to a mag and after the accident I saw them everywhere. I couldn’t escape from my pain and I don’t want that for Joe. Ever.

‘It paid for all this so what’s a girl to do?’ For some strange reason, Hattie does a small curtsey and I marvel at the fact that she’s the way she is. I don’t think I noticed when Lucille was around because they got on so well, kind of like a double act, and so her ways didn’t grate on me in the way they are today. Perhaps it was her mentioning Lucille that got my back up or perhaps it’s how dismissive she’s being about Ava, but she’s irritating the hell out of me and I can’t wait to get away from her.

Ava and Joe are heading straight for us and I want to do something to stop them, to semaphore wildly that they should turn around and go back the way they came. I don’t want Hattie speaking to Ava and hurting her. I’m fairly certain that’s what she’ll try to do, even if not deliberately, and I want to prevent that from happening but suddenly, it’s too late.

‘Hi.’ Ava smiles at me then looks at Hattie.

‘Hattie Fitzroy.’ Hattie holds out a hand and Ava shakes it.

‘Ava Thorne.’

‘Aren’t you a sweet little one?’ Hattie chuckles. ‘A rose without a thorn, right, Edward?’

Ava’s eyes fill with confusion.

‘Just so you know, Ava, if you need a new position after Cynthia returns, please give me a call. We can always do with an extra pair of hands to help out. Especially now.’ She places a hand on her belly and I notice the curve of her stomach that I’d missed under the pattern of her brightly coloured dress.

‘Congratulations.’ I offer the words although part of me groans at the thought of her having another child. More Fitzroys to look down on the working class.

‘Uhh… thanks,’ Ava says finally. ‘And congratulations.’

‘Ta!’ Hattie pats her belly. ‘Think it’s a girl. Hope it is. Don’t want another bloody boy.’ She chortles, and again, I see that Ava isn’t sure how to react. ‘Do you know, for a moment there I thought you werewithEdward but then he told me that you’rejustthe nanny. Such an amusing mistake for me to make!LOL!Anyway, I need to find my son so we can light the candles on the cake. Cheerio!’

She trots away on her wedges and an awkward silence falls between us. Joe is focused on his straw, but Ava looks mortified. I have an urge to pull her against my chest and hold her tight, to soothe away the dismay she feels at being calledjustthe nanny. It’s rude and unfair because no one is everjustsomething. Especially not Ava. This woman is warm, funny, kind and caring. She takes good care of my son. We’ve had fun together today.

I want us to have more fun together.

I want to see her smile again.

‘Let’s go and singHappy Birthdaythen we can get going.’ I gesture in the direction that Hattie went.

Ava nods but her eyes are filled with something I can’t work out. I’ve never had someone call mejustsomething, but I do know how it feels when you’re not the person someone wants you to be. When you try to be what someone wants but you’re you and you can’t change that. I’m a successful businessman. I was also born into money and luxury. I want for nothing in financial terms. But that doesn’t make me a heartless prick and I never set out to deliberately hurt anyone.

‘Hey…’ I place a hand on Ava’s shoulder and she looks up at me. ‘It’s OK. Don’t let Hattie get to you. I don’t know about you, but I fancy a cold glass of wine when we get home and perhaps we could have a chat?’

She gives a small nod but it’s like something has been lost and I’m filled with a sudden fear that we won’t be able to get it back.

Chapter19

Ava

When we arrive back at the house, I take Joe up to get him bathed and to bed. He fell asleep in the car and I watched as his eyelashes fluttered on his cheeks, wondering if he was dreaming about the fun he’d had that afternoon. I enjoyed myself too, was having a great time until my encounter with Hattie. I’ve met people like her before and, I guess, working for a billionaire businessman, there was always a chance it would happen again but despite my resolve to not allow her to hurt me, she did. People like that have the ability to look down their noses at others and it’s horrible. I do try to value myself, perhaps not enough but I’m learning to do what I can, and yet a woman like that comes along and dismisses me asjustthe nanny.

It's people like me taking care of their children, cleaning their houses, washing their underwear and driving their cars that keep their worlds ticking over. A bit more respect would be nice. But I can’t class them all as being the same. Edward has never shown me that kind of disrespect. He treats me and all of his staff with courtesy and yet… being there today and being treated that way by Harriet was a stark reminder that we come from very different worlds. Edward moves in circles I could never be a part of and Hattie made that very clear to me today.

When Joe is dressed in clean pyjamas, I get him to brush his teeth then tuck him into bed.

‘Read me a story?’ he asks.

I feel bone weary and just want to shower and go to sleep, but I do love story time with him and would never desert him before he’s ready to drop off. Edward mentioned something earlier about cold, white wine but I’m not in the mood to drink and pretend everything is OK. However he sees me, I’m the hired help and that’s all I’ll ever be to him and his friends.

Joe chooses his story then I sit next to him on his bed.

‘Ava?’ he says, looking up at me.

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