Page 5 of Meeting the Billionaire Boss

Jeff stops the car outside ornate, wrought-iron gates and waits until they swing inwards then he drives us along a winding road that takes us between well-established trees and past several houses that he tells me belong to Cavendish employees. When the red brick house comes into view though, my breath catches in my throat because it is enormous, like something out of one of those period dramas Mum watches on TV. It is seven bays wide and has three storeys below a cornice and parapet with smaller windows in the attic. Large, flat lawns border the driveway that leads in a circle around what I think is an actual sundial. Wait until Mum sees it, I think, experiencing a pang of sadness that she’s not here with me to see it all right now. Knowing that I would be going through a background check, I was ultra-careful not to Google Mr Cavendish or his home or family. I didn’t want to be found at fault in any way, and somehow, searching for them online felt like it would be invading their privacy. And this is why I’m in shock as Jeff pulls up in front of the stately home.

And why, as he comes and opens the door for me and I step out, I feel like I’m going to be completely out of my depth.

Chapter7

Ava

Awoman, who I find out when she introduces herself is Cynthia Beaumont, opens the large, black front door as I climb the steps. It’s as if she was waiting there all morning for me to arrive. Her hair is short and red, and as I get closer, I can see that it’s flecked with white. She’s smartly dressed in black trousers and a white blouse and wearing flat black brogues. I wonder if I’ll need to wear a similar sort of uniform or if I’ll be allowed the freedom of my own clothes. I picked up some cheap white T-shirts and stretchy jeans when I did the big food shop at the supermarket because my clothes were getting pretty threadbare, but now I’m wondering if I should have paid a bit more. Nala told me that Mr Cavendish was rich but I had no idea that she meantthisrich, although the very generous salary should’ve prepared me, I guess.

Cynthia leads me inside and as I look around, I have to force my jaw closed. The hallway is enormous with a staircase that sits at the centre then splits into two that lead off to the left and right of a mezzanine landing. It has one of those fancy dark red carpets with golden swirls and brass rods across the back of each step to hold the carpet in place. The ceiling is ornate with cornices and a chandelier hangs above my head. Off to the right and left are doorways, and I can see from here that they lead into rooms with high ceilings and large windows.

‘Ahem.’ Cynthia clears her throat and I lower my eyes to meet hers.

‘Sorry. I… I’ve never seen anything quite like this.’ I rub at the back of my neck.

‘Take them up to her room, Jeff,’ Cynthia says and I turn to see the driver standing in the doorway holding my luggage. I’d clean forgotten about my belongings as I came inside like some naïve debutante at her first society ball.

Jeff nods then climbs the stairs and disappears off to the left of the staircase.

‘It’s quite something, right?’ Cynthia smiles warmly and the tension in my shoulders loosens a fraction. ‘I have to be honest though, after working for the family for thirty-three years in houses exactly like this, I tend to forget how magnificent my surroundings are.’

‘You’ve worked for the family that long?’ I ask, appraising her. She’s slim and toned and has good skin. It’s pale and freckled and although she has sone fine lines around her olive-green eyes, I wouldn’t have thought she was more than fifty.

As if reading my mind she says, ‘I came to work for them when I was twenty-nine.’

I do a quick sum in my head and my surprise must show on my face.

‘Yes, I’m sixty-two now. I can hardly believe it myself.’ She laughs. ‘Anyway, Ava, it’s very nice to meet you. As you’ll know from the information given to your agency, I’m Joe’s nanny. I live in, well… I actually have a house on the estate with my husband, but I do stay some nights when Ed— I mean Mr Cavendish can’t be here and also when I’m needed. My husband and I used to live with the elder Mr Cavendish, Edward’s grandfather, but when Edward bought this property with his wife, we moved here. He's a very kind and generous employer, you see.’

‘Where does the older Mr Cavendish live now?’ I ask.

‘Silas Cavendish passed away six months ago. He left his house and estate to the National Trust because his son is dead and his daughter-in-law lives in Scotland with her second husband. He knew Edward didn’t need, or want, his estate, but he did leave the family business in his charge.’

‘I see.’ I swallow, trying to digest this information to process it all later. Imagine having an actual estate that the National Trust would want. This family must be loaded.

‘I’m here for the next week to help you settle in then I’m going away on a four-month trip of a lifetime. My husband and I are heading off to celebrate our 30thwedding anniversary.’ She sighs. ‘It’s not easy for me to leave Edward and Joe — I find it hard referring to him as Mr Cavendish because I was his nanny too — but my husband and I always talked about this trip and I think that if we don’t do it now then we might never do it. So… I really hope that you’ll be all right here and that you’ll take good care of Joe.’ The concern on her face makes me reach out and touch her arm.

‘I will, I promise. I’ll treat him like he’s family.’

She lifts her chin and smiles at me. ‘That’s exactly what I needed to hear. Right then, let me show you around. I won’t give you the full tour because that would take a while…’ she laughs, ‘but I’ll show you to your room and the rooms you’ll use the most.’

‘Lovely.’ I realise I’m still touching her arm so I remove my hand and tuck it into my pocket.

Cynthia gives me a quick tour, showing me my room with its ensuite complete with walk-in shower and clawfoot tub, as well as a large four-poster bed and a window overlooking the lawns at the side of the house. It’s like a fancy hotel room and I can’t believe I’m going to be staying here for four months. Then she takes me along the hallway to Joe’s room, which is slightly smaller than mine with a window looking out over the rear gardens and an adjoining door that, she tells me, leads into Mr Cavendish’s room. I stare at the door with its wooden panels and heavy handle and feel a blush creep into my cheeks. There’s something intimate about knowing that his bedroom is right next door, and that when I’m here with Joe, Mr Cavendish could be just the other side of the panels. It’s a strange situation for me but one that I’ll probably soon get used to.

After that, I’m shown the lounge, the drawing room and the kitchen which is right at the back of the house with a large open fireplace, a six-foot wooden table and so many cupboards I think I’ll need to label them, so I don’t forget where everything is. But then Cynthia introduces me to the housekeeper, Polly Treharne, a rosy cheeked, shapely woman with blonde hair in a neat bun and an easy laugh that brings a smile to my face. She places her hands on my arms, peers at me then pulls me into a hug that squashes me up against an ample bosom and tells me not to worry, that I’ll soon settle in. She asks what I like to eat and drink and if I have any allergies then explains that she oversees the cleaning staff and does most of the cooking, although from time to time, Mr Cavendish likes to cook himself, so he gives her the evening off.

My head is spinning when I climb the stairs to my room to unpack. Cynthia has told me that I’ll meet Joe tomorrow after breakfast as he’s currently out with his father, and that I should rest before dinner which we’ll eat in the kitchen at eight. I’d half hoped to meet Mr Cavendish on arrival but also, for some reason, the thought makes my stomach churn. Perhaps it was because Nala kept on about how handsome he is or perhaps it’s because I’ve barely had anything to do with men over recent years — apart from those I encountered in the hallways of the hotel and one of Daniel’s teachers, although he wore a wedding ring — but whatever it is, I’m sure I’ll soon get over it. After all, Mr Cavendish is going to be paying my wages and so our relationship will be nothing but professional. I’m sure even I can handle that.

Chapter8

Edward

Entering the lobby of our central London building is strange. On one hand, it feels like I’ve been away for ages and on the other it’s like I’ve never been away. The security guards on reception are familiar and they stand up and greet me respectfully. I raise my hand in a wave then walk on towards the lifts, my shiny shoes tapping on the even shinier tiles as I go. Although I’d never admit it to anyone, my heart is racing, and I don’t want to talk to people. The need to get to my office and close the door overrides my conditioning to be genial and polite. That can wait because right now the last thing I want is to see pity in people’s eyes. I don’t want pity. I want to be me, getting on with my life, back at the top of my game. I’ve hidden away for long enough and now it’s time to get back to business. Not being here in person hasn’t been great but I have continued to do my job remotely, as have many people since the pandemic, and until six months ago, Grandpa was still working, still ruling over the business with an iron fist. But with him gone, the responsibility falls on my shoulders and now it’s time to prove that I can become the permanent CEO of Cavendish Construction.

The lift carries me to the penthouse where I have my office and I take the time in the enclosed space to breathe deeply, slowing my heart right down, self-soothing in the way I have learnt. The man I was before would be shocked to see me now, would be horrified even, at how everything has impacted upon me, but then the old me hadn’t lost his wife in a horrific car accident and nor did he have a young son to provide for. A young son who relies on me to love and care for him. The weight of responsibility lies heavy on my shoulders sometimes and I wonder if I can ever be enough to fill his mother’s shoes. How can one man be both father and mother to a child and create the balance he needs to grow into a well-rounded individual?

I’ve been a businessman for as long as I can remember, even as a child I’d ask Grandpa questions about how his construction company worked and beg him to take me to his office so I could learn more. It’s like I was born to do this and it’s where I thrive, overseeing projects, negotiating deals, working alongside my best friends and colleagues, Jack Kendrick and Lucas Barrett.

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