Page 8 of Meeting the Billionaire Boss

And just like that, I know I’ve been cornered. Tonight will be one of those nights when I’m at the mercy of my wingmen.

As we head for the lift, I find that I’m actually looking forward to it.

Chapter9

Ava

It’s been a strange day. For so long my life has involved getting up and helping Daniel get ready for school then heading off to one job before going to the other. On my days off, which were rare, I spent time with Daniel and Mum, cleaned the flat, daydreamed about the kind of life I could have had if I’d been born into a different world. Watching those property programmes on TV, I’d envy the people who had insane budgets of eight hundred thousand pounds to spend on a dream home. How did people manage to find that much money to spend on a house and, when pressed, stretch higher to get the property they really wanted? They had enormous open-plan kitchen diners with bifold doors that opened onto beautiful gardens; they had sofas in all colours, plush rugs and open fireplaces or log burners that would make any cold, winter’s night cosy. They had four or five bedrooms, at least two bathrooms, and those deep, free-standing baths that tempt you to sink into them and relax. The list of all the things that were out of my reach went on and on.

No longer it seems. Or at least not for now because this house is incredible. And as long as I stick to the contract, I’ll have money when I finish my time here. I’ll have the money to make a difference to Mum and Daniel’s lives.

This morning, as promised, I met Joe when Cynthia introduced us in the garden. He gazed at me from behind his thick eyelashes, his brown eyes curious, but his body language suggested that he was reserving judgement until he got to know me better. Cynthia told him to shake my hand which he did then he asked her if he could go and play. As he ran off to the impressive wooden climbing frame with slide and swing, I felt a pang of homesickness. Not for the flat but for my family. And yet, it made me feel for this small boy who had lost his mum and was about to spend four months without the woman who had taken care of him and been there since the day he was born.

‘I’m going to miss him,’ Cynthia had said as we watched him on the slide, a hand straying to her throat as if the pain was too much. ‘He’s a good boy.’ She turned to me then and met my eyes. ‘But I have a feeling he’ll be fine with you.’

‘He will,’ I said, sounding surer than I felt. I was already warming to Cynthia and wanted her to feel that she could trust me with her charge. ‘I’ll take good care of him.’

She nodded. ‘I probably shouldn’t say this but… would you keep an eye on Edward too?’

I swallowed to hide my surprise. I had yet to meet my employer.

‘He’s been through such a tough time and he… he needs people to look out for him too. He might be a big, strong man but he’s vulnerable. He won’t admit it, but I know how he’s struggled. He was a sweet boy and I’ve had the pleasure of seeing him grow up, but no one ever thought things would go the way they did. Losing Lucille was a terrible blow and it broke my heart seeing him suffer. But…’ She took a deep breath. ‘He has, at last, gone back to the office in London so I’m hoping that finally he’s turning a corner.’

I was aware that Mr Cavendish had gone back to London early this morning. I had to confess to being a bit disappointed that I wouldn’t meet him yet, but it did give me the chance to have a look around the house and to find my bearings. This was something I really needed to do because the house was enormous and put the properties on the TV shows into the shadows.

After I met Joe, Cynthia told me to take the day to settle in. Before lunch, I wandered the grounds, admiring the green lawns, the orchard, the giant greenhouse that was filled with a variety of fruits and vegetables. There were also raised beds and a herb garden and I crouched down and plucked a sprig of thyme, crushing it between my fingers and enjoying the rich herby scent. Mum grows herbs on the kitchen windowsill but there isn’t room for many and I know how she’d love the herb garden and the Cavendish house. I could picture her strolling in the gardens, perhaps picking herbs that would help with some of her ailments, eating freshly grown organic produce rather than whatever was cheapest at the supermarket. Daniel would be able to run and play without us worrying about cars and pollution, the fresh air and good food would help him to grow tall and strong. In that moment I wished with all my heart that they were there with me.

When I returned to the house, I walked around for a bit, acquainting myself with the ground floor. Cynthia had told me to stay out of Mr Cavendish’s study but that I could feel free to check out the other rooms. I passed the door to his study, wondering what it was like inside but resisting the urge to take a peek. Instead, I went to the next door, and, to my delight, I found a library. The room was bright and airy, with two sets of French doors opening out onto the rear garden. Heavy red velvet curtains were held back from the windows with twisted gold satin ropes with tassels. The bookshelves went from floor to ceiling and I browsed the shelves, admiring the selection of books from early hardback editions to modern thrillers and romances. For a bookworm like me, it was like walking into heaven and I knew that I’d enjoy spending time in this room. There was a dark brown leather recliner near the French doors so I decided to take a moment while it was quiet. I selected a book, a contemporary romance with a bold and colourful cover, took it to the lounger then sat down and made myself comfortable.

My initial reservations about sitting down and doing nothing other than relaxing soon faded away as I got lost between the pages. It was a wonderful way to while away the morning and I couldn’t help thinking that I could get used to this.

Chapter10

Ava

Three days later, I’m in the garden with Joe. He’s still wary of me, but with Cynthia’s support, we’re getting to know each other. He likes playing outdoors, so I make an effort to play on the climbing frame with him, even going on the slide while hoping that my bottom doesn’t get stuck. I find his enthusiasm and energy infectious and when he suggests that we go further into the gardens to be explorers, I agree.

At the one side of the garden are stone steps that lead down to more perfectly manicured lawns. Either side of the steps are grassy slopes and at the top of one, Joe and I lock eyes. Instantly, I know what he’s thinking. It’s a beautiful August day with a gentle breeze and the grass is dry, so I think,why not?

We lie down on the grass and then I go first, rolling from the top of the slope to the bottom. The world spins around me and I experience a sense of freedom that I haven’t felt in quite some time. Joe giggles all the way down the slope and we do it again and again. After the fifth time, we are both red cheeked and gasping, so we sit at the top of the slope together to catch our breath.

‘That was fun,’ Joe says to me. ‘I like you, Ava.’

‘I like you too, Joe.’

His smile lifts my heart but I hold back from wrapping an arm around him. I want him to be able to trust me and to be happy spending time with me, but I also know that children need time to get to know people when they enter their lives. Joe is young but he’s been through a lot and so I will take my time to earn his trust and build a relationship that he feels confident about. Until now, Joe’s world has been small, his time spent mainly with his father, Cynthia, Polly and Jeff. Cynthia said he’s been to nursery in the mornings but it’s a private nursery that is part of the school he’ll be attending and that they keep the numbers low.

‘Shall we do it again?’ I ask. ‘Just one more time though because we have to go and wash our hands before dinner.’

‘Yes, please!’ He grins then lies down and I do the same.

‘Ready, steady… go!’ I shout and off we roll.

At the bottom of the slope, I lie there, gazing up at the flawless blue sky, and when a small hand creeps into mine, I squeeze it gently.

‘What’s going on here?’ A deep voice makes me start. I sit up and instantly my cheeks flood with heat.

There are three men standing at the top of the steps staring down at us. Suddenly self-conscious, I scrabble to my feet and help Joe up too. I’m aware that my jean shorts and white T-shirt are creased and as I look down, I’m horrified to see that there are grass stains on my T-shirt and it has risen up exposing the skin of my belly.

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