Closing In. Sue Fortin

‘You don’t sound very convinced.’

      ‘As I say, it’s early days. Now, I’ll get you a coffee and see what Mrs Holloway has left for supper. Would you like to eat in here?’

      Carla was fussing too much. He didn’t want to offend her, he’d be lost without her most of the time. She was a fantastic PA and a loyal friend but, sometimes, he felt as though he was married to her.

      ‘I’ll sort supper and coffee out for myself. Thank you, Carla. I don’t think I will be doing much work this evening, I’m too tired. You go home now.’

      ‘As you wish, Donovan,’ replied Carla. ‘Just one thing, the new nanny. When would you like to meet her?’

      ‘Where is she now?’

      ‘She took Izzy to bed and said she was going to her room afterwards.’

      ‘Okay, don’t disturb her now. I’ll see her in the morning at some point.’ Donovan smiled up at his PA. ‘You look tired, Carla. Let me call a cab for you.’

      ‘Thank you but I can do it.’ Carla went to leave, but paused in the doorway. ‘You should get some rest too, you look very tired yourself. I’ll see myself out. Goodnight.’

      ‘Goodnight,’ he said as he flicked through the pile of letters. He went to open one, then changed his mind and tossed it back onto the pile. He was too tired for all this tonight. It was past ten o’clock. Far too late to be reading referral letters and police reports. He lent back in his chair and closed his eyes for a moment, letting the thoughts of the day drift to the back of his mind. He needed to stop thinking about Amanda. He breathed deep and slow, concentrating on relaxing his mind, body and soul. Relax. That was better.

      Donovan wasn’t quite sure how long he had sat in his chair for and suspected he had probably drifted off into a near-sleep. He checked his watch. It was almost eleven and his stomach was complaining at the lack of food.

      ‘Right, something to eat,’ he said out loud, as he loosened his tie and undid his top button.

      Stopping in the hallway, Donovan thought of Izzy asleep in her room. Slipping off his shoes at the foot of the stairs, he began the ascent of the oak staircase.

      Reaching the landing, he padded lightly down the hall to the first door. It was slightly ajar.

      Izzy was fast asleep, as he’d expected. Her toy teddy, Mr Snuggles, was on the floor. Donovan picked up the well-loved bear and slipped it under the cover. Izzy stirred, her eyes fluttering open.

      ‘Daddy?’

      ‘Yes, it’s Daddy,’ whispered Donovan. He leant over and dropped a kiss on her dark hair. ‘Go back to sleep, angel. Daddy loves you.’

      Donovan stayed for a minute, just watching her, drawing on the feeling of contentment to soothe away the sourness of the day.

      Less frayed, he made his way back downstairs to the kitchen; his appetite piqued now he felt more relaxed.

      He hadn’t expected anyone to be in there and was startled to see the back of a woman at the sink. It didn’t appear that she had noticed him, his stocking feet making no announcement of his arrival. He took the moment to cast his eye over the slim figure, encased in jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt, with fair hair resting on narrow shoulders. The new nanny, he presumed. Donovan gave a subtle cough.

      Startled, she spun round.

      Donovan smiled, held out his hand and stepped forward. ‘Good evening. I’m Donovan. You must be …’

      ‘Ellen Newman.’ She quickly wiped her hands on a tea towel.

      With her sleeves pushed up to the elbow, Donovan couldn’t help but notice several reddish circular marks on her right forearm. Eczema perhaps?

      Ellen withdrew her hand and pulled her sleeves down. ‘I was just making myself a coffee. Would you like one?’ Her voice was calm but her eyes were anxious.

      ‘If you’re making one, that would be great. Thank you. Black, no sugar,’ Donovan replied, moving over to the oven and lifting the lid on a saucepan. ‘Ah, butternut squash soup. Mrs Holloway’s speciality. Would you like some?’ She seemed to hesitate. Donovan sensed she probably wanted to say yes, but was too polite. He took two bowls out of the cupboard. ‘It really is delicious. You’ll love it, I promise. And I’d be glad of the company. It will give us a chance to get to know each other, seeing as you’re working for me now. ’ Without giving her a chance to say no, he set two places at the table and ladled the creamy orange liquid into the bowls.

      Getting out some bread and buttering several slices, he sat down at the table and was satisfied to see Ellen sit down opposite him.

      ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘It does smell lovely.’

      ‘I’m sorry we haven’t had the chance to meet before,’ said Donovan. ‘I usually like to interview staff myself but it was an emergency and I know Cherubs Nanny Agency is very thorough with its checks. You came with very good references.’

      Ellen nodded. ‘Yes, I must admit it is a little unusual not to meet the parents first, but as you say, it was exceptional circumstances. The agency said your previous nanny left because of a family bereavement back in Scotland, is that right?’

      Donovan nodded. ‘Yes. She didn’t want to come back, said it was too far away from her family. I suppose the bereavement made her take stock of things. You haven’t come quite so far, have you?’

      ‘No, only from London. I’ve been here, well, West Sussex and the south coast, before. When I was a child, but not for a long time. You know, family holidays.’

      ‘And your family now, where are they?’

      He watched as she hesitated and toyed the spoon in circular motions through the soup. ‘My mum died when I was young. I’m an only child. My dad is remarried with his own young family. I don’t see him much.’

      He sensed she wasn’t comfortable talking about it and, not wanting to make her feel uneasy, he let the subject drop. ‘How long have you worked for Cherubs?’

      ‘Seven years, now. They have always placed me with very good families so I had no reason to doubt them this time, despite not having met you beforehand.’

      ‘And is your room okay?’

      ‘Yes, it’s really nice. Thank you.’

      ‘I know you’re a bit out of the way on the top floor, but it’s nice for Izzy to have the run of it. Downstairs isn’t quite so child-friendly. I don’t want her to have to creep around all day simply because I’m working.’ He watched her face take on a slightly surprised look.

      ‘Oh, right,’ she said. ‘It’s nice she has a big playroom on the top floor.’

      ‘Exactly. And you’ve met Carla, my long-suffering PA of over ten years?’A nod and what Donovan suspected was a forced smile. Ellen had obviously already felt the brusqueness of her colleague. ‘Carla can sometimes come across as a little starchy. Please don’t take offence. It’s just her way.’

      ‘Okay. I’ll bear that in mind.’ Ellen pushed her empty bowl away from her. ‘You were right, the soup was lovely.’

      She looked as if she was preparing to leave, but Donovan wanted to question her a bit more, call it a post-employment interview. Okay, it was probably a bit late now, but he would feel better if he knew a bit more about her.

      ‘Ellen, tell me, how was it you were able to start here at such short notice?’

      ‘I’ve been working abroad for the last six months. I’ve had a spell in France at a campsite, running their children’s club. Now the high season has finished, I’m back here in the UK. The timing couldn’t have been better.’

      It was a simple and very plausible explanation. ‘Where were you working before in the UK? Were you live-in? Sorry for all the questions.’ He smiled at her.