He nodded, then came over to stand next to her. She seemed even smaller today than he remembered her. Younger, and rather vulnerable… He wondered whether she’d be robust enough to deal with his sometimes obstreperous children. Then he shrugged inwardly. She’d only be here for a few months, and at least once she was back at school his daughter would only be present for two days out of every seven.
‘You had no difficulty finding us?’ he enquired, glancing down at her. She was dressed in blue jeans and a white T-shirt, her hair tied up in one long plait at the back.
‘No, it’s an easy address,’ she said, in answer to his question. ‘And it’s actually on my bus route. It only took half an hour.’
‘I did offer to fetch you…’ he reminded her.
‘There was no need for that,’ Lily said quickly. ‘At least I know what to do if my car refuses to start.’
Just then the tea trolley made its entrance, pushed enthusiastically by Tom and Alex, with Bea coming behind, holding the teapot and hot water.
‘Careful, boys,’ Theo said. ‘We’d like those cakes on the plate rather than on the floor, thank you.’
Everyone sat down, while Bea handed out plates and paper napkins, and Lily glanced around, struck by the easygoing atmosphere. There were dainty little sandwiches, and buttered scones with jam and cream, and some small squares of iced cake. The children, sitting side by side on one of the sofas, tucked in to everything they were offered. Even the three-year-old seemed to have no difficulty in eating food from a plate balanced on his small knees, though he was given a plastic mug to drink his tea from. Lily noticed that there was not a crisp or a sausage or a soft drink in sight—the children were enjoying afternoon tea, and she sensed their mother’s hand in that.
Lily automatically glanced up at Elspeth’s photograph, captivated by the woman’s warm, engaging expression—somehow she felt that she, Lily, was being appraised by someone no longer here, yet whose presence was tangible. I’ll do my best, she promised. I will try to do my best.
Although all the food looked delicious, Lily could only manage one sandwich and a small cake. As usual, when she was on edge, her appetite disappeared. But she was glad of the strong, unsweetened tea, and she allowed Bea to refill her cup. She noticed that Theo was not eating anything at all, but sat beside his sons, a half-drunk cup of tea on the small table beside him.
Conversation was dominated by Bea, telling everyone to help themselves, and the chattering of the boys, who were not in the least shy. Well, they’d become used to countless strangers passing through their lives, Lily thought, so one more was no big deal. In fact, after the first few moments of their initial meeting, she’d been more or less ignored by Tom and Alex. They were beautiful children, with naturally wavy fair hair, but their dark eyes—even at this early stage—exactly matched their father’s. Glancing at Theo, she realised that he had been watching her, and she wondered what he was thinking. Well…the fact that she was here at all was his idea, not hers. And it had not been just an idea, either—it had been a plea. A plea she’d found irresistible.
She met his gaze unblinkingly. She’d try to fill this temporary gap to his satisfaction, she thought. They’d all survive her efforts—and it wasn’t going to be for long.
When everyone had finished their tea, Theo stood up. ‘I think we ought to show Lily the rest of the house, don’t you? So that she knows her way around,’ he said, and the boys jumped down from the sofa while Bea began clearing things away.
Tom came immediately over to Lily and caught hold of her hand. ‘I’ll show you,’ he said importantly.
‘We both will!’ Alex said.
‘Let’s all do it,’ Theo placated, tilting a smile down at Lily, and for the next twenty minutes she was given a guided tour.
A beautiful dining room was dominated by a huge mahogany table—obviously used for entertaining, Lily thought instinctively—and there was another smaller, television room with a conservatory attached. There was a study area and, best of all in Lily’s opinion, the kitchen, where Bea was putting the tea things away. The room seemed to disappear into the far distance, with cupboards and fitments and cooking facilities at one end, and at the other a long refectory table and benches, with two or three easy chairs alongside. One wall was taken up with shelves that held books and toys, haphazardly placed.
Lily took a deep breath. This wasn’t only the engine room of the house, she thought, it was comfortable and homely and where the family obviously liked spending time. It was where she would like to be, too, she decided. Quite apart from the gleaming Aga there was a double oven, and her professional eye had taken in all the details—a marble slab perfect for rolling pastry, huge wooden chopping boards, and what looked like acres of space to put things down. She wasn’t going to mind preparing the children’s teas here. It was a kitchen to die for.
Upstairs, she was shown Theo’s master bedroom, with private study attached. Each of the boys had a room, and there was a spare room as well.
‘Freya’s room is up on the next floor, where there’s another guest room,’ Theo said. ‘She prefers to be by herself, apparently.’ He paused. ‘It’s the untidy one, I’m afraid. The boys are far better at putting their things away.’
‘Thanks for that, Dad,’ a voice from behind said suddenly, and they all turned to look at the speaker. Freya had arrived, unnoticed, dressed in tennis whites, and she moved to push past them. She was tall and slight, her long hair hanging untidily around her shoulders.
‘Freya—this is Lily, who I’ve told you about,’ Theo said firmly, barring her way. The child stopped just long enough to say, off-handedly, ‘Hi—Lily,’ before running upstairs to her room.
She hadn’t attempted to make eye contact, Lily noticed, but had managed to be just polite enough for her father to do no more than raise his eyebrows helplessly as he glanced at Lily. Lily smiled up at him. Why should the girl show any interest in yet another carer who’d be gone in no time, to be replaced by some other stranger?
‘You missed Bea’s super tea, Freya,’ Theo called up.
‘I had tea at the club,’ the girl replied.
‘I thought you were going to come home for tea today?’
Freya’s face appeared over the banisters above them. ‘Well, everyone else was staying, so I thought I would as well,’ she said.
No more was said, but the dark expression on Theo’s face didn’t go unnoticed by Lily. Suddenly she remembered something, and, slipping her pretty holdall from her shoulder, she opened it, taking out a large paper bag.
‘Are you allowed chocolates and sweets?’ she asked the boys, and before she could go on Tom had come to her side to peer at what she was holding.
‘Yes—but I don’t like chocolate. I only like jellies,’ he said.
‘Well, what a good thing I brought some, then.’ Lily smiled, taking out a packet and handing it over.
‘I love chocolate!’ Alex said, and as Lily gave him a large bar his eyes lit up. ‘This is my favourite! How did you know that, Lily?’
‘Ah, that’s a secret,’ Lily said. ‘I know a fairy who tells me things sometimes.’ She suddenly felt a surge of pleasure run through her. She was being accepted—even if it was because of the sweets she’d brought with her.
They all went back downstairs then, and Alex said, ‘When are you coming to look after us, Lily? Is it soon?’
‘Lily will be here again on Monday morning,’ Theo said, answering for her. ‘But I’m sure she wants to go home now, because she’s probably going out somewhere with her friends tonight. We mustn’t keep her to ourselves.’