‘What’s he like?’ asked Robert curiously.
‘Tall, dark and formidable, with hard black eyes that pin you down.’
‘Are you sure you want to work for him?’ demanded Moira.
‘Don’t worry, Mother, I’m sure I can play Jane Eyre to his Rochester for six weeks, whether I like him or not,’ Hester assured her, then grinned. ‘And I know he doesn’t have a mad wife in the attic because that’s where I sleep.’
Robert drove Hester to the house in Albany Square just before eight thirty on her first day and not only insisted on carrying her luggage up the steps to the front door, but on waiting with her until Sam Cooper appeared.
‘Good morning, Sam,’ said Hester, smiling. ‘This is my stepfather, Robert Marshall.’
Sam held out a hand to Robert. ‘Sam Cooper, sir.’
Robert gave him a straight look as he took it, then smiled, obviously satisfied with what he saw. ‘Glad to meet you. I’m sure I leave Hester in good hands.’ He kissed her, reminded her to ring her mother later, and went back down to the car, waving as he drove off.
‘Your stepdad’s obviously fond of you,’ commented Sam as he took the suitcases inside.
‘He is, luckily for me,’ said Hester affectionately. ‘He’s never had children of his own and tends to be protective where I’m concerned.’
Sam nodded in approval. ‘Sounds like a good relationship. I’ll just take this lot up to your room. Connah and Lowri stayed with Connah’s mother over the weekend and they’re not back yet, so you’ve got time to settle in before they arrive for lunch.’
‘Talking of lunch, will you put this in the refrigerator for me?’ Hester handed him a package. ‘Or am I required to cook something hot?’
‘Just soup and sandwiches, and Connah told me to stock you up for a cold meal tonight for supper.’ Sam grinned. ‘No need for a frontal assault on the cooker until tomorrow.’
‘That’s a relief! I brought a cold roast chicken just in case, but I can use some of that for sandwiches. After I’ve unpacked will you show me where everything’s kept?’
‘I’ll give you a guided tour through the cupboards later,’ promised Sam, and took her luggage upstairs.
Hester followed him, relieved that Sam Cooper seemed to like her. She unpacked rapidly and put her belongings away, then went downstairs to the kitchen. With Sam’s guidance, she explored the cupboards and found them well stocked with everything she could possibly need.
‘Has Connah lived here long?’ she asked.
‘No. The house was only finished properly a few weeks before we moved in. There was a hell of a lot to do. It dates from about eighteen-hundred and because it’s a listed building it couldn’t be hurried. Connah’s main place is a penthouse flat in London but he’s got business interests in this area, so when this house came on the market he snapped it up. Tomato is Lowri’s favourite,’ he added, as Hester surveyed the ranks of soup tins.
‘Thank you. By the way, were there many other applicants for my job?’
‘Three.’
But Connah had chosen her.
Sam answered her question before she asked it. ‘Apparently the others were older and obviously set in their ways. Connah wanted a companion for Lowri, not a starchy, no-nonsense nanny.’
Hester began making sandwiches with the speed and efficiency of long practice. ‘But officially I’m a housekeeper, not a nanny, remember.’
‘Lowri will be glad of someone your age for company, whatever the job description,’ Sam assured her. ‘Normally she spends the holidays with her grandma at Bryn Derwen, but now Alice is married it’s lonely there for her.’ He munched appreciatively. ‘These are first class.’
‘I hope I haven’t made them too soon.’
He shook his head. ‘Connah said midday, so that’s when he’ll be here—’ He broke off as his phone rang. ‘Told you,’ he said, checking the caller ID. ‘Yes, Boss.’ After a brief exchange, he disconnected. ‘ETA twelve noon, Hester, and Lowri wants lunch in the garden. I’ll help you take it out.’
Feeling far more nervous than before her interview with Connah, Hester put the soup to heat and prepared a tray.
‘Lay for three,’ said Sam. ‘Connah expects you to join them for lunch.’
‘Oh, right.’ Hester hastily added a third setting. ‘What does Lowri drink?’
‘Fizzy stuff if allowed, milk or juice if not.’
‘There wasn’t time to make a pudding. Will ice cream do? Or fruit, maybe?’
Sam smiled reassuringly. ‘Ask when you see her. Don’t worry, Hester. She’s a nice kid.’
Lowri’s resemblance to her father was only slight. She showed promise of height like Connah’s and her mouth was a smaller version of his, but her long straight hair was shades lighter and her eyes a striking cornflower blue.
‘Hello,’ she said, holding out her hand politely.
Hester took the hand. ‘Nice to meet you.’
The bright eyes regarded Hester with frank curiosity. ‘Daddy says you’re going to look after us during the holidays. I thought you’d be like Mrs Powell, Grandma’s housekeeper, but you’re really young.’
Connah gave his daughter a warning look. ‘Mind your manners, young lady. Remember what Grandma said. We must make Hester’s stay here as pleasant as possible.’
‘And I have to behave myself,’ said Lowri, resigned, and gave him a smile so brimming with mischief that he laughed and gave her a hug.
‘Hard work, I know, but you can do it.’
‘Of course I can,’ she said loftily, and beamed at Sam as he came into the kitchen. ‘Did you bring my rucksack from the car?’
‘It’s in your room with the rest of your stuff.’
‘Thanks, Sam.’ She looked at Hester hopefully. ‘I’m starving. Is it time for lunch soon?’
‘Right away. Sam’s already taken the tray into the garden, so if you go ahead I’ll bring the food out.’
‘You’ll join us, of course,’ said Connah courteously.
‘Thank you.’ Hester poured hot soup into a thermal jug, took the covered platter of sandwiches from the refrigerator and followed him into the garden.
Lowri polished off a bowl of soup with relish, despite the heat of the day, but Connah kept to sandwiches.
‘Excellent chicken,’ he commented. ‘From the local delicatessen?’
Hester shook her head. ‘I cooked it at home alongside my mother’s Sunday roast. I wasn’t sure what would be required for lunch today, so I made sure I had something ready.’
‘You must let me reimburse you,’ said Connah promptly.
‘If you wish.’ Hester smiled at Lowri. ‘I asked Sam what you liked, so I put cheese and crispy bacon bits in some and just plain old ham in others. You can tell me what else you like as we go along.’
Lowri nodded, downing a sandwich at top speed. ‘Yummy,’ she said indistinctly, then shot a sparkling look at Hester. ‘Though almost anything would be after school food.’
‘Try the chicken, cariad,’ advised Connah.
She made a face. ‘They do that a lot in school.’
‘Not like this,’