Page 13 of Redeem Me

A woman in her late fifties is washing lettuce over a white porcelain sink. She’s wearing a white short-sleeved blouse and smart navy slacks. Her greying hair is scraped back into a tight bun. She tilts her weathered face to us as we approach, her eyes flicking between Orla and me. ‘Hello, who do we have here?’

‘This is Ivy. She’s my new nanny,’ Orla announces proudly.

‘Dad says she’s not staying,’ a voice squeaks from behind us.

‘Oh, hi Owen.’ I turn to find a little boy with the same cold eyes and surly frown as his father. He has a tattered teddy under his arm and a defiant expression on his face. ‘Where have you been hiding all morning?’

I’d hoped he might join Orla and me in the garden. I’d hoped to get the chance to prove to Caelon that I’m the right woman for the job, because the last thing I want is to have to go back to Dermot’s with my tail between my legs and admit I got fired on my first day. By his friend, no less.

‘Sheisstaying.’ Orla stamps her pink Nike runner on the tiles.

‘Is not.’ Owen barely even looks my way.

Tall, Dark and Tortured chooses this moment to strut into the kitchen. He ignores the bickering erupting between his children and simply scoops his son up into his arms.

It’s a good job he’s so crabby or I’d be at serious risk ofcrushing on him, whether it’s professional or not. Mind you, the man has plenty of reasons to be crabby, given he lost his wife. Orla didn’t mention what happened to her mother, but she did let slip that they’ve had eight nannies in that time.

Damn Dermot for not telling me more the other night. As soon as I get a free second, I’m going to google the shit out of Caelon Beckett.

‘Is it lunch time, Liz?’ Caelon refuses to look my way.

‘It’ll be ready in five minutes, Mr Beckett. I set the table outside.’ She nods to the open back doors.

Am I supposed to sit with them or make myself scarce? In my previous placements, I’ve been the cook as well as the nanny, eating only after I’d served the family.

But I can’t sit down with the Becketts and pretend I’m one of them. That would be weird. What did the other nannies do?

‘Come on.’ Orla tugs my hand, guiding me to where a cool summer breeze brushes in through the kitchen.

My feet remain rigid. I crouch to my knees and untangle my fingers from hers. It’s clear Caelon doesn’t want me here. ‘Orla, I’ve had the best morning playing with you.’

I could crash in a hotel for a few nights, sign up to a few more agencies until I find another position. Somewhere sunny. Somewhere the father doesn’t despise me. Somewhere far away from my overbearing brother.

‘Don’t.’ Orla slaps her palm over my mouth. ‘Don’t say you’re leaving too!’

I prise her fingers away and give them a gentle squeeze. Tears well in her eyes and my chest cracks open. ‘You heard your daddy. There was a mix up at the agency. I’m sure they’re going to send you someone really nice.’

‘But you’re really nice!’ she wails. ‘Daddy, please don’t let her leave.’

Caelon sighs, a pained expression settling on his face as hefocuses on his daughter. ‘Relax, Orla, sweetheart.’ He crosses the room and ruffles her hair affectionately. ‘Ivy can stay, for the summer anyway.’

I swallow my surprise and lock eyes with my new boss. ‘I can?’

He holds my stare, sporting that same tortured expression. ‘If it suits you?’

‘Absolutely.’ It’ll give me time to get something else lined up, and time to hang out with Orla. It’s obvious how much she craves affection, attention and security, and while I’m here, I’m going to smother her with all the above. I’m also going to make it my personal mission to win over Owen. After everything this family’s been through, these kids need some fun. I’m the right woman for this job, even if Caelon doesn’t want to admit it.

‘Yessss!’ Orla fist pumps the air and drags me outside to the table. Silver cutlery sparkles in the sunlight. ‘You’re sitting next to me.’

I look to my new boss, checking if he’s okay with me eating with them. He shrugs. ‘I’m not usually around for mealtimes.’

Well, that should make things easier, at least.

Though tell that to the sharp stab of disappointment in my sternum.

I brush it off, taking the seat next to Orla. Caelon and Owen take their seats across the table. My gaze sweeps over the lush landscape. It’s so peaceful. So tranquil. The lawn could double up as a golf course. Boxes of lavender line the decking and a stone pathway leads to another outdoor area where a swimming pool glitters invitingly from forty feet away.

This house, these grounds, are heavenly.

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