‘Aristos’ place.’ There is a pause. She grimaces. ‘I need to go and pack.’

‘I’ll come and help you.’

You put your arm around her as you walk away.

As soon as you are both out of earshot, Caprice says, ‘I sometimes wonder whether she’s having an affair with Aristos.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous, Mother. Surely after all these years you must realise Saffron isn’t like that,’ Aiden says.

I take one look at Caprice’s eyes, flashing with determination, and guess she doesn’t have Saffron’s best interests at heart.

12

Caprice

Saffron, your new nanny is an interesting creature. Much more observant, more attractive than any of the previous ones. A little je ne sais quoi about her; wholesome in an earthy way. So opposite to you, with her curvy figure and strong square face. Emma Watson looks, but with bigger breasts.

I see in her eyes, as she glances towards your husband, that Miles is a man she wants. But then he is a man any discerning woman would want; gentle, sympathetic, empathetic. Not to mention his looks.

You had better watch out, Saffron. Your arrogance and condescending attitude will lead you into deep water one day.

13

Miles

Early October, Saffron is away again, and I’m left with the children, Hayley, and Mother. The boys are in bed. It took me ages to settle them, reading eons of Harry Potter, which I love. But, even so, from time to time when I’m tired I feel as if I need a break from childcare. Hayley has disappeared to her sumptuous boudoir. Aiden has returned to his flat in Chelsea. He didn’t stay long after Saffron left.

Mother and I are in the drawing room sharing a bottle of wine. Saint-Émilion. I take a sip. It is so heavy it almost sticks to my tongue. I prefer a lighter red; Mother chose this.

‘Don’t you get fed up of Saffron abandoning you for another man?’ she asks, voice waspish.

‘She’s doing her job,’ I reply.

She leans forwards and her eyes pierce mine. ‘Dropping everything for Aristos has been going on for years. Surely she needs to rein him in?’

Silence falls, except for the ticking of the clock on the mantelpiece. I pull my gaze away from hers and cut through the silence. ‘Aristos is her major client.’

‘But … but why does she always have to go at such short notice?’ Mother splutters.

If I have told her this once, I’ve told her a million times. I sigh. ‘It’s what he pays Saffron for. To be at his beck and call 24/7. He pays her very generously. And that’s the whole point of private client work. When the client asks you to jump, you jump.’

Mother’s eyes narrow. ‘As long as he isn’t jumping her.’

Anger pulses through me like lightning. ‘Mother, how dare you imply that.’