‘If you’re developing a crush on me, you’ll have to leave,’ you reply, your face stiff with anger. ‘We’ll give you a good reference.’ You shake your head. ‘I’m very sorry if I’ve given you the wrong impression. I love Saffron very much. We are happy together. The only feelings I have for you are a paternal fondness. A fondness I have felt for all our nannies.’

64

Saffron

I’m back home after my evening out with Ted and Julie, floating around the kitchen, high on optimism and alcohol. We have been to the pub across the road from our office brainstorming ways to find new clients. My life is on the up. Then you breeze in, Caprice.

‘How was your evening?’ you ask with a wolfish smile.

‘Good. It was lovely, thanks.’ I pause. ‘And yours?’

‘I’ve been at home. I had a migraine.’

Migraine. The excuse you use, Caprice, when you want to get out of doing something.

‘You poor thing. Are you feeling better now?’

‘Yes. Thankfully,’ you reply.

A short, sharp, convenient migraine. Just as they always are.

‘So did Miles go to the opera alone?’

‘He took Hayley.’

My insides bristle. ‘So you were ill. Who was looking after the children, then?’

‘Well, they’re at a sleepover with the Chadwicks.’

I frown. ‘You arranged a sleepover without telling me? And I could have changed my plans. Gone to the opera with Miles. Hayley could have had her evening off with Jono as usual.’

You shake your head. ‘Saffron, when do you ever change your plans? Your diary is robotic.’ Your voice is pinched. Waspish.

I breathe deeply to ignore your provocation. ‘Can I get you anything?’ I ask. ‘Hot chocolate, lemon tea, milk with honey?’

A half-smile. ‘Do you have camomile?’

‘No, sorry.’

‘Then I guess I’ll have to make do with lemon.’

Make do. I put the kettle on, gritting my teeth. Since you married Rupert, when did you ever have to make do with anything? He was loaded. Was that why you fell in love with him?

‘They’re not back yet. They must be having fun. Hayley is such an attractive girl, isn’t she? Nice she’s having a wonderful treat. And Miles and Hayley get on so well together.’

Is that supposed to rile me? Fearing that my husband will run off with the attractive young nanny? How original, Caprice. You are losing your touch if you can’t do better than that.

‘By the way, Caprice,’ I reply, ‘what time should I pick up my children, tomorrow, from a family I know nothing about?’

‘They’re friends of mine, so I’ll go.’

The kettle boils. I pour water onto the teabag and leave it to brew. ‘You’d better get an early night to make sure you’ll be well enough. If you want to go to bed I’ll bring your tea up.’

‘Thank you, dear.’