Page 14 of All Yours

‘It’s just hard to let someone else do the things that I normally do.’ He exhaled slowly and heard her do the same.

‘I’d be there if I could, you know,’ she said. ‘It’s just impossible, what with work and everything else.’

He nodded. Millie might not live nearby, but since Meg died, Millie had always been at the end of the phone, night or day, whenever he needed to talk. She adored the boys with a passion and he’d relied on her a lot, as he had the Brothers from Another Mother.

‘And this is temporary, remember? Just for a couple of months,’ she continued. ‘And then the real nanny can come in and sort everything out. Proper routines. Established patterns. Long-lasting relationships.’

Fox nodded again, dropping his head into his hands.

‘So, for the time being, just be happy that they like her. And that’s enough.’ Millie sounded sure of herself, and it was calming Fox’s nerves. ‘You need to be able to focus on work now. Get this deadline met.’

He pulled himself upright and clicked the mouse on his computer. His inbox was already full of emails demanding answers or actions.

‘Talking of which . . .’ he said with a smile, ‘I’d better get back to it.’

‘Go and earn another gazillion pounds,’ she said.

He laughed.

‘Tell you what, why don’t I come visit in a few weeks? I can check her out for myself.’

‘That would be great, Millie. The boys would love that too.’

‘I’ll message you some dates,’ she said. ‘And in the meantime, stop stressing. Robyn could be the best thing that’s ever happened to you. Better go. Lots of love.’

Chapter Seven

Robyn

The school run was complete, the dog was walked and Willow was sleeping against her chest, as Robyn and Wren browsed the vintage shops lining Honeybridge’s narrow, cobbled side streets.

‘Have you got anything at all suitable for a British winter?’ Wren asked, eyeing Robyn’s tie-dye sweatshirt and leggings suspiciously. Robyn laughed.

‘Not yet,’ she said. ‘But I’m liking the look of this.’ She held up a handknitted jumper in the softest green and pressed it to her cheek. Wren nodded in agreement and she added it to the basket.

‘So, how’s your first day going?’ Wren asked.

‘So far, so good,’ Robyn said, checking the price of a duffel coat. ‘They’re lovely boys. Funny, I didn’t even know Fox had children when I met him last year. It didn’t come up.’

She caught her own choice of words and turned away quickly, before Wren saw the smile that threatened to escape. Other things had come up that night. Again and again.

‘And you’ve settled into the pool house?’ Wren showed her a retro denim jumpsuit with a belt tie. Robyn gave it a thumbs up and Wren folded it into the basket.

‘What’s not to like? It’s luxury!’ Robyn said, exchanging the duffel for a woollen blue pea coat. ‘And so is this! I love it.’

‘Try it on,’ Wren encouraged. Robyn stood in front of the mirror and shrugged the coat around her shoulders. It was a perfect fit, leaving just enough room to snuggle Willow within it too. She checked the tag and grimaced, before hanging it back on the rack.

‘Money’s tight at the moment,’ she said. ‘And we need nappies and baby formula. Anyway, it’s not even cold yet. I can get a coat next month.’

Wren watched her closely.

‘I don’t know how you do it,’ she said. ‘You never seem to stress about things. Not like me. I always plan so far in advance, I need a five-year journal.’

Robyn laughed, letting her fingers run over a pretty coloured knitted cardigan in the softest wool. She held it against herself for Wren’s approval and added it to the basket.

‘I might not seem it, but I worry a lot more now than I ever did,’ Robyn said. ‘Since I found out I was pregnant. And then definitely since I’ve had Willow.’ She stroked the baby’s head, checking she was still asleep. ‘It was all very easy when it was just me. But now, I have her to think of too. I’m the only one she’s got. It stops me sleeping sometimes.’

‘I can imagine,’ Wren said, putting an arm around Robyn’s shoulders for a squeeze. ‘I’m so glad you’re here for a few months at least. We can help with the baby and you can get some sleep!’