Page 69 of All Yours

Robyn stood and headed for the back door. She had to get out of here before she ripped the shirt from his back and rode him on the breakfast table. How had unemployment suddenly looked so appealing?

‘Red,’ he said as she put her hand on the door handle. ‘You wouldn’t believe how unprofessional I can be.’

She paused, looked at him over her shoulder, and caught her bottom lip in her teeth.

‘Looking forward to finding out,’ she whispered, ‘and seeing if it’s as good as I remember.’ She lingered just long enough to see the flash of memory on his face too, then she fled.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Fox

Monday was handover day. Fox woke up hard, like he seemed to have done for the last two months, but he didn’t have time to think about servicing himself before the boys were in his bedroom.

Fiona Mitchell turned up at 7.30, on a pushbike which she chained up in the drive. Fox watched her from the office window as she smoothed both hands over her short brown hair and marched towards the front door. He jumped at the loud rap that must have hurt her knuckles.

‘Nice to see you again, Fiona. Come on in.’ He stood to one side to let her through. ‘Coats go on the hooks there.’

Fiona tugged off her anorak to display a blend of navy clothes from her cargo pants to her jumper, even down to her socks. ‘The boys are in the kitchen getting ready for school. This way.’

She rustled slightly as she walked behind him. ‘Here we are.’ He opened the door to chaos.

Reggie and George were both in various stages of undress, with their school ties around their heads like scarves. It was immediately obvious they were pretending to be Robyn.

‘Look at meeeeee,’ Reggie said, from his position balancing on his head. ‘I can do yoga . . .’

‘No, look at meeee,’ George insisted, lugging a teddy around in a sling. ‘I’ve got a baby . . .’

Robyn stood between them laughing. She looked amazing in a long boho skirt and little knitted cardigan and all he could think about for a split second was what was underneath them.

‘Boys, this is Fiona,’ Fox said, tipping Reggie to an upright position. ‘What do you say?’ He’d drilled them on this last night, but wasn’t sure quite how much they’d taken in as they were still reeling from the fact that Robyn wouldn’t be looking after them any more.

‘What about the den?’ Reggie had demanded.

‘Fiona can take you,’ Fox had answered.

‘What about bunny chow?’ George asked.

‘Robyn can give Fiona the recipe,’ Fox said.

Two pairs of highly suspicious eyes had stared back at him.

‘Give her a chance,’ Fox had insisted, ruffling their hair. ‘It will be fine.’

Now they both stayed steadfastly between Robyn as they chorused, ‘Morning, Fiona,’ and gave creepily fake smiles.

Fiona extended her hand to Reggie, who looked at it doubtfully before shaking it. George tucked both his hands in his pockets and ducked behind Robyn’s legs.

‘Hi, Fiona,’ Robyn said with a warm smile. ‘Nice to meet you. Let me make you a cup of tea while I get this lot ready.’

Fiona looked confused, turning her head from Fox to Robyn.

‘Sorry to ask, but who are you?’ she asked.

‘I’m Robyn, the temporary nanny. We thought it might be easier for you to shadow the routines for one day with me, before you take over tomorrow. I can show you where everything is, for example.’

Fiona visibly relaxed. ‘Good thinking,’ she said and pulled out a chair.

Fox and Robyn stepped into action, moving around each other with practised ease. Fox made their breakfasts, Robyn prepared their packed lunches and book bags before gathering their sports kits.