‘Can I help?’ asked Ellie moving closer, making it impossible for Cat to move her mouse or type.
Cat did her best to keep her voice level. ‘Not really. Why don’t you go back and play, like Charlie?’
‘I don’t want to,’ said Ellie plainly.
Cat was stumped. She had no frame of reference for this. ‘Well what do you want to do?’
‘Play with you,’ said Ellie.
Cat felt desperate. ‘I’m sorry but I’ve got to work.’
‘Can I have a biscuit?’
‘Erm, I’m not sure if I’ve got any.’
‘You don’t have any biscuits?’
‘I’ve got an apple.’
Ellie scowled. ‘Can’t eat apples ’cos of my wobbly teeth,’ she said, opening her mouth and probing at a particularly unstable-looking front tooth with her tongue.
Cat winced. She was a practised problem solver but she had no idea how to make this small person stop demanding her attention or sharing her dental freakiness. ‘I could try and find you a biscuit,’ she offered desperately.
‘Ooh yay biscuits!’ cried Ellie, skipping around the room. Cat sighed and got up. ‘Can I come with you?’ asked her niece, leaping up and down.
‘All right. Would you like a biscuit, Charlie?’ The boy shook his head without looking up. ‘Right. Good. Biscuits,’ said Cat, making her way towards the kitchen. Ellie smiled and gave everyone they met a cheery hello. Jesse was making himself a coffee in the kitchen as they entered.
‘Hey, Kit Kat, how are you doing?’ He glanced at Ellie. ‘Wow, the interns are getting younger and younger.’
Cat smiled. ‘This is my brother’s daughter, Ellie. He had a crisis and you know how I love a crisis.’
Jesse laughed. ‘Rather you than me. Hello, little lady.’
Ellie frowned at him. ‘Hello, big man.’
He smiled and turned back to Cat. ‘So what about tonight’s dinner?’
‘Dan’s going. I’ve briefed him fully and he’s going to call me if there are any problems.’
‘Are you sure he can handle it? I would go but it’s Alex’s birthday and we’ve got reservations at Nobu.’
‘Who’s Alex? Is she your daughter?’ asked Ellie nosily. ‘What kind of cake is she having? I had a Frozen one for my last birthday. I love Frozen.’
Cat ignored her niece. ‘It will be fine. Dan is our resident football expert and he speaks Spanish so he’s just the man to look after Alvarro.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Trust me, the dinner is due to finish at ten and Alvarro will be tucked up in his hotel by eleven so that he’s all fresh and ready for the launch tomorrow.’ Unimpressed by being ignored, Ellie had decided to make her own fun and was currently experimenting with the water cooler. ‘Ellie, what are you doing?’ cried Cat as water seeped slowly across the kitchen floor.
Ellie took a step to one side and put down the cup. ‘Somebody spilt that,’ she said innocently.
‘I’ll leave you to it,’ said Jesse.
Cat grabbed handfuls of paper towels in a bid to soak up the mess. Ellie watched her with interest. ‘Can I have that biscuit now, please?’
Exasperated, Cat found the biscuit tin. ‘Just take it!’ she said.
Ellie eyed her suspiciously. ‘There’s no need to be so cross,’ she said, taking the tin and leaving the kitchen. ‘It was just an accident.’
Cat took a deep breath and did her best to clear up the mess. She made a strong pot of coffee and carried it back to her office. Charlie was exactly where she had left him, shoulders hunched, eyes glazed as he played his game. Ellie, on the other hand, had made herself comfortable at Cat’s desk and was talking to someone on the phone.
‘Ellie, give me the phone now!’ cried Cat in a panic.
Ellie looked up in surprise and passed the phone without a word. She skulked back to her seat and began unhappily shovelling biscuits into her mouth.
‘Hello?’ said Cat into the phone.
‘Cat? It’s Will. What the hell is going on? Was that a child answering your phone?’
Cat’s stomach sank. ‘Sorry, Will, it was just my niece and – ’
‘I don’t want to hear it, Cat. I was phoning to check we’re okay for tonight and tomorrow.’
‘Absolutely.’
‘Are you sure? Because I’m starting to get concerned.’
‘You don’t need to worry. Everything is under control.’
‘All right. See you tomorrow.’
Cat hung up before turning to Ellie. ‘Don’t ever touch my phone again,’ she snapped. Ellie’s lip began to wobble. Cat panicked. ‘Now don’t cry, Ellie. You don’t need to cry.’
But it was too late. Ellie’s body trembled and tears coursed down her face. Cat watched helplessly as Charlie put down his game and went over to comfort his sister. He glared at his aunt. ‘You don’t have to be such a mean cow. She’s just a little girl. She’s a bit naughty sometimes but only because she wants attention.’
Cat was stung by his words. ‘I’m sorry. It’s just that I have to work, you see?’ she said pathetically.
Charlie shrugged. ‘Whatever. Come on, Ellie, I’ll play a game with you,’ he said.
Cat felt wretched as she returned to her desk. The children were occupied now with a drawing game. She noticed that Charlie occasionally whispered comments to Ellie and they would glance up at Cat and giggle. It made her feel uncomfortable and even though they were quiet she found it increasingly difficult to concentrate.
‘How do you ever get anything done?’ she wailed to her brother when he phoned later that evening.
Andrew gave a wry chuckle. ‘Welcome to my world, dearest sister. Did you remember to feed them? They’re evil when they’re hungry.’
‘I ordered takeaway pizza,’ admitted Cat.
‘I bet that won you some brownie points.’
‘Hmmm.’ In fact, the children had been quiet and sullen. They seemed to retreat into their own little world after the incident at the office and it was clear that Cat wasn’t welcome.
‘Well obviously bedtime wasn’t a problem. Clearly you’re a natural,’ offered Andrew with cheerful encouragement.
