course,’ she went on, ‘she may have decided to get in touch with you direct. It’s entirely possible that while you’ve been wherever it is you’ve been and we’ve been out here having a good time with these adorable chickens, she’s left a message on your answering machine.’ She was finding it increasingly difficult to keep up the businesslike manner in the face of his totally blank expression. ‘It’s even possible that she didn’t wait to call us, but boarded a plane home the minute she picked up the first message.’
‘I hope you’re not holding your breath on that one,’ he said, finally.
‘No. Taking my cues from those who know and love her, I’ve kept breathing in and out on a regular basis.’
‘Smart woman,’ he said. Then, ‘Will you stay?’
He was asking her? Actually asking her to stay?
‘Can you stay?’ he went on, when she didn’t immediately answer. ‘I realise that we’re all taking you completely for granted.’
‘No…’
‘No?’
‘Yes…’ She gathered herself. ‘You’re not taking me for granted. That honour belongs to someone else. And yes, of course I’ll stay for as long as I’m needed.’ And she discovered she was smiling again.
‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘I’ll book a replacement holiday for you myself as soon as things are back to normal.’
She shrugged. ‘Maisie said this is a good place for a holiday and, despite the weather and the chickens, I can see why she likes it. Besides, the sun is so bad for your skin.’
‘It isn’t always like this,’ he said, turning away and heading for the paddock gate, opening it and standing back so that she could go ahead of him. She turned in the opening, blocking his way. What she had to say could wait, but he would keep taking to the hills.
‘While you’re here, can I just get a few things straight?’
‘Will anything I say stop you?’
She ignored the rudeness—now she recognised it as a defence mechanism it was easy to ignore—and smiled, as if he’d said something amusing.
‘Since I’ll be here for a while, I’m going to have to ask you to let me know when you’re going to disappear the way you did at lunchtime.’
‘I was under the impression that you were Maisie’s nanny, not mine.’
‘Were you?’ She wasn’t anyone’s nanny, but she didn’t see any need to tell him that. Then, ‘It’s just a question of next of kin, in the event of an accident, illness, that’s all. I’ll also need a list of essential telephone numbers, a designated vehicle to use in an emergency—my own motor insurance will cover me—and a set of keys for both the house and the car.’
‘Anything else?’
‘Yes,’ she said. ‘You missed lunch. You’ll find some sandwiches in the fridge when you’re done.’
With that she turned and walked away.
‘Jacqui…’ She halted, waiting for the explosion. When none came, she glanced back. ‘How’s your head?’
She looked back over her shoulder. He hadn’t moved and for a moment she was tempted to do a ‘Maisie’, wince a little, get him closer to have another look. But she just said, ‘You did a good job, doc.’ Her voice was a little husky and she was forced to clear her throat before she added, ‘I’ll recommend you to all my friends.’
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