The Babysitter(14)

Stopping at the patio doors, Melissa wrapped her arms about herself, a troubled look clouding her eyes, as if she were imagining it. As if someone like her, living her perfect life, could ever imagine what it was like to be so traumatised as a small child that you prayed to God to make you dead and take you to heaven.

‘Me neither.’ Smiling empathetically, though she was sure the little girl was better off where she was, Jade gently placed a hand on Melissa’s forearm. ‘Poor Mark. I hope he finds her.’

‘Oh God, I hope so, too.’ Melissa pulled in a shuddery breath. ‘He’ll be absolutely devastated. He can’t bear even the thought of children being hurt in any way.’

‘I know.’ Jade sighed, recalling again the first time she’d met him, the genuine grief in his eyes. ‘You can see he’s a caring man,’ she added quickly. ‘And he obviously adores his kids. I don’t envy him. Look, it’s only a suggestion, but why not let me babysit?’

Melissa looked uncertain.

‘I have got my childcare qualifications, after all, so you might as well make use of me. And I can always call you if there’s a problem.’

‘Of course you do,’ she said, still looking a little uncertain. ‘But… are you sure? It’s a bit of a cheek.’

‘It’s no problem at all,’ Jade assured her. ‘Like I said, I’m here anyway. It’s the least I can do after all your kindness. And, to be honest, after this morning’s events, chilling out with a DVD sounds like heaven.’

Melissa glanced through the patio doors to check on Poppy, who was already sitting cross-legged in front of the TV in anticipation of Beauty and the Beast. ‘You’ve got the job,’ she said, smiling gratefully.

‘I wish,’ Jade said, with a sigh. ‘I’m job hunting at the moment. But I’ve no idea how I’m actually going to apply for any jobs now I’m homeless.’





Six





MELISSA





‘I usually let her catnap until eight, and then wake her for her feed,’ Melissa said, dashing into the lounge to grab her sketch pad and pencil case from the coffee table. She looked around for her shoulder bag and then remembered she’d hung it on the stairs. Honestly, she’d swear to God that giving birth had addled her brain.

‘There’s milk in the fridge. I generally warm it in a bowl.’ Realising she was running late, she checked her watch – and dropped her sketch pad. ‘You’ll find one in—’

‘Melissa, I can manage,’ Jade assured her, reaching to pick up the pencils that had spilled from the pencil case as Melissa bent to retrieve her pad. ‘And anything I can’t find, Poppy can point me to. Right, Poppy?’

‘Yeth,’ Poppy said, around the thumb plugged into her mouth. ‘You can go now, Mummy.’

Dismissed, thought Melissa, eyeing the ceiling and then smiling gratefully at Jade as she handed her pencils back to her. ‘Don’t miss me too much, will you?’ she said, going over to plant a kiss on Poppy’s cheek.

‘I won’t,’ Poppy said, attempting to peer around her at the TV.

‘Well, that’s reassuring.’ Melissa sighed, theatrically rolling her eyes at Jade.

But rather than feeling put out by Poppy’s apparent indifference to her presence, Melissa was pleased. Jade, it seemed, had definitely won her over, which was a huge relief. Their last babysitter, the daughter of a friend, hadn’t been a hit, and Melissa had been reluctant to bring in another, which wasn’t conducive to she and Mark spending any quality time together. Jade had also been fabulous with Evie, feeding her earlier without a hiccup. She really was a natural with children.

‘Bed by seven thirty at the latest, young lady,’ she said to Poppy. ‘And don’t forget to brush your teeth.’

‘Mummeee…’ Poppy sighed exasperatedly. ‘We’re missing the film.’

‘Right, I can see where I’m not wanted.’ Shaking her head in amusement, Melissa headed for the door. ‘I’ll be back in time for Evie’s ten o’clock feed,’ she told Jade, and then stopped. ‘Damn! I forgot to get milk out the freezer for the morning.’

‘I’ll do it.’ Jade spun Melissa back towards the front door as she turned in the direction of the kitchen. ‘Go. Not too much licking of pencils or drooling.’

Melissa laughed. ‘I’ll try not to,’ she assured her, and then hesitated again at the front door. You know, you’re quite welcome to stay a while if you need to, Jade. I mean, I wouldn’t want you to feel obliged to babysit just because you’re here, but… Well, we have space if you need it while you sort yourself out.’

Jade beamed. ‘I’d love to, as long as you’re sure. It would be a huge weight off my mind.’

‘Positive.’ Melissa smiled warmly. ‘Just don’t let madam here wrap you around her little finger.’ She nodded towards Poppy, who was listening eagerly from the lounge doorway.

‘Does this mean you’re staying forever and ever, Jade?’ Poppy asked, her eyes wide with excitement.

Jade exchanged a knowing glance with Melissa. ‘Well, not forever and ever,’ she said, turning back to her charge. ‘But for the moment, yes.’