The Babysitter(51)

‘It’s all ruined,’ Mel said again, her sobs stilling to a shudder as she heaved air into her lungs.

‘I’m so sorry, Mel.’ Mark tried to pull her closer, but Mel didn’t want to be held. Didn’t appear to want him near her. Her body language was stiff, her emotions all stuffed precariously inside. Like a watch spring, Mark felt, wound way too tight and ready to uncoil in an instant.

‘It’s okay.’ She drew in a shaky breath. ‘I was going to wean her anyway. I can’t feed her myself now, can I? That would really be putting my child at risk, wouldn’t it? You’ll be pleased to know I’m in possession enough of my faculties to have thought that one through, Mark.’

The medication. Mark squeezed his eyes closed. Dammit. It hadn’t even occurred to him, but it had to Mel. And she was devastated. She shrugged him off and walked away.

Mark hesitated for a second and then, hearing her climbing the stairs, he moved to go after her. He couldn’t leave her, not like this.

‘I’m sorry,’ Jade said tearfully, as he walked past. ‘I honestly don’t think I did switch it off, but if I did…’

Noting how crestfallen she looked, as if holding herself responsible, Mark stopped and placed a hand on her shoulder. ‘It was an accident,’ he repeated firmly. ‘Anyone could have inadvertently knocked the switch.’ Even Mel. In her present state, Mark had to concede that she might have done it herself.

Jade nodded, still looking unhappy. Very. Mark hoped this didn’t cause her to leave.

‘I’ll go to the chemist,’ Jade offered, dredging up a smile from somewhere. ‘Get some formula. I’m sure Evie will be fine, Mark. Don’t worry.’

Mark closed his eyes, relief surging through him. If anyone knew what to do here, it was Jade. ‘That would be great. Thanks.’

‘No problem,’ she assured him. ‘Do you want to come with me, Poppy?’

‘Uh-huh.’ Poppy nodded quickly, looking as if she’d rather be anywhere than home right now.

‘I could take Evie, too,’ Jade suggested. ‘We shouldn’t be too long. It might give you a chance to…’ She nodded diplomatically towards the stairs. ‘If Mel wouldn’t mind me taking her car, that is?’

‘I’m sure she won’t.’ Mark nodded to the keys on the work surface, and then crouched to give Poppy a firm hug. ‘Be good, Poppet,’ he said, his heart twisting as he noted the bewilderment in her eyes. ‘And remember, Jade’s in charge while Mummy’s not feeling well. Make sure to do everything she tells you to. Okay?’

‘I will,’ Poppy promised, with a brave little nod.

‘Good girl.’ Mark kissed her forehead and straightened up.

Hearing Jade shushing Evie and chatting to Poppy as he went up the stairs, assuring her that Dory would be fine, left in her special fish water in the sink, Mark counted his blessings. He’d worried about her qualifications when Mel had employed her so quickly. That had been one long month ago, and clearly his worries had been unfounded. Not only was she competent enough to care for the children in a crisis, she was caring enough to want to. She was indispensable. Mark knew that now with certainty. He’d need to do all he could to make sure she had access to everything she needed, including Mel’s car. If Jade stayed – and he prayed that she did – she would need to drive it on a regular basis.



* * *



Mark’s first reaction when he woke in the small hours was surprise at the complete silence. His second was panic as he reached for Mel to find her side of the bed empty.

He threw back the duvet, almost falling over it in his scramble to pull on his tracksuit bottoms before heading for the landing. Seeing no glimmer of light from downstairs, he went straight to the nursery, glancing into Poppy’s room as he did. She was fast asleep, Hercules lying loyally at the foot of her bed. She’d obviously been fighting with the duvet too. Bidding Hercules to stay, Mark crept quietly in to ease the covers back over his daughter’s small form.

The nursery door was closed, unusually. Both he and Mel preferred it left open a fraction. Warily, Mark listened outside and then, hearing no sound, he pressed down the handle and went inside, looking apprehensively over to the cot as he did.

Evie, lying on her tummy, one tiny hand to the side of her face, appeared to be sleeping. Needing to reassure himself, Mark took a breath and stepped further in. Seeing his baby girl’s eyelids flutter as her mind chased her dreams, he closed his own eyes and allowed himself to breathe out.

Mel was standing in the middle of the room, though she gave no indication she knew he was there. She was quite still, her arms wrapped tightly about herself. Not sure what to do next, wondering whether she might even be sleepwalking, Mark hesitated for a second, watching her watching Evie, and then, noticing her shoulders tense as she breathed deeply in, he walked quietly across to her.

‘I wouldn’t hurt her,’ Mel murmured, as he stopped behind her.

‘I know.’ Hearing the wretchedness in her voice and wondering how long she’d been standing here, quietly crying, Mark felt his heart hitch. ‘I know you wouldn’t, Mel,’ he said, placing his arms around her and desperately trying to quash the feeling that, if he let go, he might lose her.





Thirty-Four