‘You’ve got to trust us. We’ve got everything we need for the night. We’ll call you if there’s a problem … but there won’t be a problem.’
‘He’s hard work.’
‘It doesn’t matter. One day, I’m sure we’ll be asking you to do the same for us.’
I glance at Clive. He doesn’t seem to be the slightest bit put out by Lucy’s statement.
‘You’re not pregnant, are you?’
She shakes her head. ‘Some of us know how the pill works. We’re getting married though,’ she adds, throwing out the news as if it’s of no importance whatsoever.
‘What?’ I gasp. ‘Getting married?’
‘Yeah.’ A wicked grin creeps across her face.
‘I’m sorry,’ Clive intervenes. ‘We didn’t want to rain on Dan’s parade, but seeing as Lucy’s determined to let the cat out of the bag …’
‘We’re getting married,’ she squeaks, jumping around like a lunatic. ‘Clive asked me last night. It was so romantic.’
‘Congratulations.’ Getting up, Dan pats Clive on the back.
‘Best man?’ Clive asks.
‘Of course, and I’ll try not to give a shit speech.’
‘Dan,’ I admonish him. ‘No swearing in front of your son.’
‘But he’s just a baby.’
‘He’s a sponge, that’s what he is, soaking it all up. I don’t want a foul-mouthed toddler.’
‘Sorry, boss.’
Carla appears at the doorway.
‘It’s time. They’re all waiting for you downstairs.’
Suddenly serious, Dan looks at his friend.
‘I didn’t want this, Clive. I just wanted to leave quietly.’
‘And your staff want to say goodbye.’
‘I have no idea why.’
‘Well, I do.’ Clive grins at Jack. ‘Daddy’s been a bad-tempered shi … person most of the time.’ He goes on in a sing-song voice. ‘But he’s worked hard for his employees, yes, he has. And anyone who wanted a voluntary redundancy had one, haven’t they? And he’s managed to sell the company in one piece.’
‘Well,’ Dan rubs his forehead. ‘There’s no telling how long it’s going to stay that way.’
‘It’s out of your hands,’ Clive tells him. ‘You’ve done your bit and they appreciate it. So, go and say goodbye to them … with your adoring wife and son at your side.’
‘And a wet patch on your trousers,’ I add for good measure.
With Jack returned to the pushchair, Dan says farewell to the fifteenth floor, and we all ride the lift in silence. As the numbers above the door count down, I check on my husband. Hands clenched, staring straight ahead at the door, he’s deep in thought. I reach out and touch his arm, letting him know I’m here for him. He has just enough time to reward me with a thankful glimmer of the eyes before the door slides open onto the atrium.
It’s transformed now, overflowing with smart, professional types. And they’re all silent, staring at us, expectantly. With the mask back in place, Dan’s first out of the lift, barely taking three steps before the applause begins, the sound of it echoing through the atrium. I watch as he weaves a path through the crowd, stopping to shake a hand or indulge in a quick chat, gradually relaxing.
Norman appears in front of me.
‘Maya.’ I’m given a big, teddy bear hug. ‘And the little one.’ He leans down and brushes a finger across Jack’s chubby cheeks. ‘It’s a big day.’
‘Another one.’
‘Well,’ he laughs, ‘I never saw this coming when you walked into my office.’
‘Neither did I.’
‘No more big kahuna, eh?’ He winks.
‘Maybe that’s not such a bad thing.’
‘When will you be back down at the house?’
‘Tomorrow evening, probably.’
‘I’ll tell Betty. She wants to do a nice casserole.’
And with that, Norman’s gone.
Before I’m swamped by baby-admirers, I scan the atrium, spotting Dan over to the left. He’s laughing with a group of people I’ve never seen before. Yet again, I find myself thinking of that first ever visit to Fosters. Completely out of my depth, I had no idea I was already tangled in Dan’s web. I saw him as nothing more than an arrogant, power-hungry, domineering piece of work, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. I didn’t know him at all. But now I’ve peeled back his layers, I’ve got to the heart of Daniel Foster, and I know exactly who he is: a loving, faithful, caring and protective man.
And my heart swells with pride to think that he’s all mine.
He brushes my hair, gently picking his way through the tangles. We’re sitting on the bed, enjoying our own little bubble of peace and quiet. With Dan behind me, leaning against the headboard, a towel wrapped around his midriff, I’m positioned between his legs, naked, drifting further into a fug of post-bath calm.
‘Do you need a sleep?’ he asks at last.
‘And waste precious time with you? I can sleep later.’ I gaze at the empty cot. ‘It feels weird without Jack here.’
‘He’ll be back tomorrow. And then we’ll spend plenty of time with him … together.’
‘So, what’s in store for tonight?’
‘Dinner … later.’
‘And before that?’
‘It’s a secret.’
I turn to face him, waiting for more.
‘A good secret,’ he adds, holding the brush in mid-air.
‘Where are we going?’
‘Not far.’
‘Where?’
‘Across the hallway.’
‘The room of kink?’
‘Either that or the guest bedroom.’ He motions for me to turn again, and goes back to brushing my hair. ‘I’ve missed it.’
Since Jack was born, we haven’t used it once, and I’ve missed it too, evidently more than I realised, because out of nowhere, excitement’s bouncing around my stomach like a hyperactive toddler.
‘What are we using?’ I ask, unable to contain it any longer.
‘Well, that all depends.’ He throws the brush onto the bed. ‘There. You’re done.’ A warm hand comes to my shoulder. ‘Ready?’
‘Ready.’
He urges me up from the bed and heads straight for the wardrobe. Opening a drawer, he picks out
