Lily was stroking Prim’s ears and Ella realised just how much she loved the big, friendly dog, who now had her large head on Lily’s lap. ‘She’ll be much better soon, she just needs more walks.’ Lily looked at Ella hopefully. ‘Maybe you can help with that too?’
‘That sounds like fun.’ She loved the rush of pleasure her simple reply brought to the little girl’s face. Back in Brighton, Ella would regularly meet people out running, some of whom with dogs attached to them by long, bendy leads. Perhaps she and Prim could run together, it might take the edge off the dog’s exuberance.
‘Papa is waiting for you, Ella, his office is just through there.’ Lily pointed to a door on Ella’s left.
‘Right. Thanks.’ She knew it was ridiculous to be feeling so nervous. Amongst the very best, she’d sailed through every test on the way to getting her previous jobs and had flourished under the pressure. But the thought of seeing Max again and facing that cool, blue gaze was making her stomach knot in ways she wasn’t used to. She told herself firmly it was just the lack of her usual morning coffee.
‘You’re not all coming in, are you?’ Ella’s words came out in a rush. Her pixie crop was somewhat wilder than she would have liked for a formal job interview. The water was different here, her hair softer after a lukewarm shower last night, and it refused to stay in place. And Dylan always said the jumper she was wearing clashed with her hair’s lilac colour. Oh well, it was too late to do anything about it now.
‘Non, Max will not allow it.’ Noelle pursed her lips.
‘We tried,’ Lily said glumly. ‘Papa said he had to speak to you alone first.’ Her red-gold curls were tamed today in a neat ponytail. Arlo had a toy tractor and a pop-up book about farming on his lap and Ella gave him a reassuring smile, which he cautiously returned. ‘Then we do have some questions to ask you.’
‘What, all of you?’
The door beside Ella flew open and Max appeared, giving her the briefest nod before glaring at his gathered family. ‘You may as well all leave. I have no idea how long we will be.’
‘We will wait, Max.’ An array of bangles on Noelle’s left arm rattled as she retrieved the book slipping from Arlo’s knee. Her long hair was casually piled on top of her head and spilling to her shoulders. ‘We would all like to get to know Ella better and I think your interview suggestion is an excellent one.’
‘You might have thought of that before you offered her the bloody job,’ Max muttered. He seemed to be having difficulty meeting Ella’s eyes as he stood back to hold the door open. ‘And stop trying to humour me or pretend you’re going along with this as though it’s all my idea, Maman. It doesn’t suit you.’
‘Daddy swore!’ Arlo was both aghast and delighted, and Lily gave Max a sad look.
‘That’s a pound you need to put in Prim’s box, Daddy,’ she told him seriously. She turned her attention to Ella. ‘Daddy swears a lot more now that we’ve got Prim, and he has to pay a fine every time he says a naughty word. We’re collecting the money and giving it to the local dog shelter in case he ever sends Prim to live there. She only likes certain foods and a special bed.’
‘That’s enough, Lily.’ Max seemed to be spluttering and Ella had to press her lips very firmly together to stop herself from laughing. Arlo was giggling and she heard Noelle chuckle as Prim’s tail thumped on the ground. Max shook his head as he glanced at Ella.
‘Let’s get on with it, shall we?’
She nodded, breathing in so she wouldn’t touch him by mistake as she passed through the door, conscious of his tall frame close to hers.
‘You have a lovely office.’ She had been expecting something more austere, not the huge, bright room she had just entered as Max snapped the door shut behind them.
‘Thanks. It’s a nice space to work in.’ He sounded different this morning, more awkward with a shade less confidence in his voice.
She hovered uncertainly, waiting for him to invite her to sit. A large oak desk holding a laptop, huge monitor and mobile faced the garden, opposite a pair of two-seater sofas separated by a low coffee table, an iPad sitting on it. In the centre of the room stood a wide drawing board and stool, with paper, pencils and sketches placed neatly across it. The walls were also white and covered with landscapes, both paintings and photographs, with a few shots of the children and a vibrant watercolour of a beautifully planted garden. A pair of deep sash windows either side of French doors offered a glorious view of the garden, a tarn shimmering in the winter sun in the distance.
‘Coffee?’
‘Please.’ Ella was still sluggish; sure the broken night’s sleep must be reflected on her face. She wondered if she might be able to swap the mattress on her bed for something better; maybe Max would let her order a—
‘How do you like it?’
‘What?’ She tried to drag her thoughts back to his question. Her eyes felt gritty, and she resisted the urge to rub them.
‘Your coffee. How do you drink it?’
Was she imagining a note of sarcasm in his exaggerated patience? ‘Oh sorry. Black please, strong.’
‘Double espresso?’
‘Perfect. Thank you.’
He still hadn’t invited her to sit, and she wondered if he was doing it on purpose, trying to assert his authority. She edged towards the desk, a hand on the back of the office chair facing it. ‘Noelle mentioned that you’re an architect.’
Max was still busy with the machine, and he raised his voice over the noise of beans grinding. ‘Landscape.’
‘I’m sorry?’ Ella’s laugh was short as she tried to cover her confusion. ‘I didn’t sleep very well; the bed was a bit…’
