“I’m sorry, Mr Graham. I didn’t hear you get up.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for.” Then I nod towards my room. “Maybe we should let him sleep in. He didn’t have the best night.”
She purses her lips into a smile. “Okay, whatever you think.”
I don’t know what I’d do without this girl. She’s so dedicated to our son and has never missed a day of work since she started.
Connie came to us after completing her training at a fancy college in Somerset. She’s the niece of an old friend, which is how I found her so quickly. I needed someone, and she needed her first job. It couldn’t have worked out better. My boy loves her.
“Is Mrs Graham sleeping in too?” she asks while tying her shoulder-length hair into a bun.
“I think you already know she’s not here.” By the look in her eye, I can tell she understands. “Look, Connie, I want to keep Ozzie with me today. We’ve got our last gig at TheGarden tonight, and I’ve got rehearsals this afternoon. How would you feel about bringing him along?”
Her face lights up. “I think I might be a little stoked, Mr Graham.”
My nanny is about to self-combust. She loves watching the band rehearse but doesn’t get to do it often because, even when she was on tour with us, Chelsea had her working all fucking hours.
“You know, Connie, I’m happy to get you and your friends tickets. All you have to do is ask.”
Her words almost catch in her throat. “Yo-you are?”
“Sure. Just let me know, okay? I can arrange a sitter for Oz.”
“But Mrs Graham said I shouldn’t ask. She said I’d be taking advantage.”
“Take no notice. In fact, from now on, I’d appreciate it if you reported to me and not Chel—Mrs Graham. Okay?”
“Sure.” She nods, looking a little bewildered.
“To be honest, I can’t rely on my wife for anything, and when it comes to Oz, nothing is more important. I’m hoping you can bear with me until I’ve talked to Mrs Graham some more.”
She smiles with straight lips. “Of course I can.”
“Thank you.” I exhale. “So, I’ve got a few calls to make now. I’d appreciate it if you could wake Oz up in an hour, then how about I take you both to breakfast?”
“Sure, Mr Graham. I think Ozzie would love that.”
“Yeah.” I smile. “I think he would too.” She always puts Oz first, which is more than his mum ever has.
I head back to my bedroom, intending to jump in the shower, but when I catch Ozzie using my bed as a trampoline, I’m distracted.
“Hey, little man. You’re awake and full of beans by thelook of it. What have I told you about jumping on the bed?” I’m trying my best mad dad face, but I’m like putty in his hands.
“Sorry, Daddy.” He pouts.
“It’s okay, Oz.”
“Please don’t tell Mom. She gets so mad when I jump.”
I bet she does. What a fucking dragon. I grab my boy and tickle his tummy. “Don’t you worry. It’s our secret, okay?”
He giggles, giving me a smile as warm as sunshine, then wraps his little arms around me.
“I love you, Daddy.”
His American accent is so cute. “Love you too, little monster. Now, go find Connie. She was looking for you.” He jumps from my lap, running and shouting his nanny’s name. Fuck, I love that kid.
While I sit on the edge of the bed with my head in my hands, my train of thought leads to Angie and what she’s up to. We catch up every few weeks. It’s a habit I got into after she lost Scott, although yesterday’s call is weighing heavy on my mind.
