‘Why does everyone want to know if she’s pretty?’ I ask, suddenly feeling irritable.
‘Well, it’s that old cliché, isn’t it? Where the husband gets a crush on the hot nanny. Not that Robert would have his head turned while he’s got you as a wife.’
‘Thank you, I think!’ I feel a little bit uncomfortable with the way this conversation is going. Especially as Amelia used to go out with Robert.
‘So, what’s she like? Hot or not?’ she teases.
‘Sadie is quite pretty, yes.’ I think back to Robert’s eyes on Sadie’s Lycra-clad body this morning. ‘But she’s not like that. She’s… straight-laced, unflirty. Like I said before, she’s purely focused on the kids.’
‘It’s the straight-laced ones you have to watch,’ Amelia says, tapping the side of her nose.
I know she’s joking, but nevertheless her words chill me.
Thirty-Two
While we wait for the school gates to open, Eva chats to Lauren and Emily. Their giggles sound cute. But I’m guessing their laughter isn’t innocent. I’m guessing it’s at the expense of another less popular child. Katie holds my hand, chattering non-stop about last night’s play, but I’m only half listening. I have most of my attention trained on Lauren’s mother. With her honey-blonde waves and ethnic-bright clothes, she’s a multicoloured butterfly surrounded by moths.
I make my way over to her, making myself appear less confident, getting into character.
‘Excuse me,’ I say timidly. ‘Are you Rebecca Taylor?’
She turns around, her bracelets jangling. Her gaze sweeps over my dowdy clothes, my hunched, obsequious posture. ‘Hello… um… yes, I’m Rebecca.’ She gives me a not-quite-smile.
‘Hi, my name’s Sadie. I’m Eva and Katie’s nanny.’
Her eyes widen a fraction. ‘Oh, well, it’s nice to meet you.’ The woman drips condescension.
‘I just wanted to check if I’m allowed to come to the next PTA meeting? I know I’m not a parent, but I’m very involved in the children’s lives and if there’s anything you need help with, I’m more than happy to—’
‘You want to help out?’ She gives me a puzzled smile.
‘If that’s okay?’
‘Um, yes, I don’t see why not. As far as I’m concerned, the more volunteers we have, the better.’
‘Great. So…’
‘Our next meeting is actually being held tonight at the Holly Tree in Charminster. Do you know it?’
‘I’m sure I can find it.’
‘Seven thirty in the lounge bar. Oh, look, the gates are opening. See you later!’ She turns away and I’m once again left in the shade. The woman is magnetic. If the daughter is anything like the mother, Eva will have a hard time trying to outshine her. I already knew the PTA meeting was tonight – I found the letters in the girls’ school bags and threw them away so Gemma wouldn’t see them. Not that she’s a PTA mum, but I didn’t want to take the chance. My heart starts thumping with excitement at what’s next.
Back at the Ballantines’, I whizz around the kitchen tidying up. Robert has a free morning and is in the front room with the door closed so I don’t disturb him. Instead, I finish cleaning the kitchen, then take myself up to the attic where I spend the rest of the day beautifying myself. I treat my body to the works – manicure, pedicure, deep-conditioning hair treatment, waxing, moisturising… it feels quite decadent. Stopping for a quick bite to eat – a Waitrose chicken salad from my mini-fridge – I then paint my nails and relax on the sofa bed while they’re drying.
As three o’clock rolls around, I pick up the children from school, help with their homework, go through an English paper with Eva and then, finally, get the girls off to bed super-early, with the excuse that they had a late night the night before and need to catch up on their sleep.
Gemma will be home soon. I need to set the scene.
With the girls now tucked up in bed, I strip off my clothes, spritz myself with perfume and throw on a fluffy pink robe. I select two incredibly frumpy dresses from my wardrobe and bring them downstairs, carrying them on their hangers.
Robert is in the kitchen listening to some music and surfing the net on his phone. I walk in timidly and clear my throat. Luckily, my theatre visit with Robert means that we’ve already bonded a little. My accidental screw-up with the theatre dates wasn’t quite as accidental as Gemma thought. It was a lovely evening with the four of us. Almost like we were a proper family. Maybe not as cosy as I was hoping for, but these things take time… and effort. Lots of effort.
‘Robert?’
He looks up from his screen and smiles. Sets his phone down on the table. ‘Hi, Sadie. What’s up?’
‘It’s a bit embarrassing,’ I say. ‘I wanted to ask Gemma’s opinion on something, but she’s not home yet.’
