as tides of people walked beneath. Kicking off my shoes, I turned on the television and lay back on the bed. Had I known what lay ahead of me, I would not have been so easily drawn into sleep.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
SHERIDAN
‘I should have chosen the other cushions,’ Sheridan said, furiously plumping and punching the ones laid on the sofa. ‘And what about the drapes? It’s too dark in here. This place is more like a hotel than a home.’
‘Throw some Lego about if it makes you feel better,’ Daniel said, standing in the doorway.
Sheridan pursed her lips. He had caught her talking to herself. She only did that when she was in panic mode. ‘Do you think I should?’ Her head swivelled left and right. ‘Where’s Leo’s toy box gone? I swear the nanny has a secret portal where she stashes all his stuff.’ Her long blonde hair was knotted in a sleek ponytail, her wrap dress a gift from her favourite designer’s autumn collection. She had struck up a friendship with him after wearing his clothes to one of her premieres, which in turn sky-rocketed his career. That was five years ago. These days, the only premieres she attended were Daniel’s.
‘You’re panicking,’ he said, closing the double doors as he entered. ‘She’s from a small town in Ireland. She’ll be more focused on us as parents than the colour of our curtains.’
‘You’re right. But first impressions count.’ Sheridan patted her hair. Smoothed down her dress. ‘What if she doesn’t like us?’
Daniel wrapped his arms around her in a bear hug before murmuring into her hair, ‘There’ll be hundreds more expectant mothers happy to take her place.’
‘But not ones that we like this much.’ Making space between them, she rested her hands on his chest. He remained unruffled, which had an instant calming effect. Often, a hug was all it took to bring her to ground.
‘We’re doing the right thing, aren’t we? I mean, after what happened before . . .’ The rest of her sentence was left unspoken. She could not voice her thoughts aloud. ‘Don’t mind me. I’m nervous, nothing more.’ She gazed into his eyes. ‘I’m so lucky to have you in my life. And not a day goes by that I—’
Her words were interrupted by the ring of the phone in the hall. They didn’t need to answer. The home help would screen the call.
‘Just remember,’ Daniel said, ‘we’re doing Roz a favour. She’ll be desperate to find a home for the baby before she starts to show.’
‘You’re right.’ The words were said on the exhale of a sigh. Sheridan picked up the remote control and activated their artificial open fire. ‘Pine cone’ mode instigated sound effects that crackled and hissed, and the comforting smell of burning moss and pine filtered into the room. Another piece of high-tech equipment she’d had installed. She normally reserved it for the holidays, but today it felt like Christmas had come early. Her excitement unnerved her. She could not contemplate the fallout if things with Roz didn’t work out.
‘Are you really going to help her find other couples?’ Daniel said. ‘I couldn’t believe she took you up on that.’ He had read their conversation history, and it seemed the offer had taken him by surprise.
Sheridan offered up a wicked grin. Her hand danced along the fireplace, a twinkle in her eye. ‘I was throwing her a bone to gain her trust. I’m not going to follow through.’
‘Risky.’ Daniel raised an eyebrow.
‘Not really,’ Sheridan smiled. ‘I have some couples lined up. The sort who will make her come running back to us.’
Three knocks on the door signalled it was Anna. Sheridan responded, and the door cracked open a few inches.
‘Sorry to interrupt.’ Anna spoke in Spanish, but Sheridan easily interpreted the words. Anna’s gaze remained on the floor. ‘Your assistant George called. He’s on his way to pick up your guest.’
Anna was stocky and middle-aged with a solid, lived-in face. Her long dark hair was twisted into a bun and secured with a clip. Like the rest of the housekeeping staff, her uniform was plain but functional, consisting of a knee-length black dress, black tights and flat shoes. As well as helping the nanny care for Leo, she ran the household. Her granddaughter, Juanita, had recently been employed part-time, too. A timid, meek young woman, she would be perfect for catering to Roz’s needs. Anna and her granddaughter were trusted, as much as Sheridan could trust anyone. With Sheridan sponsoring Juanita’s education,