the nanny Josie’s had since she was tiny, has become less flexible. We’d need a 24/7 live-in nanny, which would part Josie from Tilly.’
‘They’re big changes.’ Nan Heather’s creaky, squeaky voice oozed sympathy. ‘If you do offer Maria a home – especially on an open-ended basis – it’s wise to inform social services. Don’t be scared of them. They’ll support a suitable friend or family member looking after a kiddie above trying to find them a home with strangers.’
‘I hadn’t thought of that,’ said Nico quietly, a strange, squeezing sensation in his belly. Social services supported other people’s families. Not his. He thanked Nan Heather for her insight and advice before ending the call.
Back in the sitting room, the girls were playing a game that involved Maria pushing Josie off the sofa with pudgy little hands and Josie falling with great, put-on wails. ‘Nooooo! Nooo! Awwww, Maria, nooo!’ Musical toddler chortles filled the air. Nico watched from the doorway, scenarios flashing through his mind like sweaty nightmares. Maria going to an unknown family. Nico taking Josie on visits. Trying to explain why Maria had to be left behind. Coping with Josie’s emotions, her white, distressed face. Josie might raise her voice to Maria occasionally but she loved her violently.
His daughter’s sister. It sounded like the title of one of those psychological thrillers.
Fucksake. Why him?
Awful tasks floating around him like demons in a horror movie, he phoned Emelie, reluctant to put on his big-hearted cousin who shouldn’t have to be bothering her head with his issues. ‘Is there any way you can do the early school run on Monday and have Maria until Tilly rocks up? I’ve got an unmissable meeting.’
Like Nan, Emelie was sympathetic but pragmatic. ‘For that little time, yes. I’d love to offer to do more but I’ve got essays and stuff.’
His insides lurched guiltily. ‘I realise I’m relying on your maturity to make up for Tilly’s rigidity and that you have a degree to get. I’m going to try for unpaid leave from Tuesday.’
For the rest of the day Nico chewed over the Maria situation and decided it was Nan Heather’s phrase ‘open-ended’ that was holding him back. He waited until the girls were asleep, then telephoned his ex-mother-in-law.
‘If I took Maria it couldn’t be an open-ended situation,’ he said, hoping he was being compassionate but clear. ‘At the outside, I could have her until Josie and I go to Sweden on December eleventh.’
Vivvi gave a strangled gasp of relief. ‘Oh, that would be fantastic. It gives us nearly three weeks. I can’t thank you enough.’
Decision made, Nico managed a reasonable night’s sleep.
Josie once again had the Monday Morning School Blues. She stared down at her Weetabix as if wishing she could leap into it and vanish. Emelie had to coax her into her school coat and the image stuck to Nico like a burr as he hurried to the tube station through a raw wintry morning that nipped his ears.
He eventually reached the SLS offices in Holborn, using his pass to gain entry then hurrying up stairs tiled like a brown and cream chessboard.
Katya followed him into his office as he hung up his black wool coat. ‘Meeting room two,’ she said. ‘Anders’s PA just put it on the electronic calendar.’
‘Thanks.’ He swung his laptop bag back onto his shoulder, wishing he’d had more than five minutes’ notice that the meeting was to take place two floors above.
Anders was there before him, hooking up his computer to the wall screen. Presumably the AV was the reason he’d decided on a meeting room as there was no sign of them being joined by other staff members. Anders rocked a mixed retro look with a Seventies moustache but a Sixties short-back-and-sides. His wide-lapelled suits teamed with busy floral ties were a fashion mystery.
As soon as Nico set foot on the dark carpet Anders snapped, ‘We need to get this project going.’
The filter coffee machine was emitting an appetising fragrance and Nico headed for it. ‘There’s a lot to be said for scheduling it for January. What’s the client’s rush? Do you know?’
Anders pulled up a presentation on the screen. ‘Here’s what we sent them.’
‘Yes,’ Nico agreed drily, watching black coffee pouring from jug to cup. ‘I put it together. But at no time did we discuss turning around the promo material in four weeks – especially when I have annual leave for one of them.’
A reproving frown creased Anders’s forehead. ‘It’s an important new client, Nico.’
‘We don’t have