Polly was safely out of sight in the bathroom when Jed arrived. Cryssie shut the door behind them and they went down the path together, with Milo clutching his precious football and trainers. Jed automatically lifted the little boy into the car and fastened his seat belt.
‘This is low for you, isn’t it, Milo?’ he said. ‘Next time I’ll bring a specially raised car seat for you to sit on, so that you can see out more easily.’
Cryssie made herself take a long, deep breath as she looked over her shoulder at the child. The small face was wreathed in smiles as they exchanged glances—he’d never been in such a car in his life! And Jed’s last remark more than implied that this wasn’t to be a one-off occasion! Forcing every negative thought from her mind, Cryssie sat back, determined to enjoy the day ahead. If only for Milo’s sake. The little boy lived a very happy life—she made sure of that—but the male influence was obviously missing, and that did worry her when she allowed herself to dwell on it. Especially when, a few months ago, Milo had come home from a birthday party wanting to know why a daddy didn’t live with them.
When they arrived at Shepherd’s Keep, Cryssie had difficulty in not gasping out loud. The fine Victorian building was grand enough, but as they drove around the curved driveway the grounds were a mass of crocuses, daffodils and narcissus, which swept across the lawns in wave after wave of sunny colour.
‘Oh, Jed,’ she whispered. ‘This is…magical!’
He grinned across at her. ‘I thought it might appeal,’ he said. ‘We’ll walk across the field to the river later—but first we’ll have coffee, and you must come and meet my parents.’
Cryssie bit her lip. She hadn’t expected to meet the Hunter family—not yet, anyway—and was relieved that Shepherd’s Keep was well away from town and the possibility that she might be seen with Jed by any of her friends at Hydebound. Despite her pleasure at being here with Milo, she couldn’t help feeling disloyal—and dishonest too. This time next year it could all be different, but for the moment the situation was too raw for comfort, she thought.
They went into the house through the vast kitchen, where Megan, the elderly housekeeper, was preparing lunch, and Jed introduced Cryssie briefly as they passed.
‘I’ll bring coffee into the garden room in a few minutes, Jed,’ Megan said, smiling at Cryssie and Milo.
Surrounded by the Sunday newspapers, Henry and Alice Hunter looked up as Jed came in, followed by the others. Cryssie was instantly put at ease by the older couple, who greeted her in a very friendly way. They almost pounced on Milo, who was looking adorable in a fashionable little boy’s outfit, his chubby face and golden curls shining with health.
‘Do come in, my dear,’ Alice said, getting up. ‘Jeremy has told us about you…and this is Milo! What a beautiful child!’ Alice Hunter was a smart woman, obviously no longer young, but with strong grey hair brushed up into a chignon, and quizzical blue eyes which twinkled as she spoke.
Henry, tall and distinguished-looking, stood up too, and came over to shake Cryssie’s hand. ‘So this is Jeremy’s new assistant—glad to meet you, my dear,’ he said, gazing down into her eyes, and Cryssie could see immediately where Jed’s black ones originated! The two pairs were replicas, and as he held her hand for longer than was actually necessary the girl instinctively recognised Henry as a ladies’ man.
Megan came in then with the coffee, and a glass of juice for Milo, while Cryssie surreptitiously glanced around her. What on earth must Jed have thought of their place? she wondered, and suddenly she felt lost and out of her depth. She didn’t belong here, with this fabulously wealthy family…Being employed in their office was one thing, but sitting drinking coffee and being made to feel so at home unnerved her. She was like a fish out of water, she thought helplessly.
But Milo had no such hang-ups, and, encouraged by Alice and Henry, was chatting away telling them all about school, and his toys, and the things he liked to do. ‘Jed’s going to play footie with me in a minute,’ he said. ‘Aren’t you, Jed?’
Cryssie was surprised at the child’s easy familiarity. There was no shyness or hanging around her—as he sometimes did when strangers were around. Milo had made himself quite at home, and was clearly enjoying all the attention he was getting.
‘Yes, we’ll go outside in a minute,’ Jed said, ruffling Milo’s curls. ‘And afterwards would you like to see my train set, Milo?’
‘Yes, please!’ Milo said at once, and Alice smiled across at Cryssie.