Keely's lips were so stiff she could barely form the words to reply. 'That's right. So when did you get the job?'
When exactly had Zach decided to employ a new nanny? And what had happened to dear Barbara?
'Mr Jordan interviewed me a few days ago,' the nanny said crisply. 'The poor man was obviously desperate for me to start as soon as possible. He told me that you had to leave in a hurry and that he was looking for a replacement.'
Keely tried not to mind that the description made her sound like an employee. She wasn't an employee. She hadn't cared for Phoebe because it had been part of a job description. Or because she'd been paid. She'd cared for Phoebe because she loved her. With all her heart and soul.
'You're right.' She smiled at the other woman, although the smile felt so unnatural that she thought her skin might crack. 'I do have to leave.'
The hope—the little that she'd managed to hold onto— had drained out of her as the new nanny spoke, and she knew she did have to leave. She no longer had a choice. If Zach was prepared to go to these lengths to keep her away from his daughter then it was time she faced facts. And the facts were that Zach Jordan had been so badly hurt that nothing could heal the wounds inside him—no amount of love or devotion would solve his problems. He was never going to change his mind and ask her to stay.
'In fact, I was leaving tonight.' Her decision made, she gave the woman another false smile and took the stairs two at a time, walking briskly to her bedroom, careful not to look in on Phoebe who was asleep. She was going to miss the little girl as much as she'd miss Zach.
In her room, she grabbed her clothes out of the wardrobe and stuffed them untidily into a suitcase, biting back the sobs that threatened to choke her. Not now. She couldn't break down now. Zach could be home at any minute and she just couldn't face him. She really couldn't.
Once the suitcase was full she delved into her bag for her mobile phone and called Nicky to check that her offer of accommodation still stood. Then she walked quickly downstairs and wished the nanny every happiness in her new job.
How long would it take the new nanny to fall for Zach? She walked briskly to her car and unlocked it. How long before Zach had to let her go as he had all the other nannies?
Keely slammed the car door shut and turned the key in the ignition with shaking fingers;. Damn the man! Damn the man for making her love him, and for having such a lovely daughter.
Hot tears started to burn her eyes and she angrily dashed them away and reversed the car out of the drive. She held the tears back and drove until she was safely out of sight of Zach's house before pulling into a lay-by and sobbing until she thought her heart would break.
She awoke in Nicky's spare bedroom cuddled under a warm, snug duvet covered in tiny flowers.
Her head throbbed and her eyes felt gritty from crying and lack of sleep.
There was a tap on the door and she struggled into a sitting position as the door opened and Nicky popped her head round the door.
'Are you decent? I've made you a cup of tea. It's six o'clock. You need to get a move on if you're going to work.'
Was she going to work? Going to work meant meeting Zach...
'I don't think I can face him, Nicky,' she croaked, and the other girl sighed and walked into the room.
'Yes, you can,' she said firmly. 'You could have a day in bed, but what good would that do? You'd just cry your eyes out all day and that won't make you feel any better.'
It would feel better than bumping into Zach every other minute.
'I'm going to make a fool of myself—'
'No.' Nicky's voice was quiet. 'It's not you that's the fool in all this, Keely. It's Zach. If he's letting a girl like you go then, believe me, he's the fool. You're the best thing that's ever happened to him and the best thing that's happened to Phoebe, but he's too pig-headed to see it.'
'He's just been very badly hurt,' Keely whispered, reaching for her tea and taking a mouthful. 'And there's nothing I can do about that. I don't think he'll ever get over his wife. And how can I begin to compete with someone who isn't even around any more?'
'Don't think about that now. Have a shower,' Nicky advised. 'A long, hot shower. Wash your face and put some make-up on.'
'Oh, no!' Keely clapped her hand over her mouth in dismay. 'My make-up!! I forgot to clear my things out of his bathroom. I was in such a state when I saw the nanny that I just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. How am I going to cover the blotches on my face?'
'With some of mine.' Nicky picked up the empty mug and walked towards the door. 'My make-up box is on the bathroom shelf. Help yourself to anything you fancy. And there's a new toothbrush in the cupboard above the bath.'
Keely gave her a grateful look. 'What can I say?'
'Say that you're going to go to work.' Nicky's chin lifted slightly. 'And say that you're going to tell Zach how you feel about him.'
'No way.' Keely shook her head. 'I'm not throwing myself at him again. It's time I learned to take no for an answer.'
By the time she arrived at work she was relatively confident that she'd successfully removed all traces of her distress. She certainly looked pale and tired but, then, so did half of the doctors who worked in A and E. It was a stressful environment.