‘You were dead to the world.’
‘But you weren’t.’
‘No. I was doing some research.’
No need to ask into what.
‘And some thinking.’
‘Oh?’ she said, picking up a pain au chocolat. ‘About what?’
‘What happens next.’
‘Which is?’ She took a bite and nearly groaned with pleasure.
‘Firstly,’ he said, his gaze dipping to her mouth for a second and darkening, ‘I’ve hired a nanny.’
Georgie nearly choked on a flake of pastry. A nanny? Why would he do that? Didn’t he trust her? Didn’t he think she could cope? Just because she’d had a lie-in this morning didn’t mean she couldn’t. And what else had he unilaterally arranged? Lawyers? Psychiatrists? What? Her heart was beating too fast. Her breathing was too shallow. She had to calm down.
‘I said I could do this,’ she told him, her mouth dry and the pain au chocolat turning to lead in her stomach.
‘I don’t doubt it,’ he replied, all steady calm and cool self-assurance.
‘Are you sure about that?’
‘Yes. However, you’ve been ill. You need rest.’
‘I need to be with Josh. We need to strengthen our bond.’
‘I suspect your bond is stronger than you realise.’
At that, hot anger flared into life inside her. How dared he be so patronising? What did he know about anything? One night of research and he was an expert? She didn’t think so.
‘Another stranger in his life will be confusing,’ she said, ignoring the tiny stab of guilt she felt when he visibly flinched. ‘I don’t want a nanny looking after my son. I don’t need that kind of help.’
‘Well, perhaps I do,’ he countered with a bluntness that whipped the wind from her sails.
This wasn’t just about her any more, she realised with a shock. She had to consider the situation from his point of view too. His life had irrevocably changed overnight. This was new territory for him. She had to give him a break. And maybe, on occasion, she did need the kind of help a nanny would provide.
‘When does she start?’
‘The day after tomorrow.’
‘Full-time?’
‘Days only.’
‘OK, fine,’ she said, a bit grudgingly nevertheless. ‘But you should have discussed it with me first.’
He gave her a long look and then gave a brief nod. ‘My mistake.’
‘From what I read last night, you don’t make mistakes.’
‘This isn’t business.’
‘No.’ Although quite what it was she had no idea. ‘And secondly?’
‘Secondly, I’m taking some time off work.’