Chapter fifteen
When I got home, I saw the nanny sitting in the living room, doing a crossword puzzle in an old magazine. She looked up and adjusted the pair of glasses that were slipping down her nose.
“You're early, Mr. Lennox.”
“I had a few setbacks.”
“But is everything all right?” He showed a tone of concern.
“Yes. Where are my daughters?”
“I've just put them to bed.”
I was going to question her, but first, I checked the time on my wristwatch and realized that it was already past the time I had agreed to put them to bed.
“Right.”
“Do you need anything? Some tea? Hot milk.”
I said no.
“You can go home.”
“Are you sure?” It was her turn to check her watch.
“I'm back, and I'll keep an eye on my daughters.”
“All right.” She got up and went to get her things.
I walked to the girls' room and before I entered, I heard the nanny saying goodbye and closing the front door.
I didn't turn on the light for fear of waking them; I just watched them in their beds. They were sleeping calmly and soundly. I liked seeing them like that, without any worries. It was the reason I put all my effort into them. I had to stay strong for them.
If I had lost Daphne in other conditions, without our daughters there, it was quite possible that I wouldn't have been able to stand on my own two feet. My mother used to repeat an old saying that she had heard from others before her: God wrote crooked lines right. It sounded sarcastic and even cruel, but it was the truth.
Anne stirred. I thought she was going to wake up, and I moved closer, but she soon became calm again. It could only have been a dream.
I closed the door and went to my room. I took off my blazer and put it on the armchair near the entrance.
I could have had other ambitions for that evening, but it left me with a bitter taste.
I soon realized how stupid it had been to offer money to their teacher; it would only make the situation between the two of us even more awkward. Fortunately, the following week, Mylon would pick the girls up from school again, and we wouldn't have to meet again. I just hoped that the woman would keep a low profile and not mention it to anyone.