Chapter 39
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
When it was time to leave, Sarah had no intention of going back to Derby.
It hadn’t been a hard decision to see whether Richard’s offer was workable.
Her life there was so boring. There was nothing to look forward to, nothing to work towards.
And really, why should she have to slave for someone else when Louisa lived in such luxury?
Having spent time with Louisa and Daisy, Sarah was getting to know how much Louisa was capable of doing and, even more, what she wasn’t able to do.
It surprised her how often Louisa would have to lie down with a headache, or back pain, or even being plain old tired.
Some mornings that week, she hadn’t got up until midday.
Daisy was a pleasant child, considering.
It seemed to Sarah that she was used to spending time alone.
She would sit and colour in with crayons on the floor of Louisa’s bedroom.
She would look at books for ages in the living room, singing quietly as she turned the pages.
When the weather was sunny, she would sit as good as gold with her in the garden.
Today, Sarah was in the kitchen as Daisy had gone down for a nap with Louisa. Richard was heading towards the house when he spotted her in the kitchen window. She waved and went to greet him at the door.
‘Hi,’ she said.
‘Hey, on your own again?’
‘Yes, Louisa and Daisy are taking a nap. Do you fancy a coffee?’
‘Please.’
She filled the kettle with water and turned back to him.
‘I’m glad you came to stay for a while,’ Richard spoke. ‘It’s been a nice change having someone else to talk to.’
‘Well, you’re welcome to slip out this evening if you have somewhere to go. I’m here for both of them. Take the offer while you can.’
‘Thanks. I might just do that. I’ve cancelled so many prior engagements that I often don’t get invited to anything happening locally now.’
Sarah paused, wondering how to bring up the subject of her staying. ‘Do you ever yearn for the old Louisa?’
‘Yes, but she won’t ever be coming back.’
‘Well, it’s certainly clear to me why you need help. She can’t manage with Daisy, and you shouldn’t have to be running around after her when you have work to do. I’d like to help.’
Richard’s face lit up. ‘You’ll take the nanny job?’
She nodded. ‘If you think I’d be suitable.’
‘Of course! Daisy loves you already, and I know Louisa can be quite demanding at times but there’s room in the annexe for someone to live onsite. You can stay in there.’
‘That’s settled then.’ She grinned at him.
‘What about the job you have now? Do you have to give notice?’
‘I pack biscuits into boxes six days a week.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘I doubt they’ll even miss me, but I suppose I’ll have to give them a week before I leave.’
‘And you wouldn’t be bored here, out in the sticks? It’s so quiet compared to Derby, totally different from city living if you’re used to going out on the town a lot.’
‘It’s not so bad!’ she insisted. ‘It beats living on our estate.’
Richard smiled, his eyes resting on hers for a fraction longer than necessary. Then he leaned over and ran a finger over the back of her hand. ‘I think this will work out fine. I’d pay you well and you’d have free board and lodgings. You’d be near to your sister too.’
‘Of course.’ Sarah grinned, keeping quiet about that not being the only reason she wanted to stay.
‘I’ll set up the annexe for you. It won’t take long. Would you like to see it?’
‘Sure.’ Sarah followed him across the garden and waited as he unlocked the door. He held it open for her and she stepped inside.
‘It’ll be a bit dusty, but I’ll get Louisa to give it a clean for you.’
Sarah glanced around, trying not to grin like a Cheshire cat. The room opened up into a living room with a kitchen at the far end of it. It was all rustic, not to her taste at all, but somehow it felt cosy and homely.
‘This is the shower room.’ Richard opened a door to her left. ‘And this is the bedroom.’
‘It’s perfect,’ she told him, trying not to show too much enthusiasm.
To live here would be like a dream come true.
No more getting up early, suffering backache after standing for eight-hour shifts.
No more cadging overtime to make her money go further.
No reminders of what could have been, and what went wrong.
‘Great. I’ll get it sorted for you.’
He smiled at her, gazing long enough to make her shiver inwardly.
‘I’m glad you like our arrangement,’ he added.
Once they’d had coffee, Sarah watched Richard as he went back to his studio. She laughed slyly. That had been easier than she’d thought. It would be plain sailing to make herself indispensable. She was going to be here for good. Never mind what Louisa thought of her little sister taking over.
Louisa, however, was excited that she was staying.
‘It will be so much fun with you around,’ she exclaimed. ‘We’ll be able to go out together when I’m not so tired.’
‘I’m going to be staying in the annexe,’ Sarah told her. ‘I love it. It’s really quirky.’
‘It will be home from home.’ Louisa snorted. ‘Actually it will be much better than the home you’re used to.’
Sarah smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. She wasn’t about to reveal yet why she hated her sister so much. She had that card to play later. For now, she was here to stay.
And that was all that mattered.