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It was clear that Jobe was very ill indeed, yet he had refused to have the baby brought up to visit him and had made a supreme effort to be a part of such an important day.
As the photographer snapped away, even though Jobe had a nurse with him, Naomi helped too, positioning little Ava in his arms and making sure that as soon as he tired she took the baby with a smile.
‘Thank you,’ Jobe said, noting how she had hovered discreetly. ‘You’re Merida’s friend?’
‘Yes.’ Naomi nodded. ‘And also little Ava’s nanny for the next few weeks.’
‘Well, any friend of Merida’s is a friend of the family. It’s good to have you here, Naomi.’
It was such a little thing. She had expected to be daunted by this powerful man, but instead they clicked on sight and he made Naomi feel very welcome and a part of it all. She was used to being the nanny and hovering in the background, but today, on her first day in New York, she’d had her picture taken while holding a tiny little baby who was new to all of this too!
‘Has Abe been in?’ Jobe asked, as Naomi held little Ava, who was close to falling asleep in her arms.
Naomi might look as if she wasn’t listening, but her ears were on elastic. She knew Abe was a force to be reckoned with and wanted to get a feel for things and work out the dynamics so that she could help Merida as best she could in the weeks ahead.
‘Not as yet,’ Ethan said, and Naomi heard the edge to his voice. ‘I specifically asked him to pick up Naomi, but instead he sent a car.’
‘Well, he must have got caught up,’ Jobe suggested.
With little Ava asleep and Merida looking like she needed the same, Naomi decided it was time to head off. ‘I’m going to go,’ she said, and gave Merida a hug and a kiss. ‘Jet lag is starting to creep in and I want that well behind me by the time you bring your little lady home.’
‘We’re staying at Dad’s place for now,’ Ethan explained, ‘while we have some renovations done.’
‘Merida told me.’ Naomi nodded. ‘It’s fine.’
Famous last words.
* * *
‘Dad’s place’ was a huge, grey stone mansion on Fifth Avenue, overlooking Central Park. Naomi had to pinch herself to believe that she was really here. Oh, thanks to her job she had stayed in some amazing residences, but nowhere had been nearly as grand as this.
One of the heavy double doors was opened by a gentleman who said that they had been expecting her, and as Naomi stepped into the foyer an elderly woman came rushing over.
‘Naomi!’ She gave her a welcoming smile. ‘I’m Barb, Head of Housekeeping.’
‘It’s lovely to meet you, Barb.’
The house was even more stunning inside.
The huge foyer with marble floors and archways was impressive, as was the large curved staircase, but it was all made a little less daunting because the first thing that greeted Naomi was the delicious scent of pine.
There in the corner was a Christmas tree, bigger than any she had ever seen.
An undressed tree.
‘We were waiting to find out what Merida had,’ Barb explained. ‘Have you ever seen a tree decorated pink?’
‘No.’ Naomi laughed.
‘Well, you soon will.’
And even with a soon-to-be-pink tree it was sheer New York elegance and this was only the entrance. Naomi could only imagine what lay behind the high doors.
‘Have you seen the baby?’ Barb asked.
‘Yes, she’s very beautiful. She’s got black hair and a lot of it...’
‘Oh, how precious.’
