by Jenny Frame
Becca placed her hand on Wendy’s arm and smiled softly. “I wanted to thank you for what you’ve done for Trent and the children. Trent was in a dark place when this huge responsibility was placed on her shoulders. She’s never been good with children, but to see her interact with Alice and Noah the way she is tonight is like night and day to the Trent that took on this responsibility.”
Wendy was pleased Becca had noticed the change in Trent. “I knew when I came to work here that Trent had potential, a desire to become closer to Alice and Noah. She just needed some encouragement, and I just helped her along.” Wendy gazed over to Trent and found she was looking straight at her. “She feels so deeply about things and is so kind and can be really gentle, especially with Alice.”
Becca gave her a knowing smile. “I know you did more than that, Wendy, so thank you.”
Wendy felt her cheeks burn. She was sure Becca had noticed. “I’d better get this food on the table before it gets cold. If you could take the roast potatoes, Becca, that would be a great help.”
* * *
Trent was so full. The meal Wendy made was delicious, and even better, Wendy had relented and set a place for herself, so Trent had her next to her all meal. It was everything she wanted wrapped up in an evening.
All her friends were chatting around the dining table. Dale was holding court, telling them another story of how she nearly got expelled at school by filling the teachers’ biscuit tin with maggots, which drew consternation from Becca, Val, and Wendy, but laughter from the children.
It constantly amazed Trent how Dale managed to become a successful business owner, going by all her school stories. As they listened, Trent reached under the table and took Wendy’s hand.
Wendy looked at her quickly and Trent squeezed her hand. “Thank you for a wonderful birthday, and thanks for sitting with me. It meant the world to me.”
“You’re welcome, but there’s more to come.” She stood up and said, “Kids? Who wants to help me with the cake?”
They jumped up excitedly and ran to the kitchen.
Once Wendy was gone, Becca came over and plonked herself down next to her. “Are you having a nice birthday, then?”
Trent smiled. “It’s been great, and thanks for your present. It’s really something special.”
Dale and Becca got her a special vintage bottle of champagne for her collection.
“You’re welcome. Maybe you can open it at your fiftieth.”
Trent chuckled. “Let me get used to being forty first, Becs.”
“So? What’s going on between you and Wendy?” Becca asked.
“What? Becca, what do you mean?” Trent said.
“You two have been gazing at each other all night. There’s an electricity between you.”
Trent said, “It’s complicated.”
“Isn’t it always? She’s a lovely woman,” Becca said, “although I see you went against my advice of not just choosing the most attractive nanny.”
“You’ve met her—you’ve got to say I picked the right woman for the job,” Trent argued.
Becca smiled. “You have a point. So why is it complicated?”
“I have strong feelings for her. I think she does too, but I’m forty, she’s twenty-six, and I’m her employer.”
“Does she think the age gap is a problem?”
“I don’t think so—but I’m not sure. Wendy had some bad experiences with a relationship, so she’s wary of another one.”
“Trent, if there is something there, don’t let fear make her slip through your fingers.”
The lights went off all of a sudden, and everyone took their phones out to film the large birthday cake covered in candles Wendy and the children carried over.
Everyone started to sing “Happy Birthday,” but Trent couldn’t take her eyes off the woman carrying the cake.
* * *
Trent excused herself after the cake cutting and went to the bathroom. She splashed water on her face and looked at herself in the mirror. It was difficult for her to have so much attention on her, but Alice and Noah had enjoyed it so much that it was worth it. If it made them happy she was happy, something Trent never thought she’d think or say.
Then there was Wendy. Beautiful, kind, loving, perfect Wendy. Every time she looked at her, the feelings she was harbouring got stronger, and Becca had noticed. Becca warned her not to let Wendy slip through her fingers if she had feelings for her, but Wendy had made it clear on the day they kissed that she wouldn’t and couldn’t take things further.
How was she going to cope when Wendy left them to go back to university?
Trent let out a breath, dried her face, and went back out to her guests. Dale was standing with Sammy chatting beside the couch while the kids played the games console. “Hey, mate. You have a good birthday?”
“It’s been great, thanks, and thank you for your gift.”
“Aye, I wanted to adopt a donkey for you, but Becca would nae go for it.” Dale winked after her comment and Trent chuckled.
“I’m sure you did.”
Sammy, who was already in her forties, said, “Don’t worry about the big 4-0. Life just keeps getting better once you get used to it.”
“Well, I have Alice and Noah to worry about now,” Trent said, “so life is probably going to get busier and more interesting.”
“Is there something going on with you and Wendy?” Dale asked. “There’s heavy tension with you two. Like sparks going everywhere.”
“I—” She looked for Wendy and didn’t see her. “Becca? Where did Wendy go?”
“She’s gone down to your car. Noah’s left one of his dinosaurs there,” Becca said.
Trent sighed. “I better go and get her, or she’ll be forever climbing the stairs. Wendy isn’t too great with lifts. Alice? Keep an eye on Noah. I’m just going to get Wendy.”
Trent walked out of the flat and got the lift down to the parking garage. When the doors opened, she found Wendy walking back from her car, dinosaur in hand.
“What are you doing here?” Wendy asked.
“I’ve come to get you and accompany you on the lift. I know you won’t go in it without someone being with you.”
“Okay, but I’ve got a system with the kids. We sing a song.”
Trent raised an eyebrow. “Are you serious?”
“Do you want me to get in the lift or not?” Wendy said.
Trent held up her arms. “Okay, okay. We’ll do it your way.”
When Trent pressed the button for the lift, Wendy’s nerves started.
The lift arrived and the doors opened. Trent stepped in and held her hand out. “You’ll be fine. Come on, the party is waiting for us.”
She took a deep breath and walked in. “You remember ‘Baby Shark.’”
“I’m sure you’ll remind me,” Trent said.
Wendy started to sing, and she prodded Trent to sing along. She could feel the lift moving smoothly. This was okay. Seconds later there was a shudder and the lift stopped. Wendy didn’t want to open her eyes. She could feel something was wrong.
Trent tapped her on the shoulder and she opened her eyes. She could see the lift panel was flashing and Trent said, “I don’t want to alarm you but—”
Trent didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence. Wendy went straight into full-blown panic. “Oh God, oh God. We’re trapped.”
Trent took her hand and led her over to the lift panel. “We’re not trapped. We’ll be out soon. Look, I’ve pressed the button. This is an expensive, well-protected apartment building. Someone will be with us in a jiffy.”
Just then the intercom on the panel came to life and Wendy jumped.
“Hello? Is everyone all right?” the voice came from it.
“Hi, this is Davina Trent from the penthouse. The lift has stopped suddenly.”
“We’re checking on the problem now and sending someone to your location. How many are there in the lift?”
“Myself and one other, but my friend is very dist
ressed, so if you could be as quick as possible,” Trent said.
“Of course, Ms. Trent. We’ll be with you as soon as we can.”
“You see?” Trent squeezed her shaking hands. “It’s all under control.”
Wendy looked around, and the lift walls seemed to be closing in on them. “It’s getting smaller. The walls—I feel sick.”
Trent pulled her into her arms and her breathing started to calm. She pressed her face into Trent’s neck and she calmed even more. The smell of her neck, the scent of her cologne, was wonderful.
“You make me feel safe, Peter,” Wendy said.
That one word blew her away. Wendy had described always wanting Peter Pan to whisk her away from an unhappy home life. Trent would gladly be Wendy’s Peter.
Trent rubbed her back soothingly. “That makes me happy. I want you to feel safe with me.”
Wendy shivered when Trent traced her fingers across her back.
Wendy said, “Can we just sit down?”
“Of course.”
They sat against the wall of the lift. Wendy’s hands still shook, so Trent held her hand. “I’m with you. We’ll be okay.”
“Alice and Noah will be worried about us,” Wendy said.
“Don’t worry, Becca will look after them.”
Wendy nodded. She’d had a pang of jealousy when she had seen Trent speaking to Becca while she got the cake ready. Why she was thinking of that when she was in the middle of being trapped in a lift, she didn’t know.
“Jake and Mia are nice kids, and Gracie is adorable,” Wendy said.
“They are, and I think Noah and Alice loved them. It’s nice for them to have some friends to play with.”
There was a silence while a question about Becca burned in her head. Under normal circumstances she wouldn’t have brought it up, but her emotions were raw at the moment.
“I asked you a question one time and you never answered me.”
Trent turned to her. “Oh? What question was that?”
“Are you over Becca? Have you let her go? I saw you talking really quietly together.” As soon as Wendy asked it, she felt like a complete idiot. “I’m sorry. I’m your kids’ nanny. It’s none of my business.”
Trent cupped her face and Wendy felt tingles travel all over body. “I was telling her that I was falling for my much younger nanny, and that I didn’t think she would give me a chance. So I think you could say that I’m over her. I’ll always love her as a friend—we were a big part of each other’s lives—but she has Dale now.”
Wendy was gobsmacked. “You—you said you were falling for me?”
Trent nodded, then leaned in to kiss her, but at that exact moment the lift shuddered into life and a voice came through the speaker.
“We have the problem fixed, Ms. Trent. You’ll be on your floor in a few seconds.”
The moment was gone.
Chapter Sixteen
Trent hugged Becca goodbye, and Becca said, “Remember, if this is what you want, don’t let her slip away from you.”
“Easier said than done, but I’ll think about what you said.” Trent kissed her on the cheek.
Becca took Dale’s hand and started to walk away. She turned back and said, “Think about Christmas too.”
“I will.”
Becca and Dale were taking Jake and Gracie to Lapland for Christmas, since Sammy and Val and Mia were going to stay with Val’s family in Wales. Becca had suggested that she, Wendy, Alice, and Noah come with them.
Trent had long since given up her idea of going on a skiing trip and leaving the children with Wendy, but going to Lapland for the ultimate family holiday was another kind of pressure altogether.
Trent shut and locked the door. When she turned around Wendy came into the living area.
“They all gone?” Wendy asked.
“Yes. They’re all staying at a local hotel for the night,” Trent said.
There was a heavy silence. Things had felt awkward ever since they got out of the lift, and Trent was beginning to regret admitting that she was falling for Wendy, and probably Wendy was regretting calling her Peter. Everything seemed so open and raw in the lift. She’d wanted Wendy to know she cared deeply about her, but now it was just awkward.
Wendy brushed her hands down her dress. “The kids went out like a light.”
Trent nodded. “They looked exhausted.”
“Well, I better get cleaned up,” Wendy said.
Trent looked around at the mess. She didn’t think her penthouse apartment had ever been so messy, but it was good messy. It showed that she was living at last.
“Why don’t we leave it till the morning, and I’ll help you clean up?”
Wendy smiled. “Sounds good. I’ll just put the leftovers in the fridge. You go on to bed.”
“Okay.” Were they really going to just ignore what happened?
Trent took a breath to say something, but Wendy was already busy. Maybe she had freaked Wendy out.
She headed for her bedroom and shut her door.
* * *
Wendy paced back and forth in the kitchen trying to figure out whether to listen to her head or her heart. Tonight had been difficult—having to face the fact that she wanted Trent, and getting stuck in the lift—but then Trent made it better. She calmed her fears. She had been the Peter to her Wendy.
“She said she was falling for me.”
When she’d finally come home to the UK, Wendy didn’t think she was going to walk into the life of a woman who made her heart want to love again. Wendy’s head told her this was all too perfect. She could hear Kira’s voice in her head, warning about the perfect children who needed her, the damaged, sexy, older woman who needed her—
“And the family I need.” Wendy leaned against the kitchen counter and groaned in frustration. “Just go to bed.”
She walked up the hall, peeping in Alice’s and Noah’s bedrooms as she went. She arrived at her door, and her hand hesitated on the handle. She looked over to Trent’s door and it was pulling her like a siren’s song.
Go to bed, Wendy told herself. Go now.
But her feet didn’t obey, and she found herself in front of Trent’s door. Wendy took a breath and knocked.
Trent came to the door. “Wendy? What’s wrong?”
Oh my God, this was not right. “Nothing, I just wanted to say happy birthday, and I hope you’ve had a good day.”
Trent flashed a smile that melted her insides. “I had the best day, and it’s thanks to you and the kids. You want to come in for a minute?”
Wendy walked in and Trent indicated for her to sit on the bed. “No, I’ll stand if that’s okay. I want to talk.”
Trent sat and said, “Whatever makes you comfortable.”
Wendy began to pace again. “I wanted to talk about what happened in the lift.”
Trent put a hand up. “Listen, I’m sorry if—”
“No, I need to talk. I wanted to tell you why I’m kind of scared of lifts. That sounds stupid, I know, but there’s a point to this.” Wendy rubbed her forehead. “I’m rambling now.”
“Ramble as much as you want Wendy…Darling.”
The beat Trent left between her names made Wendy want to jump on her right now. But she had to get it together.
“When I was eight, I got trapped in a lift for three hours with my mother. The lights were off, and we were in blackness.”
“I’m sorry—that must have been awful as a child. It would be at any age,” Trent said.
Wendy nodded. “My mum was terrified of lifts and was in a terrible state, as was I. It felt like we were going to suffocate to death in there. The point is, my mum didn’t make me feel safe, but today when we were trapped, you made me feel safe. You took control and gave me this wall of reassurance, and I liked it.”
“I’m glad I make you feel that way,” Trent said.
Wendy sighed. “What you said when we were in there? Will you finish it?”
“You mean what I was going to say?” Tr
ent asked.
“I’m not putting this very well.” Wendy thought for a second and then said, “You keep asking me if our age difference is a problem, but it’s the opposite. It’s one of the first things that attracted me to you. I’ve always been with people younger, in years or maturity. I’ve always had to be the adult in the relationship, making sure things got done, bills got paid, made the decisions. Bailey couldn’t make a decision if her life depended on it, but you are different and it’s exciting and daunting all at once.”
Trent stood up. “What exactly are you asking me to do?”
“I’m scared of what I feel, what I want, and I need someone to take that responsibility, that control, to make my heart feel safe.”
Trent took the few last steps towards Wendy. She caressed Wendy’s face with her fingertips, and Wendy shivered. “What if you break my heart?”
Trent whispered, “You don’t have to worry. I’m Peter, and I will take really good care of it. I’m going to kiss you now.”
Every cell in Wendy’s body was electrified and hungry. She was giving up control of her fears and letting Trent take control and it was intoxicating.
Trent leaned in and hovered over Wendy’s lips, then instead of kissing them, brushed her lips over Wendy’s nose and cheek and finally kissed her neck. Wendy groaned at the touch of Trent’s lips on her neck. She didn’t get the kiss she was expecting and wanting, and it made her desire all the more desperate.
She groaned and grasped for Trent’s neck. “Kiss me, please?”
Trent slowly ran her fingers up and down her sides and whispered into her neck, “I’ll take care of you, trust me.”
Wendy couldn’t help but moan and dig her nails into Trent’s strong neck. She was wet and had an aching need to be filled. Handing over responsibility to Trent was liberating and new, and she wanted Trent to touch her everywhere.
Trent finally came to her lips, and just as she was about to touch lips she whispered, “You’re safe.”
When Trent’s lips kissed her, she almost melted against the door. The kiss was tender and slow. She opened her lips and let in Trent’s tongue, which touched hers and then ran along her bottom lip.