Super had been splendid , a scrumptious spread by Mrs Pugh of recipes Mr Warbucks had brought back from his trip .

" Mmmm" Annie grinned wiping crumbs from her mouth .

Grace giggled , this has been the third plate the child had consumed and it seemed she was far from finished .

" Maybe you should slow down a little Dear " she suggested kindly " We don't want you getting an upset stomach now ."

"Nonsense Miss Farrell !" her employer boomed from the head of the table " Let the child enjoy decent food while she still can . "

Looking from him to Annie Grace could see his point , the wrists that sat upon the white table cloth were stick think as they held onto the silver cutlery and the clothes she had brought the previous day although fitting in length seemed incredibly loose , had that woman fed her at all ? .

" Ok Annie you can have a little more , just take your time ok ?"

Nodding the redhead began to pile up her plate once more , the secretary shaking her head fondly as she finished off the last of her own supper .

There had been little conversation at the table . There never usually was only the odd comment here and there about factories or business contracts .

Grace was the sole member of staff to Dine with her boss and it was simply for the reason that the pair were just too busy to waste precious moments eating apart .

This had been the explanation she had given Annie when she had asked that afternoon at the department store .

" Miss Farrell?"

" Yes dear ?"

" Why do you eat with Mr Warbucks ? I mean Drake and everybody else eat in the kitchen . "

Looking up from the rows of dresses in front of her Grace took off her spectacles .

" Well Mr Warbucks requested it . Hes so terribly busy Annie , we simply couldn't fit everything in if we didn't ."

" oh " the little girl had replied as she too began to rifle through the fabrics . " do you like it ?"

" Well I must admit I find it slightly strange to be waited on but its pleasant yes . Plus the food is lovely."

Looking up at the older woman's expression Annie wondered whether it was the only thing Miss Farrell found lovely .

When everyone had finished and the plates had been cleared Miss Farrell slowly pulled her chair away from the table and stood up Annie mimicking her actions as she did so .

" Goodnight Mr Warbucks " Annie exclaimed giving him a wave .

Now with a lit cigar in his mouth Oliver nodded .

" Good night " he said curtly " I'll see you in the office in an hour Miss Farrell "

" Very well sir "

Walking up the stairs Annie let out a small moan her small hand resting against her stomach .

" Everything ok dear ? "

" Mmmhmmm"

Grace looked doubtful but with a steady hand turned Annie gently down the corridor towards her room .

Reaching the door she pushed it open her concern growing slightly as she heard another wimper escape from the little girls lips .

" come along now Dear , lets get you get you to bed . "

Looking down to see Annie's face she placed a hand on her cheek .

" You look awfully pale "

Annie frowned .

" Miss Farrell , I don't feel so .."

She was fast asleep now, Annie that Is . Grace was sat on the end of the bed attempting to clean the vomit from her shoes.

She should have insisted that enough was enough , her instincts told her so yet her Boss's words had affected her judgment .

" let the child enjoy decent food while she still can ."

To anyone watching the trio from dining room window they would have been shocked the billionaire had reacted this way assuming there was some sort of truth behind the prints in the paper but Grace knew better .

Yes she was fully aware her employer could be selfish at times or a varied definition of the word but the secretary had an understanding of Mr Warbucks and from what he had allowed her to gain a knowledge of why he acted as he did .

Growing up in England had been tough for him .

A father that was never around he had been left to take care of his family alone. The oldest of four boys he had had no option but to look for work his mother too sick to do so herself .

Money was tight and the then little boy had learnt in order to gain what he needed from the world he would have to do whatever he could even if that meant leaving his family behind .

She had discovered this information a year or so after she begun working for him a telephone call from Liverpool leading him to unveil to her the pains of his past , a brother he was unable to save and the other three he had no idea what happened to .

It had been the first and only time he had mentioned it and Grace had made a silent promise not only to him but to herself that she would protect the information he had so unexpectedly trusted her with and that she would do so for as long as he needed .

Thank you all for your lovely comments they really do make me smile , so pleased you are liking this story I hope you continue to do so and let me know what you think x