Page 26 of Only You

“You should have called,” George said.

Ana’s heart warmed. She couldn’t believe she’d only known these two for a little over a week. Ana felt accepted and breathed a lot easier for the first time in her life.

Ana shook her head. “I left my phone and my purse in the rush to get out,” Ana said.

“Oh my god,” Millie said. “Where did you go?”

They looked at her, their minds racing.

“I went to Andrew’s place.”

Ana had to stop herself from laughing as Millie’s jaw dropped open.

“As in ex-brother-in-law, Andrew?” George asked, her eyebrows reaching her hairline.

“His was the only number I had. Robin gave it to me after my shift last night. Andrew called yesterday and left it for me. It was in my pocket.” Ana added. “He paid for the taxi and let me stay the night.”

“Wow, talk about fate,” George said while Millie was busy scribbling something on a piece of paper. She tore the paper out of her notebook and handed it to Ana.

“Our numbers. Keep them folded up in your pocket, or better still, memorise them!” Millie said. One look at Millie and Ana realised she meant it. These two girls had, in a short space of time, become her friends. They cared about her and her well-being. Emotion swirled in Ana’s chest, and she swallowed hard against the lump forming in her throat. Taking the piece of paper, she looked down at it before folding it up and tucking it into her pocket. These two women did not know what they had just done or what it meant to Ana.

“Thank you.”

“What happens next? You can’t go back to your flat,” Millie said. “My parents would be happy for you to crash at mine.” Ana blinked rapidly at Millie’s words but shook her head.

“I am going back to Andrew’s tonight. He is going to introduce me to my niece.” Ana said. She still wasn’t one hundred per cent happy with the plan, but needs must. Her flat was a no-no, and she would at least get to meet Olivia. Ana felt herself smile at the thought. A warmth spread through her chest. “He has also promised to take me to get my stuff from my flat.”

Millie nodded. “As long as you have somewhere to stay. The offer remains open should you need it... ever!” Ana smiled and grabbed Millie’s hand, giving it a squeeze.

“You don’t know what that means to me,” Ana said before sitting back. “Enough about me. We need to get on.” With that, Ana changed the subject, and the three of them spent the rest of the day working on their project.

Ana parted from Millie and George at three. She still had a lot of time to kill before Andrew said he’d be home at six. She didn’t want to risk returning to the flat if James was there. Instead, she had a brainwave. Andrew had mentioned making dinner when he got home. That was one thing Ana could do. She had been making dinner for herself and her parents for years. The rule had always been the first-person home, cooks. So, when Ana was home from Boarding School, they deemed it her job to cook.

Ana dropped into the grocery store she had passed that morning. Using some of the money Andrew had given her, she picked up some ingredients and added them to her shopping bag. Feeling she was contributing, she made her way back to Andrew’s house. A perfect thank you for letting her stay.

Chapter Sixteen

Andrew

Relief flooded Andrew’s system when he picked Olivia up without incident. Instead of being offered ‘that’ look, or being stopped by one of the staff members, he entered the school, found Olivia playing happily with Skylar, and left. Olivia was still quiet in the car on the way home, but Andrew had to admit it had been a long day. He hated the fact she had to stay at school three nights a week, rather than being able to come home. His parents were great, but they had their own lives and the fact they had Olivia two nights, one of which was an all-nighter, Andrew couldn’t complain. At least when he got around to hiring a child minder, Olivia could come straight home, even have play dates, like the other children in her class.

Andrew’s mind wandered back to Ana. He found his thoughts drifting back to her all day. Whatever had gone down with her landlord the night before had scared her. She had been as pale as a ghost when she had arrived. Never had he been so thankful to have given his number to someone and have them use it.

“How was your day?” Andrew asked, looking in the rear-view mirror, waiting for his daughter to look up.

“Fine,” she responded, continuing to twist a piece of ribbon around and around her fingers. It was the same every evening;fine,okay,all right. He’d been expecting one-word answers when she became a teenager and thought he had a few more years yet. He’d not expected them when she was seven.

“Just to let you know, there is someone at home. She will stay for a couple of nights.” Andrew wasn’t sure that was the case, but he thought it better to prepare Olivia. Olivia’s eyes clashed with his and he thought he saw a flash of something, but it was gone as fast as it had appeared, her attention returning to the ribbon in her hand.

Andrew sighed as he returned his eyes to the road. They were nearly home, and he prayed Ana was there. He had laid awake for a long time, running scenarios over in his mind. He hoped this evening, things would fall into place. If everything went to plan, he was hoping Ana would stay for a lot longer than a couple of nights.

Chapter Seventeen

Andrew

The first thing that Andrew noticed when he opened the front door was the smell. Olivia bent down and unbuckled her shoes, but hovered near the door, instead of doing her usual and hightailing it into the kitchen to see what snacks she could squirrel away.

Andrew, understanding his daughter’s shyness, gave her a comforting smile and held out his hand before leading her into the kitchen. Ana stood at the island stove, cooking up a storm. The smell of roast chicken filled the air, making his mouth water. He hadn’t realised how hungry he was. Andrew looked down at Olivia, who was half hiding behind him. He traced her gaze to the pile of freshly baked cookies. Andrew smiled to himself. Ana must be psychic. Olivia loved cookies.

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