Page 30 of Only You

“Brush your teeth and wash your face,” Ana said, thinking back to her own childhood bedtime routine.

“It’s okay. I did those things with Granny,” Olivia said.

Ana wasn’t sure whether to believe Olivia, but who was she to contradict the child? She popped into the en-suite bathroom and touched the toothbrush on the side of the sink. The bristles were dry. Picking it up, she waved it at Olivia, her eyebrows raised.

“Oops,” Olivia said, grinning, not at all embarrassed she’d been caught lying.

Jumping out of bed, she took the toothbrush from Ana’s hand before heading into the bathroom. Ana couldn’t help but smile. Olivia was quite a character underneath her shyness. She reminded Ana more and more of herself. The only difference being she had a father who worshipped the ground she walked on and grandparents who doted on her. For that, Ana was thankful.

Olivia returned, grinning and showing Ana her now clean teeth. Ana smiled at her and lifted the covers, allowing her to climb into bed. Olivia pointed to the storybook resting on the bedside table. Picking it up, Ana smiled. The Magic Far Away Tree, by Enid Blyton.

“One of my favourites,” Ana admitted to Olivia.

Olivia patted the bed next to her for Ana to sit down.

“I read a page, and then Daddy reads more pages,” Olivia explained.

“That sounds like a fair deal.” Ana opened the book and handed it to Olivia, who read. It amazed Ana how well she could read, only stumbling over a few of the longer words. Before long, Olivia was handing over the book to Ana and snuggling down under her covers. That was how Andrew found them when he returned. He kissed Olivia good night.

“I love you, Sunshine,” he said.

“I love you, Daddy,” Olivia replied, “Goodnight, Ana.” She said as she shut her eyes, making Ana stop.

She had only known her for a few hours, but Ana felt their bond strengthening. It was surreal.

Andrew motioned for Ana to step outside, shutting the door behind them.

“Can we have a chat downstairs?” Andrew asked, his face an unreadable mask.

Ana’s heart lurched. She prayed he would not tell her he wanted her as far away from Olivia as possible. A deep pain formed in her chest as she followed him down into the kitchen. She couldn’t blame him. Why would he want some screw-up near his daughter? By the time Ana sat down at the table, she was ready to grab her things and leave.

“Drink?” Andrew asked.

“Tea, please.”

Andrew worked in silence before placing a steaming cup of tea down on the table in front of her. Taking a seat opposite, he clasped his own cup in both hands. This time, his face was contemplative.

“I have a proposition,” Andrew said eventually. The shock on Ana’s face must have shown, and Andrew laughed. “It’s all above board... My parents are taking a three-month trip to Australia to visit my brother. They are currently Olivia’s main childcare outside breakfast and after-school club.”

Ana nodded, not sure where this was going, but feeling a spark of hope building in her chest.

“I was wondering if you would be interested in becoming Olivia’s nanny - at least until they return from Australia?” Hope and uncertainty filled Andrew’s face.

“What about university?” Ana asked. She had fought too hard to get to where she was and sacrificed so much, she would not walk away from everything she was achieving.

“It shouldn’t affect your studies,” Andrew said. “Olivia can still attend the breakfast and after-school clubs if she needs to. She is at school all day, and if your term time and Olivia’s don’t link up, the school also offers holiday clubs.”

Ana felt her pulse speed up. Could this be happening? She stopped short. She had nowhere to live.

“I’ll need to find somewhere to live. I also have my waitressing job.” Ana said, “I’d love to help, but...”

“The adverts I’ve put out are for a live-in nanny, so the position includes accommodation. This house has a separate flat/annexe downstairs, which I’m having renovated. You are more than welcome to live there. I only ask that you stay upstairs with Olivia until I am home. Your position at Mount Crystals may be a problem. I cannot always guarantee when I am going to be home, especially if I am held up in surgery.”

Ana held up her hand and smiled. “You don’t need to explain. Remember, my father was a surgeon, and we never knew when he was due home.”

“I will pay you,” Andrew added. “Rosalind, my housekeeper, comes in three times a week to run the house and prepare meals when Olivia isn’t at Mum and Dad’s home. I can increase her hours if you would rather. She can cook every night.” Ana gasped as he laid out the terms he was offering. It was more than she was earning as a waitress, and he included her accommodation. The biggest bonus was the time she would get to spend with her niece. A lightness filled her chest, and her pulse sped up. Could this be happening? Yesterday, her world had been falling apart. Today everything was... she couldn’t even describe it. She didn’t want to add words in case she woke up, and this was all a dream or she somehow jinxed it.

Ana started with a slow nod before an enormous grin broke out over her face, and she ended up nodding.

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