Page 33 of Only You

“You can?” he asked, sagging down onto the stool Olivia had vacated. Ana could see he was beating himself up at letting his daughter down. “I forgot, what with Mum and Dad going... forgetting things seems to be my current MO.”

“You don’t need to explain. It’s been a crazy couple of weeks,” Ana said, touching his arm, removing it as pulses zapped up her arm where their skin connected. Andrew looked as shocked as she did, so she continued. “Textiles and fashion student, at your service,” she smiled, motioning to herself. A warm feeling spread through-out her chest as she realised she had something to offer Andrew, something of value, in return for all he had done for her. She pushed aside the thought of what touching him had just done to her. Lesson number one, keep your hands to yourself.

“You have been so welcoming and kind. Making a costume is the least I can do.”

It was at that moment Olivia returned holding a book. She showed Ana the cover, pointing to the character on the right.

“Skylar is going as Trixie,” she stammered, her bottom lip quivering, before pointing to the character on the left. “I’m supposed to be Lucile.”

Ana looked at the character and smiled. Looking up at Andrew, she watched as his body visibly relaxed.

“Problem solved,” Ana said, smiling down at Olivia. “We can make this costume if you like?” Olivia’s eyes flew to hers.

“We?” Olivia said.

The tears were gone, replaced by watery eyes that sparkled with excitement.

“Yes,we. I will need a helping hand.” Olivia grabbed her hand as if wanting to start immediately. Ana laughed at Olivia’s enthusiasm. “I will need to get some material before we can start. I have quite a bit in my box of tricks, but I don’t think it’s quite right for this project.”

Olivia spun towards her father. “Daddy, can we get some material, please, so Ana and I can make my costume?”

Ana’s heart did a little flip in her chest as Andrew rubbed his chin and shrugged. His blank expression let Ana know he was out of his depth.

“The market is the best place for material,” she said, trying to distract herself from how attractive Andrew looked at that moment. Looking at the clock on the kitchen wall, Ana grinned. It was Saturday morning, so the market would open soon. “I can leave now and be back before my last shift at Mount Crystals,” she said. Ana had to admit Robin had been fantastic when she had approached him about working her notice. As she was still on her probationary period, he had let her leave with the minimum of fuss, only asking her to cover the two Saturdays. She’d been happy to oblige.

Andrew stopped her. “Where is the market?” he asked.

“Shoreditch,” she replied, her brain working out how she was going to get there on the Tube.

“Come on,” he said, snatching his wallet off the kitchen island. Olivia jumped up and down in excitement. “We can grab some breakfast while we are there, too.”

Before Ana could blink, Andrew was at the front door pulling on his shoes. She grabbed Olivia’s abandoned book and headed after them both. It was becoming obvious Andrew was usually a man of action, leaving Ana feeling as if a thousand butterflies had taken up residence in her stomach. This man’s love for his daughter was clear.

Chapter Twenty-two

Ana

Ana had to admit that taking over Olivia’s childcare had been harder than expected. Andrew had been working long hours, so she’d only seen him in passing. Ana was halfway through the third week and already exhausted. When Andrew had mentioned his mum and dad would pop in to lend a helping hand and help her settle in, Ana had been relieved.

What she had not expected was them there every evening, from the time they got home until Olivia’s bedtime. Linda was behind her every step of the way, pointing out every little detail and criticising everything Ana did, from making dinner to helping with homework and even Olivia’s bedtime routine.

Ana could do nothing right.

“Olivia, Granny has asked you to do your homework first, and then we can make the finishing touches to your dress,” Ana said, ushering Olivia towards the kitchen table.

“But you promised we could do my dress first,” Olivia said, crossing her arms.

“First rule of parenting. Never make promises you can’t keep,” Linda said, walking into the kitchen. Ana wanted to tell her she would have been keeping her promise, onlyGrannyhad decided she wasn’t allowing it. It horrified Linda when she turned up, and Ana’s sewing machine was on the kitchen table. When Ana had explained why, Linda had put her foot down, telling Ana the costume was a luxury and should not take priority over learning or dinner.

“Homework first, then dinner and if there is time, your costume,” was all Linda said.

“But Granny, we will never get my dress finished in time,” Olivia wailed, her eyes filling with tears. Ana questioned why she had been stupid enough to promise Olivia they could finish her dress first and questioned whether she was suited to childcare. She was making one blunder after another. They’d had a wonderful day on Sunday, making the pattern and pinning it to Ana’s mannequin. Andrew had no issues. His mother, on the other hand.

“No.”

Olivia ran from the room, tears streaming down her face.

“This happens when my son leaves an inexperienced child to babysit,” Linda said, turning her fury on Ana.

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