Page 34 of Only You

Why was she bothering? She would never win with Linda. Ana couldn’t blame her. She wasn’t sure how she would feel if their roles were reversed. She was the sister of the woman who had broken her son’s heart, now living in his house, and taking care of his daughter.

“Ana, can you give Mum and me, a few moments, please?”

Ana jumped at the sound of Andrew’s voice. She hadn’t expected him back this early. He had told her he was working late all week.

There was a tightness around Andrew’s eyes she had not seen before, and his lips had flattened into a straight line. Ana looked down, her heart racing as she walked towards him. How had she made such a mess of it? Ana’s stomach tightened as she walked past.

Should she pack?

She sucked in a breath as Andrew touched her arm. Small electric shocks zipped up her arm, causing Ana’s eyes to clash with his. Ana’s confusion deepened when he smiled and winked at her.

“It’s okay. I just need to have a private word with Mum.”

Ana nodded and left, seeking Olivia, taking her homework bag with her.

∞∞∞

Olivia’s bedroom door opened.

“Daddy!” Olivia shouted, getting up and throwing her arms around him. Ana’s heart melted every time she saw the interaction between father and daughter. Their love for one another was palpable.

“Hey, Sunshine. How was your day?”

“It was great. Ana is helping me with my maths homework.” Olivia pulled a face. “But it makes sense now.” She turned her hundred-watt smile on Ana, who grinned back. Ana had always loved maths and science. It was no surprise really, as it was in her blood. Her family was all in the medical profession. She was the first in generations who had broken rank.

“I’m glad. Is it okay if I borrow Ana for a moment? We need to have a chat,” Andrew asked Olivia.

Olivia rolled her eyes. “A grown-up chat?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“Okay.”

Olivia turned back to her work. Andrew motioned for Ana to follow him back downstairs.

“I’m sorry,” Andrew said, flopping down into one of the kitchen chairs before running a hand through his hair, messing it up. Ana realised that Andrew ran a hand through his hair when things were awkward, or he was flustered. His messily tousled hair made him look younger than his thirty-six years and much more human.

“For what?” Ana said, not wanting to assume what was coming next. Ana’s heart rate picked up. Had he decided this would not work? That his mum was right, she was too inexperienced to be looking after Olivia? Ana moved to grab the dinner Rosalind had put up for him out of the warming draw.

“Ana, stop. Please sit down.”

Ana took the chair opposite Andrew and waited. She placed her hands on the table, staring at them.

“I wanted to say I’m sorry.”

Ana looked up. Andrew was staring at her.

“I’m sorry for the way my mother has been treating you. It won’t happen again.” Andrew shook his head. “When I said she was going to pop in, that is what I assumed it was going to be. I am sorry if she has made things difficult for you.”

Ana shook her head. The last thing she wanted was for Andrew to fall out with his mum and dad before they left for Australia. They had such a wonderful relationship, one Ana had to admit she was jealous of. She would have loved the family Andrew had grown up with.

“Please, Andrew, don’t argue with your Mum. It’s fine, she’s fine.” Ana knew she sounded desperate. “She means well, and Olivia loves seeing her. She was only trying to help.”

Andrew’s face relaxed, and he gave her a knowing smile. “It’s okay Ana, I haven’t fallen out with Mum. I just set her straight on a few things. I want you to look after Olivia. You are Olivia’s primary child carer, and therefore, what you say goes.”

Ana shook her head. Linda would hate her now.

“It hasn’t been that bad,” Ana said.

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