Page 38 of Only You

“How do you girls fancy a milkshake?” Star asked.

Olivia’s eyes flew to Ana’s. “Can we?” she asked, which took Ana by surprise.

“Would you like to?” Ana asked her back.

Olivia grinned, which was all the answer Ana needed.

“Do you want to follow me in your car?” Star asked Ana.

Ana nodded. Andrew had purchased a small run-around car for her. She had protested, but Andrew had asked her how she had intended to get Olivia to and from school, and herself to Uni, when the tube station was at least a thirty-minute walk away. She had agreed and had to admit it had been a ‘godsend’.

Olivia talked non-stop as they followed Star to the pizza and play-zone. The two girls took off as soon as they arrived, leaving Ana to follow Star to a table.

“So, it is nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you from Skylar.” Star said.

“Likewise,” Ana said, unsure of how this was going to work. Why did Star want to have drinks with her? She was the nanny, not Olivia’s mother or even Andrew’s girlfriend. Did she want to gossip about Andrew? If she did, she was going to be very disappointed.

As if sensing her confusion, Star smiled again, “I thought it would be nice to get to know you. Skylar and Olivia spend a lot of time together, and I wanted to get to meet the woman who has made such an impact.”

“I’m not sure that is true,” Ana said, feeling self-conscious.

Star gave her a knowing smile, “Don’t worry, I’ll not grill you. I expect you have had enough of that from the other mothers. The playground is a painful place to be, especially when you are single.”

“I’m just the nanny,” Ana said.

“Nope, you are young, beautiful and have the only eligible single male as your boss. You will never be just - the nanny.” Star’s face turned serious. “I also know you are Olivia’s aunt and not just the nanny.”

Ana’s mouth dropped open at Star’s words.

“Don’t worry,” Star said, grabbing her hand and squeezing it. “I know Olivia doesn’t know, and I understand you are trying to protect her. Andrew explained everything to Damian. You are more than the nanny, Ana, you are family and I hope we can be friends.”

Ana felt herself relax. It was obvious Star adored Skylar and comprehended her predicament. “It’s not that I don’t want Olivia to know. I’m worried if she found out. She’d want to know about Eva.” Ana took a deep breath, “My sister is fourteen years older than me. She left home when I was four. I don’t know her. I can’t answer the questions Olivia is bound to have.”

Star gave her a sympathetic look. “I lost my sister after Skylar was born. Skylar is her biological child, not mine. I have raised her since she was a baby, so she is the daughter of my heart. I know what it is to want to protect them from any unnecessary pain.” Ana watched a sadness descend over Star’s face, before the woman in front of her gave herself a little shake and offered Ana a sad smile before changing the subject.

“You are a fashion and textiles student?”

Ana smiled, a safe subject. This was something she could talk about. Ana opened up more and more as the afternoon progressed. Star was easy to talk to. The two girls appeared and disappeared while they sat and talked. Ana shocked herself when she explained how she had broken away from her parents to forge her own path.

“I think you are brave. You have not chosen a simple path. Take it from someone who knows.” Star sighed, her eyes seeking Skylar and Olivia as they climbed through a plastic tunnel. “I gave up everything I knew when I adopted Skylar. I turned my back on Damian. It scared me that my choices might destroy his life, so I pushed him away instead of allowing him to make up his own mind. Looking back, I suppose I was afraid he wouldn’t choose me. It was easier to break my heart than have him break it. When he came back into my life, it took me a long time to let him back in, to trust my heart and his. He showed me it’s OK to let others in and allow them to help us. He didn’t weaken me, he strengthened me. Together we are stronger.” Star gave her a faraway look. “Andrew and Olivia are your family.”

“I’m not Andrew’s family. I am Olivia’s. But I am only here while his parents are away. Once they return, my job will be done and I will be leaving. I only hope Andrew lets me stay in touch with Olivia.” Ana had tried to put out of her mind what was going to happen once Andrew’s parents returned from Australia. They were only going for three months. With the generous salary Andrew was paying her, she could save up enough money to find somewhere nice to live. Maybe she could find another childcare position.

The two girls returned looking hot and sweaty after their playtime. It was time to get home and get ready for the weekend. It surprised Ana when Star pulled her in for a hug as they left.

“Call me if you want to hang out. Sometimes it helps to take the girls out together as it gives them someone else to play with.”

Ana nodded but knew she wouldn’t call. She wasn’t intruding on Andrew’s life or his friends. She’d managed until that point. It was going to be hard enough leaving her niece in three months. The more ingrained she became in their lives, the harder it would be to move on when the time came. Instead, she smiled at Star and thanked her before ushering Olivia away.

Chapter Twenty-six

Ana

Linda and Peter’s last night in the UK was an emotional one. Andrew had come home early from work and his mum and dad had come around for dinner. Ana had made them all supper and then removed herself to her room, wanting to give them some family time. That was why she was so surprised when, an hour later, there was a knock on her door.

“Come in,” she said, from her cross-legged position in the centre of the bed.

The door opened slowly, and Linda poked her head around the door. “Do you mind if I come in?”

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