Page 21 of Only You

She thanked all the gods that there were still good people in the world.

Dialling the number Robin had given her, Ana prayed someone would pick up. The phone rang four times, and Ana was about to hang up before a gruff voice answered.

“Hello,” came a sleepy response.

“Andrew?” Ana choked out.

“Yes.”

The voice on the other end of the phone became more alert. Ana supposed it must be a side effect of years of being on call and having to wake up to deal with a patient.

“Andrew, it’s Ana.”

“Ana?”

She could hear him fumbling in the background.

“I’m really sorry to bother you… but I don’t know what else to do.”

“Where are you? I’ll come and get you.”

Andrew’s voice sounded serious.

“No need,” she replied. “I’m in a taxi.”

“Okay, pass me to the driver. I’ll give him the details. Come to my house.”

Ana paused, a lump forming in her throat.

“Thank you,” she mumbled before handing the phone back to the driver.

The driver took it and spoke to Andrew. Agreeing and then ending the call. Ana sat back, taking in the sights of London. They left the area she had called home in the busy East End and headed north into one of the richer, more affluent areas of London. It wasn’t long before the taxi driver pulled up outside a beautiful, huge, Victorian house. Large metal gates and a high brick wall sat on the roadside. The gates opened, allowing the taxi access. Andrew must have seen them pull up. Large sash windows faced the gravel driveway. All the houses they had passed on that road were breathtaking.

She realised Andrew lived in the lap of luxury.

“Here you go,” the taxi driver said.

Before Ana could say anything, Andrew appeared at the driver’s door. He was wearing tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt. His dark-blond hair looked like he had just got out of bed, which made him look a lot younger than his thirty-six years. He bent down and spoke to the taxi driver. Ana struggled to hear what they were saying as she found her gaze locked on Andrew.

Ana jumped as Andrew opened her taxi door.

“Come on,” he said, offering her his hand. “Let’s get you inside and warm.”

Ana took the hand he offered. Tingles radiated down her arm where their skin touched. She relaxed and let him help her out of the car. It was the shock. She knew that. She had just escaped being almost assaulted by her landlord. Ana let out a shuddering breath as Andrew lead her into his house.

“I’m sorry,” she stuttered as she entered the large hallway. “I didn’t know where else to go… I left my phone…”

A lone tear made its way down her cheek.

Andrew said nothing and simply pushed open the door to his right. He ushered her into what looked to be a sitting room.

“Take a seat,” he said, motioning to the sofa. “I’ll get you a drink.” Not waiting to see what she did, Andrew left her alone.

She could hear him crashing and banging in the room next door and a kettle boiling.

Ana took a seat on the sofa, sinking into its cushions. Looking around the room, the walls were decorated an eggshell blue, which accentuated the colours in the sofa pattern. Ana ran her hand over the material, centring herself. Whoever had decorated this room had beautiful taste. She wondered whether it was Andrew or whether he had a woman in his life.

Her thoughts were cut off as Andrew returned, placing a cup of tea next to her before sitting on the other sofa opposite.

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