Page 23 of Only You

“At my flat,” she said, her eyes locking with his. Andrew watched as a shudder rocked her body, and Andrew realised she was going into shock. Grabbing a blanket out of the basket next to the chair, Andrew stepped forward and wrapped it around Ana’s shoulders.

Andrew breathed a sigh of relief as she relaxed into its warmth, and he took that moment to kneel in front of her. “Do you want to tell me what happened?” he asked.

Ana scrunched her eyes shut and inhaled deeply. After a moment, she opened them, reaching for the tea he placed on the table beside her. She cradled the cup in her hands before once again meeting his eyes.

“My landlord—” she paused.

Andrew watched as she swallowed, trying to get her emotions under control. Another shudder wracked her body.

Andrew moved back, giving her space before sitting back on the chair and picking up his own tea.

“He got a little over-friendly.”

Andrew watched as Ana grimaced.

“I poured boiling coffee over him... by accident… and didn’t hang around. I left my purse and phone on the side in the kitchen. Your number was still in my pocket.”

Andrew wanted to cheer at Ana’s words. It sounded like the creep had got all he deserved if his advances were unwelcome.

“Well, I’m glad you used it,” Andrew replied.

He was already in bed when she called. His five thirty start was a killer if he didn’t get enough sleep, but this had been an emergency, and he was glad she had felt secure enough to use it.

Ana said nothing else. Instead, Andrew watched as she took in her surroundings. He held his breath. He’d bought the newly renovated Victorian town house from a developer, who had done a beautiful job of restoring it. Andrew had bought it during the final stages, so he had had quite a lot of say in the finishes the developer installed. He was proud of his home and wanted Ana to like it.

The sitting room they were in was large, with high ceilings and beautiful sash windows. The fireplace was original with a large surround. Andrew watched as Ana’s eyes locked on the photographs positioned on top. Getting up, she walked towards it, the blanket still wrapped around her shoulders. Andrew found his eyes drawn to her; she looked like something out of a Christmas movie. Ana picked up a photo of Olivia and stared at it. A look of longing passed over her face. A small smile graced her lips. Before he knew it, Andrew found himself stood beside her. “That was Olivia when she was three.” Olivia had been in the park and was grinning at the camera. She had loved her photo being taken when she was little. In the picture Olivia had just come down the slide for the twentieth time and had been laughing so hard, Andrew had captured the moment on his phone.

“She is beautiful,” Ana whispered.

Andrew grabbed another, more recent photo from the table and handed it to Ana.

“This one was taken last Christmas at our friend’s wedding.”

The photo was of him and Olivia at Star and Damian’s wedding. He received the photo from Star, who told him it was too nice not to be shown after the wedding photographer had taken it. Her thoughtfulness had touched Andrew.

Ana’s face lit up at the photo and she ran a finger over Olivia’s face.

“She looks so like you,” she said, smiling up at him.

Andrew’s breath hitched, and he rubbed his chest before returning her smile.

“Poor girl,” he joked.

Ana shook her head. “Lucky girl.” She sighed, handing him the photograph before making her way back to the sofa. “I’m sorry I’ve interrupted your evening,” she said.

Andrew wondered how long Ana had been in London, if she had nowhere else to turn. Andrew felt disappointed. She may only be here out of desperation, but… it was giving him a chance to talk to her, get to know her. Ana seemed interested in Olivia. Maybe she would want to be part of their lives. Olivia would love to know she had an aunt. An aunt who was only fifteen years older than her. Andrew’s heart spasmed as he realised there were only fifteen years between his daughter and her aunt. There were fourteen between him and Ana. The young woman in front of him was as close to his daughter’s age as she was to his.

“Olivia isn’t here tonight,” Andrew explained. “She’s staying with my parents. I have an early start in the morning, but I know she’d love to meet you.”

Ana smiled at him.

“I’d love to meet her,” she said, a frown marring her brow. “I don’t know how I’d explain.”

“Explain what?”

“Why Eva left.”

“But you wouldn’t know that,” Andrew said.

---