Page 28 of Only You

“Granny!” Olivia threw herself at her grandmother, who scooped her up and gave her a big squeeze. Olivia wriggled out of her grasp, grabbing her hand. “Come and meet Ana.”

Andrew’s mum shot him a sideways glance as his daughter pulled her into the kitchen, where Ana was wiping down the sides.

“Granny, this is Ana.”

Ana looked up, her eyes were wide. His mother had frozen to the spot.

Ana had never met his mother or father. She had not attended their wedding or engagement party. His mum, however, had eyes, and Ana was a replica of Eva. His mum knew exactly who was in front of her.

“Pleased to meet you, Mrs Dennison,” Ana said, recovering first, sending Olivia into fits of giggles. His mum blinked twice, her gaze drifting down to Olivia before shooting up to him. Her last glance screamed retribution.

“Call me Linda, dear.” Andrew’s jaw fell open at his mum’s words, making him cough. Both his mum and Ana stared at him. He waved his hand as an apology, making them both redirect their attention back to one another. “You seem to have made quite the impression on someone.” Andrew heard his mum say.

“That would be the cookies,” Ana said, offering his mum a wider smile. The young woman standing in his kitchen did not know the immediate impact she had had on his shy daughter. One who was now openly smiling and laughing.

“We better go.” Andrew motioned to Ana.

“Go?” Olivia asked, her face dropping.

“We need to collect Ana’s stuff and bring it back here. Granny will stay with you.”

Olivia did not look convinced until Ana knelt in front of her. “There is ice-cream in the freezer... to go with the cookies if you want it.”

Olivia, who was still holding his mum’s hand, looked up at her, her eyes pleading. “Of course. Go and get it.” Olivia scrambled off as Ana left the room. Andrew was about to follow when his mum caught hold of his arm. “You have some explaining to do,” she hissed under her breath.

“Oops, Daddy, Granny isn’t happy with you,” Olivia said, ice-cream in hand, before heading to her counter to choose her cookie. Andrew shot his mother a warning look, which she acknowledged with a slight nod. Andrew knew his mother wouldn’t say anything to or in front of Olivia, so he was safe in that respect. He just had to figure out now what he was going to do. But first things first. He needed to help Ana get her things back. He was not letting her walk into the lion’s den alone.

Chapter Eighteen

Ana

The street was nearly empty by the time Andrew pulled up outside Ana’s flat. The only shops still open were The Fish and Chip shop and the local corner shop/off licence. Ana wanted to curl up in a ball and hide as she let them through the external door into the narrow hallway. As they climbed the stairs towards her flat, she and Andrew picked their way through the rubbish that littered the space. What had she been thinking bringing him here? What must he be thinking? Andrew remained silent.

When they reached the small landing outside the front door, Ana tried her key, only to find it no longer worked. James had clearly changed the locks again. Banging on the door, she waited, feeling more aware of the man standing behind her and the drama she had dragged him into. Could this evening get any worse? Ana had seen the shock on Andrew’s mother’s face as they had stood in the kitchen. It was clear Linda had recognised her. Ana was glad the other woman had been able to hide her true feelings towards her from Olivia. She couldn’t really blame Linda. What her sister had done would have tarnished their family in anyone’s eyes.

Ana banged again, looking at her watch. Ana knew Baz should be home if not one of her other four flatmates. She heard some movement from inside the flat and held her breath, hoping it wasn’t James. The door opened, and a bedraggled Baz stood in his tracksuit bottoms and not much else.

“What?” he asked, squinting at Ana as if trying to place her.

“Hi Baz, I’m here to collect my stuff,” Ana said, taking a step forward.

Baz put a hand up and stopped her from entering. “Sorry, Ana, James has said you are no longer allowed in the flat.”

“What?” Ana’s heart was pounding. The nerve of the man. As Ana went to step forward, a protective arm snaked around her middle from behind, a firm hand preventing her from moving forward.

“Yep,” Baz said. “Not sure what went down, but he changed the locks this morning and issued us all with new keys. Sorry, Ana, I can’t let you in.”

Ana had to admit Baz did sound genuinely sorry, and she knew he wasn’t a bad guy, even if his loyalty was misplaced. She didn’t know him well, but the fact he was living there told her this wasn’t a choice. Ana relaxed, and Andrew withdrew his hand with the threat clearly over.

“What about my stuff?” Ana huffed, missing the feel of Andrew’s hand against her stomach.

It was Baz’s turn to look embarrassed. “I saw him with some bags and your suitcase this morning. I’m sorry, Ana, but I think he chucked all your stuff away.”

Ana gasped, her blood beginning to boil. Not that she had much, but to have thrown everything away was just too much.

Andrew stepped around Ana. His six-foot-two frame filled the doorway.

“Let me get this straight. Your landlord—who tried to assault Ana last night—changed the locks this morning and has disposed of all her belongings?”

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