‘I don’t think so somehow. After what my ex-husband put me through and now Tomas…’ His name slips out, and I hope somehow the translation app misses it and that Zuzana doesn’t realise what I have just said.
‘Tomas? Oh, Tomas never does bad things. He’s such a good man.’
I think back to his face last night. He might be a good man, but he just kissed me in front of his on-off girlfriend, or whatever she is now, and I don’t know what to think.
‘You know, he’s far too nice for Milena. If you don’t mind, can I say something to you?’
My heart skips a beat as Zuzana stares at me intently.
‘Sure.’
‘You two suit each other so much better. I see the way he looks at you. I know enough about life to see that man is crazy about you.’
‘No, our time has passed now. He chose Milena last night, and she chose him.’
‘No, that’s not true. I don’t want to believe that,’ says Zuzana. She shrugs her shoulders and looks back out of the window again. ‘If a man really loves a woman, he’ll do anything. He won’t let you go.’
‘That’s a lovely thought, Zuzana, but I can promise you, after last night, I won’t be seeing Tomas ever again.’
Chapter Twenty-Seven
I leave Zuzana in her flat and head to Albert’s door. I hear the familiar shuffling of his feet as he gets closer.
‘Olivia?’ He looks almost as confused as Zuzana was.
‘Hi.’
‘Is Tomas coming?’ he asks.
‘No, he’s not. I hope you don’t mind me popping around on my own.’
‘No. You’re welcome anytime. It’s just a shame that Tomas isn’t here to see you also.’
I wish he would stop talking about Tomas.
‘I’m here to see you, not Tomas. I thought I’d come and say thank you for everything. I leave early tomorrow, so I don’t have much time left.’
‘Ah, I see. Were you just talking to Zuzana also?’
‘Yup. I was.’
‘I thought so. You can hear every word through these walls.’
Oh no!
‘Did you hear what we were talking about?’
Albert nods his head up and down. ‘I did.’
‘Every word?’
‘Yes, and she was right about Tomas. He’s crazy about you.’
I don’t know where to look, so I pretend not to hear him.
‘With your divorce, it sounds like it isn’t only Tomas who has had relationship problems,’ says Albert.
‘Sometimes you have no control over love,’ I say dismissively. ‘Anyway, look, I was thinking. I’d like to pop in this evening with a little something for you to thank you properly. Will you be home?’
