Anna looked at him, surprised by the uncertainty that tightened the fine lines around his eyes. Although his face remained impassive, that tiny clue made her heart clench.
‘No,’ she said, lifting her chin, her eyes softening, trying to tell him there was nothing to worry about. ‘I’dlikeyou to stay.’
Only the tiniest change in the shape of his mouth indicated his relief. If she’d not been watching him closely, she would have missed it.
‘Seriously, Anna?’ Becs sounded as if what she had to say was completely acceptable and sensible and only an idiot wouldn’t want to hear it.
‘Seriously, Becs,’ snapped Anna, already having decided she was not playing this game. She was a lot older this time round, and distance from the family had provided her with new insight. Leo was right: she’d spent a large part of her life fitting in rather than expanding and finding her own-shaped world. She was done with Old Anna. She was Czech Anna now and she much preferred this version of herself.
‘Everyone’s worried about you. And Steve is devastated. He realised he was too hasty and should have trusted you. Although –’ she nodded towards Leo ‘– this complicates things.’
Anna raised an eyebrow.
‘He wants you to come home.’
Anna sighed. ‘It’s over, Becs. He might have pulled the plug and stormed off but I planned to finish things with him that weekend. It hasn’t been right for a long time, but neither of us wanted to admit it.’
‘That’s not what Steve says. He loves you. He wants you back, if you … give him some sort of sign.’
Anna laughed. ‘He doesn’t know you’re here, does he? What was the plan? I’m supposed to go back with my tail between my legs and apologise to him and he’ll take me back?’
Becs had the grace to look a little ashamed.
‘No, he doesn’t.’ She paused and then launched in. ‘But Anna, he’s one of the good guys.’ Her tone gentled. ‘He’s the faithful sort.’ Completely ignoring Leo’s presence, Rebecca gave her a look of entreaty They had both been scarred by her father’s wandering eye and roving hands. ‘You know that he’d never look at another woman. It’s not too late. If you come home, I know the two of you can sort everything out.’
She continued, carefully, patiently. ‘Steve cares. He wants you back. I think you’re being very hard on him. Life isn’t all sunshine and roses. Or high drama. With Steve you’d always know where you are.’ She shot Leo a look. ‘Although I’m not sure if he knew about this he’d be so forgiving. Sorry, but not sorry, Leo. You wanted to stay.’
Anna lifted her chin. ‘I don’t need forgiving.’ She held up her hand before Becs could say anything. ‘Steve and I had run out of steam, we were going through the motions and I think both of us were hanging on because it was safe.’
‘Are you sure, Anna?’ Rebecca flicked a glance towards Leo. ‘No disrespect, but have you considered this might be … well, I mean, Steve might not be as glamorous and exciting – we all know Leo is very pretty – but Steve’s solid, you know where you are with him. There’s a lot to be said for that.’
‘Rebecca!’ Anna was indignant on behalf of Leo. ‘That was rude.’
Leo shrugged. ‘She’s just saying what she thinks.’ His tone was impassive. Anna wondered what he was really thinking.
‘I’m talking about living with the reality of things,’ snapped Becs.
Anna smiled sadly at her cousin. They both knew she was talking about her father.
‘Look, Anna. I’m thinking about you. The best thing for you,’ she said, so gently that Anna almost felt sorry for her. ‘As we’re talking frankly.’ She directed an insincere smile at Leo. ‘Steve won’t hurt you. He’ll never be unfaithful.’ Leo folded his arms and glared at Becs, who paused only momentarily before sliding the knife in, right on target. ‘You’ll never have to wonder whenever he befriends another pretty girl.’
Anna held her gaze but the blow reopened old wounds. What Becs meant was: never have to wonder like their aunt did constantly with Uncle Henry. Like she had done with Leo even after they were married. He would always be a magnet for gorgeous women.
Leo’s face was expressionless and, more worrying, he wasn’t saying anything to defend himself.
Then he stood up. ‘I think I’ll leave you two to it.’ He looked at his watch. ‘I need to be somewhere at two.’
Anna suddenly remembered. ‘Oh, do you want me to come with you?’
He shook his head. ‘No, it doesn’t matter. It can wait,’ he said with airy nonchalance, although she wasn’t convinced by his quick, almost glib response.
‘Are you sure?’ she pressed.
‘No. It’s fine. I’m sure Rebecca didn’t come all this way to see the inside of our little place in Prague. Why don’t you take her to the bridge and the castle?’
‘Okay,’ said Anna, but lifted her hand to his face and placed it against his cheek, wanting him to know that her cousin’s arrival changed nothing. ‘If you’re sure.’
He turned his head and placed a kiss in her palm. ‘I’m sure. Now wrap up warm. It’s cold out there. And if you stay until it’s dark, Rebecca can see how beautiful the city is at nightfall.’
