It took a few seconds to arrange her reeling thoughts. ‘Thank you, but the advice isn’t necessary.’
‘That picture in the paper suggests otherwise.’
Ana exhaled sharply at the reminder that her momentary loss of composure was now streaming across the world. ‘I’m not thinking of starting anything with anyone.’
‘That’s good. Take it from one who knows: the Heidecker men are ruthless liars. They’ll string you along until they get what they want from you, then leave you high and dry.’ Unmistakeble bitterness coated her words.
‘So you take no responsibility for what happened sixteen years ago?’
Ana had expected a swift denial, and was shocked when her mother made a quickly veiled sound of distress. ‘Believe it or not, I do.’
Ana halted in surprise. ‘You do?’
‘Hindsight is a wonderful thing—so, yes, I wish things had turned out differently. Anyway, the thing to do is look forward.’
Ana closed her eyes. ‘Well, I can’t just yet. The past is ruining my life.’ She tried for a light-hearted tone despite the vice squeezing her heart.
‘Then don’t do as I did. Take the lesson you need from it but don’t hang on to it.’
This unexpected morsel of advice made Ana’s breath catch. ‘Are you okay?’
‘Of course I am. Or I will be as soon as I find another gig. I’ve left the show,’ she added, her attempt at flippancy not quite hitting the mark.
‘Why? What happened?’
‘The director was a bore. His artistic vision was totally wrong.’
‘The truth, Lily. What really happened?’
Her mother sucked in a shaky breath. ‘He told me he loved me... Of course it turned out to be lies. All lies.’
Against her will, a lump formed in Ana’s throat. ‘I see.’
‘You see? That’s all you have to say?’
‘I can’t pretend to be surprised.’
Her mother gave a shocked gasp. ‘I don’t know what I was thinking...calling you for support—’
‘Lily, listen to me. You’re worth so much more than what you let happen to you. Why don’t you take your own advice—?’
‘It’s that man, isn’t it? Turning you against me!’
‘Bastien has nothing to do with this.’ But his voice echoed at the back of her mind all the same...
‘Well, don’t call me when Bastien kicks you to the kerb. Just remember I warned you—all men are bastards.’ The line went dead.
Not all men... Some men could be gentle when they chose...could make you feel safe...
A cool mist touched her face. With a start, she realised she’d reached the water jet.
Turning around, she headed back to the hotel, the joy of her walk gone. Had she silently condoned her mother’s behaviour all this time? Enabled her, even, by continuing to support her just to keep the lines of communication open...the secret hope of a connection?
Her phone rang again. She stared at the number and breathed a sigh of relief.
‘Papá!’ She summoned a smile, her world brightening a little.
‘I heard something on the news about you. I’m worried,’ he said after they’d exchanged pleasantries.