It was a normal dinner with everyone trying to behave as casually as possible. Well, all except Andrew who assumed his resemblance to Ann’s boyfriend had created this air of tension.

That night Ben decides to sneak out and go meet Oscar, hoping he’ll believe what he knows to be true. About ten minutes after Ben leaves, Ann notices he’s gone and fears her suspicions are true. She goes to the kitchen to make herself some tea, trying to calm down and think ahead.

‘I can’t let Ben or Oz try anything again. Andrew is still recovering, if something happens then will Nicholas remember who he is? What am I thinking!? I’m still clinging to the hope that Nicholas would has come back. Didn’t I move on from this? How could I, he gave me so much to remember and he promised…,’ Ann’s thoughts fill with memories and she becomes emotional. She hasn’t talked to anyone about Nicholas for a long time and she craves to be heard. ‘I just want to meet him one last time.’ Ann thinks as she hears someone approaching.

“Ben?” Andrew walks in and sees her smiling strangely. “I thought you were Ben.”

“Sorry to disappoint,” Andrew says as Ann’s expression shows a hint of disappointed.

“Want some tea?”

“No thanks, just couldn’t sleep,” Andrew comments as the kitchen descends into silence.

“I,” Andrew says with a voice so tenderly. “I know Ben was trying to protect me from your brother because I look so much like your ex. I could even tell it was quite awkward at dinner because of me. The only one who didn’t seem affected was your sister-in-law, but everyone else was really making an effort.”

“You don’t have to keep thanking us, Andrew. We do this because we want to,” Ann says as she pours herself a cup of tea, avoiding eye contact.

“Can you tell me more about him?”

“What?” Ann turned around and looked at Andrew as he asked curiously. “Nicholas, my ex?”

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“Yes,” Andrew asks innocently hoping to have some of his many questions answered but Ann’s contemplation makes him regret that decision. “If you don’t want to, then…” Ann chuckles at his words and begins to talk.

“Nicholas was an amazing guy, Andrew… Though we didn’t date for long, I really felt we were serious about each other, about us. It’s funny but I was actually hoping for a future with him. I guess what I liked most about him was that he always knew what to say. More like, he knew what I wanted and he always gave that to me. Not really sure if that was his best quality but, it’s really difficult to forget about someone like that.”

“I understand,” Andrew says as Ann stares at him. “Not that I have been in a similar situation or anything… I think. But the way people make you feel sometimes is just unforgettable.” After a moment Andrew laughs and continues, “Ok, maybe I don’t know what you’re talking about because I can’t recall anyone who made me feel like that.”

Ann let’s out a chuckle and is unable to say another word and before she realises it, her eyes are now filled with tears again.

“I didn’t mean to,” Andrew says feeling guilty. ‘Every time I ask her about him, she becomes like this. What did he do to make her like this?’ Nicholas thinks to himself silently.

“No,” Ann replies smiling through the tears. “I really haven’t had the chance to talk about Nicholas since I last saw him. I’ve just had so much bottled up inside that right now, it’s just such a relief. I know it might seem like I cry every time I talk about him and I do but, it’s just so emotionally liberating to finally talk without judgment...”

“Ann,” Andrew asks after letting out a difficult sigh. “Why did you guys break up?” Ann’s smile immediately leaves her face and she looked up at him seriously. She turns away from him quietly as Andrew realizes that wasn’t something she wanted to answer.

“He left.”

Those words weren’t enough for Andrew to get the full picture but with Ann’s stone face, he begins to understand why her brother reacted the way he did. How could her brother possibly be calm when seeing the man who broke his sister’s heart. Andrew steps forward and puts his hand on Ann’s shoulder trying to comfort her. This small gesture caused Ann to fly into his arms as she shed a few tears, calming herself in the process. Ann leans into Andrews’s strong arms as he embraces her, delicately allowing her to express what words could not. This moment is soon short-lived as they hear the front door open. Ben walks in as Ann desperately composes herself while Andrew takes a step back.

Ben has a serious case of déjà vu as he enters the kitchen but he pretends not to notice. After a short conversation as everyone goes to bed, with Ann now feeling a bit relieved. Ben on the other hand is enraged, as his jealousy almost consumes him. As soon as he notices Ann is asleep, he quickly takes out his phone and sends a message:

‘Do it!’