Your Lying Eyes

Your Lying Eyes Chapter18

Anna threw the phone down onto the sofa, tears streaming down her face.  She'd managed to hold them back until she'd rung off, now there was no need to.  How could he do this?  He'd promised her faithfully that there'd be no messing around.  Only a few hours ago, he'd kissed her in front of all of them as they'd said their goodbyes.  She felt as if it was all starting over again.  But she wouldn't let it.  She'd made her mind up that he'd have one last chance and now he'd just blown it.

She picked up her phone and switched it off.  She didn't want to have to listen to more of his lies.  At least she'd have a couple of days to get over the shock of hearing Sophie's voice answering his phone.  He'd sounded so concerned about Poppy,  that they were all that was on his mind.  She didn't think that he'd do anything like this.

She sat up and dried her face, wondering what she was going to do.  

Everything was quiet in the flat now.  Maisie had finally settled for the night and Chloe had gone out for the evening with some of the dancers who hadn't gone on the trip to Ireland.  She didn't expect her to be in until the early hours of the morning.

Pouring herself a large glass of wine, she went into the bathroom and ran a hot deep bath to soak in.  Adding some of her favourite oils to the water, she sank into it and let the warmth wash over her.  She closed her eyes and relaxed.  Immediately Howard's face seemed to loom in front of her and fresh tears ran down her cheeks.  She'd really believed him.  Maybe he could explain things, maybe there was an explanation.  Sophie seemed capable of doing anything.  She'd nothing to lose, except her job.  But she'd promised herself that she'd be strong.  That she wouldn't let him make a fool of her again like he'd done in the past.

She needed to talk to someone.  Someone who knew them both well.  If she rang Chris, she knew that she'd be almost pleased to hear that he'd let her down again.  For her, it would be proof that they should stay apart.  Chris would encourage her to finish with him for good. She wouldn't even consider that there could be another side to the story.

She shifted in the bath to get more comfortable, the water splashing against the sides.  Reaching for her glass of wine she took a big sip, and settled back into the water again.  Who else could she talk to?  Jason?  He'd always been there for her whenever she'd needed him.  He knew how much she felt for Howard, he really cared about her, he'd said so the other day.  Maybe he'd know what had happened tonight.  He'd tell her what he knew, if she had real reason to worry.  Sophie could have been making it all up.  But if she was, how come she'd been able to answer his phone?

Her mind made up, she got out of the bath, letting the water run out.  She dried herself off and slipped into her nightclothes.  Going into the living room, she picked up her phone and dialled Jason's number.  Was she doing the right thing?  Just the other day she'd felt uncomfortable with Jason's declaration of how much he felt for her.  Was it fair on him to turn to him for help when she knew that?  When, despite everything, it was still Howard she loved and wanted.  It was because of her feelings for Howard that she was ringing Jason.

The apartment phone rang at the side of her.  She let it go to answerphone, not wanting to become involved in two conversations at the same time.  Howard's voice came on the line.  She cancelled the call to Jason.

"Please pick up and talk to me Anna.  I can explain all this.  Nothing happened.  I swear.  She was in the room when I came out of the bathroom.  I don't know how she got in.  I didn't let her in.  She must have sneaked in when room service  brought me something to eat.  Please babe, talk to me.  Ring me as soon as you can.  I love you Anna."

He sounded so genuine, really upset.  She moved closer to the phone and reached out to pick it up.  But he was so good at making things up.  She needed to speak to him face to face, then she'd know.