Only We Know by Simon Packham

Author:Simon Packham [Simon Packham]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781848124271
Publisher: Piccadilly Press
Published: 2015-03-13T16:00:00+00:00

Later, when Dad popped upstairs to ‘fix’ the curtain rail, I finally got half an hour alone with her to try to explain. I’m not sure she’ll ever get her head around it, but at least I know she’s making an effort, because after tinned-salmon sandwiches, lemon drizzle cake and The Archers, she presents me with a small black box.

‘This is for you, Lauren.’

‘What is it?’

‘Have a look.’

Inside is a necklace with square pink stones separated by delicate white beads.

‘It’s art deco, isn’t it?’

‘I don’t know about that,’ says Grandma. ‘And it’s only glass, my lovely. But my mother wore it on her wedding day so it’s part of the family history.’

‘Are you sure about this, Grandma? What about Tilda?’

‘You’re my eldest granddaughter, you should have it.’

‘Thank you, it’s lovely.’ And compared with the 1990s wedding dress that Mum is seriously expecting one of us to walk down the aisle in, it really is. But not half as lovely as hearing Grandma call me her eldest granddaughter and almost sounding like she’s proud.

‘Well, you might want it for dressing up.’

‘I don’t really do that any more, Grandma.’

‘No, of course not. You’re a lovely young woman now. So don’t forget to send me an up-to-date photo.’

‘I won’t, Grandma.’

I have to admit I’m still a bit misty-eyed later when she waves us off with her stick from the front door.

‘Cheerio, Mum,’ bellows Dad. ‘Take care of yourself. I’ll see you at Christmas.’

I wave and wave like a five-year-old.

Safely back in cruise mode, Dad sticks on a Rolling Stones CD and attempts some geriatric headbanging. ‘Well, that wasn’t so bad, was it?’

‘I suppose not.’

‘And you’ll come again sometime, won’t you?’

‘Yes, yes, I think I will.’

I’ve always thought that forgiveness was just a word that people use to make themselves look good. So I’m not saying that things will ever be the same between us, but I’m starting to understand why Grandma acted the way she did.

And something else is clearer too. It doesn’t matter how much you love someone, you shouldn’t give them complete control of your life. Sooner or later, you’ve got to make some decisions for yourself. So I reach into my jeans pocket and take out my phone.

‘Who are you texting?’ asks Dad.

‘Just someone from school.’

The headbanging stops. ‘You are careful about who you give your number to, aren’t you?’

‘Yeah … course.’

‘And you do remember what I said about being too trusting?’

‘Yes, Dad. Look, there’s nothing to worry about, okay?’

Well, nothing apart from getting the words exactly right. It’s not too flirty, is it?

Want to do something tomorrow? Can I come round yours? Lauren X

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.