Story Challenge 6

[Gemini]

I had a go this afternoon but haven't quite got it yet.
As Daisy say, all contributions very welcome!

[Daisy]

I know we have got some very good story tellers - AND poets - all are really welcome.

[Gemini]

Waaaaahhh!!
I wrote a story this afternoon, in an email draft, and when I tried to copy and paste it to put it here I lost it. Now I really will have to buy a wireless mouse. I had no problems with no mouse with my old laptop, but this has happened to me a few times with this one

I will try to rewrite it here now, before I forget it!
So frustrating.

[Gemini]

Sam's granny was at the school gates waiting for her

Sam walked across the playground laughing and chatting with her friends. She did a double take as she noticed her grandmother Jane waiting outside the gates. With a hasty 'See you later' to her friends Lucy and Erin she came across to her grandmother. 'Granny? What are you doing here?'

At 13, Samantha was rarely collected from school. For a dental appointment or occasional tea out straight from school, but the regular routine was walk to the bus stop with her friends, then bus to the end of their street.

What was Granny doing here? Was she in trouble, Sam wondered? No, she couldn't think of anything she had done to be in trouble for. Certainly nothing bad, and nothing Mum knew about! To involve Granny it would have to be something serious. Sam's heart lurched. Was someone ill? Mum or Dad or her little brother Alex, or Granny herself?'

Seeing her granddaughters face, Jane quickly said 'Don't worry darling! Nothings wrong. Come on, let's get into the car and go for a milkshake then I'll explain.'

Jane drove to one of her favourite tea shops, where she knew they served those thick milk shakes made with ice cream which Sam loved. Her mother, Jane knew, would have preferred Sam to have apple juice or mineral water, but this was Granny's treat!
She ordered tea and a cherry scone for herself, a strawberry milkshake and chocolate flapjack for Sam.

They chatted. About Sam's day at school, her friend Lucy's new braces, Jane's morning at her art class, and the awful traffic driving over to school that afternoon.

Jane gave herself a mental shake. She must get on and talk to Sam properly, or the tea shop would be closing and she would have to take her home!

'I'm sure you realise that I met you from school today for a reason, Sam. I have something to tell you. I want you to know, and your Mum wouldn't tell you, so, here I am telling you now!' she announced, hardly pausing for breath.
'I phoned your mum to let her know I was meeting you this afternoon and bringing you home later'.
'Don't worry', she added, 'I wasn't lying when I told you nothing was wrong. You're not in any trouble, I'm not here to tell you off! I can see you still look worried. No one is ill, your parents aren't getting divorced or selling the house, or joining the circus!
You must be wondering what it is all about'. Sam nodded, stirring her milkshake with the straw..

'Well - you know how much I enjoy my art class? The art itself, our painting and pottery, and guest lectures, and the social life. It really has opened up a new life for me.'
Sam smiled. They had all noticed how much happier Granny was these days, and she was very often out and about when they phoned. The art itself wasn't at all bad either. Sam gave one of her granny's paintings pride of place in her room, and Alex insisted on having all his drinks out of his Granny Mug!

Jane took a deep breath. ' What I have to tell you is - I have met someone through my art class. I have a boyfriend, which is I know a silly thing to call a gentleman in his 60's, but I don't know what else to call him. I haven't done this since I met your Grandpa when I was 20! He is my age, and a widower, and he makes me very happy. Your mum isn't too happy about it though. She feels I am being disloyal to your Grandpa'

There, she had said it!

Jane looked across the table at her granddaughter's bowed head. The late afternoon sunlight shining on her silky hair, as she looked deep into her milkshake glass. For a moment nothing happened. Then Sam looked up, straight into her Granny's eyes, a big smile lighting up her pretty face.
'Granny, you sly thing! A boyfriend indeed! I think that's lovely. Tell me about him! What's his name, where does he live, does he have any grandchildren........
I think Mums wrong you know. Grandpa has been gone for over 3 years now, and I bet he would want you to be happy again. You have been so sad. I don't want you to be lonely!''

As she said this she came round the table and into her grandmothers arms.
Wiping tears from her eyes, Jane smiled and hugged her precious granddaughter tightly.
'Come on sweetheart, let's go home and talk to your mum'

************************************************** **************************************************

[Daisy]

Oh, Gem, that's a lovely story, even if you did have to write it twice. I wasn't at all sure of where it was going - an art exhibition maybe, or moving to an artist colony in St Ives. I didn't guess it was a boyfriend. A lovely warm story.

[Clover]

That's a lovely story Gem. Kept wondering what the ending would reveal. I do hope Sam's delight at the news would help her Mum feel happy for her own Mum.

You ladies do write great stories. I mean to try but just don't seem to get round to it. You have such busy lives as well.

[Gemini]

You have written lovely stories in the past Clover. Don't worry though, it's lovely when any of you contribute, but there is no pressure. Daisy and I can't be stopped

[Plantaholic]

Great story Gemini, kept me thinking until the end

[Clover]

Sam’s Granny was at the school gates waiting for her.
As the bell rang for the end of lessons Sam and her friends soon came out, giggling and chatting as only teenagers can.
“Are you coming to town Sam ?“asked Ellie,“ I’ve got some vouchers for H and M and I want to try on some tops?”
“No I can’t today“ .replied Sam
“Oh it’s your Granny day isn’t it? ”laughed Jasmine “See you tomorrow then”
As her friends headed for the side entrance and the bus stop, Sam carried on to the main gate
“Hi Granny, she called as soon as she saw her and hurried over to give her a hug. Some Year 10 boys passed by and sniggered but Sam didn’t care.
At 14,nearly 15, Sam was perfectly capable of making her own way home and waiting for her Mum to get in from work. She usually made herself a snack and got on with her prep. The days when Granny met her were different and special and not to be missed. Granny worked too but Wednesday was her day off which allowed her to walk home with Sam.
The 20 minute walk passed quickly, Sam telling her grandmother about her day, her friends, her upcoming exams and anything else that came into her head. Granny listened and enjoyed every minute of the chatter.
Once home, the kettle was soon on, the tea made and the cream cakes that Granny always brought ready on a tray When the tea had brewed she poured it into two large mugs and carried it all into the sitting room.
Sam was looking through the DVD rack
“What shall we watch Granny” asked Sam
“Anything you like darling” said her Grandmother “You choose”
Soon the two of them were watching one of Sam’s favourite films for the umpteenth time but Granny didn’t care, she was just happy to be with Sam.
When the film finished Sam gave a contented sigh
“I do love you Granny. I’m so glad we found you, I really didn’t think we would as it was such a long shot!
“And I’m glad I found you too, darling. When I had to give your Mum up for adoption I was absolutely heartbroken and I never, ever got over it. In those days to be an unmarried mother was the worst thing you could be. My Dad threatened to throw me out and at only 16 I couldn’t possibly have cared for your Mum on my own. How different it was when she became pregnant with you. Her adoptive parents were so supportive and it was a devastating tragedy that they were killed in that awful car crash when you were only a toddler. I’m so proud of her for coping how she did and bringing you up on her own.
“Until now Granny” interrupted Sam. Now I’ve got a Grandmother, something I never thought I’d have”

[Gemini]

Aww, goosebumps time Clover!

A really good story, I couldn't work out where it was leading.

[Daisy]

Oh Clover - I've got a big lump in my throat reading that. I didn't guess the ending either.