Chapter 9

Back to School

Despite his reassurances Hally went to bed feeling miserable. She wanted to call her friends and talk but couldn’t bring herself to do it. She wanted to wait until her mum came home and talk to her, but she knew Nathan would be excited and rebellious about bedtime; so she took herself off to her room and when she heard her family come home stayed in her room quiet.

After a very restless night, Hally wandered down to the kitchen in her dressing gown and relief spread through her when she found her mother alone. Turning to look at her daughter, mum knew something wasn’t right.

“Hally, angel, what’s up?”

Her words were enough to set the tears flowing and before she knew it mum had her wrapped in her arms.

“Muuuummm I’m…”

“Not now Nathan”

Her mother told her brother as he was about to come bounding into the kitchen looking for food. Hally didn’t look up from her mum’s shoulder and to her surprise Nathan withdrew from the kitchen for once without asking why.

Minutes went by where Hally simply sobbed into her mother’s shoulder. She didn’t ask any questions, just held her and let her cry herself out. Slowly the flow stemmed and then Hally murmured in between sobs.

“I think Wes is going to to bbreak uup with…”

She couldn’t finish the sentence as a fresh wave of tears flowed. Without releasing her hold mum gently said.

“Why do you think that sweetheart?”

With her face still buried in her mother’s shoulder Hally replied.

“Because; something sort of happened last night.”

Mum eased back slightly, brushing Hally’s now damp hair from her face. She took her daughter’s face in her hands and said.

“Sit down my angel. I’m going to make some tea and then we can sort this out.”

Hally nodded and folded herself into a chair. She felt wretched, never having felt like this about a boy before. Mum put a mug of tea in front of her and pulled another chair around the table so she was sitting next to Hally. Hally took a sip of tea then turned to her mum.

“We were playing, just tickling each other.”

She stopped and sipped more tea. Her mum nodded to keep going and then it all spilled out. In a rush Hally told her mum everything; all the feelings she had been having and the ones she’d had the night before.

“Then he left.”

She finished the story and swallowed the remainder of her tea. Mum had kept quiet throughout but now put her own mug down and took Hally’s hand.

“My little girl, you are growing up. Everything you are feeling is normal and perfectly ok. What you have to do is make choices. These are really difficult times for you. Your body and your mind are in chaos and conflicting. One is telling you one thing and the other is saying something different. Now, Wes told you he wasn’t breaking up with you; well if he meant that then he will call you today as he promised. He is a lot older and that is something you have to think about; but from the sound of it, he is sensible and believe it or not, he did the right thing. Baby, he realised what was happening and made sure it stopped. I think he knows you are too young yet and not ready for that sort of relationship.”

Hally looked at her mother and tried a little smile.

“I’m scared mum.”

“I know baby, unfortunately that is part of growing up. But, being scared will be what helps you keep things in perspective. It’s your mind telling you you’re not ready for anything else. If Wes is as decent as he seems, he will understand.”

Hally sighed deeply.

“Thanks mum. I’m so glad I can talk to you about this stuff. There are so many girls in my year that can’t tell their parents anything and I think some of them have already done it, but you know from what we have heard, they don’t seem to have a clue about it. They just seem to be seeing it as some sort of competition; like it makes them more popular the more boys they go with.”

Mum smiled at Hally.

“That my darling is the same as it was when I was your age. But you know, the fact that you and Clia and Corrinne can see that; just shows how much more mature you are compared to those other girls. You will know when the time is right for you whether Wes is a part of it or not.”

At that point Nathan put his head around the door to the kitchen.

“Please can I have breakfast now, before I starve to death?”

He said it in such a sweet little voice that both Hally and mum burst out laughing. Hally stood up and headed for the door.

“Come on squirt, we can’t have that can we.” Then turning to her mum. “Thanks mum, I’m going to get ready.”

Mum nodded and smiled, a little lump in her throat aware that her daughter was truly growing up.

Hally was in her room drying her hair when her mobile phone chirped indicating a message. Quickly she grabbed it and saw straight away it was from Wes.

hi hope you are ok this morning im really sorry about last night i really want to see you today but chris has gone sick so I have to work i will call you later xxxxxxxx

Hally’s first thought was that he was giving her the brush off. Then, furious with herself she told herself to stop being stupid. He had texted her and that was more than she’d expected. So she quickly tapped in a reply.

hi im really glad i heard from you. xxxxx

She was about to press send when she decided to add what she was really feeling, “or some of it anyway,” she murmured.

i really thought you might think i am too young for you and wanted to break up xxxx

This time she pressed send before she could change her mind. After the message went she stood holding the phone tightly with her eyes closed terrified she had said too much. However, within a few seconds it chirped in her hand nearly making her drop it.

no hally I don’t want to break up i knew how old you were from the start its not a problem i will try and see you later if can xxxx

Feeling like she was on cloud nine Hally pulled on her clothes and bounced out of her room. She suddenly realised that she was hungry and decided toast was needed. Mum was still in the kitchen clearing away Nathan’s breakfast dishes. She smiled when she saw her daughter was looking much happier.

“You’ve heard from him then?”

She asked with a smile. Hally nodded as she placed bread in the toaster.

“Yep, he texted me and everything’s ok.”

“Well that is good to hear. I hate seeing you so upset.” Then in a more serious note. “But… sometimes relationships have ups and downs, unfortunately it’s part of life and growing up.”

Hally hugged her mum and sighed.

“Yeah, I know. But, for now I am going to enjoy what I have.”

The toast popped before her mum could reply; Hally buttered it, and seeing her so cheerful mum decided not to say any more.

With just two days and the weekend left of the school holidays Hally was not going to waste a moment. As she finished her toast she dialled Corrinne’s home number knowing Clia had stayed the night before. Without telling her friends what had happened between Wes and herself she quickly arranged to go round to Corrinne’s house.

“I’m taking Nathan to play scheme then going to your grandparents.”

Mum told her as she gathered her bag and put on her flip flops. Hally stopped and looked at her mother.

“Is everything alright with gran?”

She asked tentatively.

“Hally…”

Hally felt a jolt of panic right in the middle of her stomach, and a coldness spread through her. Mum watched her daughter pale and immediately put her arm around her.

“Baby, it’s ok. I didn’t mean to frighten you and I’m not keeping anything from you. Your gran is getting worse, we knew this was going to happen. Granddad is struggling, but neither of them want her to go to the hospice yet. So a nurse who is qualified in this type of care is going to be there. I haven’t met her yet she’s coming today.”

Despite knowing how ill her gran was, Hally still felt a sense of shock.

“Can I come round a bit later?”

Hally asked. Mum smiled.

“Hally, darling of course you can. You don’t have to ask. Bring the girls too, you know your gran loves them, and even though she’s very ill, she wants things to be as normal as possible.”

Hally hugged her mum.

“Ok, I’m going to Corrinne’s now. We will be round a bit later.”

She kissed her mum on the cheek and left for her friend’s house.

At Corrinne’s, Hally quickly brought her friends up to date with both her news about her gran and about Wes. As expected the girls were very interested in everything Hally had to tell them.

“Well, you will know when the time is right for you and Wes Hals.”

Clia told her as Corrinne nodded too.

“Just don’t rush into anything ‘cos you think it’s what he wants or to stop him, you know, getting pushy.”

Hally smiled at her friends.

“Don’t worry. I have no intention of doing anything I’m not ready for, and you know, even though I want to when I’m with him, I know deep down it’s not what I want. Do you get me?”

Both her friends nodded they understood.

“Now, what are we going to take your gran today?”

Clia asked. The other two giggled, because over the past few months they had taken to presenting Hally’s grandmother with a variety of unusual gifts; which gran had enjoyed immensely.

“Mmmm, I have the perfect idea.”

Corrinne told them.

After walking into town to get Gran’s gift, the girls arrived at Hally’s Gran’s early afternoon. They walked into the kitchen through the back door and came face to face with a woman who looked exactly like Mrs Doubtfire. When she spoke though she had a soft sweet voice and a soothing smile.

“You must be Alice’s Granddaughter.”

It was directed at Hally and a statement not a question.

“You have her eyes.”

The woman said before Hally could ask.

“I’m Mrs…”

“Doubtfire.” Whispered Corrinne behind Hally. The woman obviously heard her and burst out laughing; a lovely sing song laugh.

“No, my dear, I’m Mrs Mildred Clattercote. I’m a nurse, here to help.”

Corrinne blushed scarlet to the roots of her hair.

“I’m so sorry, I really didn’t mean to be rude.”

Mrs Mildred Clattercote waved her hand briefly.

“Oh, don’t worry.” And at the look of concern on Corrinne’s face. “Honestly love, in this job you have to have a very good sense of humour. Come on, let’s go and see the person you have come to visit.”

They followed the nurse into the lounge and Hally immediately felt the day chill. Her Gran was propped up on the sofa with a footstool and cushions. She looked comfortable in position, but she had lost weight since Hally had last visited, which had only been a week ago. Her skin was a strange colour, a sort of greyish yellow and her eyes. Oh her eyes Hally said wordlessly. They looked so dull, whereas before they always sparkled with youthful mischief. Hally felt tears threaten but forced them back as Gran held out a hand to her.

“Hally, angel, come here and let me look at you. Your mum has been telling me all about this lad of yours. And girls, what have you brought for me today?”

Hally smiled, despite how she looked, the mischief was still there.

The three girls settled themselves around Gran giving her fragile body hugs and kisses. Then Corrinne pulled her bag onto her lap and began removing the usual bits and pieces to find the latest gift. She pulled out an irregular shaped package, wrapped in purple tissue and tied with purple ribbon. Hally’s mother, Granddad and nurse Mildred all gathered around them to see what the present was. Gran carefully unwrapped the gift and burst out laughing, the others joining in when they saw it.

“Oh how wonderful, a bubble kit. I don’t remember the last time I played with one of these; probably when Nathan was little.”

Granddad gently helped her undo the packaging, his eyes sparkling a little from unshed tears; and handed her all the different pieces to make different size bubbles.

“I’d like to do this in the garden please.”

Gran said. Nurse Mildred was right there.

“Of course Alice. It’s warm outside but I think you should wear your cardigan.”

Deftly she helped Gran up and into her cardigan. Then taking her arm gently led her through the patio doors into the garden. To everyone looking, it did not seem as though the nurse was taking most of Gran’s weight, even though they knew she was. It simply looked like she was offering her arm for a bit of support. At that moment Hally knew this was a wonderful lady who was going to make her Gran’s last remaining time as comfortable as possible.

A little while later Hally and the girls were back in the lounge with Gran. The adults had left them alone; but Hally knew Nurse Mildred especially was alert to her Gran’s needs despite not being in the same room. Hally sat on one side of her grandmother, Corrinne on the other side and Clia on the floor leaning against Hally. Gran looked at Hally and the old sparkle was there.

“So am I going to meet your beau?”

The girls giggled at her choice of words.

“Of course.”

Hally replied. Gran gave her a huge smile and for a few seconds she didn’t appear ill at all. Again Hally had to force back a lump in her throat.

“So, tell me all.”

Hally took a deep breath and told her all about Wes. When she finished Gran gave her a deep and knowing look.

“Well I definitely want to meet him now.”

She stated. Mum came back into the room with Granddad and behind them Nurse Mildred carrying a tea tray. Everything seemed just like a normal afternoon tea except for the little plastic cup holding a variety of pills.

After tea the girls decided Gran needed some quiet so they left and set off back to Hally’s. On the way they chatted about the visit and when Hally would broach the subject to Wes about her Gran’s wish to meet him. She was a little worried because although she had spoken about her Gran and how ill she was, they had never discussed him getting to know her grandparents. Now, talking to Corrinne and Clia, Hally realised that in the back of her mind she had thought introducing Wes to her grandparents would look like she was getting too serious.

“I think you should just tell him your Gran wants to meet him, and see what he says.”

Clia announced as they walked into Hally’s kitchen. Hally began pulling cold drinks from the fridge.

“Mmmm, yeah, I suppose. After all it’s what Gran wants that is important. She hasn’t got much time…”

Hally couldn’t continue. The tears that had been threatening all day came in a flood. As she sank into a chair at the kitchen table; Corrinne and Clia wrapped their arms around her and she sobbed and sobbed. None of the girls spoke for some time, then Corrinne quietly pulled a wad of tissues from her bag and handed them to her friend.

“Shh, shh Hals. We are here for you all the way.”

Hally was shuddering as the sobs subsided, her face puffy and red. With a tiny smile she said to her friends.

“I probably look a right wreck.”

“You look like someone who has a very sick grandmother whom you love very much.”

Clia told her. The way she spoke brought a bigger smile to Hally and Corrinne. At that moment there was a knock on the backdoor.

“Oh yikes, I can’t answer looking like this.”

Hally gasped. Clia stepped forward.

“I’ll go.”

She opened the door and immediately stepped back to let the person enter. Hally was horrified when she saw Wes coming into the kitchen. It was the first time he had used the back door, usually knocking on the front. However, when he saw her he rushed to her side and stooping so he was level with her, took her hands in his.

“Hally?”

“It’s ok Wes, I’m ok. We, well we have just come back from Gran’s and she’s so fragile, well, it just got a bit too much for me.”

Wes pulled her to him and held her.

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

He asked sweetly. Hally felt relief flood through her. She leaned back and looked into his eyes. They held genuine concern. So she simply said.

“Gran wants to meet you.”

“Ok. Whenever you want.”

Corrinne and Clia glanced at each other, then quietly took their drinks into the garden. Hally noticed her friends disappear and was very grateful to them.

“So how come you are not at work?”

She asked him.

“Well it was really quiet, and since school starts in a couple of days and I will have to reduce my hours anyway; my boss said I could leave early since I was doing him a favour today. So I thought I would surprise you instead of ringing.”

“Well I think you got the surprise, seeing me looking like an overripe raspberry.”

She told him. Wes laughed and pulled her to her feet.

“You look gorgeous.” Which made Hally blush on top of the tear induced redness. “Let’s go into the garden with Corrinne and Clia.”

Not long after, mum came home with Nathan in tow. As they came through the garden mum said hello to everyone as Nathan kept up a stream of chatter about what he had done at play scheme. In between, mum was able to invite the girls and Wes to stay for dinner and still respond to Nathan. The sun was still warm and Hally began to feel better about everything. Wes was his normal self and she was able to put her fears and doubts to one side.

Over dinner the conversation turned towards Gran. Mum had already brought dad up to date and told him all about Nurse Mildred, so the discussion was fairly light, which was just right with Hally. She didn’t think she could stand bursting into tears again. Casually the subject of Wes meeting her was raised. Hally still had a little twang of nervousness about this; but Wes seemed relaxed and keen. He had completely won over her parents during the weeks she had known him and he chatted animatedly with both of them. But still he never seemed to mention his own family.

“Do you have any grandparents?”

Mum asked as she served dessert. Nathan was already rapidly spooning his into his mouth, keen to get to his play station.

“No, unfortunately, both sides died a few years ago. It’s just mum, dad, me and well, my parents’ little surprise.”

Hally looked up suddenly, as did both Corrinne and Clia. This was something new and she was a little taken aback that he had not told her before. Mum smiled.

“How old?”

She asked. Before Wes had a chance to answer, Nathan chimed in.

“Please can I get down from the table.”

He was so sweet and polite, Hally felt like hugging him. Usually he would gobble his food as fast as possible and gabble out the request to leave the table. It seemed Wes was having an influence on him too. Mum gave him permission and even more unusually, he pushed his chair in and walked from the kitchen. However, it seemed he couldn’t contain himself after that, because they heard him thundering up the stairs to his room. They all laughed then turned to Wes for his answer.

“She’s just turned two.”

“That must have been a bit of a shock to your parents to have such an age gap.”

Mum commented. Hally sat feeling stunned by this information, and made a mental note to question Wes as to why he hadn’t told her about his very little sister.

Hally got the opportunity a little later. Corrinne and Clia had both gone home, mum and dad were in the study chatting to friends on the internet and Nathan was still in his room. Hally was curled up on the sofa with Wes’ arm around her watching television. It was very comfortable but Hally couldn’t help the nagging feeling in her mind that Wes was keeping secrets. As casually as she could she said.

“So what’s your sister’s name?”

He paused before answering.

“Ellie, well she’s really Eleanor, but I, we, call her Ellie. It’s much sweeter, and she really is very cute.”

He was just as casual with his reply, but Hally still felt something wasn’t quite right.

“Wesley…”

She didn’t get any further.

“Uh oh. The full name. Am I in trouble?”

He asked with a big grin on his face. Hally gave a little laugh.

“No of course not. It’s just, well, you have never taken me home and I hardly know anything about you. I mean it was a huge surprise to find you have a teeny tiny sister. Why haven’t you told me before?”

Hally gabbled all of this out in one breath. She felt a little embarrassed but looked right into his eyes waiting for his reply. She felt him take a deep breath then he replied.

“My parents are a little over protective, but you’re right I should have introduced you to them. I have told them about you, I’m just nervous about you meeting them.”

Hally didn’t give him time to say any more before she jumped in worriedly with.

“What, won’t they like me?”

“Hey, it’s ok. Of course they will like you. I… it’s…well, my last girlfriend took off and…like I said they are over protective.”

Wes stopped speaking and looked away. Hally was extremely confused. Of course parents were over protective, but this seemed very odd. Wes had gone very quiet and didn’t seem to want to look at her.

“I’m sorry. Have I said something wrong?”

She asked tentatively. Wes looked down at her and she felt a jolt through her heart as she saw moisture in his eyes. She could feel he had tensed against her too. She reached up and placed a hand on his cheek.

“What’s wrong?”

She asked in a small soft voice. Wes covered her hand with one of his and tried a small smile.

“I’m the one who should apologise. This is not your fault.”

A thread of fear went through Hally; but before she could speak, Wes continued.

“I went out with this girl for like two years and mum and dad thought the world of her. Everything was fine, then she told me she didn’t want to be with me anymore. Just like that. No reason, she just turned cold and nasty. My parents were as cut up about it as me. Then we heard she and her family moved away. She was my first real girlfriend and well; I haven’t had a serious relationship since, until I met you. I mean I went out a couple of times with a couple of girls, but that’s all. So as much as I want you to meet my family, I suppose I’m scared.”

Hally felt overwhelmed by this information and at first couldn’t think of what to say. Then taking a deep breath she asked.

“So, are you over her?”

Hally felt Wes relax next to her, but he tightened his hold around her.

“Oh my Hally. I am so over her. Even before I met you. I came to realise that she wasn’t a very nice person. Moving here made me realise lots of things. We discussed moving away from Oxford to give us all a fresh start and it has worked out really well.”

He then leaned down and kissed her, and that was all the reassurance she needed.

The weekend went by in a haze of spending time with the girls, Wes and getting ready for school on Monday. The first day back always made Hally nervous. She had a fear of everything being different and more difficult, but this year there was a big difference. As usual she met Corrinne and Clia where their roads joined but Wes was there too.

As they all entered the school gates, the usual teachers were present but Dana wasn’t. At first Hally didn’t even notice, Wes was holding her hand and quite a few girls were looking on with interest. However, Corrinne gave her a nudge when she saw Penny Cuthbert coming toward them.

“Hey, have you seen Dana?”

Penny asked in what she obviously thought was a tough voice, but to the others just seemed childish. Before Hally answered, Clia cut in.

“Now why oh why would we have any idea where your mistress is?”

They all laughed except Penny who looked from one to the other with a very confused expression.

“I… what, what is that supposed to mean?”

Without replying they all laughed and walked away from her making their way to their favourite bench.

The day was uneventful. The usual welcome back assembly, sorting timetables and teachers lecturing them on how important this year was going to be. Hally briefly saw Wes during morning break, but as he was in sixth form his timetable was a lot more flexible and he would have more study time than lessons, so she wouldn’t be seeing much of him actually at school.

What was strange was not seeing Dana at all. She often skived some lessons, but was nearly always at school at some point during the day, even if it was only to meet up with her friends at lunchtime. Hally felt a small pang of guilt for not trying to contact her after her note, but as Corrinne told her, their summer had been busy and enjoyable. Why should they spoil any of it on the likes of Dana who had only ever given Hally grief. With this is mind Hally put Dana out of her thoughts and instead thought how good this school year was going to be. She had Wes and it looked like at last she would have no more trouble with Dana and her gang.