‘Do you think she’ll be home soon? Maybe before Christmas?’ I asked.
‘I don’t think anyone knows the answer to that one, son. Not even the doctors,’ Dad replied, one eye still focused on the TV screen. ‘I’m sure she’ll come home as soon as she can. How about you both spend Christmas here, with me? Hell, you can even bring that crazy old bat if you want, it’s Christmas after all.’
Suddenly, West Ham scored another goal, sending both Dad’s mood and his attention elsewhere. There was ABSOLUTELY NO POINT trying to talk to him now. It was almost dinner time, so hopefully Rose would be back soon, and we could go home.
Of course, I loved Dad, but Christmas just wouldn’t be right without Mum there. And I DEFINITELY couldn’t imagine Dad cooking a WHOLE TURKEY, let alone an ENTIRE Christmas dinner. He wasn’t exactly renowned for his culinary ability. A smart-price oven pizza was about as good as it got.
And I still hadn’t heard anything from Lukas all day. Perhaps the match had been extremely far away, like in Scotland or somewhere, and that’s why he hadn’t texted me to let me know how it went. Or perhaps he WASN’T TALKING TO ME AGAIN, after all.
Rose did eventually return to Dad’s and we went back home for dinner. When we let ourselves in, Grandma was already in the living room, waiting for us. This was starting to become a bit of an ALARMING HABIT of hers.
‘Rose, Jake, sit down,’ Grandma said. ‘I’ve got some good news for you.’ She smiled at us both encouragingly.
I sat down on the sofa next to Grandma, and Rose took the armchair opposite. We were both QUIET AS MICE for once, wondering WHAT ON EARTH this piece of good news could POSSIBLY be.
‘As you know, I’ve been up to the school, and I’ve spoken to your teachers and to social services.’ She paused briefly, looking at us both before carrying on. ‘And we’ve decided it’s best for you both to stay here, with me, for now.’
‘So, you’re not to worry, either of you,’ she continued. ‘Even your father’s agreed to help out, though I’m sure that won’t be necessary. You’re to go to school as normal, nothing else is going to change, at least for the time being.’
I looked at Rose and she looked back at me, our faces mirror images of SHOCK AND SURPRISE.
‘But who is going to look after us?’ I stuttered.
‘Well, I am of course, silly,’ Grandma replied. ‘And you’re both old enough to help out around here a bit more. I have looked after you both before, you know, and your mother before that.’
I tried to rearrange my face from A LOOK OF HORROR to one of REASSURED HAPPINESS. It WASN’T EASY. On the other side of the coffee table, I could see Rose trying to do the same.
‘At least we can stay here,’ Rose ventured. ‘In our own home.’
‘Stop worrying, both of you. Everything is going to be absolutely fine. I’m going to cut down my shifts at the hospital. And your mum will be home before you know it,’ Grandma said, an air of finality about her.
Obviously, I was COMPLETELY RELIEVED that we weren’t going to be ORPHANS and sent away to some TERRIBLE PLACE where they’d probably CHAIN US UP and make us WORK FOR A LIVING.
I tried to be OPTIMISTIC. Grandma would look after us and we’d take care of Grandma. What could POSSIBLY go wrong?