She might have told him she wouldn’t go looking for the thief, but she hadn’t promised, and even if she had, it wouldn’t have stopped her trying. After countless nights tossing and turning over the situation, Skye finally decided to do something about it. She loved old Grandad Joe; his smile, his way of understanding, his warmth and kindness- she loved everything about him. The only thing she didn’t love was disobeying him- which in a way- she had to do. Every night, since the burglary, two weeks ago, her mind had replayed the events of that evening. Skye’s brain was constantly filled with spinning, overwhelming thoughts and theories about daily events. You know the saying ‘ants in your pants?’ Well, Skye had ants in her brain.
Skye sat up sharply and groaned. She was exhausted after yet another restless night of worrying. “Skye, it’s time for breakfast- I made your favourite!” Skye heard a familiar voice calling her from downstairs so she pulled on her slippers and rushed down the windy staircase into the kitchen. “G’mornin Grandad Joe!” she yelled. “Good morning Skye!” Grandad Joe greeted her with a warm embrace. “Be careful running down the stairs like that- you’ll slip and hurt yourself!” Grandad Joe might have been old, but he was very protective. He pulled a chair out from under the table for Skye to sit down on. “Ummm” Skye munched her crepes hungrily, savouring each flavour. “Good?” Grandad Joe asked her. “You bet!” she replied – she smiled to herself, taking in her surroundings. She still had very happy memories of this house from when she was little and came to stay with her Grandad Joe. The kitchen walls were still the same yellow and there were still carnations in the antique vase on the windowsill- a tradition in the family that had been around since Grandma Ella died- a wish in her will. The tradition was that every week, Grandad Joe would buy some carnations- Grandma’s old favourite, and put them in that vase as a memory of her. Skye hadn’t been to her Grandad’s house in Aldbury for ages- not since Grandma had died, and although she missed her parents who were away on a long business vacation- she was glad to be there with her Grandad. At first, Skye was nervous that the bond between her and her Grandad Joe would have disappeared, but she was quickly reassured, and the bond was still there. Skye smiled with contentment, lost in her thoughts- almost so that she forgot the drastic burglary of the Lord of Ascot house from two weeks ago.
“What do you want to do today?” Grandad Joe asked Skye as she reappeared down the stairs; ready, to help Grandad Joe with the washing up. Skye remembered her intentions of visiting the local shop to ask if any locals knew anything about the Lord of Ascot house, Lord Rothschild’s burglary. “I thought we could pop to the local shop.” She answered. “Why do you want to go there then?” Grandad Joe questioned cheerfully. “Umm, to get some more, some more…” she had to think quickly… “Washing up liquid?” She spoke uneasily, hurriedly squirting a load under the water so it looked like they needed some more. Well, at least the dishes would be very clean, Skye smirked to herself, glad as Grandad Joe took in the unusually empty bottle of fairy liquid. For now, they’d just have to be low on supplies of everyday things, until Skye had discovered as much as she needed about the burglary.
Skye and Grandad Joe strolled in through the doorway of the local shop and lingered for a moment. They walked to the aisle with washing up liquid in, and grabbed a bottle as planned. They reached the till to pay for the liquid when Grandad Joe delved into his coat pocket for the money. As part of Skye’s plan, it wasn’t there. “I haven’t got my wallet,” Grandad Joe exclaimed. “Maybe you left it at home,” Skye reasoned. “Have you got any?” Grandad Joe asked. Skye reached into her own pocket and her fingers came into contact with a fiver. “ I haven’t” Skye lied, trying not to give the game away, finding it difficult with the hawk nosed assistant at the counter staring at her with beady eyes. “You can get your Granddaughter to look after the washing up liquid, whilst you go get your wallet and come back here with the money if you like.” The lady at the till finally agreed after an awkward moment of silence. Skye felt like hugging the assistant as that was exactly what she wanted her Grandad Joe to do. Maybe she isn’t as bad as she looks, Skye thought. But before anything else happened, her Grandad Joe refused, not wanting to leave her in the shop. “I have my mobile phone,” Skye said, knowing very well she hadn’t, “and… Trudy will look out for me- I’ll stay here too- I promise.” Skye spoke, reading the assistant lady’s name tag, and silently praying that Grandad Joe would let her stay. “Okay,” Grandad Joe agreed reluctantly and left. Trudy smiled at Skye, revealing a set of yellow, wonky teeth. Skye grimaced, and forced herself to smile back. She stepped back to let someone else in the line, and almost stepped on someone’s toe. “Sorry” She stuttered, as she swivelled round.
Skye stared in awe. She knew it was rude to stare, but how could she not? She felt her cheeks flush pink as he looked at her. He was striking. With those high cheekbones, chiselled jaw, and slim frame- he could have been a model. He grinned and raised his eyebrows in question. He had startlingly blue, sky blue eyes, pale skin and floppy, platinum blonde hair. I could easily spend another hour finding out about the burglary from him, Skye giggled to herself. She twiddled her hair and took a deep breath to speak…
