Sky

|C H A P T E R O N E |

Chapter One

 The bus slowed as we arrived towards the last stop. The town was small, cute, nothing exciting. I hadn't imagined a woods around the town. I was told it was a coastal town with a close-knit community. And that everyone was related, and the town had several sewing circles and 'bitchy ol' nags'. I picked up this information from Ms. Flynn, a middle-aged woman who wouldn't stop fidgeting in the seat beside me. She had sat down in the empty seat beside me and had interrupted my gazing out the window. She had two kids, a son called Conor, and she had recently adopted a girl named Nonna.

I was glad to say a polite goodbye to this woman, her babbling was thinning my patience. According to Ms. Flynn, who's first name i never discovered, I would see her quite often around town.

  I had never met my Grandmother or Grandfather on my mother's side. My mother had told me from a young age that she wasn't a fan of her own parents. I had never questioned her disliking for the old couple. Yet standing here infront of this tall, grey-haired lady i don't understand how anyone could dislike her. All she's missing is an apron and then she'd be your stereotypical sweet old Grandmother.

"Skylynn", she smiled fondly.

"I perfer Sky, Sue?"

"And i perfer Grandma or Gaga", She laughed, "Come, let's get you home and something to eat".

  The walk home was pleasant. Sue had arranged some work for me while i stayed with her. It was nothing too crazy, just waitressing in a local café. She filled me in on little bits of information about the town. Everything was in walking distance and the people were kind. I shouldn't have any issues.

Sue lived in a small, three bedroom bungalow. Standing in the kitchen waiting for me, was Jerry. Jerry, my grandfather, was quite tall with a big beer belly and thinning hair. He pulled my into a bear hug and welcomed me.

He was a photographer, a fan of nature and sunrises. Sue was mad for baking and making jam from the fruits that grew in her garden. I took note of these things when my mother had told me a few of her childhood memories.

  Once i had stuffed my stomach with all types of breads, cold meats, cheeses and salads, i brought my bag to my room. I was staying in my mother's old bedroom. The doublebed was squished into the corner of the tiny room, a small wooden desk sat to the side of it with a lamp. A chest of drawers and a large window framed the other side of the room. The walls were cream and bare. Simple yet sweet.

  It was getting dark when i finished unpacking my bags. Yet i was eager to adventure out into the town my mother came from. Fortunately, Jerry was in need of some batterys and was open to company.

  "So tell me, how is Beth?"

I very much enjoyed my grandfather's casual conversation.

"She's fine. She's occupied, Aaron's wedding is approaching fast."

"I can't wait for an invite to your brother's wedding so", Jerry scoffed. Aaron had already sent out the invitations, i was surprised i was invited. As we entered the town i broke the heavy silence that had fallen around us.

"What did you do before you retired?", i couldn't think of anything to ask the man.
"Construction, I owned a family buisness".
"What happened to it?".
"I sold it on then took up the camera. I make a small bit of money from wedding shoots and the odd scenery photo."
"Have you always lived here?".
"No, I'm from a village a couple of kilometres away. Sue wanted to stay here when we got married. She wanted to be with her family. It's a quiet place for quiet people."
"It seems sweet, harmless if I'm honest", Nobody seemed to be a murderer yet.

The old man just smiled at my comment. After a sigh he turned to me, "We're nearly there pet, I'll show you the town square. The cafe you will be working in is there, it is open until 10 o'clock so head in and order, I'll have a black coffee. I'll only be ten minutes or so."

~

Like Jerry had said, the cafe was among the shops and buildings that enclosed the town square. After ordering for myself and Jerry, i sat down beside a window that faced into the box-like array of shops and houses.

The buildings seemed old, the grey brick of the structures were worn. It was quiet appart from the odd person scurrying by. Sitting across from me was a grocery store and a hardware shop. In the corner to my left was a battered book outlet and in the corner to my right was a post office. Nothing special.

As i investigated my surroundings, the waitress brought me over my herbal tea.

"Sue's granddaughter?" she laughed at my surprise.

"Yes", It came out more like a question, I didn't know this woman. She was younger than me, maybe in her late teens.

"Nice to meet, Sue mentioned you. You have her nose."  

I subconsiously raised my fingers to my face. I read the tag on the t-shirt.

"It's nice to meet you too Nonna. I'm gong to start work here on Wednesday".

"Welcome to the team", she beamed. "It is Skylynn, right?"

"Sky", i corrected her.

As she opened her mouth to reply, the bell rung behind her. Jerry nearly fell through the front door. He plonked himself down into the chair across from me. Nonna then scurried away.

"Hello my dear". He then faced the cashier's counter, "I'll have that coffee know Nonna".

"Did you get everything okay, Jerry?"

"I sure did, see that uniform Nonna's wearing? There's one in your closet for Wednesday."

"Thank you. Is this town very old?"

"I don't know much about it but from what I've heard it's been here since the 1600's. Apparently it hasn't changed much and the people around here still have the same views." As he talked i studied his face. He had nice features, a straight nose, bushy eyebrows and light stubble growing across his jaw. Under his eyes were two dark half-circles indicating that late night's and early mornings were part of his daily schedule.

"Come on, it's getting close to 10 and Nonna will want to lock up". I didn't need to be told twice, my eyes had began stinging and begging for rest.