On The Hill

Chapter 10: Bad omens

"Oh it's so good to see you dear, come in"

Arya stepping into the house, wiping her feet at the door. The mat had been at that same front door for as long as she could remember, it's faded bristle barely reading 'welcome' on it.

"It's been ages since I've seen you" she walked into the kitchen to bring out some drinks and snacks. Arya watched her hobble into the living room.

"So how have you been nan?" Arya asked, taking a sip of her drink. She looked at her nans fragile face smile back at hers.

"Well, I've been good, I've done some gardening, cleaning and watching some television of course" she smiled, chucking her innocent laugh, the way all old people laugh.

"What have you been up to?" Her nan asked, tilting her head.

"Well schools been boring since I got back from off holiday" Arya began.

"Well it's going to be, that boy doesn't go to your school does he?" her nan started. Arya frowned,"you know? that boy you met when I was on the phone to you" she laughed.

"How did you know? It-I" Arya couldn't do anything but smile in confusion.

"Oh us old folk know everything, it's our secret gift" she winked.

"Oh right, of course it is" Arya laughed, with a small eye roll.

"I'm sure he's better than that boy your seeing... what's his name... Matty... Matthew?" She spoke.

"Matt..." Arya corrected, with a gulp.

"Ah yes, he seems like a right bugger if you ask me"

"Nan" Arya sighed at her opinion.

"I'm sorry dear, but I won't lie to you, I think you can do better" she shook her head.

"Anyway, would you like some sweets, I've still got some left over" she offered, smiling to her granddaughter. Arya smiled subconsciously, knowing the exact box that she kept them in.

"No I'm ok thank you" Arya kindly declined her offer, watching her nan get up to the next room.

"Oh well if your not here for sweets then why are you here?" Her nan shouted from the kitchen as she brought back a biscuit, taking a seat again.

"Well I wanted to check on you, how did the doctors appointment go, mum told me you went last Saturday?" Arya asked.

"Well, Dr. Mylo said that everything looks ok and that I need to keep eating healthy" Arya raised her eyebrows at the biscuit in her nans hand.

"Oh some treats don't hurt dear"she said, eating the last of it.

"What else did he say?" Arya sat, taking another sip of her drink. Her nan looked at her cup and then to Arya, she sighed.

"Uh, he said my lungs are a little restricted" she stopped, waiting to see Arya's response.

"Oh, how bad is it?" Her eyes narrowed.

"Well it's not great, let's say that, but he said it was to be expected now that I'm getting older" her nan sighed once again, looking down.

"Oh nan, I'm sorry. If there is anything you need or I can help with you know me and mum are here..." Arya said, thinking internally as she spoke.

"I know, I'm very grateful for it." Once again her nan smiled. There was a short silence, Arya tried to imagine the conversation she would of had with the doctor. A flash of a moment past her mind, the picture of a hall, the lights blinding bright. A metal bed with plain sheets. Arya blinked and saw her nan sat back in the seat in front.