The Things That I Know || George Michael

one - get it all out

The Things That I Know

Started August 13th, 2022.

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Note: this chapter contains some depiction of loss/grief.

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2014

"Just because I'm in my later years now — doesn't mean I can't run around like I could in my twenties. I used to play all sorts of games with your daddy when he was a little boy!" The joyful chirping of Penny's voice fills the living room at Mill Cottage, as she playfully bends down to squeeze her beloved grandchildren in a sweet embrace. "Both your daddies may be able to run fast — but they're nothing on me."

"Play Tig with us, Grandma!" the delightful voice of the adorable eight-year-old, Gemma, demands innocently. "I bet you'll lose!"

"Yeah! Come on Grandma!" Kieran encourages further, touching his hand to her upper arm in repetitive motions. "Tig! You're it! Tig! You're it!" he jibes with childish glee; he then darts away from her, towards the back garden.

"You cheeky little thing!" Penny gasps, making quick work of following the children — for Gemma has since run off, too. "I'm coming to get you, you know! I'll catch both of you!"

The heartwarming squeals of the Panayiotou-Jones offspring fill the cool autumn air of Goring village; passers-by across the stream smile at the purity of such a wonderful sound as they walk their dogs over the bridge. The little game between Penny and her grandchildren continues on; she manages to tag Kieran twice, though he enjoys the notion of cheating and acting as though she misjudged her aim when coming into contact with him. Soon, twenty minutes have passed; almost within the blink of an eye. Gemma and Kieran pause the game to catch their breaths; although Penny is still full of energy, and tags both of them in turn.

"I was on time-out!" Gemma protests. "We both were, weren't we Kieran?"

"Yeah! I was on time-out too!" Kieran adds, backing his big sister up. "You can't tig us when we're on time out!"

"I swear you two just make the rules up as you go along," Penny laughs, giving in and stopping the game too. "Your fathers will be back soon. Should I tell them you've been good for Grandma today?"

"Yeah!" the children respond in unison, almost like clockwork.

Penny smiles as genuinely as she can at them both; as she's ushering them inside, she can't help but frown a little in worry about her beloved son and son-in-law. The reason she has been enlisted to babysit Gemma and Kieran on this fine September afternoon, is because George and Levi have been called back to London due to a family emergency on George's side. They gave very little context when they left the village; they only told Penny they'd be back as soon as they possibly could. Of course, they have mobile phones to contact one another — but Penny has been trying (albeit rather unsuccessfully) to resist doing so, as not to disturb the men when something clearly isn't right. She heaves a near-silent sigh, as she settles her grandchildren in the living room; she switches the TV on, flitting the channel to CBBC for them to keep them occupied.

"I'm just going to try and call your daddies," she announces, as she heads towards the doorway. "I won't be a minute. Be good for me, please." With the nods of approval from the little ones, she dips out of the room, sliding her iPhone from her back pocket speedily. She accesses her contacts, clicking on Levi's name before bringing the phone to her ear. It rings for a few moments, before going to voicemail.