Fabulous Spec-Fic Smackdown

Grandma

Round 3 - Part 1

(Author's Note: For this round, we challenge you to write a story about a character turning sixty-four based on a line in the song When I'm Sixty-Four.)

Grandma

Lyrics used: Grandchildren on your knee
Vera, Chuck and Dave

I shifted my basket to my left hand and knocked on the door. A moment later it was flung open by a small girl with curly red hair.

"Grandma!" she beamed. "It's Grandma!" she called over her shoulder. Two small boys pounded down the hall, followed by Kate, their mother and my daughter. Unlike the children, Kate looked stressed and annoyed.

"How often have I told you to wait for me before you answer the front door?" She scolded her daughter.

Vera stared back, surprised. "But it's Grandma!"

"I know that, but it could have been anyone! Next time, wait."

Vera's expression turned mutinous. "But-"

"That's enough," announced Kate, firmly. I cleared my throat.

Kate turned to me. "Sorry. How are you, mum?" We hugged awkwardly.

"Fit as a fiddle," I told her, smiling. "You look tired, though," I added, before I could stop myself.

Kate grimaced and ran a hand through her hair. "Yes, a pupil free day... which I had totally forgotten about! I thought it was next week. I had planned to go to the Mortlock, but... Never mind. Come in."

I followed her down the passage to the kitchen, the children surrounding me, each vying for my attention.

"There's no school today, did you know that?"

"Did you bring us a present?"

"What's in the basket, Grandma?"

Kate spoke over the top of them. "We didn't have an arrangement today, did we?" She sounded anxious.

"No, it was a spur of the moment thing. I just thought I'd pop around and see if you were free for a coffee."

"Oh, that's all right then. I'd hate to think I'd forgotten that as well!" She gave a smile that was more like a grimace. She looked like a woman near the end of her tether. And although I thought a lot of it was self-inflicted, who was I to judge?

I came to a sudden decision.

"Why don't I stay and look after the kids for a bit while you go to the library?"

"Oh, would you?" Relief washed her face for a moment before she had second thoughts. "But Darren-"

"Darren isn't here," I pointed out, rather tartly I confess. "You go and do your research. We'll be fine. No running with scissors and we promise not to play in the traffic."

Kate shook her head, smiling despite herself.

Dave rolled his seven-year old eyes.

"Why can't we run with scissors?" asked Charlie, earnestly, really wanting to know.

Vera frowned. "That's silly, Grandma. Playing in traffic would be dangerous."

"You are so right," I told her. "And so is running with scissors. Just imagine if you fell over."

Charlie looked unconvinced and I resolved to have a quiet chat later.

Kate was still dithering, knowing that Darren wouldn't approve but I could tell she was eager to have some quiet time on her project.