Taking On A New Challenge (Graylor)

Ice Cream Parlour

Chapter 8

Grant POV

I’d received a text from Taylor about 10 minutes ago stating that they were on their way to the Ice cream Parlour. But I wasn’t sure I could go anymore now as Claire had asked me to come home and look after Lulu as she had a call back for some job. She couldn’t take Lulu with her and didn’t want to have to call a friend or someone when she knew that I would do it for her. I love Lulu but I couldn’t believe that Claire would do this after I’d called her this morning to tell her I was going to be out tonight. I’m not entirely sure whether I can keep going like this for much longer considering that she treats me like I’m her slave and still claims that she loves me dearly- I’m not so sure.

I know Claire doesn’t want Lulu to go out tonight as she’d been in a bad mood all day today after Claire had let her stay up late last night. But I had one appointment which a little girl who has never tried ice cream and Taylor. I wasn’t going to disappoint them by not showing up and that meant Lulu and I were going out for ice-cream whether Claire liked it or not. She’d placed Lulu with me and insisted on going out so I was simply taking Lulu with me for my plans which had no disruption on Claire whatsoever.

“Lulu, go get your shoes on. We’re going out” I called down the hall where I knew Lulu was watching TV.

“Mommy said we’re not to go out” Lulu remarked walking into the hall where I was slipping on my shoes.

“Well Mommy’s not here and I’m meeting with my friend Taylor, you remember her right?” I said though Lulu looked at me slightly suspicious with what I was doing. Though once she heard Taylor’s name she nodded happily. The interesting thing that I’ve found with Lulu is that she has a mischievous said where she tries to push boundaries and likes to try things with me that she wouldn’t dare with Claire.

“Where are we going?” Lulu asked as she placed her sandals on and followed me out to the car.

“We’re going to get ice cream. Taylor’s foster daughter Mary has never tried ice cream before and I said I’d pay for her first one” I explained locking the front door and Lulu went to get in the car.

“Auntie Taylor has a daughter?” Lulu asked

“Yeah, she adopted a girl when we were away on our holiday” I explained pulling out of the driveway.

G: Sorry, I had change of plans. I’m bringing Lulu but we’ll be slightly late I texted before heading off.

T: Ok, See you soon :)

When I parked the car I could see that Taylor and Mary were already inside but I hoped that Taylor hadn’t bought her ice cream yet. It was supposed to be my treat and I wanted to see what she thought about Ice cream and what it tasted like. I waited for Lulu to get out of the car before accompanying her inside. Whilst Claire and I will have our little fight and we disagree on a lot of things. Claire and Lulu were my family and I couldn’t imagine my life without them or at least my life would be very different. There are feelings for Taylor but I know I’ll never act on them as she would only reject me and there is no reason to try if it’s only going to end up in a rejection anyway. Lulu is the closest thing that I have to a daughter and we’ve got a really tight bond which is why can’t imagine ending things with Claire. If I was to end things with Claire then my relationship and bond with lulu would be affected and she would probably hate me for leaving her and her mom. I couldn’t end things with Claire and Lulu just to get with Taylor and become close to Mary. Mary’s about seven years older than Lulu but I’ve done so many things together with Lulu that it’s just heart breaking to think about not being part of her life.

“GRANT!” I heard someone call my name and turn to see Mary waving us over and Taylor was on the phone to someone- obviously Ed. I guided Lulu over to the table but I could see that she was still confused as to who the girl with her “Auntie Taylor” actually was.

“Hey Mary, sorry we’re late” I said before Mary shuffled closer to Taylor so that there would be room for Lulu and I to fit into the booth which they had found.

“It’s okay, she made us wait on getting ice cream because apparently it your shout?” Taylor said after placing her phone down.

“Of course, I’m hardly going to miss out on you trying a new experience. Besides Lulu and I were going to come and have ice cream tonight anyway” I say smiling at Mary but I could see that Lulu was looking at me a little confused. It was a partial lie as the first bit had been true but as for Lulu and I going to have ice cream anyway that was a lie as I’d not planned to be looking after her tonight when I made the plans with Taylor.

Mary POV

I had no idea that Grant was a dad or that he had a family but when he’d arrived just now he’d brought a little girl with him. Taylor had told me about Claire and how she was Grant’s girlfriend but I didn’t think that he would have a child or at least he child would be as old because I dint think that Claire and Grant have been together that long but I could be wrong.

“Taylor, who’s that?”  I asked pointing my eyes towards the little girl who had come in with Grant. Grant had gone to order our ice creams. I’d picked a flavour when we were waiting for Grant to turn up.

“Lulu this is my foster daughter Mary. Mary this is Lulu- Grant’s step daughter” Taylor explained.

“My real name’s Maddie but I prefer to be called Lulu” Lulu explained and I was initially studded at where she had gotten lulu from as there was no lu’s in Maddie or Madeline.

“Nice to meet you Lulu” I say holding out my hand as it appears that people great each other by shaking their hands. I’ve never seen it before but I suppose I’m living in a different area from where I used to and they must have do things differently here. Lulu just stares at my hand and then at me like I’m a freak and refused which was awkward as I didn’t know how else to introduce myself. I understand that I’m a lot older than her as she looks about 6 and I’m 13 but I’ve had many younger siblings in my other families so it’s not like I’ve never seen one before. Something is different about Lulu but I’m sure we’ll become friends eventually.

“I’ve got 2 Choc Mints, a Raspberry Swirl and a Chocolate Marble” Grant said as he brought all the ice cream over. I’d ordered a Choc Mint and I knew that Taylor had ordered the Raspberry Swirl but as for Grant and Lulu I wasn’t sure what they were having. I watched as Taylor grabbed mine and hers whilst Grant gave Lulu a choc mint one before taking the Chocolate Marble one for him. Lulu and I had the same style of ice cream which could be helpful if I had the guts to start up a conversation. I was more likely to talk to Lulu then if it was another adult as  I’m shy around adults but not so much around younger children.

“So you like choc mint?’ I ask as I watch Lulu dig into her ice cream, she smiles and nods. I haven’t tried any of my ice cream yet as I don’t know what it’s going to taste like and if I’ll like it. 

“You haven’t touched yours Mary, You alright?” Taylor looked towards me

“What if I don’t like it? You’ll have to give money to grant for me not liking something that he bought me” I say

“I’m sure you’ll like it, just give it a try” Grant said though I was still hesitant as to giving it a go.

“It tastes like Taylor’s choc mint cookies” Lulu piped up

“Are that the one’s you made when I arrived? “ I asked looking at Taylor whom nodded. I’d really enjoyed her cookies which could only suggest that I would like this as well. I took a breath and then scooped a little it up on my spoon before placing it in my mouth. Grant and Lulu had been right, the texture of the ice cream was a bit weird but the taste is really nice. It really did taste like Taylor’s cookies except cold. Although it would take some time to adjust but thankfully for today I had plenty left and I could enjoy and savour the taste and experience of ice cream.