Eastern District School

Chapter 35 - Secret stories

"You met her?" Rose practically shouted and jumped to her feet.

She didn't budge however, she did take a sip of her coffee. Was she hiding behind that mug too?

"Well of course, I met his mother. Only twice mind. Once before and then at the wedding."

"Well?" Rose stood there, and held her arms out either side of herself, still holding her empty cup.

Her grandmother turned her head to one side with a puzzled look again. "Well what?"

"Well you met my other grandmother and you didn't think to tell me?"

The old woman sat up straight in the chair in defence. "I don't understand why you're getting upset. I didn't know her, I just met her. She seemed a polite enough woman. But why would I tell you that I met her when I haven't got much of an opinion of her?"

"Couldn't you tell from her eyes?" Rose said sarcastically. She shook her head side to side gently as she said the latter word. Shaking her head, she walked back through to the kitchen. Putting her cup in the sink, she held her head low as she stared down into it.

"Rose, what has brought all this up?" came her grandmother's soft voice from the kitchen doorway. She seemed composed, calm...everything opposite to Rose. 

What did she say to that? At least she wasn't getting defensive, crying and not answering questions...like her mother had. 

"I met someone through my work Nan, and erm..." she stumbled trying to find the right words, "Well, to cut a long story short, we ended up coming across some photos of her, with one of his family members."

"Oh I see." The voice remained calm.

Did she?  Did she see the resemblance?

"It's nice that you did get to see some pictures. Since your mum doesn't have any."

It was a statement, rather than a question as she had been expecting. She hadn't tried to argue that the pictures she had seen could have been anyone else. No excuses from her Nan! 

"Yeah, you're right it is."

"Have you got them with you?" the curiosity was clear in her voice.  

"No, they're not mine to keep, but I'm sure I could get some copies. I don't think that would be a problem!" 

Unless of course, the site was being watched when she wasn't even there?

"That would be nice!"

Something told her not to pursue the matter.

"I'm sorry my girl. If I had known something like this would matter to you I would have told you, but you know it is a lifetime ago now."

"I understand. I know I've never had an interest before or any questions, so I'm sorry if this seems a bit sudden."

"I'll tell you all you want to know. Come, I'll make another coffee and I will tell you every detail about them." she smiled at Rose lovingly. 

What a contrast from her mother!

Rose looked up but out of the corner of her eye noticed something move in the garden.  "Goodness me, Nan, your garden table is rolling around in the middle of the back garden. It's worse than I thought out there. "

"Blasted thing, that's all going to be bent out of shape when I get it back up. Mind you an ordinary one would have blown away in that. I'm glad your grandfather chose the Iron one. I see the weather is in our favour though, there's no way you can go back out in that! You'll have to sit and listen to me telling you stories."