Haunted

January 5th

Today I was going to collect Josh from the airport. He had let me know he was flying over yesterday. Dad had agreed that it was okay for him to stay at ours until he got back onto his feet again. I had then had to ring up my old sixth form, and speak to Mr Hunt on the phone. Josh still needed to be in full time education and that was the only place I felt comfortable sending him. I knew it, and I knew it well. I also knew that nothing bad would happen to him there, apart from dealing with Mr Hunt it would probably go really well for him.

Now instead of everyone else ignoring Joe, he was now ignoring me. I had guessed he was pissed off at me for inviting Josh to come and stay but what I didn't realise was that he was that pissed off to give me the silent treatment. Sally was still off with me about the whole Luke thing even though her and Charlie seemed like they were back together. What did I know though?

I had had several missed calls from Jack, along with a dozen voicemail's. He wanted to explain, he wanted to see Shannon, he wanted to see me. I had been honest with him on Christmas Day and now he needed to be honest with himself as he knew that if he didn't pull something amazing out of the bag we were done. Possibly even for good. The sparkling ring that normally inhabited my finger had been tossed aside on my dressing table. I didn't want to remind myself of him at all but everywhere I looked I could see him and feel him.

I just wanted all that to go away.

12:00pm
I was stood in the arrival lounge at the airport. I knew Josh's flight was due to land any minute now but I had arrived early as I didn't know how quick he would be able to get through customs. I walked over to the Costa kiosk and bought myself a hot chocolate. Shannon, who I had clutched to my hip began to cry. The crowds of people that were stood in the arrival lounge turned to stare as her cries got louder and louder.
I began to jiggle her on my hip, trying not to spill my drink in my other hand.
"Come on now. Don't cry." I whispered into her hair.
I walked further away from the crowds to avoid the stares but they continued to follow.  I glanced up at the arrivals board and saw that Josh's flight had landed. I waited patiently for him to walk through the doors. I hoped that he didn't have any trouble getting through customs. He had turned eighteen and I knew he had been nervous flying by himself.
"Lola!"
I looked in the direction of the doors and saw Josh walking through them. One hand firmly on his suitcase trailing behind him, he raised the other one quickly into the air to wave. Shannon opened and closed her fist. That was her cute attempt at a wave. He walked quickly over towards us.
"Hey." I said, putting my free arm around him.
"Thanks for this."
"It's no problem Josh. I never imagined that Gran would kick you out."
"It's her loss not mine." Josh said, smiling.
I knew that deep down he was really hurt by Gran's actions. I started to walk towards the exit, with Josh trailing behind ladened down by his suitcase. Shannon had stopped crying and so the people had stopped staring. I breathed a sigh of relief.

I went to open the door but struggled to open it. Josh rushed forward.
"Here let me."
He pushed it wide open allowing for me to walk through. My car was parked opposite the exit and I unlocked it. Josh opened the boot and placed his suitcase in. I opened the door and strapped Shannon into her car seat. Josh opened the back doors of the car.
"Don't be silly, get in the front."
Josh smiled back and sat in the front passenger seat. He smiled at me as I put the key into the ignition.
"What?"
"You. Just everything you have. You proved everyone wrong Lo."
I pulled away from the space and navigated my way to the exit. Soon enough we were driving the roads home. We had sat in silence for pretty much the whole journey. I turned into the estate when Josh began to talk.
"So this sixth form you enrolled me at, is it decent?"
"Well I went there. I turned out okay."
Josh raised his eyebrows jokingly.
"I did very well thank you very much.
"Do you know anyone that goes there? Seeing as your network of family and friends is so huge."
"No, sorry I don't know anyone there."
I pulled up and parked the car outside the house. I realised I did know someone, but that was Luke. I didn't really want Josh to get involved with him. I paused for breath.
"What is it?"
"Well I do know someone. It's Sally new love interest."
"You mean she's not with Charlie, Jack's brother anymore?"
We both got out of the car. I opened the door to get Shannon out and Josh opened the boot to get his suitcase.
"I don't know. They seemed fine over the holidays but when they went back Monday, they were distant again."
"But this new guy, he's my age?"
"Yeah he is. His name is Luke."
"Cool. I'll hunt him down tomorrow."
I glared at Josh as I lifted Shannon from car seat.
"Lo, I know you're being the protective sister so you don't like him, but maybe I could be your inside guy."
"Josh, he had nudes of Sal on his phone."
"Ah you didn't mention that. Fine I'll steer clear."
"Josh do what you want. Just don't say I didn't warn you."
We slammed the open car doors shut at the same time and walked towards the house.