Fifteen Going on Grown Up (13 page)

Hally looked at her mother and tried a little smile.

“I’m scared mum.”

“I know baby, unfortunately that is part of growing up. But, being scared will be what helps you keep things in perspective. It’s your mind telling you you’re not ready for anything else. If Wes is as decent as he seems, he will understand.”

Hally sighed deeply.

“Thanks mum. I’m so glad I can talk to you about this stuff. There are so many girls in my year that can’t tell their parents anything and I think some of them have already done it, but you know from what we have heard, they don’t seem to have a clue about it. They just seem to be seeing it as some sort of competition; like it makes them more popular the more boys they go with.”

Mum smiled at Hally.

“That my darling is the same as it was when I was your age. But you know, the fact that you and Clia and Corrinne can see that; just shows how much more mature you are compared to those other girls. You will know when the time is right for you whether Wes is a part of it or not.”

At that point Nathan put his head around the door to the kitchen.

“Please can I have breakfast now, before I starve to death?”

He said it in such a sweet little voice that both Hally and mum burst out laughing. Hally stood up and headed for the door.

“Come on squirt, we can’t have that can we.” Then turning to her mum. “Thanks mum, I’m going to get ready.”

Mum nodded and smiled, a little lump in her throat aware that her daughter was truly growing up.

Hally was in her room drying her hair when her mobile phone chirped indicating a message. Quickly she grabbed it and saw straight away it was from Wes.

hi hope you are ok this morning im really sorry about last night i really want to see you today but chris has gone sick so I have to work i will call you later xxxxxxxx

Hally’s first thought was that he was giving her the brush off. Then, furious with herself she told herself to stop being stupid. He had texted her and that was more than she’d expected. So she quickly tapped in a reply.

hi im really glad i heard from you. xxxxx

She was about to press send when she decided to add what she was really feeling, “or some of it anyway,” she murmured.

i really thought you might think i am too young for you and wanted to break up xxxx

This time she pressed send before she could change her mind. After the message went she stood holding the phone tightly with her eyes closed terrified she had said too much. However, within a few seconds it chirped in her hand nearly making her drop it.

no hally I don’t want to break up i knew how old you were from the start its not a problem i will try and see you later if can xxxx

Feeling like she was on cloud nine Hally pulled on her clothes and bounced out of her room. She suddenly realised that she was hungry and decided toast was needed. Mum was still in the kitchen clearing away Nathan’s breakfast dishes. She smiled when she saw her daughter was looking much happier.

“You’ve heard from him then?”

She asked with a smile. Hally nodded as she placed bread in the toaster.

“Yep, he texted me and everything’s ok.”

“Well that is good to hear. I hate seeing you so upset.” Then in a more serious note. “But… sometimes relationships have ups and downs, unfortunately it’s part of life and growing up.”

Hally hugged her mum and sighed.

“Yeah, I know. But, for now I am going to enjoy what I have.”

The toast popped before her mum could reply; Hally buttered it, and seeing her so cheerful mum decided not to say any more.

With just two days and the weekend left of the school holidays Hally was not going to waste a moment. As she finished her toast she dialled Corrinne’s home number knowing Clia had stayed the night before. Without telling her friends what had happened between Wes and herself she quickly arranged to go round to Corrinne’s house.

“I’m taking Nathan to play scheme then going to your grandparents.”

Mum told her as she gathered her bag and put on her flip flops. Hally stopped and looked at her mother.

“Is everything alright with gran?”

She asked tentatively.

“Hally…”

Hally felt a jolt of panic right in the middle of her stomach, and a coldness spread through her. Mum watched her daughter pale and immediately put her arm around her.

“Baby, it’s ok. I didn’t mean to frighten you and I’m not keeping anything from you. Your gran is getting worse, we knew this was going to happen. Granddad is struggling, but neither of them want her to go to the hospice yet. So a nurse who is qualified in this type of care is going to be there. I haven’t met her yet she’s coming today.”

Despite knowing how ill her gran was, Hally still felt a sense of shock.

“Can I come round a bit later?”

Hally asked. Mum smiled.

“Hally, darling of course you can. You don’t have to ask. Bring the girls too, you know your gran loves them, and even though she’s very ill, she wants things to be as normal as possible.”

Hally hugged her mum.

“Ok, I’m going to Corrinne’s now. We will be round a bit later.”

She kissed her mum on the cheek and left for her friend’s house.

At Corrinne’s, Hally quickly brought her friends up to date with both her news about her gran and about Wes. As expected the girls were very interested in everything Hally had to tell them.

“Well, you will know when the time is right for you and Wes Hals.”

Clia told her as Corrinne nodded too.

“Just don’t rush into anything ‘cos you think it’s what he wants or to stop him, you know, getting pushy.”

Hally smiled at her friends.

“Don’t worry. I have no intention of doing anything I’m not ready for, and you know, even though I want to when I’m with him, I know deep down it’s not what I want. Do you get me?”

Both her friends nodded they understood.

“Now, what are we going to take your gran today?”

Clia asked. The other two giggled, because over the past few months they had taken to presenting Hally’s grandmother with a variety of unusual gifts; which gran had enjoyed immensely.

“Mmmm, I have the perfect idea.”

Corrinne told them.

After walking into town to get Gran’s gift, the girls arrived at Hally’s Gran’s early afternoon. They walked into the kitchen through the back door and came face to face with a woman who looked exactly like Mrs Doubtfire. When she spoke though she had a soft sweet voice and a soothing smile.

“You must be Alice’s Granddaughter.”

It was directed at Hally and a statement not a question.

“You have her eyes.”

The woman said before Hally could ask.

“I’m Mrs…”

“Doubtfire.” Whispered Corrinne behind Hally. The woman obviously heard her and burst out laughing; a lovely sing song laugh.

“No, my dear, I’m Mrs Mildred Clattercote. I’m a nurse, here to help.”

Corrinne blushed scarlet to the roots of her hair.

“I’m so sorry, I really didn’t mean to be rude.”

Mrs Mildred Clattercote waved her hand briefly.

“Oh, don’t worry.” And at the look of concern on Corrinne’s face. “Honestly love, in this job you have to have a very good sense of humour. Come on, let’s go and see the person you have come to visit.”

They followed the nurse into the lounge and Hally immediately felt the day chill. Her Gran was propped up on the sofa with a footstool and cushions. She looked comfortable in position, but she had lost weight since Hally had last visited, which had only been a week ago. Her skin was a strange colour, a sort of greyish yellow and her eyes.
Oh her eyes
Hally said wordlessly. They looked so dull, whereas before they always sparkled with youthful mischief. Hally felt tears threaten but forced them back as Gran held out a hand to her.

“Hally, angel, come here and let me look at you. Your mum has been telling me all about this lad of yours. And girls, what have you brought for me today?”

Hally smiled, despite how she looked, the mischief was still there.

The three girls settled themselves around Gran giving her fragile body hugs and kisses. Then Corrinne pulled her bag onto her lap and began removing the usual bits and pieces to find the latest gift. She pulled out an irregular shaped package, wrapped in purple tissue and tied with purple ribbon. Hally’s mother, Granddad and nurse Mildred all gathered around them to see what the present was. Gran carefully unwrapped the gift and burst out laughing, the others joining in when they saw it.

“Oh how wonderful, a bubble kit. I don’t remember the last time I played with one of these; probably when Nathan was little.”

Granddad gently helped her undo the packaging, his eyes sparkling a little from unshed tears; and handed her all the different pieces to make different size bubbles.

“I’d like to do this in the garden please.”

Gran said. Nurse Mildred was right there.

“Of course Alice. It’s warm outside but I think you should wear your cardigan.”

Deftly she helped Gran up and into her cardigan. Then taking her arm gently led her through the patio doors into the garden. To everyone looking, it did not seem as though the nurse was taking most of Gran’s weight, even though they knew she was. It simply looked like she was offering her arm for a bit of support. At that moment Hally knew this was a wonderful lady who was going to make her Gran’s last remaining time as comfortable as possible.

A little while later Hally and the girls were back in the lounge with Gran. The adults had left them alone; but Hally knew Nurse Mildred especially was alert to her Gran’s needs despite not being in the same room. Hally sat on one side of her grandmother, Corrinne on the other side and Clia on the floor leaning against Hally. Gran looked at Hally and the old sparkle was there.

“So am I going to meet your beau?”

The girls giggled at her choice of words.

“Of course.”

Hally replied. Gran gave her a huge smile and for a few seconds she didn’t appear ill at all. Again Hally had to force back a lump in her throat.

“So, tell me all.”

Hally took a deep breath and told her all about Wes. When she finished Gran gave her a deep and knowing look.

“Well I definitely want to meet him now.”

She stated. Mum came back into the room with Granddad and behind them Nurse Mildred carrying a tea tray. Everything seemed just like a normal afternoon tea except for the little plastic cup holding a variety of pills.

After tea the girls decided Gran needed some quiet so they left and set off back to Hally’s. On the way they chatted about the visit and when Hally would broach the subject to Wes about her Gran’s wish to meet him. She was a little worried because although she had spoken about her Gran and how ill she was, they had never discussed him getting to know her grandparents. Now, talking to Corrinne and Clia, Hally realised that in the back of her mind she had thought introducing Wes to her grandparents would look like she was getting too serious.

“I think you should just tell him your Gran wants to meet him, and see what he says.”

Clia announced as they walked into Hally’s kitchen. Hally began pulling cold drinks from the fridge.

“Mmmm, yeah, I suppose. After all it’s what Gran wants that is important. She hasn’t got much time…”

Hally couldn’t continue. The tears that had been threatening all day came in a flood. As she sank into a chair at the kitchen table; Corrinne and Clia wrapped their arms around her and she sobbed and sobbed. None of the girls spoke for some time, then Corrinne quietly pulled a wad of tissues from her bag and handed them to her friend.

“Shh, shh Hals. We are here for you all the way.”

Hally was shuddering as the sobs subsided, her face puffy and red. With a tiny smile she said to her friends.

“I probably look a right wreck.”

“You look like someone who has a very sick grandmother whom you love very much.”

Clia told her. The way she spoke brought a bigger smile to Hally and Corrinne. At that moment there was a knock on the backdoor.

“Oh yikes, I can’t answer looking like this.”

Hally gasped. Clia stepped forward.

“I’ll go.”

She opened the door and immediately stepped back to let the person enter. Hally was horrified when she saw Wes coming into the kitchen. It was the first time he had used the back door, usually knocking on the front. However, when he saw her he rushed to her side and stooping so he was level with her, took her hands in his.

“Hally?”

“It’s ok Wes, I’m ok. We, well we have just come back from Gran’s and she’s so fragile, well, it just got a bit too much for me.”

Wes pulled her to him and held her.

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

He asked sweetly. Hally felt relief flood through her. She leaned back and looked into his eyes. They held genuine concern. So she simply said.