**Diary Entry**
The gate creaked open without resistance, hinges freshly oiled. I nodded to myselfgood old Wilkins must have seen to it. Who else would bother?
I crossed the yard, dropped my rucksack by the porch, then wandered aimlessly, fingers brushing the tarnished brass lock. The key Wilkins had one, but I couldnt face fetching it. Too weary from the journey.
Then I remembered. Reaching above the doorframe, my fingers found the dangling black cord. The key was still there. A turn, a quiet *click*, and the door swung open.
The porch welcomed me with a faint sway of embroidered curtainsLucys handiwork. I stepped inside without flipping the light switch. The smell of home hit me, that unmistakable warmth Id ached for. Tears welled up; my heart hammered. Blast itmy pills were in the rucksack.
Back I went, snatched the forgotten bag, slipped a tablet under my tongue. The pounding eased, the ringing dulled, though my temples throbbed. No matter. It would pass.
I sat by the window, motionless till dawn painted the room gold. Eventually, I stretched, wandered the garden, tested the shed doors, checked the woodpile. Everything tidy.
By midday, an engine growled outside. A carnew, flashy. Strangers spilled out, laughing, hauling suitcases and boxes. My stomach twisted. *Emily?* Had she sold the house behind my back?
Excuse me, whatre you doing here? I demanded.
We live here now, piped a boy, no older than four, tilting his head. The adults ignored me, unloading like I was air.
You cant! Who sold it to you? I slammed the door, but they shoved it open, complaining about draughts. *Draughts?* The windows were shut tight.
Ill call the police! I barked, barricading myself inside. Useless. They muscled past.
Hinges need oiling, one remarked casually. *Emily how could you?*
The boy tugged my sleeve. Grandad, will you stay with us?
Stay? This is *my* house! I snatched up photo albumsEmilys childhood drawings, a sketch for Armed Forces Day. My hands shook.
Then Emily arrived. I rushed to her. Love, talk to them She swept past, unseeing.
The boy watched me curiously. They dont hear you.
What?
Mum! he called. Do you see this grandad?
Stop fibbing, Michael, she scolded.
I gripped his shoulders. Tell herremember when we flew to Spain? She screamed, seeing clouds from above for the first time?
Michael repeated it. Emily froze.
And the geese she hated? Or sitting under the apple tree, waiting for inspiration to strike? That boy in schoolCharlieshe thumped him, and his mum turned out to be my first crush
Emilys face crumpled. Dad? *Dad?!*
Michael pointed beside her. Hes here. He says he loves you. And hell always be near.
The room fell silent. Even the blokes wiped their eyes.
Later, Emily sat on the bench, Michael beside her. Hes gone, the boy murmured. But he said Aunt Alice is having a boy.
Emily stiffened. The scan said girl Her phone rang. A nurses voice crackled: *Its a boy.*
She stared at the sky, lips trembling.
*Thank you, Dad and goodbye.*
