He pushed the gate, and it swung open silently, the hinges well-oiled and smooth.
«Good old George,» he muttered approvinglyof course, it had to be the neighbour. Who else would look after things?
He walked across the yard, set his rucksack down by the porch, then paced around one last time before reaching the door. For some reason, he brushed his fingers over the round brown lock.
The key…
George had one, but he didnt feel like going over just yet. The journey had worn him out.
Then he remembered. He reached above the door, feeling aroundah, there it was. He unhooked the key from a black string and slid it into the lock. It clicked, and the door opened easily.
Stepping inside, he was greeted by the soft sway of delicate embroidered curtains in the breeze. Emma had made those, he thought, before walking further into the house.
He moved through the rooms without turning on the lights. The air smelled like homehow he’d missed that scent. His eyes stung, and his heart pounded wildly in his chest.
Blast it. He fumbled in his pocketsno, his pills were in the rucksack.
He doubled back to fetch it, then placed a small life-saving tablet under his tongue. The frantic thudding in his chest eased, the ringing in his ears dulled. Only a dull ache in his temples remained. That would pass.
He sat there, breathing deep. So peaceful. So right.
Home.
«Whos there?» A voice called from the open door. «Eh?»
«It’s me, Bill…»
«Ethan, is that you?»
«Aye.»
«Whereve you been? Your Natalie came by with some folkssaid you were in hospital, no one knew what was happening.»
«Theyll be waiting a while,» he chuckled. «What sort of folks?»
«Who knows? City types. Natalie kept showing em around. Reckon they were buyers, we thought.»
«Right. Well, never mind. Ill sort it. The wifes got supper onwhy not come over, eh? Have a proper catch-up.»
«Nah, not tonight, Bill. Thanks for keeping an eye on the place.»
«Ah, dont be daft,» the neighbour fussed. «Come on, then?»
«Thanks… Im home.»
«Suit yourself. Ill be quick.»
As if hed go anywhere else. This was his house.
He sat by the window and stayed there till dawn, watching the sun rise through the glass.
Stretching, he wandered outside, checking every cornerthe shed, the woodpile, the garden. All tidy.
By midday, an engine rumbled. He stepped out to the gatea car.
Who was this? Natalie in a new motor?
Laughing, lively figures unloaded bags and suitcases. He blinked. Natalie? How? Behind his back, shed sold the house?
«Whats this, then? Who are you lot?»
«Were moving in, grandad. Whore you?»
«Moving in? Who said you could?»
«We bought it,» piped up a little boy, head tilted. The others ignored him, hauling boxes inside.
«Bought it from who? This is my house!» The old man slammed the doorbut they just pushed it back open, complaining about the draft. What draft? Every window was shut.
«Ill call the police!» He tried barricading himself inside, but they shoved pasttoo strong for an old man.
«Hinges need oiling,» one muttered.
Natalie, Natalie how could she? Sold it all while he still breathed.
«Grandad, will you live with us now?»
«Live with you? Noand neither will you! This is my house!»
They kept packingphotos, drawingshe snatched one back. Natalie had sketched it for him on Armed Forces Day. And now? Shed sold their homehis, Emmas, hers.
Then she arrived. He rushed forward.
«Natalie, love» She strode past, just like her mum used to. «Natalie!» He hurried after her. «Im here!»
«She cant hear you, grandad. None of them can.»
«What? You can.»
«I can. They just scold me for fibbing.»
«But look. Mummy, can you see this grandad?»
«Mikey, enough! Or youre in trouble.»
«See? They dont see you.»
«How Natalie doesnt either?»
«Shes asking which grandad.»
«Im her father! Tell her Im here!»
The boy relayed it allhis confusion, his hurt.
Natalie froze.
«Mikey describe him.»
He did.
«Childs imagination,» someone muttered.
«Can you tell her something only Id know?»
The boy nodded.
«Remember flying on that plane? You screamed, seeing clouds from underneath?»
Natalie went pale.
«Or how you hid from geese? Sat under the apple tree, waiting for one to bonk your headlike Newton? And in Year Six, you thumped that lad Adrian silly till his mum came round. Turned out she was my first sweetheart.»
«Dad only he called me that. Where is he, Mikey?»
«Right here. He didnt say goodbye properly, so he came back. I love you, darling. Ill always be near.»
The family wept. Even the men wiped their eyes.
«A miracle,» someone whispered.
Natalie sat on the bench with Mikey, speaking softly.
«Dad,» the boy murmured. «Ive got to go.»
«Pa papa.»
«Dont cry, my Nat. Its time.»
She hugged the boy, sobbing.
«Hes gone,» Mikey said. «But he promised hes close. And he said Alice is having a boy.»
«What? The scan said girl! Alice is in labour now»
Her phone rang.
«Hello? A boy? But we picked a girls name! No, no, Im over the moon.»
She gazed up at the sky, thoughtful.
«Thank you Papa. And goodbye. The wind stirred the curtains one last time, lifting them like a quiet breath.
A teacup rattled on the shelf, though no hand had touched it.
And in the garden, the old mans favourite chair sat emptyyet the morning sun warmed the cushion as if still holding his shape.
