I don't own Home and Away or any of the recognized characters.
After giving myself a little pep talk, I reached out and pushed the door forward.
Looking around the room before I fully entered I noticed all the white chairs were turned upside down and sitting on the tables. A long high top counter ran about 2 meters long near the top of the room facing towards the door. Five or six high stools sat in front of the counter. A selection of drinks were on display behind the counter.
Near the top of the room at a table with some of the chairs resting properly on the floor, sat a man who I'd recognize anywhere even though I couldn't see his face as he was engrossed with the paper spread out in front of him.
As I took a step inside after what seemed like a life time but was only about 30 seconds a voice called out , "Sorry mate we ain't open yet, call back around 11" he kept his head down and his eyes on with his work not once stopping or looking at me.
Taking a deep breath hoping this was going to pan out the way I wanted it to I took another step further into the restaurant.
" Okay, I suppose if your too busy I could call back",
I only had my sentence out when his head shot up, a smile graced my face as I saw my oldest brother Darryl staring at me. He looked shocked, surprised, confused and finally happy.
I slowly turned around, as if I was going to leave, when I heard a chair being pulled back and hurried footsteps coming towards me.
"Hey, wait! Don't even think about leaving Riley." He threatened, but the joking could be heard in his voice.
I quickly turned around to see my oldest brother standing in front of me, not a second later did he have his arms wrapped around me giving me the tightest hug I had ever received. He pulled back from the hug, still holding me as he looked me over once again as if too see was I really there. After taking me in, he seem satisfied that I was real he pulled me in for another hug placing a small kiss on top of my head.
After a few minutes he finally let me go and took a step back.
" God, you've gotten so tall, and your hair is so long. You've just grown so much" he just kept staring at me as if he was afraid I disappear.
" It has been six years"
Immediately the smile left his face and was replaced with a frown. I felt awkward now.
"I know. I looked for you everywhere I could think off, but you just disappeared. I begged your grandparents to tell me where you were but they wouldn't. I tried everything I could think of but had no luck."
"We moved to Ireland"
He smiled as I spoke, "got yourself a little accent too"
I could feel my face burn a little as I blushed, whenever I visited my grandparents they would always comment on how I picked up the accent so quick, I always found myself blushing when it was brought up.
"Yep" I replied not knowing what to say.
''If you're busy I could call back later?" I asked hoping he would say no and that I could stay.
"What?! No stay!" He exclaimed quite fast. "I haven't seen you in years, I'm hardly going to let you walk out that door and send you on your way, now am I?"
As he spoke I walked further into the restaurant, taking a chair of the table and placing it on the door near to were Darryl was sitting when I first walked in.
"Was hoping you'd say that" I replied with a smile as sat down.
''I can't believe you are really here Riley, it's been over six years. Me and the boys didn't know when we would see you again.'' He just kept starting at me with the biggest smile on his face and I knew I made the right decision in coming to find him and the others.
''Your grandparents wouldn't tell us anything only that you were safe and that your dad was looking after you and not to worry. But it didn't make things easier, you know?''
I knew exactly how he felt, we had always been so close and I couldn't remember a day growing up that I hadn't seen him or spoken to him and suddenly there was no more contact at all. ''I know Darryl, dad wouldn't let me ring any of you and I was afraid that you all would forget me'', my voice breaking as I replied. ''hey, hey , hey, don't be silly how could we ever forget our annoy little sister, there wasn't a day we didn't think of you and don't you forget that'' he told me as he took both my hands in his and squeezed the in comfort. ''okay?'', ''okay'' I agreed with a smile.
"So, were is your old man? You staying for good? He asked with a hopeful look as he took his seat from earlier.
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