Chapter 11

Martha lay awake for the next few hours. Reliving the last time she had seen and spoken to Jack in her head. Telling herself he would be alright. All she wanted to do was see him. Was hold him and tell him he would be ok. She had never imagined her life without him and now here she was, being told she may have to, and it broke her heart. Her thoughts of him were interrupted by a knock on the door. She sat up right and dried her eyes. Removing the teardrops that were gathering, and falling down her silky smooth cheek. She watched as Alf slowly opened the door and peered his head inside. The sight of his granddaughter lay sadly with her eyes so sad. He wanted to scoop her up in his arms and never let her go.

"Can I come in?" he whispered, in fear of her being asleep. She rolled onto her side, revealing to him that she wasn't and gave a weak smile. He walked towards her and simply placed his arms around her. She cried heavily. Tears forming onto his shirt. She lifted her head up and looked at him. "I can't lose him Granddad" she cried. He remained silent as a lump gathered in her throat. Alf placed his index finger under her chin and lifted her head so they were face to face. He simply whispered "He'll never leave you. He loves you" she placed her head into her hands. "It's all such a mess Granddad"

"What is?" he asked. His concern for his Granddaughter was growing rapidly. She sighed loudly. "This. Being here. Jack being here. We should be together. At home, cuddling on the sofa. Having food fights in the kitchen. Arguing over who left the bathroom light on when we were in bed. Not stuck in this place. There's so much I need to tell him. And now..."

"What?"

"Now, I might not get the chance". Alf shook his head. "Don't talk like that! You know. I remember when you were a little girl, about eight years old I think you were. You used to tell me that one day you would marry a prince. And that you'd be together forever. I would just pat you on the head and laugh. I wouldn't think anything of it. And now here you are. And you've found that prince. That soul mate. And you will be together forever. He'd be a fool to ever give you up"

"That was then though. I didn't know what I was talking about. I was eight years old. At that age I was wearing vests and dolly shoes. I'm a big girl now" she said. Alf giggled. "Yeh, you're all grown up. But to me you're still that little girl that used to run around with her shoes on the wrong feet brushing her dolly's hair. That will never change. No matter how many times you fall in love. No matter when you get married or have kids. You'll always be a little girl to me" Martha felt more tears roll down her cheeks. Alf gently removed them with his thumb and embraced her into a big bear hug. He kissed her head and whispered "You will live happily ever after, sweetie" just like he had done when she was eight years old...