Chapter 9 - The Other Grandparents
While her father was on a night out with her Uncle and Godfather, young Tammy was staying with her Grandparents for a few days, she was staying in her Mother's childhood home, a high rise grey council flat with three bedrooms, George and Jessica "Jess" Evans began parenthood at the age of 17 with the birth of Gillian, followed by Danny and the youngest Poppy.
The estate has cooled down over the years, but reported crime is still rampant, and the residents go about their daily lives with caution. The estate's playpark, which is centred around surrounding flats, is quite safe during the day, as long as residents avoid the neighbourhood drug dealers who linger nearby.
Tammy was spending the night with her cousin Tilly.
"This is so old and lame!" Tilly chuckled as they watched older Reptar episodes on the Mikelodian app on the TV.
"I like the old episodes; Dad used to watch them when he was a kid," Tammy added.
"I see you're watching the old Reptar series," George said as he peered through the living room door.
Tammy look's at George and says "Yes, Grandad, I love these episodes"
"When you're done watching your Reptar episode, it'll be Tilly's turn to watch something of her choosing," George explained.
When Jess returns after her long shift at the nursing home, Tammy and Tilly rush up to give their Grandmother a hug. "How's me little cherubs?" Jess asks, giving them both a hearty hug.
"Hello, Jess," George remarked as he grabbed her jacket and hung it on the hook.
"Hello, George, I've had a long day!" said Jess. "Why don't you take a bath?" suggested George.
"That's exactly what I intend to do," Jess stated.
Jess kisses both of her granddaughters and heads to the bathroom to take a bath.
"Right Girls, how about I make you a nice hot chocolate for you both!" George said. "With marshmallows?" Tammy inquired.
"Lots and lots of cream?" Tily inquired.
George's cheerful grin changes to a scowl. "You both are pushing your luck..."
Tammy and Poppy are perplexed, unsure whether they have irritated George.
Sarcastically and dryly humorous George then smiled and replied, "Of course, you can have marshmallows and cream."
"Don't do that Grandad, we were afraid we made you unappy," Tammy said.
"Yeah, Grandad, we thought you were mad!" Tilly stated
"You know your Grandad is only teasing you, you can never make me unhappy," George says as he takes them both up.
"We love you Grandad," Tilly remarked as she rested her head on George's shoulder.
"I love you both very much," George remarked, beaming as he put Tammy and Poppy back down.
"Go on, you little rascals, watch some TV and I'll make those hot chocolates," George remarked.
George walks into the kitchen to begin preparing the hot chocolate, while Poppy takes her turn and chooses to watch the Dummie Bears, much to Tammy's chagrin because she dislikes them.
George recognises the music from the kitchen and adds in the third person, "Oh anything but the bloody Dummie Bears!" "How has that show lasted nearly thirty years?"
Tammy says to Poppy, "I'm going to see Grandad" without attempting to appear disrespectful.
Tilly responds, "Okay, Tammy," her gaze fixed on the TV.
Tammy enters the kitchen, and George looks over and chuckles, "I take it your not a big fan of the Dummie Bears love."
"No, Grandad, the Dummie Bears are annoying except for Awesome Bear, who is the coolest," Tammy said.
"You missing your Dad?" George says as he props Tammy up on the kitchen counter.
Tammy then responds, "I miss Dad, yeah, I'll tell him all about the fun I had here."
"He will miss you even more, just two more sleeps and you'll be back home," George salvages the remaining ingredients.
"Grandad, can I ask you a question?" Tammy requested.
"Of course, you can ask me anything," George murmured, stroking her chin with his finger.
Tammy inquired, "Do you and Gran still miss Mummy?"
George's face drops for a split second, he was ready to respond as it was only natural for Tammy to ask, he takes a big breath and says "Everyday, love"
"I still miss Mummy; I wish she could cuddle me right now," Tammy explained.
George wipes a tear from his eye and gives Tammy a hug, saying, "You can have a cuddle from your Grandad."
"I know you miss your mum; some days you won't feel anything, but other days you'll feel very sad, and that's perfectly normal," George added.
"Yeah, I'm feeling sad right now..." Tammy admitted.
Tammy's eyes well up with tears as she recalls Gillian.
"There, sweetheart, it's all right," George remarked.
"I just want Mummy back!" Tammy exclaimed.
After finishing her bath, Jess enters the kitchen and scoops up Tammy, saying, "hey Gran is here, everything is going to be okay."
Tilly enters the kitchen and inquires, "Tammy, are you okay?"
George strokes Tilly's hair and says, "Your cousin is a little upset, go back to the living room, I'll bring your hot chocolate through."
Tilly returns to the living room, and after comforting Tammy, Jess says, "Aw pet, I know how upset you are."
Tammy wipes away her last tear and says, "I'm sorry..."
"Don't be sorry, Tammy! It's natural to be upset, and don't be ashamed to cry if you need to," Jess advised.
"Your Mummy will always be here," George remarked as he pointed to Tammy's heart.
Tammy exhales deeply and replies, "Thanks, Grandad, I feel better now."
"That's great to hear, go sit with your cousin and I'll bring your hot chocolates and maybe some biscuits too," George added.
Tammy returns to the living area, giving George and Jess some privacy.
"Our poor Granddaughter, she does not deserve this," Jess stated.
"The only way we or Tommy will get closure is if we find the relative of the driver who killed our daughter," George remarked, peering out the window.
"You're right, honey, it's the only way we can put this to rest once and for all, or at least get some answers, the driver was a kid, what was he thinking driving like a looney!" "It was reckless driving that took our daughter's life, but for now, we need to be there for Tommy and Tammy," said Jess.
"Tommy will eventually move on, but no matter what happens, I want him to know he will always be a member of this family," Jess added.
"We will once the dust settles and we cross that bridge," George adds, holding Jess. "All we can do for now is support Tommy and be there for him, he's a strong willed lad and I know he'll come out on top."
Tammy and Tilly had finished their hot chocolates and biscuits and are nestled into bed. "Sweet dreams girls," Jess remarked, kissing them both on the foreheads, George doing the same, then turning off the lamp and saying, "Good night princesses, love you both."
Tilly couldn't help but notice something was amiss with her cousin after the lights were turned off.
"Tammy, where you upset?" Tilly asks.
Tammy rolls onto her side and adds, "I was yeah, I still think about Mummy." "I miss Auntie Gillian as well, you've got me, you're not just my cousin but also my best friend," Tilly added.
"You're also my best friend, always and forever," Tammy smiled.
Tammy and Tilly exchange sisterly embraces before turning over and falling asleep.
End of Chapter 9