Life is Only Beginning
Last night, Emily and her friend Grace swore theyd start their morning with a jog. Even though summer holidays from university had made them lazy risers, they agreed it was high time to get active.
Grace, dont you dare oversleep. I know you love lounging in bed till lunchtime, Emily chided before bed, and Grace promised faithfully.
Em, honestly, I wontI become extremely responsible when I need to, Grace replied, laughing at her own words. If anyone wasnt known for responsibility, it was her.
Emily forced herself out of bed early, so early that even her mother was still home, grumbling over her coffee.
Mum, who are you muttering to in here? Emily asked, amused.
Myself, just have a lookfirst time wearing this new blouse and Ive already spilled coffee on it
And who told me I was careless with clothes? Emily retorted. You could have had your coffee in a t-shirt.
Im in a rush, now Ill have to change. Dont rub salt in my wounds so early. Actually, whats got you up at the crack of dawn? her mother asked, wriggling into a different blouse.
Grace and I arranged to jog in the park, Emily replied seriously.
Oh, dont make me laughGrace is probably still in the land of nod, I can guarantee that. Anyway, Em, Ive got a task for you. When did you last see Granny?
Mum, I rang her yesterday! We talk on the phone every day.
Right. Today, go visit her. Check on her, get her these tablets for blood pressure, and buy some croissants and strawberry jam. Shes sixty-four now. Youre on break, plenty of timeoff I go.
Alright, Ill visit Granny in the morning. Just call me Little Red Riding Hood, except Mum forgot to bake a basket of pies, Emily thought with a smile. Then she wondered, What about the jog?
She dialled Grace, who answered in a sleep-muffled voice.
Yeah oh Em, I overslept! Are you already at the park? Sorry, Ill just
No need to rush, I have to run an errand for Mum. Got to visit Granny, get breakfast, hit the shops, the pharmacy, then head to Grannys. Shes all the way across town, you know.
Fine by me. Ill get some more sleep, Grace replied cheerfully, then promptly hung up.
Mum was right, Emily laughed. Grace really can sleep for England. Though, honestly, Id love to crawl back to bed too.
About an hour later, Emily set out, rucksack loaded with money, the medication list, and an umbrellait looked gloomy outside. She took a double-decker to the far side of London where Granny lived. Time crept towards noon. At last, Emily rang the bell of the flat belonging to Mary Summers.
Granny opened the door swiftly, startling Emily, who stepped back, unsure if she had the right door.
Goodness, talk about a transformation! Emily stared in shock. Gran, is that really you?
It certainly is, Mary said with pride. Emily, do I really look younger?
She spun around slowly for Emilys inspection.
Gran, your haircut is incredibletotal knockout. And wheres your chestnut hair? Youve gone all elegant silver! That manicure is gorgeous. Gran, you hardly look like a granny anymore! Emily giggled.
Do you genuinely like it, Emmy?
Absolutely! Mum said your blood pressure was up, so I brought you medicine, plus croissants and strawberry jam.
Croissants and jam are lovely, but Im avoiding sweets now. Take them back with you.
Oh Gran, youre killing me here. Whats happened to you? Have you fallen in love? You seem absolutely radiantand heres Mum panicking, sending me over to check on you
Thanks, Emmy, you must be busy, yet youre here.
Emily was baffled. Normally, Granny held her hostage till evening, but now it was as if she was being sent away. She double-checked, just to be sure.
Should we have a cuppa, at least?
Not today, love, Ive hardly got a minute. Take your croissants, jam, and heres some scones I madepacked up just for you, Mary said merrily.
Alright then, Gran, Emily agreed, though inside she thought, Somethings definitely up Has Gran got herself a boyfriend?
Tromping down the stairs from the fourth floor, Emilys thoughts raced.
I need to get to the bottom of this. When has Granny ever hustled me out? Theres clearly an old gent mixed up in this Or perhaps shes off with her gaggle of friends to the theatre, or the cinema, or even a caféshes told me about their adventures.
Outside, Emily glanced about and then slipped behind the row of garages at the back. She didnt wait longmaybe half an hourbefore Mary Summers emerged.
Oh-ho, a new outfit for Gran. Wheres she off to? Heading for the park, it seems
Mary strode away purposefully. Emily followed at a distance, careful to remain unseen.
Hope Gran doesnt rumble Im tailing her! she fretted.
But Mary Summers was deep in her own dreamy thoughts, never looking back, completely unaware she had a shadow. In the park, a silver-haired man in a smart coat awaited her, a posy of flowers in hand. Emily ducked behind a bushy lilac. Her granny approached the gent, who handed over the blooms and kissed her cheekand she returned the gesture.
Oh my word, I wasnt wrong. Go Gran! And there I was thinking romance was for the young Look at him holding her handblimey.
Emily crouched low, half expecting them to double back and catch her hiding.
Right, off they go to the café terrace.
Now it all made sense.
Gran has an admirer. This chaptall, charming, theyre both laughing Just like two young lovebirds. Wait till I tell Mum, shell never believe it! Emily thought, then spun aroundand ran smack into a young man filming the ambling pair on his mobile.
Hey! Who are you, and why are you filming my gran? What gives you the right?
The young man started, then recovered his composure.
Im a journalist, maybe. Writing about love in the golden years.
Emily snorted indignantly.
Love? Nonsense. The worlds crawling with scammers these daysold ladies losing their homes to crafty suitors.
Do you really think so? the boys eyebrows shot up.
One hundred percent! And anyway, why single out my Gran for your story? There are loads of people around! I do not consent to you filming herits not on. Thats my gran, and that man could snatch her flat for all I know.
The young man scowled.
If you must know, that boyfriend of hers owns a townhouse in Chelsea. Im staying with my granddad while my parents redecorate.
So hes your grandad?
Yup, thats my grandad Arthur. Noticed how hes changed latelykeeps shaving, bought new jeans, even asked me to pick out aftershave. I knew something was up! What if a gold-digger wants to take his house? It happens all the time
So beside my gran strolls your grandad. My names Emily, by the way. You are?
Charlie, he grinned, then kindly added, Since its all out in the openmaybe we should let them carry on. Frankly, Im fine with it.
Yeahactually, I am too. If Grans happywhats the harm?
Emily, since weve met, want to go to the cinema? Theres a brand new thriller on.
Love to, she agreed readily.
About three months later, Mary Summers rang her daughter:
Love, is Emily at home?
Yes, shes here, Emilys mum replied. Why?
Ive got newsmy very dear friend Arthur Brown has proposed, and Ive accepted. So wish me congratulations! Weve set the date, Im inviting you both. She switched to speakerphone. Were having the wedding, I want you both there.
Gran! Emily shouted, Congratulationsbut why get married at your age? Youre not planning on having more kids!
Emmy, remember, we do things properlyby the book. Our generation was raised this way, not like you all Two weeks and youre off again! With Arthur, its the real deal!
Mum, Emily has a pointmaybe dont bother with the registry office. Just live together.
My dear, the best age to marry is when love finds you. Love knows no age, everyone knows that. For me, I think lifes only beginning! When love knocks, grab it and dash to the registrar.
Alright, Mum, looks like its the real thing. Emily and I will get ready for the big day.
Mum, do you know Emilys seeing Charlie, Arthurs grandson? Granny asked.
I do! She told me, and seems pretty smitten, arent you Em?
Yes, Granyou hear me? Charlies wonderful. Like your Arthur, really! Emily laughed.
Soon enough, family and friends gathered at a cheerful little café to celebrate the wedding of Mary Summers and Arthur Brown. Happiness shimmered around them, and it all felt as surreal as a midsummer afternoon dreamwhere life, no matter your age, only ever begins.
