Page 59 of Fireworks at Pennycress Inn
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The tick of the cheap white clock on the wall was the only sound filling the small family room as the four of them sat sipping their scalding-hot coffees from the plastic cups. Polly glanced across at Zac’s dad as he still sat reading his paper, every so often placing his cup down on the window ledge and turning the pages dramatically. Why couldn’t he see Zac for who he was? For the kind, caring man he’d raised? It seemed as though he couldn’t even give his son the time of day.
She dipped her head and looked at the white scum floating on the surface of her coffee where the milk powder hadn’t fully dissolved. She knew why, because he hadn’t raised him. From the little Zac had told her, it had been his grandparents who had cared for him, who had moulded him into the man he was today. Not his parents.
Looking across at Zac now, she caught his eye and gave him a small smile.
Reaching across the gap between their chairs, Zac held his hand open, nodding to her.
Polly looked over at his mum, who seemed engrossed in whatever she was doing on her mobile, and took his hand, feeling herself relax as his skin touched hers and she felt the strength of his fingers interlace with hers.
A short knock on the door sounded before a nurse peered through the door and smiled brightly. ‘She’s ready for visitors now. Two at a time, please. Who wants to come first?’
Still holding her hand, Zac made to stand up before leaning back in his chair again as his dad folded his paper slowly and stood up.
‘Let Zachary and his friend go first, Alan. They need to get back to work after all.’ Miranda smiled at Zac and held her hand out, indicating to the door. ‘Go on. Off you go.’
Nodding his thanks, Zac stood up and waited for Polly to join him by the door.
Following him outside, Polly tugged on his sleeve. ‘Hey, do you want me to wait outside?’
Looking back at her, Zac shook his head. ‘No, I think my gran would like to meet you. If that’s okay with you, of course?’
Polly smiled. ‘Yes, it is.’
‘Just through here. She’s in the bed at the end by the window.’ The nurse paused and indicated down the ward.
‘Thank you.’ Taking Polly’s hand again, Zac led the way quietly through the aisle between the beds until they reached the end of the row. Giving her hand a quick squeeze, he let go and drew the blue papery curtain aside.
Polly waited by the foot of the bed as Zac hurried towards his gran, leaning down and kissing her cheek. ‘You gave me a fright, Gran. How are you feeling?’
‘Oh, what a lot of fuss over nothing. I’m fine. Just tripped over my own darn feet, that’s all.’ His gran shook her head, her white curls bouncing across the stark white pillow as she took his hand.
Polly let out the breath she hadn’t realised she’d been holding. She was okay.
‘I think it was a little more serious than that, Gran.’
‘No, no. I told them not to bother with an ambulance. They blue-lighted me all the way here. Anyone would have thought I was about to pop my clogs the way the paramedics were fussing over me.’ His gran chuckled quietly before looking at Polly and tapping her grandson on the hand. ‘Aren’t you going to introduce your old grandmother to this beautiful young lady?’
‘Sorry. This is Polly and, Polly, this is my gran, Maeve.’
Holding her hand up, Polly smiled. ‘Hi, Maeve. It’s lovely to meet you. Zac’s told me a lot about you.’
‘Come on here, Polly, love, and say hello properly.’ Patting Zac’s arm, Maeve batted him away and held her hand out towards Polly.
Tucking her hair behind her ears, Polly approached the bed and took Maeve’s hand. ‘I’m glad you’re okay.’
‘Ah, like I say, all a fuss over nothing.’ Maeve patted her hand. ‘Now, tell me, are you the young lady my grandson has been pining over all these months?’
‘Sorry?’ Polly frowned before twisting around and searching Zac’s expression. What was she saying?
Pulling a face, Zac shrugged.
‘Oi, Zac, I saw that. And don’t you go pretending you don’t know what I’m talking about.’ Maeve pointed at her grandson, stabbing her finger in the air. ‘Is she the one you’ve been telling me about?’
Running his hand across his chin, Zac gave a quick nod.
Smiling, Maeve turned her attention back to Polly. ‘Well, I’m pleased then. I’m glad my Zachary has someone nice to look after him.’
