Loss and Longing

The next morning Stevie couldn’t keep the smile off her face.

Watching her as they prepared to open the shop for the day Rachel said “okay give. Yesterday you were biting everyone’s head off and today you are floating on air. Has this got something to do with that guy who paid to fix your car?”

“No” Stevie said, she did not want to discuss Grant with anyone yet, but she couldn’t make her denial sound convincing.

“Yeah right” Rachel said with a smile. “Come on, I can tell by the look on your face that something’s happened.”

Stevie grinned.“Okay, something’s happened but I have no intention of telling you about it.”

Rachel laughed. “You just did. If it wasn’t big you’d have told me.”

Stevie laughed “well that’s all you’re getting.”

“For now” Rachel teased.

“Yes, for now” Stevie said “now get back to work.”

Rachel laughed and giving her a mock salute, moved off.

Even though they were busy, the day still dragged for Stevie. But at last it was time to close up. Saying goodbye to Rachel and dodging more of her questions, she drove home and picked up her younger brother Dean, to take him to his basketball training. Her mother worked longer hours than she did, so she often had to transport her younger brother and sister after she’d finished work.

She dropped Dean off at the local stadium before rushing back home to shower and change. Then picking him up again an hour later, she dropped him back at home. “Tell Mum I won’t be late” she said to her brother.

“Yeah okay” Dean said flicking his long hair out of his eyes. Then jumping out of the car he said, “see ya.”

“Bye” she said and headed to Grant’s place. But the closer she got to it, the more nervous she became. Her hands sweated and shook and she had to take deep breaths to try and calm herself. Ten minutes after leaving home, she pulled up next to his house. It was just before seven. She looked out through the windscreen at the building in the low light and could see lights on in some of the windows. She took a deep breath and got out of the car.