Winding up

Adam wound the clock, unsure of how to respond.

"Aw, I'm sorry love," his gran was saying. "I don't mean to nag you. If you're meant to write whatever it is, only you can decide to do it; that's what I mean to say. I just wanted to talk to you about something real, something important to you - rather than the usual chat we have."

He turned to her, about to protest that he enjoyed their talks.

"Oh don't get me wrong, Adam. I like our time together. I like the fact there are no surprises - and I think you do too. But I just wanted to ... maybe it wasn't such a great idea."

Adam could see his gran thinking.

"There's so much I could tell you - but where to start? There are things going on in this town, Adam, things that are hard to believe - and they're not the half of it. Don't give me that look, now - I know you think nothing happens around here, but you're wrong. You don't know how wrong, and I hope you never have to."

Again, she paused, as if unsure how to continue.

"I suppose what it comes down to is this: I may not be around for a while, love. I don't want you to worry about me, but don't expect to see more for - oh, at least a couple of weeks. Got that?"

Surprised, Adam managed to ask, "where will you be, gran? Are you going on holiday or something?"

"Or something," she smiled.



Story starts here.