Early Spring
Little Emily, a four-year-old girl, studied the “newcomer” who had recently appeared in their courtyard. He was a silver-haired pensioner sitting on a bench, leaning on a walking stick like a wizard from a fairy tale.
Emily asked him point-blank:
“Grandad, are you a wizard?”
When he shook his head, she looked slightly disappointed.
“Then why do you have a staff?” she pressed.
“It helps me walk, makes it easier to move around,” explained George Wilson, introducing himself.
“So you must be really old then?” Emily continued, her curiosity unrelenting.
“To you, perhaps, but to menot so much. Its just my leghurt in a bad fall. Needs time to heal, so the stick helps for now.”
Just then, Emilys grandmother stepped out, took her hand, and led her toward the park. Margaret Greyson nodded politely to their new neighbour, who smiled back. Yet it was Emily he bonded with most. While waiting for her grandmother, the little girl would dash out early to share news with her elderly friendabout the weather, what Gran had cooked for lunch, or how her playmate had been poorly the week before.
George always had a fine chocolate sweet ready for her. Yet he noticed something oddeach time, Emily thanked him, unwrapped it, took a single bite, then carefully folded the rest back into the wrapper and tucked it into her coat pocket.
“Why not eat the whole thing? Dont you like it?” George asked once.
“Its lovely! But I want to share with Gran,” she explained.
Touched, he gave her two chocolates the next time. Yet again, she took only half and saved the rest.
“Whos it for now?” George chuckled, amused by her thriftiness.
“Mum and Dad! They could buy their own, but they still like being treated,” Emily reasoned.
“Ah, I see. Sounds like a very close family,” George observed. “Youre a lucky girland kind-hearted too.”
“Grans kind as well. She loves everyone so much” Emily began, but Margaret had already emerged, holding out her hand.
“Oh, George, thank you for the treats, but Emilyand Ireally shouldnt indulge. Forgive us.”
“Well, what am I to do then?” George scratched his head. “What *can* I give you?”
“Weve everything we need at home, but thank you,” Margaret smiled.
“No, that wont do. I insist on being a good neighbourno secrets about that,” George grinned.
“Very well. Nuts, then. And well only eat them at home, with clean hands. Agreed?” Margaret looked between Emily and George.
Both nodded, and soon, Margaret found walnuts or hazelnuts tucked in Emilys pockets after their meetings.
“My little squirrel, hoarding nuts!” Margaret teased. “But these are pricey these days, love. George needs his medicinessee how he limps?”
“Hes not *that* old, and hes not limping! His legs getting better,” Emily defended him. “He even says hell ski again by winter!”
“Ski? Really?” Margaret raised a brow. “Well, good for him.”
“Gran, can I get skis too?” Emily begged. “George promised to teach me!”
As weeks passed, Margaret noticed George walking briskly along the park pathwithout his stick.
“Grandad, wait for me!” Emily would sprint to catch up, matching his stride.
“Save a spot for me too!” Margaret would call after them.
Soon, the three walked together daily. For Margaret, it became a pleasant routine; for Emily, a lively game. The girl had energy to sparedashing ahead, dancing on the path, clambering onto benches to wait, then marching beside them, chanting,
“Left-right, left-right! Heads up, steady pace!”
After their strolls, Margaret and George rested on the bench while Emily played with friendsthough she never left without a handful of nuts from George.
“You spoil her,” Margaret fretted. “Lets save this for holidays, please?”
George confessed thenhed lost his wife five years prior and had only just downsized from his three-bedroom flat to a one-bedder, freeing up space for his sons family.
“I like it here. Never been much for crowds, but a few good neighbours make all the difference.”
Two days later, a knock came at his door. Emily and Margaret stood there with a plate of scones.
“Weve come to treat *you*,” Margaret said.
“Have you got a kettle?” Emily added.
“Absolutely! What a delight!” George ushered them in.
Over tea, the flat felt cosy. Emily studied Georges bookshelf and his collection of framed landscapes while Margaret watched, pleased by his patience as he explained each piece.
“My own grandchildren live too farand theyre at university now. I miss them,” George admitted. “But your Grans still young!” He ruffled Emilys hair and handed her paper and pencils.
“I only retired two years agono time to mope,” Margaret said, nodding at Emily. “Besides, my daughters expecting again. Were lucky to live so closepractically all together.”
All summer, the trios friendship grew. Come winter, true to her word, Margaret bought Emily skis, and they took to the groomed trails in the park.
George and Margaret became inseparable, while Emilynot yet in schoolspent most days with Gran, ensuring their trio met daily. But one morning, George left to visit relatives in London.
Emily missed him terribly, pestering Margaret about his return.
“Hell be gone a whole month, love. But well keep an eye on his flatthats what friends do,” Margaret said, though she too had grown fond of his thoughtful company, his gifts, and his cheer. Hed even helped themfixing loose sockets, replacing bulbs.
After just a week, his absence weighed on them. Theyd step outside and glance at the empty bench where he used to wait.
On the eighth day, as Margaret hurried out, she frozethere was George, right where he always sat.
“George! Youre back early! I thought youd stay longer?”
“Ah, Londons too noisy,” he waved it off. “Everyones busyjust sat about waiting. Saw them, had a chat, and that was that. But herewell, Ive grown attached. Missed you both like family.”
“Grandad, what did you give your grandkids? Sweets?” Emily asked.
The adults laughed.
“No, poppet. Theyre grownmoneys better for them. Let them learn, make their way,” George said.
“Im glad youre back. Feels rightall of us together,” Margaret smiled.
Emily hugged George, melting his heart.
“Weve stacks of pancakes todayall sorts of fillings. Just as good as scones. Come for tea and tell us about London,” Margaret invited.
“London? Same as evergrand and grey. But wait till you see what Ive brought you” George offered Margaret his arm and took Emilys hand as they headed inside, a light spring drizzle beginning to fall.
“Whys it so warm today?” George mused, glancing at Margaret.
“Because springs coming!” Emily declared. “Soon its Mothers Day, and Gran will hostand youre invited, Grandad!”
“Oh, how I adore you two,” George sighed, climbing the stairs.
After pancakes, he gave Emily a bright wooden nesting doll and Margaret a silver brooch. Back outside, they followed their usual route through the park. The snow had dulled, sodden like a sponge, and the paths were clearing. Emily hopped between drying paving stones, breathing in the warm air.
“Gran! Grandad! Catch me! Left-right, left-right! Heads up, steady pace!”
