- CONNECTING THE DOTS -
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Olivia
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"How about this?" Hamish asked, holding up a bag of tube-y pasta.
I shook my head, scrunching up my nose in disgust.
"Bolognese tastes much better with butterfly pasta."
"Farfalle it is." Hamish chuckled, swapping the packs of pasta. "Now, we've got Bobby's moving party this evening - do you want to choose a present and I'll pick a nice card?"
"Sounds good." I chirped, spinning on my heel and heading towards the toy section.
What immediately caught my attention was a mini table football set and I knew at once that this would be the perfect addition to his bedroom at Drew and Jason's. I ran back to find Hamish in the pasta aisle but he wasn't there anymore. I frowned, thinking that he'd probably just gone to look at the cards. It didn't take me long to find them stacked against the wall opposite the flower stand...but no Hamish. I craned my neck, checking to see that he wasn't just standing behind anyone but my brother's really tall and there only seemed to be smaller women around.
"Are you alright, Sweetie?" A kind voice came from behind me.
I spun around to see a really pretty lady smiling down at me
"I'm just looking for my brother." I said nervously
The lady crouched down and reached for my hand, taking it in hers. Her nails were neatly done with a shade of baby pink, which matched her lipstick. Her hands were so soft against mine. If I hadn't have known better, I would have called her a princess.
"Well, what is he called?" She asked.
"Hamish."
"Hamish, huh?" She said as an unfamiliar emotion flashed on her face. "Why don't you follow me and I'll help you look for him?" She suggested.
I drew my hand away from her and shuffled a few feet back.
"Stranger danger." I mumbled and went to turn around when she reached out for my shoulder to stop me leaving.
Hamish had always taught me to attract attention by making lots of noise when I'm in trouble so that people can come and help me.
The lady's eyes widened in shock and she toppled over from her crouched position as I let out the most piercing scream possible. I then legged it past all the stunned customers and went around the corner, slamming into Hamish's legs. He almost ran straight over me but, realising it was his little sister, quickly picked me up off the floor and dusted me off.
"What's wrong, I heard you scream?!" My brother rambled, checking me over for injuries.
"There was a strange lady." I muttered, very embarrassed that all the shoppers were now giving me judgemental side glances as they moved around us. I bet they thought I was just a child gone wild.
Hamish's head snapped up.
"Where?" He demanded.
I pointed around the corner and he took my hand firmly in his, marching towards the scene of the crime.
The lady was still on the floor, quite dazed from what had happened. Her shopping basket had tipped over and the contents were scattered around.
I was silently pleased with myself but couldn't understand why Hamish had just dropped my hand and rushed forward to help her off the floor. For some reason they seemed to know each other and my eyes widened when I realised that they must have been friends. I figured that she had guessed that I was his sister when I had said his name.
Feeling guilty, I shuffled over and started picking up the items that had fallen out of the basket.
"I'm really sorry, I thought you wanted to hurt me." I mumbled, placing the things back in the basket then stepping towards Hamish taking his hand.
I felt Hamish squeeze my hand and the lady smiled at me.
"Don't worry, Olivia. I'm glad you know how to protect yourself." She said, a hint of admiration in her smile.
I smiled back with pride and grinned up at my brother.
"Ollie, this is Rebecca. She's a good friend of mine." Hamish explained, looking back at her.
There was a short silence between them. They were communicating with each other. The magic way that only adults can do.
"Um, it was nice to see you again, Hamish." Rebecca said, looking as if she were about to leave.
"Wait! We're, um, going to a café after this. I don't suppose you want to join us or something?" Hamish hastily asked, a hopeful look on his face.
Rebecca looked hesitant.
"Pleaseeeee." I added in a very sweet voice, batting my eyelids.
I knew I'd got her when her face broke out into a bright smile, exposing a set of perfectly straight teeth.
"Well, alright."
I followed them around the supermarket for the rest of the time, giggling - they looked so cute together. I was looking forward to asking questions.
"So, how do you guys know each other?"
We were sitting in the corner of a little café. I had a hot chocolate with squirty cream and marshmallows piled on top while both Hamish and Rebecca had some sort of frothy coffee. Hamish and Rebecca shared an awkward glance before explaining the whole 'period advice story' and how they'd gone to the flower markets together early the next morning.
"And why haven't you been in touch since?" I interrogated, shocked that they hadn't had any contact for so long.
Hamish opened his mouth, hesitant to reply but Rebecca cut straight in.
"I was a bit silly and I was scared to think that your brother could like me," She explained nervously. She then looked towards Hamish, her eyes softening "I've been meaning to call him for a while. I just never built up the courage."
Clearly filled with nerves she looked into her coffee mug, going pink in the cheeks.
"Well, I liked you very much." Hamish said, reaching out for her hand.
I felt warmth bubble up inside of me and I couldn't help but let out a little squeal of excitement. Both my brother and Rebecca looked at me and smiled awkwardly.
"I'm just going to the loo." I said...not suspiciously at all.
I slipped away but instead of going to the loos I ducked behind a chair and spied on them from a distance. I couldn't help but gush about my brother and Rebecca in my head as I watched from my crouched position. I noticed how comfortable they were together - a perfect pair.
I waited a bit longer before returning to the table to give them a bit more alone time.
"Rebecca's nice." I mentioned casually, smirking to myself as we left the café for Jagged Blossom.
"Yeah."
Hamish seemed to be away with the fairies, not really paying attention to what I was saying. I left it, suspecting that once I'd caught his attention, he'd be very secretive.
There were bunches of balloons decorating the front door of JB. We hung back in the car for a few minutes while I wrote in Bobby's card and Hamish wrapped his present on the back seat. Drew and Jason's car was already on the driveway with the boot open. There were two big boxes inside which both had BOBBY written diagonally across in capital letters.
Hamish and I were the only outside guests at the party but it really didn't make a difference. All of us children were playing about in the garden while the adults supervised the barbecue, having a civilised conversation.
"Ollie, can I have a quick word?"
I turned away from my chat with Esther and Bobby to face Max. I gave a half-hearted smile and looked at the ground. I gave a small nod and followed him to the tree.
"What do you want? This is Bobby's day." I said, crossing my arms.
"Look,-" sighed Max, "-I just wanted to apologise. I should have believed you when you thought Bobby was in danger."
I stared at him for a few moments, not sure what to say.
"I really like you, you know."
"I liked you too, Max. This isn't really fair though, is it? I get it, you're sorry but I can't really be bothered." I was about to walk away when Max stopped me.
"What? That was just one mistake." He said defiantly.
"Whatever. I'm only ten - go and find someone your own age."
And with that, I strutted back to Bobby and Esther.
"What was that about?" Bobby asked.
"Yeah, he looks kinda' annoyed."
"Don't worry, nothing important." I brushed off, smiling brightly before the cake was called and we all rushed over to get a slice.
"Right, can I have everybody's attention, please?!" Jimmy called out and we quietened down.
"Today, one of our own flies the nest and leaves for a new life with a family he can call home. Bobby, you have been a pleasure to have around the home. Your presence has brought a smile to everyone's face, you're helpful, you're kind, you're a joy to be around. Bobby you are a real credit to everyone here and you will be sorely missed. You've been through so much in your life and it is a true testament of your strength of character. While you are about to enter into your new family with Drew and Jason, never forget that you will always have a place in our family, here at Jagged Blossom. Lots of Love, Buddy - we hope you have wonderful adventures in the future, so here is a little gift from all of us. It's a scrapbook with memories of your time here and there are plenty more blank pages for you to fill out. Life's an adventure and we're sure you'll make the most of it."
Jimmy sat down again, tears in his eyes as Bobby went up and gave a big hug.
It wasn't long before the car was packed and Bobby was saying all his goodbyes. We shared a quick goodbye before he jumped into the back of the car. Drew gave a few honks of the horn and their car was soon off down the road.
Hamish came and rested his hand on my shoulder as we watched the car disappear around the corner. I couldn't help but shed a few tears - Bobby was getting the life he deserved. I quickly wiped them away, laughing at myself. There's no need to worry, I'll see him tomorrow...
▸ ◂ THE END ▸ ◂
Home is where love resides, memories are created, friends always belong, and laughter never ends.
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Oh, home, let me come home
Home is wherever I'm with you
Oh, home, let me come home
Home is where I'm alone with you
Home, let me come home
Home is wherever I'm with you
Our home, yes, I am home
Home is when I'm alone with you
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