‘Um. Just explaining why we need to travel to your mother’s,’ said Dad loudly. ‘There is one good reason to make the trip Skye. Gran says she has a special present for you, and wants to give it to you in person.’
‘In that case, let’s just send Skye on her own,’ said Zak.
Dad frowned. It was a bit early for cheek.
Zak wasn’t too put out about the visit. This would after all be the last time they would see her. She had retired many years ago to Melbourne, Australia. He was fond of his Gran, but hated these day trips. Aside from the travelling, he was expected to sit quietly and listen for hours to boring family conversation.
If anything, Dad endured the most discomfort on these visits. Zak sometimes passed the time watching him squirm.
By 3am GMT, they had left the house.
*
4.00pm EST Monday 6 January 2085
It was only a two hour flight from England, but the travel to and from the airports added another hour. The family arrived at Gran’s house, bleary eyed from the bright Melbourne afternoon. A very elderly lady answered the door.
‘Hello. And a Merry Christmas to you,’ said a delighted Gran.
‘Merry Christmas Mother,’ said Mum, greeting her with a hug and a kiss.
Dad was next in line.
‘Oh you should have come earlier, the day is nearly over,’ said Gran.
Zak watched for Dad’s reaction. It was a forced smile.
After Skye, Zak stepped up to greet his Gran.
‘My, how you’ve grown since I last saw you Zak,’ she said with a grin, reaching up to tap him on the cheek.
‘No, I think you’ve shrunk Gran,’ said Zak.
‘Zak!’ said Mum.
But Gran chuckled.
