‘Of course,’ said Skye.
Gran put her hand to Skye’s cheek.
‘My grandmother gave this ring to me, her daughter’s daughter. I am giving this ring to you, my daughter’s daughter. Wear this ring all your life, and when your daughter’s daughter reaches sixteen, pass it on to her. Together, we’ll have created a tradition that could last centuries.’
Skye beamed.
‘I will,’ she promised. ‘It’s a wonderful idea.’ She embraced the elderly lady with joy, then placed the ring on her left middle finger.
‘What if she never has a daughter?’ asked Zak.
Everyone ignored him.
He sat there with his arms folded. He’d not seen Skye so enraptured in a long time. She had been bought off with a leaving present. They hadn’t even bothered to bribe him.
‘What was it like when you were growing up Gran?’ asked Skye.
‘Oh, not that much different from today,’ she said. ‘Girls spent their time trying to impress boys, and boys spent their time shooting things on computer, although in those days they had to watch it on a box.’
Skye frowned. ‘Doesn’t sound at all like today, it sounds terrible.’
‘It wasn’t as bad as in my grandmother’s day. Their only amusement was rolling hoops down the street.’
This was met with blank looks from all the family.
‘Well that’s it,’ she said, impatiently. ‘I haven’t got any more presents.’
‘Look at that. It’s time to go,’ said Dad.
Zak looked at his grandmother. Despite her sharp manner, her eyes began to twitch and well up. Underneath that cranky exterior, she faced her only surviving family leaving her for the last time. She would be left all alone.
Zak thought that very sad.
He had always taken Gran for granted. Now he thought about it – he would miss her too.
