about the tree. Please join us for tea tomorrow afternoon, you
would be most welcome.”
Chloe felt a rush of excitement at the invitation.
“I
would love to join you,” she replied enthusiastically as she scribbled down the
directions as Grace explained to her how to find their home. Now she was too
excited to get back into her book, her mind was racing at all the possibilities
of stories there could be about the oak tree’s history. She decided to watch
some TV instead, it was not something she often did, but switching through the
channels she came across some comedies and thought a good laugh was never a bad
idea. She spent the rest of that afternoon and evening on her couch, cuddled up
watching one sitcom after the other, enjoying not having to think, or plan or
concentrate too much. She found that there was absolute bliss in not doing
anything.
C hapter Five
In
the morning, as usual, she met with James and they went through their daily
ritual of harvesting acorns. Today in silence, as was not uncommon. James had
told her all he needed to for now, and would let her hear the rest from his
grandparents later that afternoon. She noticed that James was putting acorns
into all the bags except the little pink one. Curiosity reared its head but
Chloe did not ask.
“I
need to leave a little early today, James. I want to have a quick cup of tea
with Phoebe to discuss a few things and then run some errands before our tea
date with your grandparents. I will see you later.” The thought made her happy.
James seemed pleased at the idea too. He really had started to mean a lot to
her, this time with him was becoming precious to her.
She
arrived at Joel and Grace’s home right on time. Both Joel and Grace greeted her
at the door and welcomed her into their home. Joel stepped aside to allow Grace
to lead the way to the lounge and for Chloe to follow and then they all took
seats. James was already sitting on the couch and got up for Joel and Grace to
sit beside each other. He took a seat to Joel’s right which left a seat to
Grace’s left open for Chloe. They seemed to form a semi-circle around the
coffee table, on which there was a beautifully potted oak bonsai. She guessed
it was one of their handy works as well.
They
made small talk for a while, mostly with Chloe answering their questions about
where she was from, what had brought her here and about her meetings with
James. She spoke about Phoebe and Jean Pierre’s kindness and hospitality and
how fortitude had worked in her favour with her new home and job. Grace got up
to make some tea and James went through to help her. Chloe continued to speak
with Joel about her career history and how she was now both excited and nervous
about her new job. Grace returned with the tea and some homemade biscuits and
the conversation turned towards them.
“I
don’t want to pry or push you for information, but I am really intrigued by
James’ project and eager to hear your story,” Chloe spoke gently, prompting
Joel and Grace to begin sharing their story.
Joel
began.
“I
was playing around on the beach one Saturday, during the long school holidays, looking
in rock pools, trying to catch fish. I was nine years old. Something made me
look up from what I was doing, and I saw her for the first time – this
beautiful angel that seemed to float across the beach. At nine years old we
were still supposed to think that girls were the enemy, but I fell in love.” He
looked over at Grace and put his hand on hers. “And I have fallen in love every
time I have looked at her since.”
Grace
smiled softly at him.
“I
saw him looking at me and I thought he was the handsomest boy I had ever seen.
My little heart started beating so fast. But I knew the handsome boys were
trouble, so I looked away and kept walking.”
Joel
chuckled.
“My
tiny ego was crushed! But I hoped I would see her again. A few days later on
the first day of a new school year, I saw her again. We were in the
would be most welcome.”
Chloe felt a rush of excitement at the invitation.
“I
would love to join you,” she replied enthusiastically as she scribbled down the
directions as Grace explained to her how to find their home. Now she was too
excited to get back into her book, her mind was racing at all the possibilities
of stories there could be about the oak tree’s history. She decided to watch
some TV instead, it was not something she often did, but switching through the
channels she came across some comedies and thought a good laugh was never a bad
idea. She spent the rest of that afternoon and evening on her couch, cuddled up
watching one sitcom after the other, enjoying not having to think, or plan or
concentrate too much. She found that there was absolute bliss in not doing
anything.
C hapter Five
In
the morning, as usual, she met with James and they went through their daily
ritual of harvesting acorns. Today in silence, as was not uncommon. James had
told her all he needed to for now, and would let her hear the rest from his
grandparents later that afternoon. She noticed that James was putting acorns
into all the bags except the little pink one. Curiosity reared its head but
Chloe did not ask.
“I
need to leave a little early today, James. I want to have a quick cup of tea
with Phoebe to discuss a few things and then run some errands before our tea
date with your grandparents. I will see you later.” The thought made her happy.
James seemed pleased at the idea too. He really had started to mean a lot to
her, this time with him was becoming precious to her.
She
arrived at Joel and Grace’s home right on time. Both Joel and Grace greeted her
at the door and welcomed her into their home. Joel stepped aside to allow Grace
to lead the way to the lounge and for Chloe to follow and then they all took
seats. James was already sitting on the couch and got up for Joel and Grace to
sit beside each other. He took a seat to Joel’s right which left a seat to
Grace’s left open for Chloe. They seemed to form a semi-circle around the
coffee table, on which there was a beautifully potted oak bonsai. She guessed
it was one of their handy works as well.
They
made small talk for a while, mostly with Chloe answering their questions about
where she was from, what had brought her here and about her meetings with
James. She spoke about Phoebe and Jean Pierre’s kindness and hospitality and
how fortitude had worked in her favour with her new home and job. Grace got up
to make some tea and James went through to help her. Chloe continued to speak
with Joel about her career history and how she was now both excited and nervous
about her new job. Grace returned with the tea and some homemade biscuits and
the conversation turned towards them.
“I
don’t want to pry or push you for information, but I am really intrigued by
James’ project and eager to hear your story,” Chloe spoke gently, prompting
Joel and Grace to begin sharing their story.
Joel
began.
“I
was playing around on the beach one Saturday, during the long school holidays, looking
in rock pools, trying to catch fish. I was nine years old. Something made me
look up from what I was doing, and I saw her for the first time – this
beautiful angel that seemed to float across the beach. At nine years old we
were still supposed to think that girls were the enemy, but I fell in love.” He
looked over at Grace and put his hand on hers. “And I have fallen in love every
time I have looked at her since.”
Grace
smiled softly at him.
“I
saw him looking at me and I thought he was the handsomest boy I had ever seen.
My little heart started beating so fast. But I knew the handsome boys were
trouble, so I looked away and kept walking.”
Joel
chuckled.
“My
tiny ego was crushed! But I hoped I would see her again. A few days later on
the first day of a new school year, I saw her again. We were in the
Similar Books
