Chapter 64
‘Hi, Granny.’
The old woman’s head whipped around so fast Carrick thought he could hear her arthiritc bones grinding together.
‘Carrick! My darling boy! What are you doing here?!’
She glanced around nervously, as if expecting someone to swoop in and hurt her poor grandson at any moment.
‘I came to see you. I’ve missed you.’ Carrick broke off, voice thick. ‘A lot has changed, Granny.’ He leaned closer, whispering to ensure no muggles overheard. ‘The Dark Lord has been pushing some big changes. Squibs are attending Hogwarts now, and staying in the magical world, working and having families and everything. Plenty decided to stick with their muggle lives, but a lot have been speaking to relatives or other squibs and that sort of thing. It’s… it’s amazing, Granny. Just like the stories you used to tell me when I was little. Everyone welcome and nobody punished for who they are.’
His granny choked on a sob and pulled Carrick in for a long hug. Neither made comment on their wet shoulders when they finally pulled back.
‘And your parents, Carrick?’ she asked gently.
Carrick looked down at his granny’s hands, clutched in his own. ‘They – they reached out. A couple of months ago. Things had been steadily improving for a long time, with squibs and Dark people and creature rights and everything. They – I got a letter. By owl. Asking me to go to the house and speak with them.’
‘Carrick!’ granny said worriedly.
‘I didn’t go there.’ Carrick said quickly, clearing his throat. ‘I arranged to meet them at a café. The Dark Lord – Tom, came with me.’
Granny gave a twisted smirk. ‘I imagine that went down like a lead balloon.’ She said dryly.
Carrick laughed. ‘They tried to suggest he leave us to chat. Tom was… very blunt in his refusal to leave me.’
‘He’s a good man, Tom.’
‘He is.’
They sat in silence for a long while, hand tangled together and lost in thought.
‘Alright, Mrs Montgo- oh, sorry!’
Carrick looked up and into the eyes of a very pretty nurse who had bustled right into the room, then stopped dead at seeing a guest.
‘Lucy, this is my wonderful grandson, Carrick. Carrick, this is the lovely Lucy.’
‘Hi Carrick,’ Lucy said with a slight blush. ‘Sorry to barge in, I’ll come back later.’
‘No!’ said Carrick hurriedly. ‘Er, no, that’s fine. Um, nice to meet you! I’m Carrick. Er, granny already said that. Er, yeah. Hi.’ Carrick’s cheeks were on fire.
Granny was giving him a devilish grin. ‘You know, you both have two of the most beautiful smiles of anyone I know. Why don’t you both – ah yes, there they are!’
Lucy looked almost as embarrassed as Carrick at that, but her smile was indeed beautiful. If the look she was giving him was any indication, perhaps she liked his smile too.
‘Now, you’ll have to get each other’s phone numbers next time. It’s time for my podiatrist appointment. Come and visit again soon, Carrick!’
Granny stood and shuffled herself into the wheelchair Lucy had brought in, while Lucy and Carrick both blushed darkly, glancing at one another.
Lucy quickly turned the wheelchair and hurried from the room.
‘Slow down, dear! Now, let me tell you about my Carrick. He’s my favourite grandson, you know…’