A Friend in need.
It was late afternoon and I had just parked the car on my driveway and was carrying my shopping into the house. As I pushed the front door open I could hear the landline start to ring. I dropped the shopping bags and ran to answer it.
'Hi granddad...its Chloe...I break up from university next Friday and wondered if I could come and stay with you for a few days the following week after I've dropped all my gear back at home.'
'Of course you can' I replied 'you know as my favourite granddaughter you are welcome to stay here anytime.'
I heard her giggle...'I'm your only granddaughter so I'm bound to be your favourite you plonker.'
'Well if you're going to start calling me names I might change my mind.' She knew I was joking by the tone of my voice.
'I'll let you know when I'm driving down...there's a possibility I might have a friend...is that alright.'
'I'm not having any of your boyfriends playing hanky panky in my house mind you' I replied.
'It's alright granddad it will be a girl if she joins me.'
'OK then...I'll wait for you to confirm the times and dates.'
'Thanks granddad...byeeeee.'
'Bye love 'I replied.
I'm James Ryan by the way, Jim to my friends, which accounts for most people. I have been a widower for a few years now but have three grown up children of my own who have given me six grandchildren. Chloe you know about but the others are all boys...I suppose I should say men. All of them are in their early twenties with Chloe the youngest at just twenty.
I moved to the south coast three years ago where I bought a three bed roomed cottage with a large private back garden. It's in a small village within easy walking distance of the beach. It gets a bit quiet in the winter sometimes but the family love to visit in the summer as all the grand kids are into their water sports.
Luckily I have a double garage, as it's full of paddleboards and canoes which save the family having to cart them backwards and forwards.
I'm a practising naturist so the garden is a nice place for me to wander naked, just have to watch out for the roses. There is a section of our local beach that is dedicated for nudists. It's along by the headland and you have a short walk along the sand to get there. I often spend summer days there as it's nice to be so close to the sea to be able to cool off when necessary.
I know a few of the regulars by name but there are often a lot of visitors in the summer months. Chloe has occasionally joined me there when she is here on her own but only goes topless. She prefers the rest of the family not to know, even though I have never kept my preferences secret.
I love all of my grandchildren but, although I shouldn't say it Chloe is my favourite. We just seem to hit it off together in most ways. Sometimes I have to tell myself she is a blood relative not a close friend.
As promised Chloe phoned me on the following Friday after she had got home from Uni.
'I plan to stay home with mum and dad over the week-end to give us a chance to catch up and then I'll drive down on Monday. I should be with you early in the afternoon as long as the traffic isn't too bad.'
'OK love' I replied...I'll see you then...everything is ready down here.
It was early July and as the university's always finished several weeks before normal schools it should still be reasonably quiet. I was looking forward to having young blood around me; it would make me be a bit more active than I would usually be.
It was bang on 14:00 when I heard the 'beep beep' of a car horn from the driveway. I walked over and opened the front door to see Chloe dragging a large suitcase towards me.
On seeing me she immediately dropped it and dashed over wrapped her arms around me and kissed me on my lips. I'm not really sure when this habit started but it just seemed natural to us. It was a bit longer than a welcome kiss should be but she then slipped her head over my shoulder and we hugged tight.
It was then that I saw her friend over Chloe's shoulder, and I smiled at her. She had that shocked look that people have when they see something that seems inappropriate. I had a slight feeling of guilt come over me but then thought 'No...we have always greeted each other this way...and others just start to accept it as normal after a while.'
Chloe released her hold on me and turned to introduce me to the stunning young lady whose face had eased from its first reaction.
She was almost as tall as me...5' 9'' I would guess with straight blond shoulder length hair and a lovely slim well proportioned body. I almost had to stop myself from staring at her but noticed how her eyes dropped to a very shy pose as I looked to Chloe for an introduction.
'Oh sorry' Chloe said 'granddad...um...Jim...this is my friend Sam...short for Samantha, she's the friend who I mentioned might come down with me.'
I smiled and stepped forward...'Hello Sam...is Sam ok with you?'
'Yes that's fine' she said in a quiet voice. I reached out my hand to her. I think she was unsure after seeing Chloe's welcome to me.
She took hold of my hand with quite an insipid shake, I deliberately held it and said 'don't be embarrassed by our embrace it's a tradition that we have had for years and even I can't remember how or when it started.'
I released her hand, and with a slightly braver demeanour she said 'that's ok...Chloe said you were close...It just took me a bit by surprise...anyway it's lovely to finally meet you.'
'Come on then...let me help you with those suitcases. I'll take them upstairs and put them in your rooms.' I saw the two girls look at each other but nothing was said.
'I left some salad in the kitchen if you're hungry now and I've prepared a spag bol for later, can you pop the kettle on Chloe please.'
I staggered up the stairs with their suitcases and wondered what that look was all about. Had I mis-read something?
As I returned to the kitchen I saw the girls had helped themselves to some of the salad and Chloe was just pouring some cups of tea.
I joined them at the kitchen table. 'So did you two meet at Uni or somewhere else' I asked.
They glanced at each other and Chloe replied. 'Yes we are at Uni together, different subjects, we share a flat with two other girls. There are two large bedrooms both with single beds. Sam and I share one and the two other girls share the other.
'Oh that's great' I said 'and you all get on well together?'
Sam's quiet voice answered 'yes we all get on really well...it's nice to have such a group of friends.'
'So...have you got any plans for your time down here?' I asked.
Chloe answered. 'Well the main reason for Sam staying with me is that her parents are on holiday in France at the moment and rather than staying at home alone I said she should come home with me till they get back.'
'That's kind of you Chloe...and you both get the chance to relax after the last term.'