Chapter 20: Gran Takes a Taxi

Gran walked the length of my studio in nine steps and turned around.

"It's small," she said.

"It's a good size for one."

"It's a good size for a closet." She ran a finger along the counter and looked at it. "Clean, though. That's something."

"Gran, how did you even get here?"

"I took a bus to the airport, a plane to a city, and a taxi to you."

She sat on the end of the bed and kicked off her sensible shoes.

"The plane had a little screen in the seat," she said. "I watched a film about a dog."

"You've never been on a plane."

"I'm eighty-one. I'd been saving it."

Miles had carried her suitcase up four flights without being asked.

He stood in the doorway now with his hands behind his back.

Gran looked at him for a long moment.

"You're thin," she said.

"Hello, Mrs. Dunning."

"I've told you to call me Gran since you were six, and you still don't."

She pointed at the one chair. "Sit down before you fall down. Hazel, put the kettle on."

"I don't have a kettle."

"Then what do you have?"

"A hot plate and a saucepan."

"Heaven help us." Gran patted her handbag. "I brought tea."

She made it in the saucepan.

It was the best cup of tea I had had in a month, and I said so, and Gran looked pleased and tried not to show it.

Miles drank his in silence.

"I won't keep you in suspense," Gran said, setting down her cup. "I worked it out in the church parking lot."

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