Maggie felt guilty about feeling annoyed at looking after her grandpa. She loved her gramps and had even been named after his late wife, who had died 6 months before she was born. Everyone even said how much her grandma and her looked alike. Grandpa Ted had often sat telling her stories of when they were young. He even showed her old pictures of him and grandma Maggie. They both had the same long straw coloured hair and blue eyes. They could have been sisters rather than grandmother and granddaughter.

Maggie had often regretted she had never known her grandma. And now Grandpa Ted was going to be taken away from her too. He was the only one who talked to her like an adult. And she loved all his stories of the old days growing up on the farm. Maggie didn't really mind being left to look after gramps, it was just she'd been promised she could go round to her friend Wendy's house for a sleepover. But her lousy, rotten brother had gone an broken his leg playing soccer! Her mum was at a concert with her Auntie Anne, so her dad was looking after them tonight. But he'd had to go to the hospital to collect Wayne so Maggie was going to miss the party. She just knew Wayne had done it on purpose to spite her. And her dad had called to say they would be at least 3 hours yet so she had to stay and keep an eye on her grandfather.

Maggie decided to make the best of it and headed upstairs to her grandpa's room.

Knocking...

"Come in" his voice still deep and strong despite his illness. Maggie entered and immediately all her annoyance was washed away by the warmth of her grandpa's smile.

"Hi sweetheart, come to keep your old grandfather company?"

Maggie approached an sat down on the side of the bed next to her grandfather. Snuggling up next to him she was aware of his strong well built body, Despite his illness he seemed as fit on the outside as he always had. A lifetime of outdoor work had given him a deep tan which highlighted his silver hair and beard. His big strong arm curled around her as he drew her in.

"Ready for another story?" he asked. Maggie nodded......(cont)