Chapter 81 Checking Up On Grandma

Over the next week, I struggle knowing that my grandma is having a hard time and there's nothing I can do about it. I would love to strangle Lewis Artie but I'm not sure that would achieve anything besides landing me in prison. Just what my grandma would need... the bad press of having her only granddaughter in the slammer for attempted murder.

Noah keeps reminding me that the lawyers have it in hand and that the best thing we can do is focus on the company's accounts. He is convinced that Lewis's uncle is the one responsible for the disappearing funds. I guess I should be grateful he no longer suspects my grandma but really all I feel is overwhelmed.

I pop back to grandma's regularly to check on her but she's rarely at home and when I do see her, she looks exhausted. It means our work has slowed down but Noah doesn't complain about the delays. He's probably had enough of all the extra work and appreciates the break.

"What are you doing here?" Grandma asks as she comes into the kitchen.

Closing her fridge, I begin folding the shopping bags I've just emptied.

"Your fridge was empty," I say with a shrug.

"I haven't had much time to go shopping."

"I know. That's why I did it for you," I tell her before dropping a kiss on her cheek.

"So you came here just to check up on me?" she asks with a grin.

"I was worried," I admit.

"It's been a stressful few days."

"Lewis Artie?" I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.

"That and other things," she tells me, grabbing herself a glass from the cupboard. "Do you want one?"

"Sure."

"Not rushing off to see Noah?"

I still haven't told her that we're dating but nothing gets past grandma. I should have known that she'd already know. Even when her whole world is hectic, she still knows everything about my life. I'm not sure how it's possible but she's always been like that.

"Not tonight," I say. "I thought I'd spend the night."

"So... you're not going to deny it?"

"Deny what?" I play innocent.

"That something is going on between you."

"What's the point?" I ask. "You wouldn't believe me even if I did."

"True..." She says, handing me my drink. "Scotch alright?"

"Great. Thanks."

"So why are you really here?" she asks, leaning against the counter.

"It can't just be that I'm worried about you?"

"Yeah, it could... if you hadn't been here nearly every day this week."

"No I haven't!" I blurt out.

"At least three times."

"That's hardly every day," I tell her. "You do realise there are seven days in a week, right?"

"Seriously, Eden. What have you been up to in that bedroom of yours?"

And there it is... the other reason why I've been visiting my grandma so much in the last week. I'm not sure I'm ready to tell her though. Not yet. It's too personal. Too important and I'm scared that I'm not doing a good enough job.

"It looks brilliant," she tells me.

I should have known she's already looked.

"Really?" I ask nervously.

"Really." Her eyes look misty, like she could start cry and I can feel my own eyes stinging.

"I was worried I'd mess it up," I admit.

"No, darling. Your father taught you well." She's smiling at me with clear pride.

"It's not finished. There's a lot left to do."

"Yeah, but you'll get it done."

I'm putting off finishing it, taking my time with it. I don't want the project to end because the time I've been spending on it in the last few weeks has been precious to me. I've never felt closer to my dad than I do when I'm working on that doll's house. I'm not ready to give that up.

"The house itself is nearly finished," I say, "but I've still got to do all the furniture."

I say it like it could take me months instead of weeks and she smiles, probably seeing through me. She always does.

"Do you have plans for it?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well... traditionally, we always put a replica in the lobby." Her tone suggests that she's unsure if she should even be asking me. She avoids adding that we used to sell dad's houses as limited edition products, perhaps thinking that it goes unsaid or that she thinks she might be asking to much.

I don't know how I feel about putting my doll's house next to my dad's. And not just because he was significantly better at it than me. It's not just a pride issue. I'm not sure I want to share the doll's house. It feels too precious.

"I don't know."

"Have a think about it," she tells me softly. "It would be a very fitting way to commemorate the anniversary of your parents' deaths."

I can't outright disagree with her. It would be a lovely thing to do for the tenth anniversary but I'm not sure I have the courage to do it.

"I'll think about it."

She smiles, squeezing my shoulder. "Tell me about you and Noah!" she changes the subject.

"There's not much to tell," I say, trying to shrug off the question.

"You like him though?"

"Yeah..."

"I knew you would," she says, looking smug.

"Did you plan this?" I ask aghast.

"Well... maybe," she replies. "I just thought you might like to meet a decent human being."

"A decent human being?"

"Is that the bar?" I ask, laughingly. "As long as you're decent, you can date my granddaughter."

"So, you admit you're dating?"

Gosh! My grandma is quick.

"Yeah. Yeah. Whatever," I say, shaking my head, crossing the kitchen towards the door. "I'm heading upstairs."

"I'll cook some dinner," she calls after me.

"I could do that," I offer, turning back.

"No. You go work on the doll's house. I can't wait to see it finished."

Smiling, I make my way upstairs and into my bedroom. Settling down in front of the doll's house, I consider my grandmother's offer. It's a little early though. I still haven't made any of the furniture. I've only done the easy stuff. The house itself might look brilliant but its been years since I last carved furniture and even then my dad had
been the one to do the more intrinsic carving.

This is no small task I've taken upon myself but I don't want to disappoint my dad. He might not be here anymore but he's still the one I'm doing this for. I want to do a good job. I want to do him proud.