Going Home

Written for https://fivedotoh.com/2023/02/22/fowc-with-fandango-home/

‘There’s no place like home,’ Martha said, as she unpacked her belongings.

Travelling across the world, there were so many experiences, but Laura wanted her home. There was something troubling about her letters, the worry about Tabitha. She was in her third year of university, and suddenly the phone calls had stopped. When was the last time she heard from her? It had been at least a month.

They were close, and if something was wrong, she needed to find out.

Life, living on her own, and at least there was no-one else to rely on her. She called her grandson Toby, who had the age of fourteen, was beginning to go through that teenage stage. Although, the kind boy, with the heart of gold, was never far away.

‘You heard from Tabitha?’ Martha asked, as she was waiting for the plane to land.

‘Not lately Grannie, I got a text from her a couple of weeks ago. She said to tell Mum she was staying in Scotland for the holidays.’

‘Did she say why?’

‘Just busy with her shifts at the hospital, in her third year as a medical student. Tired, she says.’

‘How’s Mum taking it?’

‘Alright, but I get the impression she is worried. She’s not sleeping again, thinking all sorts of things.’

‘Look, I’m waiting for my flight, I’m going to try Tabitha, and then we can talk when I get back.’

‘Cool, love you.’

Another phone call, Martha tried Tabitha again. As usual the phone rang on, until a surprise voice answered. ‘Nanny . . .’

‘Hello love, its been ages. Mum says your staying in Scotland, everything okay?’

It was a while before Tabitha answered. ‘Yea, busy, exams, didn’t seem right to go home when there was so much to do in my flat. I’m okay honest.’

‘What about Travis?’

‘He’s good, busy too. Look Nanny got to go, I’ll speak to you later, love you.’