“Miss Harrison, there is a visitor for you in reception,” the receptionist says over the speaker.
I head out of my classroom and make my way along to the office. I have no idea who could be here for me, but it’s only my family who know where I work.
I reach reception and see my brother, Gavin, leaning against the doorframe. He looks up as I approach.
“Thank you, Mrs Digby.” I acknowledge the receptionist kindly.
“Whatever has got that smile back on your face, you need to bottle it up and save it,” says Gavin, as I walk into his embrace and hug him tightly.
“I’m doing what I love again.” I smile brightly. “Sign in and come along while I pack up my things.” I motion for him to follow me to my classroom. “What are you doing here, Gav?”
“I just landed about an hour ago and I had to come and see my favourite sister. It’s like Fort Knox to get in here.”
“Your only sister.” I laugh. “And it’s all security measures now. It keeps us and the kids safe.”
Gavin is a pilot and he spends much of his time in the air flying from country to country.
“How are you doing, honey?”
I shrug and sit back down at my desk. “I’m okay. I’m much better.” I try to hide behind the lie I keep telling myself. Maybe one day I’ll believe it too.
Gavin sits on a pupil’s desk in front of me and leans his elbows on his knees.
“We’re all concerned about you, Harl.”
“You needn’t be. I’m good. I’m working. Surviving,” I sigh, frustrated. “I’m much better than I was.”
“But you’re not living, doll.”
“What do you want me to do, huh?” I snap.
It’s the same argument every time I see my family. I think they expect me to be jumping through hoops, swinging from trees, and partying on a school night. None of which was ever me.
“I just don’t want to see you fading away to nothing. What is it? Five weeks until the summer holidays? Let me pay for a trip. Get out of here. Explore the world. Find yourself again. You deserve it.”
I watch my brother with bated breath. I know he’s only doing what he thinks is best, but I’m more than capable of living my life the way I want to. I don’t need everyone telling me what to do, even though a holiday sounds good.
“Where would I go? I’m barely living here, as you’ve just told me. I’m not sure I could go on holiday alone.”
My house has become my safe haven. I can’t imagine being anywhere else alone.
“Let me book somewhere for you. A surprise.”
I close my eyes and think about taking a trip. Some sun, sea, and cocktails. No reminders of everything I’ve been through. No work. Just time for me to live a while.
“Eurgh!” I growl out my response. “Do I have much of a choice?”
Gavin shakes his head. “Nope. I’m not trying to control you or be bossy, I just want to see you happy again, doll. I want my carefree sister back.”
I take in a deep breath and let it out slowly. I don’t want to break his heart and tell him that person could be gone forever.
Gavin has always been able to get me to say yes to anything. That’s probably why he got the short straw and is gracing my classroom with his presence.
“Okay.” I sigh. “Just nowhere over the top.”
His smile lights up the room. “I promise. You’ll love it.”
Gavin jumps off the table and leans over to kiss my cheek. He looks like one of my excited pupils after lunch.
