“Hello? Can I help you?”
I look down at the small, brown-haired lady in front of me. “I’m sorry, do I have the correct address for Calla Bryson?”
“You might have if you tell me who you are.” The lady asks.
“I’m Ashton Chambers. She might have mentioned me?”
Before she’s able to answer, an additional, slightly deeper voice questions me from behind her. “What can we do for you, young man?”
“Oh, hello there, sir. I was just explaining to your wife?” The woman confirms I’m right with a smile. “—I’m looking for Calla Bryson and was told she’s staying here. I’m Ashton.”
“Oh, you’re Ash,” the guy says, looking to his wife again.
“The baby’s daddy,” the woman whispers loudly, although I think she meant for me to hear. I won’t lie, it melts my heart when she calls me the baby’s daddy; I couldn’t be prouder to be that man.
“I know who he is, Sue,” the guy says, before looking back at me. “Is Calla expecting you? It’s just she would usually let us know if we’re expecting guests and she didn’t mention it.”
“No, sir. She’s not expecting me. I wanted to surprise her. Do you think it’s a good idea?” I get a good vibe from these people and imagine they’re straight talkers.
“Why don’t we tell you where to find her and you’ll soon find out.” The woman smiles.
“Thank you. I’d appreciate that.”
“I’m Sue by the way,” she says, “and this is my husband, Vaughn.”
“Cal’s grandparents, of course. I’ve seen a photo of you both.” They look at me blankly, so I offer, “at your home in Braebeach?”
“Oh, yes. We don’t keep a lot of things there anymore, but there’s still the odd family portrait here and there,” Sue says.
“And your awesome vinyl record collection. I hope you don’t mind, but we played a few.”
“It only makes me happy,” Vaughn says. “At least they’re being appreciated, and you can tell a lot about a person by the music they listen to.”
“Well, apart from the music, Cal has told me a lot about you both,” I confirm.
“Then we won’t be strangers. We certainly feel as if we know you well. Calla talks about you often,” Vaughn adds.
I’m so relieved Cal talks about me at all. “Likewise. You two are her heroes.”
Sue blushes. “You don’t need to go overboard. We’re her grandparents. There’s nothing heroic about us.”
“I’m sure you can understand why she loves you so much. You’re her everything.”
Vaughn and Sue look at each other smiling, then Sue turns back to me. “Well young man, it seems you could be the one to give us a run for our money.” She smiles, then adds, “You’re taller than I imagined, definitely taller than you look on the telly.”
“You’ve seen me on TV?”
Sue blushes again and chooses not to answer. Calla must keep her grandparents up to date with the band, too. Does thismean these two knew exactly who I was as soon as they opened the door? Their expressions told me no, but this additional information tells me otherwise. I get why they didn’t let on at first and how they probably wanted to protect their granddaughter. She’s been through so much.
“You can find Calla at the beach, just past Lefkada Marina. Do you have any transport?” Sue asks.
“I’ve hired a car,” I tell her.
“Step in young man,” Vaughn says, waving me into their cool and airy home. The air conditioning is a welcome relief from the heat outside. “I’ll give you directions. It’s not far,” he continues.
“Thank you, I’d appreciate that.”
“Would you like coffee while we show you the map?” Sue offers.
