Early Spring: A Season of Renewal and Fresh Beginnings

**Early Spring**

Little four-year-old Emily was eyeing the “newcomer” who had recently appeared in their neighbourhood. It was a grey-haired pensioner sitting on a bench, leaning on a walking stick like a wizard from a fairy tale.

Emily couldnt help but ask, “Grandad, are you a wizard?”

When he shook his head, she looked a bit disappointed. “Then why do you have a staff?” she pressed.

“It helps me walk, makes it easier to get around,” explained George Wilson, introducing himself.

“So, you must be really old then?” Emily continued, her curiosity unrelenting.

“By your standards, perhaps. But by mine, not so much. I just hurt my legbroke it recently. Took a bad fall. So, Im stuck with this stick for now.”

Just then, Emilys grandmother, Margaret, stepped out and took her hand to lead her to the park. She nodded politely at their new neighbour, who smiled back. But it was Emily who formed the stronger bond with George. Shed rush out ahead of her grandmother, eager to share every little updatethe weather, what Margaret had made for lunch, and how her friend had been ill the week before.

George always had a chocolate sweet for her. But what surprised him was how shed thank him, unwrap it, bite exactly half, then carefully fold the rest into the wrapper and tuck it into her coat pocket.

“Why dont you eat the whole thing? Not to your taste?” he once asked.

“Its lovely,” she replied. “But I want to share it with Gran.”

Touched, George brought two sweets the next timeonly for Emily to do the same thing again.

“Now whos that half for?” he teased, amused by her thrifty nature.

“My mum and dad. They could buy their own, but they love being treated,” she explained earnestly.

“Ah, I see. Youve got a tight-knit family. Lucky girl. And a kind heart.”

“Grans kind too. She loves everyone,” Emily began, but Margaret had already emerged, holding out her hand.

“George, thank you for the sweets, but really, Emilyand Ishouldnt have them. Doctors orders.”

“Well, now Im in a pickle. What *can* I give you?”

“Oh, weve got everything at home. Truly, dont trouble yourself,” Margaret smiled.

“No, I insist. Im trying to be neighbourly, after all,” George chuckled.

“Then make it nuts. And well only eat them at home, with clean hands. Agreed?” Margaret looked between them.

Emily and George nodded.

From then on, Margaret would find walnuts or hazelnuts tucked into Emilys pockets.

“My little squirrel, hoarding nuts! But you know theyre expensive these days, and George needs medicinesee how he limps?”

“Hes not *old*, Gran! And his legs getting better,” Emily defended him. “He says hell even ski again by winter!”

“Ski? At his age?” Margaret raised an eyebrow.

“Gran, buy me skis too! George promised to teach me.”

On their park walks, Margaret soon noticed George striding along without his stick.

“Grandad, wait for me!” Emily would dash to catch up, marching beside him.

“Wait for me too!” Margaret would laugh, hurrying after them.

They fell into a rhythmwalking together, Emily darting ahead, dancing on the path, then falling back into step. “Left, right, left, right! Keep your head up!”

Afterwards, Margaret and George would sit on the bench while Emily played with her friendsthough she never left without a few nuts from George.

“You spoil her,” Margaret sighed. “Lets save this for holidays, please?”

George confessed hed been widowed five years prior and had only just downsizedswapping his three-bed house for a one-bed flat, with the rest going to his sons family.

“I like it here. Not one for crowds, but its good to have company nearby.”

Two days later, George opened his door to Emily and Margaret holding a plate of scones.

“We wanted to treat *you*,” Margaret said.

“Have you got a kettle?” Emily added.

“Bless you, of course!” George beamed.

Over tea, Emily marvelled at Georges books and paintings while Margaret watched, touched by his patience as he explained each one.

“My own grandkids are far offuniversity students now. I miss them,” George admitted. “Your grandmas still young!” He handed Emily paper and pencils.

“I only retired two years agono time to mope,” Margaret said, nodding at Emily. “And my daughters expecting again. Lucky were just next door.”

All summer, they were inseparable. By winter, true to her word, Margaret bought Emily skis, and the trio took to the parks groomed trails.

George and Margaret grew so close they never walked apart. And Emily, not yet in school, was always with her gran. But one day, George left to visit family in London.

Emily missed him terribly, pestering Margaret about his return.

“Hes gone for a month. Said hed make the most of it. Well keep an eye on his flat, since were friends,” Margaret explainedthough she missed him too, his treats, his cheer, the way hed fix a loose socket or change a bulb.

After just a week, the bench felt empty.

On the eighth day, stepping out, Margaret gasped. There was George, right where he always waited.

“Back so soon? You said youd stay longer!”

“Londons too noisy. Everyones busy. Whats the point waiting alone? I missed you lotlike family now.”

“Grandad, did you bring your grandkids sweets?” Emily asked.

The adults laughed.

“No, love. Theyre grown. Gave em money insteadbetter for studies.”

“Im glad youre back. Feels right, all of us home,” Margaret smiled.

Emily hugged George tightly.

“Weve made pancakeslight, with fillings. Just as good as scones. Come for tea and tell us about London,” Margaret urged.

“Londons just London. But Ive brought giftsyoull never guess!” George took Margarets arm and Emilys hand as the first spring drizzle fell.

“Whys it so warm today?” George mused.

“Because springs coming!” Emily cheered. “Soon itll be Mothers Day, and Gran will set the table and invite you too, Grandad!”

“Oh, how I love you two,” George murmured, climbing the stairs.

After pancakes, he presented Emily with a bright nesting doll and Margaret a silver brooch. Outside, their usual path was damp, snow melting into grey slush. Emily hopped over puddles.

“Gran, Grandad, catch me! Left, right, left, right! Keep your head up!”