Never Forget (Memories)

as she breezes in in a maxi dress. Designer, of course. Not for the first time, I wonder how growing up in a small, country beach town made my mum into London's favourite socialite.
    "I always help Grammy out," I reply curtly and sit down.
    "I know, I just thought you would have grown out of that by now." She smiles and I grunt.
    So what if a part of me is happy to be here? I'm still destined to spend two months in a place where I know no one.
    "Here we go," Grammy says, walking in with the sauce in a bowl. Dad follows behind with a large bowl of pasta. They both take a seat after setting them in the middle of the table and I notice there's an extra place set.
    "Grammy?" I ask across the table. "Why are there five places set?"
    "For Alec," she responds, leaning back. "Alec! Dinner's ready, dear."
    "Who's Alec?" I look at both of my parents then back to her.
    "I am,'' a voice says from the doorway. I turn to see the boy who was working in the garden earlier. I look him over and he's even better looking than I thought. That top really clings to him in a way that the government should make illegal, and there's a slight heat to his eyes when I meet them.
    "I'll just go and get cleaned up, Vi," he says to Grammy. "Don't worry about waiting for me."
    "Okay, dear." Grammy replies and pats his arm with a wrinkled hand. He strolls from the room and I tilt my head questioningly.
    "Who is he?"
    "My help," Grammy smiles.
    "Your help?" I ask, incredulously.
    "Well yes. I'm almost seventy and I can't do the things I used to. He keeps the garden sorted in the summer whenever I need him, so I expect you'll be seeing a lot of him this year." Her eyes twinkle with something akin to excitement.
    "Nice try, Grammy." I laugh and grab the pasta spoon. I know exactly what the old bat is up to, and I'm not having any of it.
    She smiles as the object of our discussion enters the room.
    "I feed the boy if he's been working all day."
    "I always tell her she doesn't need to," Alec takes the seat opposite me and smiles, showing his dimples. "She pays me enough but she insists on feeding me."
    "Well I love to cook," Grammy responds, "and I have no one to do it for anymore. It gets a little lonely here by myself sometimes, so it's nice to have the company of a dashing young man a few times a week." She winks at him and I roll my eyes.
    "Honestly, Grammy. You're incorrigible. What would Granddad think?" I mock scold her.
    "He'd probably say 'good on ya for gettin' yourself a younger lad, Vi.'" Dad laughs.
    I let out a small laugh and look down.
    "You're right there, Si." Grammy pats Dad's hand. "Oh, Alec. Excuse my manners, I haven't introduced you to my family."
    "It's okay, Vi. You've been looking forward to this for weeks. I'm happy to sit back and let you have your fun." Alec winks at her and she beams.
    "Well anyway, this is my daughter, Emily, her husband Si, and my granddaughter Alexis. But she likes to be called Lexy," she adds in a conspiratorial whisper.
    "It's a pleasure to meet you all," Alec says with his eyes fixed on mine.
    Did I mention his eyes before? That lovely blue grey colour the sea goes before a storm hits. The kind of colour you could look in anticipation at forever...
    "And you," I say politely, a sweet smile on my face. I draw my eyes from his and focus on my pasta.
    "So, Alec," Mum begins, "I hope my mother isn't working you too hard. She used to have all of us out there each summer tending to her plants.''
    "Oh no ma'am, I don't mind. There's nothing wrong with a bit of hard work..."
    I tune out of the conversation and admire Grammy's back garden as I eat. I can see strawberries ready to ripen, blueberries nearly ready for picking, and a lavender plant blooming. The little pond at the end is home to several types of fish, and the wire mesh over the top keeps the cats out.
    "Lexy," Dad says disapprovingly.
    "I'm sorry." I turn my head back to the conversation.
    "Your mother was trying to speak to you."
    "Sorry, Mum. What were you saying?" I ask her.
    She teases some of her dark hair behind her ear. "I was just wondering why you can't bring a nice boy like Alec home. That last one was dreadful."
    I choke on my pasta and Grammy pats my back. I smile gratefully and notice her eyes are twinkling mischievously again. Damn woman!
    "Okay, first, we've had this conversation a million times and you know I want my education before I worry about guys, unless the right one comes along. Second, the 'last one', Harry, wasn't my