‘Five minutes, Lily!’ my mum calls to me from downstairs in the kitchen.

‘Yes, I'll be right down.’ I put on my black sneakers, grab my mobile phone and hurry downstairs.

‘Your grandparents will be happy to see you and hear about your trip,’ my mum says to me and takes the car keys from the small bowl next to our front door. 

‘Emilia's coming straight from training,’ she says as she disappears outside. 

As I take a quick look in the mirror above our dresser, I see a tired face. I haven't had a moment's peace since we arrived by bus this morning. I was able to say goodbye to Anne and Chloe with a quick hug before I had to run for the bus. My mum couldn't pick me up as she had an early shift at the hospital, Emilia was at volleyball training all day and my dad was with his brother as he needed help putting together a baby cot. 

So I came home and nobody was there. After a long, warm shower, as it had started to rain again outside, I unpacked my suitcase and put my things away. The lighthouse pin fell into my hands and I attached it directly to my school rucksack. This way I always have it in view and with it my favourite memories of Giglio and Anne.

Before I stuffed my clothes into the washing machine, I took Anne's chewing gum wrapper out of my bag, saved the number in my mobile phone and pinned the wrapper to my pinboard. As I started the washing machine, I heard my mum coming home. I ran down the stairs and into the kitchen. She was just putting the shopping in the fridge and was startled when I hugged her without warning. 

‘Lily, it's nice to have you back,’ she said as she turned round and hugged me. 

‘I've missed you,’ I replied. 

“Did you have a good time in Italy?” she asked, holding out an apple. ‘I bet you haven't eaten anything proper today, have you?’ 

‘You're probably right. But I'm sure there'll be something at my grandparents. Grandad is probably already busy in the kitchen,’ I reply and take the red apple.

On the drive, I tell Mum about the view from our balcony, what the lighthouse looked like, where you could buy the best ice cream on the island and how Mr Pinto passionately told us about the starfish. Mum, on the other hand, only tells me very briefly and vaguely about the situation and events here at home and even when I ask about Grandpa, she remains brief. 

‘How is he?’ I ask again just as we pull into the driveway. 

‘You can ask him that yourself, Lily,’ my mum replies and parks our yellow car right in front of the garage. 

Emilia doesn't seem to be here yet, there's no sign of her rickety old bike. My parents had wanted to buy her a new one for a long time, but she was so attached to it that she didn't want to give it away. Until it suddenly falls apart on the road, my mum always says, but Emilia remains stubborn. 

As I get out of the car, I suddenly have a queasy feeling and my heart starts to race. What if he looks ill or is no longer so happy and cheerful? My thoughts start to circle and I try to take a deep breath. 

‘Are you coming Lily?’ my mum calls to me as she opens the door to the house. 

‘I'll be right there.’ I call back and try to concentrate on breathing. I close my eyes and breathe in and out deeply.

 Anne suddenly appears in my thoughts, smiling at me and saying in a calm voice: ‘You can do it Lily. Breathe in and out deeply.’ 

Yes, I can do this. No matter what awaits me in there, I'll be strong. My heartbeat slowly calms down again and I walk slowly towards the door. Just as I'm about to push the door handle down, the door opens and my grandfather is standing there. 

‘Well, has life stopped you?’ he asks me with a cheeky grin. 

His laugh lines appear even more. My eyes scan him from top to bottom. Is there a visible change? His short grey curls are sticking out in all directions. His eyes are beaming at me and under his apron he is wearing his favourite green and blue jumper and brown trousers, of which he has several identical ones. Does he look a little tired? But before I can worry any more, he takes me in his arms and hugs me tightly. 

‘Good to see you,’ I say into his jumper and when he lets go of me I ask him how he is. 

‘I'm fine Lily. Don't worry,’ he replies briefly. 

‘I always worry, Grandad.’ 

He winks at me and disappears back into the kitchen. 

Just as I'm about to walk towards the living room, my mobile phone vibrates in my pocket. A message from Emilia. 

I'm on my way. Training took a little longer. You could start without me. See you soon x 

When I close the message, I go to my contacts and press Anne's number. Her picture is still grey because she hasn't saved my number yet. How could she, she didn't have it. I wonder what she's doing right now. I could just text her and find out. 

But what does she think of me then? Hardly home and she's already writing to me again. 

My fingers hover over the letters.