The Life You Love

Chapter 4/Part 2

Usually I would bring lunch to school with me, or occasionally buy something from the cafeteria, but it is a surprisingly nice day out so I take the five minute walk to the high street to buy lunch. I mistake the lack of rain and wind for warmth so I'm freezing by the time I get there. There are loads of kids queuing to get into the newsagents and the Chinese takeaway, who open especially for school lunch Monday to Thursday. You will never seen so many people eating chilli chips or chicken fried rice at one time except during lunch. I haven't thought too much about what I want nor can I be bothered standing in the cold by myself for ages since the newsagent only lets two kids in at a time so I opt for the place with the smallest queue which I know will be the little bakery on the corner of the next street. Nobody comes here because they can't be bothered walking the extra five minutes so I'm the only customer. Margaret, the owner, is serving behind the counter. She's wearing the same dress I've seen her in every time I come in. I'm not sure if she washes it every day or has multiple of the same one.

'Ahh, Elissa! Long-time no see. How are you? What can I get you?' she gives me a large, warm smile. She reminds me somewhat of Jem, they have the same round face and green eyes; they could be sisters for all I know.

'Hey Margaret. I'm not bad. Hungry. Not sure what I fancy though!' I drool over the cakes in the display cabinet, eyeing up an iced bun and the millionaires shortbread. There's also freshly made truffles and empire biscuits – I can tell because the smell is incredible.

'How about we pick something savoury before dessert, love?' Margaret beckons me over to the pastries, and I choose a sausage roll for easiness to eat and I eventually decide on a slice of my favourite: millionaire's shortbread. I also have Margaret pop two truffles into a small bag to take home for mum since she loves them so much, though I may end up having one myself. I wave goodbye as I leave, unable to speak as I've already stuffed some of the sausage roll in my mouth and as it's a little warmer now, I decide to take a different route back to school to avoid the droves of school kids. I go round the back of the bakery and along by the day centre. It's officially known as "The Sparrowell Centre for the Elderly and Disabled". I've never been in, mostly because I'm not elderly or disabled and I don't know anyone who is, but it's been given several awards for how good it is. They run loads of clubs and groups from "Memory Lane Meetings" for the oldies to reminisce, all the way to having a sensory room and other groups for the disabled community to come together. It's basically just one big hub for people to come together. One of the clubs must have ended, as there's a hoard of pensioners and carers leaving. I'm not paying much attention but something catches my eye, there's a small, older lady stopped in the doorway, waving at me. She looks familiar but I can't place her, I'm too far away and there are too many people blocking my view so I just assume she has me confused for someone else so keep walking. It's only when I get closer I notice that whoever has been helping her towards the door is coaxing her back in. I hear her protest,

'Why are we going inside? Is the group starting? I thought that was your friend. Aren't we to go home?'

But I don't know who it is she's talking to. She sounds confused and I realise from the way other carers are talking to their charge as well as the poster advertising the Dementia Club that these people all have failing memories. I pay it no more attention and continue towards the school, I obviously don't know the lady and she's a little muddled. It breaks my heart a little to think about it, the fact that these people have lived full lives and now probably can't even remember who they are. I brush the thought from my mind, not wanting to dwell on the negativities of life, especially when it is something so far away from my life.

I've only got to get through double maths before it's the end of the day though I'm a little anxious about being next to Alex for two hours. He's already sitting at the desk when I walk in and he gives me a smile as I walk toward him – no cheeky smirk.