Lily came closer to the wooden door. One terrible feeling overwhelmed her. She used to feel good here but something felt wrong. The whole house was looking like 2 different personalities were living there. One was kind and loved lilacs as they were placed all over the garden, you could also see there 2 garden gnomes who were "protecting house from devils". Another one wanted a quiet, peaceful life far from the city, you can say that this person hates people but there is something bigger behind it. Like a psychological trauma which is tried to be hidden. 

  'Lily is that you?' Asked a nice woman dressed in a white apron with some colourful flowers in her hands.

  'Mrs Barker? I am so happy I found you.' Answered Lily.

  'Come inside. You look so pale. Are you feeling good?' Asked Emily, Grace's grandmother.

  'Not fully. Do you  know where is Grace? I've lost a connection with her when she disappeared.'

  They entered the house but it was steel feeling unusual. There were lots of vases all over the house but most of the time they were empty. The house seemed so small on the outside and slightly different inside. There were just three rooms. A small bedroom with dozens of pictures of each family member and a kitchen AKA hall AKA living room that looked enormously big compared to other rooms and the last one was bathroom which was looking like a seashore. Light blue tile, beige carpet near small bath. Doesn't it look like a beach?

  'I know... I am not sure if I can tell you this. You should know that she is okay, and she wanted to talk to you but my son had forbidden her to do that.' Said Mrs Barker.

  'Why?' Asked Lily.

  'It's the first stage of rehabilitation.'

  'Where is she?'

  'In German. I can make you two to talk for a few minutes.'

  'That would be great.'

  She took and old touch tone phone which looked like nobody has been using it for centuries.

  'Hi, Grace. How are you doing? Are parents far from you?' Asked Emily Barker.

  'Hello. They have gone to the market a couple of days ago. I can ask them to call you when they come.' Answered sad Grace. Lily could hear her, and she was close to the crying state.

  'I need you to end call when your parents will come and say that you have been talking to me.'

  'Okay...' Tried to say something Grace when Lily interrupted her.

  'Racy! I am so glad to hear you. I have thought so many things during the days. Are you feeling good?'

  'Lily? Is that you?'

  'Yes, it's me. I have come to your grandparents' house to ask where are you.'

  'I feel worse than ever. Firstly, I am clean for all these days. Secondly, I am not allowed to talk to any of my old friends. My parents think that my surrounding had made me like I am now.'

  'Racy, I am so sorry. Can we talk in any internet chats?'

  'No, my parents are checking them daily.'

  'Then, I can come here every month is Mrs Barker allows.' Proposed Lily and Emily shook her head in agreement.

  'I would be looking forward to these days.' Agreed Grace when Lily felt like her voice has become louder and much happier than it was before.

  Suddenly Lily heard line ringing like if someone has ended the call.

  'Her parents came.' Guessed Emily Barker.

  'Good morning girls! Emily? What are you doing here?' Asked Hanns Barker when he came into the house. He touched his grey-haired moustache and looked at Lily like she was guilty. Lily started worrying when Mrs Barker helped her.

  'She has come to ask about Grace. Now our little girl seems happier.' Answered Emily.

  'That's great. You look so pale, Lily. How about a delicious soup? Em made it in the morning.' Proposed Hanns.

  'Yes, I'd love to.' Answered Lily.

  Mr Barker took a sack of firewoods off his shoulder and placed them near the fireplace. He looked much older than he used to be. A grey moustache and a long beard made him look like an old wise man. In fact, he was a funny storyteller when  Lily was a child.

  They sit down the round wooden table and Lily looked around. Everything has changed since her last visit. There were no more small figures all over the house. Mr Barker used to tell stories about each of them. Grace used to believe that all were alive. Most children used to do like that after The Toy Story which Grace and Lily watched there. That was a peaceful place with lots of mysteries and love. Now it has changed. The only interesting thing that has left was a colourful fireplace that was painted by Lily and Grace. Everything else was wooden and dark.

  'Are you a woodcutter now?' Asked Lily.

  'No, that's more like a hobby. I feel like I need to relax.' Answered Hanns.

  'Mostly after Grace's calls. She seems so disappointed all the time.' Added Emily.

  'Why have they chosen German?' Asked Lily.

  'I think that was because of me. When Tyler was a boy I used to tell him stories about my life in German. He also liked a story of how I met his mother.' Explained Hanns.

  'Can I hear the story?' Begged Lily.

  'Sure. It happened long time ago in a period of World War ||. I was a young soldier who was on a mission in France. I didn't understand what I was doing. That time all Germans thought that they are doing the right thing. While an attack I saw a little girl stuck in rails. I helped her to get from it and took her to parents. I was a soldier, but I was also a human, so I said that they  should run away from the city. They did like I said. Many years later I saw her in a crowd in London where I moved after the war. I didn't know that she was the girl till she has told me a story of a soldier who saved her and her family.' Told Hanns.

  'This is so romantic. I wish to have a story like yours.' Dreamily replied Lily.

  'I hope you will never go through the same things as we did. Your story can be much better.' Explained Emily.

  'I think it's time for me to go. Thanks a million for everything you've done today.' Added Lily.

  Lily stood up from the kitchen table and went to the door. Hanns followed her. He asked to help Lily not to get lost.

  'Their wings look much better than it was before my coming. They really love their granddaughter and wish she to feel better. And if the only way to do it is to make Grace not to listen to her parents, they will definitely do it.' Thought Lily on their way to the bus station.

  'Please, come again. I haven`t seen Emily smiling so much since the accident.' Whispered Hanns.

  'What have happened? Is that connected to your arm?' Asked Lily.

  'I think we have some time before your bus comes.' Said Hanns after looking on his watches and added. 'This story takes place in London. We have been living with Emily for 2 years, both young and with a huge desire to change everything in our world. Em was working in newspaper and trying to make people understand that war is the worst thing that can ever happen, but we should take part in it in order to frighten our enemies. Wars not to continue. As I mentioned before, we were young and green to understand everything. So, when the war has come to UK, Emily was sure that I must go there and protect our beliefs. You may know it as "Mau Mau Uprising". However, I wasn't feeling good that time. You know, Lily, when you are in love you do things that cannot be explained easily. I went on the war but I lost consciousness on a battlefield and a soldier, who wanted to test if I was alive shot me in hand. I really don't know why not in the chest, but I am still grateful for that. As I didn't wake up after the shot but much later in the hospital without my left hand. Of course, Emily was blaming herself for it but I know that it was fully my fault.'

  'I will never get tired from your stories, Mr Barker. Is it hard to live with one hand?'

  'On one hand, yes it is. But on the other hand, you get used to it. It feels more like a...'

  'A part of you.' Helped Lily.

  'Exactly. I must say you that if something bad happens you can always rely on us. You are like our third grandchild.'

  'Thank you so much. You don't know how these words are important to me.' Sadly replied Lily. 'Oh, that's my bus.'

  'Goodbye!' Shouted Hanns when Lily sat in the bus.