Strains of Happy Birthday greeted me from the kitchen. "... Happy Birthday dear Elizabeth, Happy Birthday to you!" I grinned and embraced my father. "Many happy returns, love," he said. He ruffled my hair affectionately. "Sweet sixteen, quite something." Grandma beckoned from her armchair. "Come and give your Nan a kiss." I rushed to hug her. She tried to hide a wince as I brushed against her scars. "Your future should be in your inbox now," she said, with a nod towards my laptop. "I asked for it to be delivered this morning." Thoughts of my fathers gift forgotten, I snatched up my machine and made for our neighbourhood coffee shop. I needed some privacy while I studied what life had in store.
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