The summer holidays was something everyone enjoyed. No one could say no to ice cream and a good water fight, summer was what brought everyone joy. The bright ball of fire in the sky lit up everyone's day, even Mr Crabble's, our neighbour. Just as the sun was rising, before anyone had woken up, that was the best time to witness the sun's beauty. So you could understand why I woke up extremely early in the morning and dashed down the stairs. I flung open the door to our backyard and ran to the little tree house at the bottom of our garden.

As I climbed up the wooden ladder, I could feel the sun shining on my back. When I got to the top and turned around I shielded my eyes from the glowing rays of the sun. The sight is always worth waking up at 5 am everyday. The rosy hues of the sun's rays blending with the honey-like oranges painted the sky in the most beautiful way. Mesmerising. That's what Grandpapa always called it. Watching the sun as it rose to give us light and warmth is one of his most favourite hobbies. He loved sunsets just as much, telling me every time that even the brightest of things needed to rest. I can't wait to see him again.

I remember the time he used to live with us, before Johnny was born. It was just me, Mama and my Grandpapa. We had so much fun together, going on adventures and doing all sorts. I had always wanted to be an explorer, just like how he was before he had to stop due to bad lung aches (he never liked talking about what happened to him). But he never let that stop him from playing with his favourite (only) grand daughter. Whether it was chasing the monster's away from our basement or baking a 'Welcome' cake for our new neighbour, me and my Grandpapa was sure to have done it. He even helped me build this tree house.

It was an early summer day in mid-June, about 4 years ago, when I was 11 years-old. I was scared about starting secondary and worried I wouldn't make any new friends. Grandpapa said we should make a tree house, because every explorer has a hideout. So we spent that whole day working away and building a memory that would last forever. When our task was complete, we sat in the tree house with our legs dangling down below us.

"You see the sun Lizzie? The way the colours mix together to form a magnificent view for us? "

"I do, Papa" I had replied to him, sipping the ice cold lemonade Mama had made.

"Everything has a purpose, Liz. Everything and everyone has a place in the greater picture."

When I had looked at him in that moment, I swear I saw a single tear roll down his cheek. But in a split second the solemn expression had left his face and he was smiling again.

"You remember that Lizzie, you'll be just fine in High school." He said while ruffling my hair, causing me to spill some of my lemonade.

"Hey!" All he did was chuckle and I was almost convinced he was never sad. Almost.

"Lizzie? Are you in your tree house again?" called my mother as she made her way out of the still open door. I couldn't help but laugh,

"You know me, of course I am. Just wanted to see the sun one last time" I replied, watching my mother come closer and stood just underneath the tree house. She turned and faced the sunrise, cupping her hand just above her eyes.

"The sunrise really is something isn't it?"

"Yeah it is. And so much better from up here"

"Well, I'm sure it'll look even better from where we're going. Come on, I need help getting Johnny dressed." She had already started walking back to the house half way through her sentence, which meant I had no choice but help. Not that I wouldn't have helped anyways, I've always liked to help Mama as much as I could. I took one last look at the rising sun before descending the battered ladders and landing on the soft grass with a thump. I really can't wait to see him after a whole year. When I walked back into the house I found Mama trying to calm down a grumpy Johnny.

"What's wrong? Why are you upset Johnny?"

"It's my fault, I forgot to wash his PJ Mask hoodie yesterday. Now he's upset that he can't where it when we go to see your grandad. I'm so sorry, Lizzie"

"Mama, it's fine. Don't worry." I reassured her, rubbing her back. "Hey, Johnny what's wrong with your Bob the Builder hoodie? Why don't you wear that one?"

"Bob the builder's for babies!!" He was still frowning, but now crossing his arms.

"It is? But Grandpapa LOVES Bob the Builder. I'm sure he would love to see you wearing that hoodie." That made him stop frowning.

"Really?"

"Of course! Bob the builder is his absolute fave!!"

"I wanna wear my Bob the builder one! Mama, I wanna wear it, I wanna wear it!!"

"Ok, ok. Do you want to go get it Johnny?" And with that he dashed towards the stairs to get his now-favourite hoodie. I turned to my Mama, who was now smiling.

"Thank you so much, Lizzie. What would I do without you?" She said before placing a kiss to my head. I smiled back,

"You would manage, I know you would"

"Of course, I would." She said, not one bit convinced, but carried on talking before I could. "There's some egg still in the pan and toast in the microwave if you've not eaten already. Which I'm guessing you haven't due to you early 'sun-watching'."

"Thanks Mama" I replied, smiling.

Then she was off to make sure Johnny hadn't made a mess of his clothes during his hunt for the hoodie. 20 minutes later and I was sat down at the kitchen table finishing off my breakfast with a glass of fresh orange juice. As I was putting away my now clean dishes, I felt tiny hands grab onto my shirt.

"Hurry up Lizzie! I wanna see Grandpapa now!" It was Johnny, who seemed to be in a much better mood now. Mama was coming down the stairs, with a fond smile on her face whilst carrying his toy-filled backpack and her handbag.

"Ok, ok. I'm hurrying. Now let go of me you little scamp" I said whilst pushing his grubby hands off my best shirt and tickling him in the sides. That caused him to double over giggling, and gave me a chance to get away.

"Here, Mama. Let me take those, I can put them in the car" I stuck my hands out to take the bags but she refused my offer.

"I'm fine, I'll take them. Just be a dear and put your brother's shoes on for him." She said before turning and opening the front door. With a small sigh, I went back into the kitchen and found my little brother trying to go outside.

"Johnny, you can't go out to the back now, we're about to leave." I called, snatching his hand away from the door knob.

"But I wanna go play!" He cried, trying to free his hand.

"You can play when we get to Grandpapa's." I said, locking the door and pulling him away towards the car.

"No! I wanna play now!!" He shouted, stomping his foot and huffing.

"But if you play now, then you'll be too tired to play with Grandpapa. And then you will have to wait for next summer when we get visit again." I tried reasoning with him. He seemed to have to think about it, but then he realised what I meant and complied by getting in the car. I closed the door behind him and went to the other side of the car before climbing in myself. I helped him with his seatbelt as I watched Mama get into the driver's seat of the car and start the engine.

"We all ready to go?" She asked looking back through the rear-view mirror.

"Yesss!! Ready for take off!!" Exclaimed Johnny, holding up his space rocket we managed to grab beforehand, making us all smile. And with that we set off. The journey would take quite a long time, so I plugged in my earphones and listened to my music. As I looked out of the window, I saw the sun was high up in the sky. It was at the highest it could get, which meant it was noon. Grandpapa taught me how to tell the time from the positioning of the sun, because you're not going to have a clock in the middle of the Amazon, as he always said. I miss the summer days we used to spend watching the sun and the way it shone down on everything. It's been too long since I've seen him, I'm really looking forward to this visit. I closed my eyes and tried to get some sleep, I need to rest after this morning.

I must have slept through the rest of the car ride because when I opened my eyes, the car had stopped. We were outside of Grandpapa's retirement home and Mama was already getting out of the car. The sun was almost setting, I hope we can get to Grandpapa before it does so I can watch the sun set with him. I quickly got up and out of the car too and went around the car to help my brother out.

"Are we there now?" he asked, he seems calmer now maybe he slept during the car ride too.

"Yeah, we are. Come on, let's go see Grandpapa" I said whilst grabbing his hand and making my way over to where our Mama stood with the bags. She had a big smile on her face, and so did mine.

"You ready?" She asked, even though she knew the answer. I've been ready ever since we last left him a year ago.

We walked up the front porch of the home and knocked on the front door, a young-looking lady opened the door and let us in. We made our way to the reception desk next to the door, where Mama asked,

"Hi, I'm looking for Mr Anderson. Do you know whereabouts he is."

"Um, Mr Anderson isn't here anymore.." the man who was stationed at the desk answered.

"What do you mean? I wasn't informed he was moved. Where has he been moved to?"

"Well, I'm sorry miss but I can't release confidential information like that"

"I'm his daughter, Miss Clarrisa Anderson and I want to know where my father is."

The man looked very nervous after finding out who my mother was, he almost looked like he wanted the floor to open up and swallow him whole. But the words that next came out of his mouth made me wish the floor would swallow me whole.

"Mr Anderson hasn't been here for a couple of months now.....

.... He died from cancer"

He WHAT?! I can't have heard him properly, Grandpapa can't be dead. He can't be, can he? No, he can't. I wanted to scream at the man that he wasn't telling the truth but just as I looked up I saw the alarmed, maybe even regretful, expression on Mama's face as tears slipped down her cheek, and I knew then that it was true. Grandpapa was gone. I was never going to see him again.

I turned to look outside and I saw that the sun had set, leaving darkness in it's wake.