Always
A story about love, for Evelyn and everyone else who needs to hear and feel it.
Planted October 2026 · 3 min read
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Evelyn was nearly four, and she had a very important question.
“Grandad,” she said, as he tucked the blanket up to her chin, “do you love me when I’m good?”
“I do,” said Grandad.
“Do you love me when I’m cross and stomp and shout NO?”
“I do. Even when you stomp.”
“Do you love me when I spill my juice all over the floor?”
“Juice can be mopped up,” said Grandad. “Love can’t be spilled.”
“Do you love me when I’m asleep and my eyes are closed?”
“Even then. Even when you’re far, far away in your dreams.”
“Do you love me when I’m at ballet and you’re not there?”
“Even then. My love can stretch as far as you can twirl… and a little bit further.”
Evelyn thought very hard.
“Do I have to look after it?” she asked. “Like watering a flower?”
“No,” said Grandad. “It isn’t like a flower at all. It’s more like the ground under your feet and the sky over your head. You don’t have to do anything. It’s just there. Always.”
“Why do you love me though?”
“Not because you’re clever, though you are. Not because you can dance, though you can. I love you because you are you. That’s all. And that’s everything.”
“Grandad, what’s the best thing in the whole wide world?”
“Hmm. Ice cream is very good,” said Grandad. “But the best thing is a hug that lasts a little bit longer than usual.”
So Evelyn gave him a big squeeze, and it went on for a long, long time.
“Like that?” she said.
“Exactly like that,” said Grandad. “That’s real treasure. Let’s keep it forever.”
Evelyn yawned a big, sleepy yawn.
“Grandad? I love you.”
“You never have to say it back, you know?” he replied. “My love is yours, whatever you say. But I am so, so happy that you love me too.”
“Can I tell other people?” asked Evelyn.
“Everyone you love?” asked Grandad. “Yes, don’t ever wait.”
So in the morning, Evelyn told Mummy.
She told Grandma.
She whispered it to Ella, her cuddly blanket.
She told the birds in the garden, and mentioned it to the lady at the shop.
And now she’s telling you.
Yes, you.
You are loved.
Not if. Not when. Not because.
Always.
Written with the inspiration and help of his small helper and fellow mucker, Evelyn.
Planted October 2026
Written to be passed on.
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