THE LAST STAR at the end of the universe

Grandpa, is there an end to the universe?’ Lucy asked, lying back in the lounger on the patio, trying to count the stars sparkling overhead. The sky was so clear, she felt she could see into eternity.

‘See that star up there – that really bright one over the tops of the trees?’ he said.

Lucy followed his finger pointing towards the line of pines bordering the garden.

‘That’s the last star at the end of the universe,’ he said. ‘It shines so brightly to tell us that that’s the edge. It guards the gateway to beyond.’

‘What’s “beyond”’?

‘Ah, who knows?’ he sighed. ‘Something lovely, I think. That’s where we’ll all go one day. It’s a special star, a lucky star.’

‘It’s my star,’ Lucy said.

‘Lucy’s Star – that’s what we’ll call it!’ Grandpa said.

Lucy gave a contented sigh. ‘I love staying with you,’ she said. ‘I wish I could stay forever.’

‘This place will be yours one day,’ Grandpa murmured.

She liked that