Short Stories in English for Beginners

Chapter 4 – The Return
The man and I talk little on the ride to Barcelona. I don’t mention that I may
know his son. At last, the Paella Loca lorry arrives. The driver turns off the
engine. The old man and I get out the back door. The old man hides among
the people on the street. I thank the driver.
‘You’re welcome,’ he says. ‘Have a good day!’
I turn around. The old man is looking at the restaurant. It’s La Paella
Loca at last! We both go in. No one is there. It’s three o’clock in the
afternoon. It’s still too early for 
dinner
.
‘What do you want to do?’ I ask the man.
‘I’m not hungry,’ he replies. ‘I want to go to my son’s flat. Do you want
to come with me?’
‘Sure,’ I reply.
The old man has Armando’s address. We take the number 35 bus in
silence. Then we walk towards Armando’s flat. He still doesn’t know that
Armando is my friend. Armando doesn’t speak about his father very often. I
know Armando and the man have never met.
At this point, I just can’t decide. Should I tell the man that I know
Armando? Should I keep it to myself? Finally, I come to a conclusion. I will
keep quiet. I want the meeting to be a great surprise.
We arrive at the flat and walk through the front entrance. ‘Good
afternoon!’ says the 
receptionist
.
‘Hello,’ we reply.
The old man moves towards the receptionist. He wants to ask for
Armando’s flat number.
‘Leave it to me,’ I say.
We take the 
lift
 up to the third floor. We get out. We walk towards the
door of the flat.
‘It’s here,’ I say to the old man.
‘How do you know?’ he asks.

---

Finally, I explain. I tell him that I have known Armando for years. It was
just luck – or 
fate
 – that he and I were in the same lorry. At first, he can’t
believe it. Then he accepts his fate. He can’t wait to meet his son.
We ring at the door but there is no answer.
‘Julia? Armando?’ I call. ‘Is anyone there?’ Again, nobody answers. I
explain that my sister and I are staying in the flat. Then I take out my key
and open the door.
‘Where are they?’ the man asks.
‘I don’t know. But they should be here soon.’
We go into the flat. I find my mobile phone charger. For the next 15
minutes, I charge my phone. After, I call my sister. Julia’s phone rings once.
She answers quickly.
‘Daniel! Finally! Mum called, but I was so worried!’
‘Hello, Julia. Don’t worry. I’m fine. I’m at Armando’s flat. I’m with
someone.’
‘Who is it?’
‘Well, it’s a long story. Come back to the flat. Where are you?’
‘I talked to Mum this morning. She told me about Valencia. Armando
and I waited for you all night! We just went out for lunch. We’re on our way
back now.’
‘OK. We’ll wait for you here.’
Half an hour later, Armando and Julia arrive at the flat. ‘Hello, Daniel!
We’re so happy to see you!’ says Armando. He turns to the old man. ‘And
who are you?’ he asks.
Before the man can reply, I say, ‘Um … Armando, I have something
important to tell you.’
‘What’s going on?’ he asks.
‘Armando, this is your father,’ I say.
At first, Armando