Innocence returning (Edit 1)

[Lizzie]

Keith, this is a beautiful piece. The relationship between the N and the grandfather is tenderly portrayed. The tone of the interactions comes through clearly.

There’s a cold breeze
coming through the back door -- I agree with ending on 'coming.'
causing it to creak on its hinges,
Grandad's gone across the backs -- like the casual tone
to feed his pigeons.

I find him inside the empty loft
closing derelict cages, -- I can see a correlation between this line and the door that creaks on its hinges -- maybe you could keep the door imagery, just rework it.
gently I place an arm
around the confusion. -- These last four lines are gorgeous, and I think it's a good idea to stop the stanza here.
Using soft words we stumble outside
towards real moments.

The overgrown allotment glistens -- 'allotment' feels too formal, unless it's a cultural difference
through droplets, strung out
to tremble in the damp morning light. -- I like the allusion to spiderwebs without naming them. Trembling in the morning light highlights the theme of vulnerability.
We hear the rush of racing pigeons
and watch them disappear overhead
like ghosts into field mist. -- nice foreshadowing of the last line

Grandad stood staring at the sky,
“they’re not coming back are they son?”
I put my coat around his shoulders, -- I like how you're using these little details to describe the relationship
‘no Grandad they’ve been gone too long”.
We start the slow walk back towards the house.

“Someone will have to tell your Grandma,
she loved those birds” -- I agree with changing 'loved' to loves.
“She’s gone too Grandad,
Grandma’s gone too”. -- I don't think you need to state that she's gone twice. Once will suffice.

Lovely work, Keith.