by Heidi Swain
‘I couldn’t agree more,’ I told him, hoping he wasn’t just saying what he thought I wanted to hear.
‘So,’ he continued with a nod to the barns, ‘what are your plans for these? You could rent the space out, I suppose. I’m guessing Gwen was letting someone store their caravans in the big shed, was she? Although I have to say I was surprised to find you bashing the hell out of one of them.’
I didn’t explain what I had been doing.
‘Yes,’ I said, latching on to the storage idea. ‘She was keeping them for someone.’
‘You’d think the owners would want them on the road by now, though,’ he went on. ‘Given the weather we’ve been enjoying.’
‘Um,’ I said.
‘Well, if you are thinking of offering storage on a permanent basis you’ll probably want to have electricity installed, for an alarm of some sort, if nothing else.’
‘There’s power to the big shed already,’ I said, my mind rushing back to my plans, ‘but nothing in the other two. Would it be hard to set up, do you think?’
Decent electrics and plumbing were going to be paramount if I was going to convert the middle-sized barn into the luxurious ablutions block I had been imagining.
‘I wouldn’t have thought so,’ he said, looking over my shoulder and eyeing the area up, ‘especially as you already have a supply of sorts, although I dare say the fuse box for that will need updating as well.’
I hadn’t thought of that.
‘Let’s have a quick look and see,’ he suggested.
The last thing I wanted to do was give him a tour, especially with my plans and paperwork scattered about, and I was just about to make some excuse when Matt’s truck pulled into the yard.
‘Oh sorry, Lottie,’ Simon tutted, ‘looks like we’ll have to have a gander another day.’
‘That’s fine,’ I said, my eyes following Minnie who had already made a beeline for Matt’s truck. ‘And it looks like I’d better go and rescue your cousin.’
I ran and scooped Minnie up and quickly shut her in the cottage before she had a chance to sink her teeth into any part of my trusty builder, or his tyres.
‘Hey, Lottie,’ Matt smiled as he climbed out.
‘Hey,’ I smiled back.
‘How are you getting on?’ he called to Simon.
‘All done.’
‘Well, almost done,’ I cut in. ‘You’ve still got to show me how it all works and I haven’t actually paid you yet.’
‘Don’t worry about the money,’ laughed Simon. ‘I know where you live, and besides, you might want to stick it on your tab if you decide to go ahead with the other job.’
‘What other job?’ frowned Matt.
‘Lottie and I were just discussing the possibility of getting some more electricity sorted for the barns,’ Simon launched off before I had a chance to say anything.
‘Were you?’ frowned Matt. ‘But why would you bother?’
‘Because I might want to use them for something,’ I said evasively.
‘Like what?’ he probed.
‘I haven’t made up my mind yet,’ I told him.
‘There’s power to the big shed already,’ said Simon, clearly not picking up on the fact that I had no desire to elaborate further.
‘Just a couple of sockets for the workshop,’ I shrugged dismissively. ‘And a central light.’
‘Gwen’s got a load of caravans down there,’ said Simon.
I could have kicked him when he said that.
‘Has she?’ asked Matt, turning his attention back to me.
‘A couple,’ I said, knowing I couldn’t possibly deny it when Simon had seen the evidence for himself.
‘So what did you say you had planned for the other barns?’
‘I didn’t,’ I said, twisting Gwen’s hula girl key ring around my fingers. ‘I said I hadn’t decided what I’m going to do with them. I just thought power down there might be useful.’
‘Be expensive, though,’ he said, rubbing his chin.
‘No, it wouldn’t, mate,’ countered Simon. ‘Not really, not when there’s power already down there.’
‘It might not have been properly installed, though,’ said Matt testily. ‘You know what Gwen was like when it came to cutting corners.’
I looked up and spotted a glance between the two men. It was over in a second, but I had definitely seen it. For some reason, Matt wanted to put Simon off the job, or me off having the work done. I wasn’t sure which, and I didn’t much care for his slur on Gwen’s caretaking skills either.
‘Actually,’ said Simon, following his cousin’s lead, ‘you might have a point there. Perhaps it would be better if you got the house sorted first, Lottie, then think about the barns when everything’s shipshape up here?’
‘Yes,’ I agreed, as keen to change the subject as he was. ‘You’re probably right.’
‘You don’t need to go wasting money on stuff down there when the cottage is falling apart,’ put in Matt. ‘Better to get things up here back on level ground first.’
He was right, of course, but given everyone else’s opinion on the place, his suggestion that the cottage was practically derelict was a little over the top.
‘Oh Matt,’ I laughed. ‘Stop being so melodramatic, it’s hardly falling apart.’
He didn’t say anything else, just stared over my head, sucking his lip and looking like a child who had lost his comforter. I didn’t know what had come over him.
‘Right,’ said Simon as the air between the three of us began to crackle with the same electricity I’d felt when the lightning touched down next to me the day before. ‘I’d better get on.’
‘I thought you were going to show me this fuse box,’ I reminded him.
‘You’ll be able to suss it out,’ he said. ‘Everything’s labelled up so if something does trip out you can see exactly where the problem is.’
‘It really couldn’t be simpler,’ said Matt, clearing his throat.
‘Fair enough,’ I said, addressing Simon and ignoring Matt. ‘If I’m not sure about anything I’ll give you a call.’
‘Please do,’ he smiled.
‘And thank you for putting in the new shower.’
‘Is this the model you went for?’ asked Matt, pointing at the empty box which was now propped next to the back door ready to go in the recycling bin. ‘I thought you’d have gone for something with a bit more power, Lottie.’
So grateful to have gotten off the subject of the barns, I grabbed this new twist in the conversation and ran with it.
‘I was going to,’ I said without thinking. ‘But a neighbour mentioned the water pressure might not be up to it.’
‘That wouldn’t be the same neighbour who fixed your fuse box yesterday by any chance, would it?’ asked Simon with a wink.
I could feel my cheeks blazing, but I had no reason to keep Will’s help and advice a secret. He was a neighbour and he was just being neighbourly after all.
‘It was,’ I said.
‘I thought as much,’ he grinned when I didn’t offer up a name.
I was sure Matt had already worked out who we were talking about so there was no need to spell it out and aggravate the situation further.
‘So are you coming to the pub tonight, Matt?’ asked Simon.
‘I thought I might pop in,’ he nodded. ‘That was actually what I drove out to ask you about, Lottie. I was wondering if you fancied a night out in town, or do you still have an aversion to everything alcoholic after the Skylark party?’
‘Afraid so.’
‘Oh, come on,’ he wheedled. ‘It can be my way of thanking you for giving me the go-ahead to get on with the work here.’
‘Well, I suppose I could avoid the Scrumpy, couldn’t I?’ I said with a little shudder, thinking back to the hangover from hell and wondering if I could have a catch-up with Jemma as well as enjoy a night on the town.
‘Exactly,’ laughed Matt, sounding suddenly far cheerier. ‘You could stick to something le
ss potent. How do you feel about vodka?’
I shook my head, but didn’t say anything. My mind was too preoccupied with the warming impact whisky could have on a girl’s insides. If indeed it had been the whisky that had been responsible.
‘It’s going to be a good night,’ Simon joined in. ‘Jim’s booked three live bands so it’ll be packed. Everyone I’ve spoken to is planning to go.’
If he was right, there was every possibility that Jemma would be there. I decided to let Matt’s earlier sulkiness pass.
‘All right, then,’ I nodded. ‘I’d love to come, but there’s one condition.’
‘What’s that?’ asked Matt.
‘You don’t leave me to take on the town gossips alone and you certainly don’t let me touch a drop of cider, no matter where it’s from or what its alcohol content is.’
The last thing I needed was to be making a show of myself in front of my critics.
‘Deal!’ laughed Matt, holding out his hand to seal the agreement.
I shook it heartily, but realised with a jolt that even though he was giving me his widest smile, there was absolutely no spark between us whatsoever.
Chapter 23
As predicted, The Mermaid was absolutely heaving. Clearly the prospect of live entertainment, even if it was from three local bands they’d heard a hundred times before, was enough to pull in quite a crowd and there were already small groups of early evening revellers spilling out on to the pavement.
The weather was hot and humid and I was pleased I had opted to wear a light cotton dress and cardigan rather than jeans and reminded myself that sticking to tonic water or lemonade was going to be the best option this evening. Matt didn’t know it, of course, but I had business with Jemma to discuss so I needed to keep my head clear and I was also determined to have my ears open for any more gossip.
My date had just put his foot inside the pub door when Will came striding out at speed, ducking low to avoid the door frame. At the same time calling over his shoulder and laughing to someone in the bar, he was completely unaware that he was on a collision course and sent Matt, who hadn’t time to step out of the way, flying. A jeer went up from the rowdy crowd and Matt went bright red as he scrambled to grab a chair and regain his balance along with his dignity.
‘Mate,’ said Will. ‘I’m so sorry.’
‘You want to watch where you’re going,’ Matt growled, self-consciously brushing down his shirt and readjusting his collar.
‘Oh, it’s you,’ said Will, the remorseful tone banished in a heartbeat. ‘Had I realised, I wouldn’t have bothered apologising.’
Matt took a step forward and then thought better of it. Standing at well over six foot and with shoulders the width of the pub door, Will was an impressive sight. I certainly wouldn’t have wanted to take him on, not in the confrontational sense anyway. My mind thought back to what was lurking under that unassuming plain grey T-shirt and gave an inner sigh.
I hastily reminded my lusty inner stirrings that Will was my nearest neighbour and now, thanks to my storm-chasing antics and his offers of help, we were fast becoming friends as well and that was all I wanted us to be. It was a shame, of course, that he and Matt seemed determined to cling to this mutual loathing and posturing, but that was nothing to do with me. They were big boys and would just have to get on with things.
Will stepped aside to let Matt pass and he disappeared inside without another word.
‘Hello,’ I said, feeling it would be rude not to say anything.
‘Lottie,’ Will beamed. ‘Hi. How are your knees?’
Another cheer went up from the crowd.
‘Hey mate, I bet that’s what you ask all the girls the morning after!’ shouted some anonymous jester.
Will rolled his eyes, but didn’t shout back.
‘Much better, thanks,’ I told him, hoping that my face wasn’t as flushed as I thought it might be. ‘And you’ll be pleased to know that the electrics are now all sorted, along with the shower.’
‘Brilliant,’ he smiled. ‘I bet that’s a weight off your mind.’
‘It is,’ I nodded. ‘And Simon, the electrician, said I’d picked the best sort of shower given the water pressure, so thank you for your advice on that. You’ve no doubt saved me some hassle there.’
‘You’re welcome,’ he said and then, bending low so only I could hear him, added, ‘but you’re always welcome to come and use my shower again should you have any problems.’
There was that heady scent: masculine, spicy and warm. I drank it in. The temptation to lean a little closer and kiss his tanned neck was almost irresistible.
‘I might just take you up on that,’ I whispered back.
He quickly straightened back up, obviously as shocked that I’d decided to play along as I was.
‘I mean, if I get a problem,’ I stammered, backtracking as if my life depended on it. ‘If this new shower doesn’t work or something . . . ’
‘Don’t ruin it,’ he grinned, recovering far more quickly than I had.
‘Lottie,’ called Matt from just inside the door. ‘Are you coming, or what?’
‘Sorry,’ I called back. ‘Yeah, I’m on my way.’
So entranced was I by Will, I’d completely forgotten I was supposed to be with Matt. That kind of behaviour was completely out of character for me and I couldn’t help wondering what Gran and Gwen would have made of my conduct. To be honest, they’d probably think it was more spirited than rude.
‘You’d better go in,’ winked Will, stepping neatly around me, but still within tantalising reach. ‘Don’t keep him waiting. His ego’s taken enough of a battering already.’
‘We’re just going to talk about jobs at the cottage,’ I said, even though there was no reason in the world why I had to explain.
Will shrugged his shoulders to confirm that he felt it was none of his business either, and I felt a bit of an idiot for having said anything at all.
‘Just don’t forget, my offer still stands,’ he said. ‘I can help you out if you want me to, and I’m a good teacher.’
Another cheer went up.
‘You lot are like a load of bloody kids,’ Will laughed before leaving the half-drunk rowdy bunch to enjoy their innuendos.
Pushing my way through the crowd to reach Matt, who was now sporting an even deeper scowl, I bumped into Chris and Marie.
‘Well, well, well,’ boomed Chris with a wink. ‘Has the cuckoo finally left her nest?’
Marie dug him sharply in the ribs, clearly unimpressed that he had used my nickname even though it was only in jest.
‘Just for this evening,’ I said, in a voice which I hoped was loud enough to carry to anyone present who doubted my determination. ‘But I’ll be back there later and if you carry on like that, Mr Dempster, you can go without that Sunday cuppa you keep threatening to call in for.’
‘Ignore him, love,’ said Marie. ‘He’s only teasing.’
‘I know,’ I said with a smile, ‘and to tell you the truth, I don’t mind. In fact, the name’s rather growing on me, although given my size perhaps wren would be more appropriate, although that little bird would never commandeer another’s home, would it?’
Marie winked, guessing that I was ready to give back as good as I was likely to get.
‘So what have you been up to?’ she asked as Chris continued to massage his side. ‘Simon’s been telling everyone that Gwen’s set up some sort of storage facility in one of the barns.’
‘Has he now?’
‘Yes,’ said Chris, sounding confused. ‘Are you sure about that, Lottie? Because when I took Gwen to pick up those caravans I didn’t think . . . ’
‘Sorry,’ I said, cutting him off and waving at Matt, who was still scowling, ‘I have to go. Matt’s been waiting for ages.’
I had no desire to get drawn into a conversation about what Gwen may or may not have had in mind for the vans or stand by while Chris announced their presence to everyone who might have missed Simon’s earlier proclam
ation.
‘Of course,’ said Marie. ‘And don’t worry, love. I’ll try and stop this one unwittingly fanning the flames.’
‘Thanks, Marie,’ I said gratefully. ‘I’ll see you later.’
I eased my way through the crowd to Matt and sipped at the glass of ice-packed lemonade he passed me.
‘So what did he want?’ he demanded, with a nod to the door.
‘What, Chris?’
‘No,’ he snapped. ‘Will. Is he still looking to get into your good books after running you off the road?’
‘Of course not,’ I said, following on behind as he made his way towards the little garden at the back of the pub. ‘That’s all water under the bridge now. He just wanted to remind me that Minnie’s due to have her booster jab soon.’
‘Is that right?’
I knew I could just as easily have said I was thanking him for his help with the electrics, but I didn’t feel my honesty would add anything to the evening, which had already got off to such a rocky start. Given Matt’s lowly opinion of my neighbour, confirming him as my storm-busting hero would only have made things worse.
‘Hey, Lottie!’
I spun round to see Jemma waving at me from the other side of the pub and I tapped Matt on the shoulder.
‘Sorry,’ I shouted in his ear above the noise of the crowd. ‘Do you mind if I just go and have a quick word with Jemma?’
‘Why not,’ he shrugged. ‘You seem to be Little Miss Popular this evening. I’ll be out here with Simon.’
‘Thanks,’ I said, squeezing his arm in the hope that a show of affection might alleviate at least some of the guilt I felt for deserting him again so soon. ‘I won’t be a minute.’
I knew he wasn’t impressed that I was off again, but this was too good an opportunity to miss.
‘Hey,’ I said when I finally reached Jemma. ‘I was hoping to see you tonight.’
‘Snap,’ she said, taking hold of my hand. ‘Follow me. It’s a bit quieter through here.’
The restaurant was still busy, but the level of chatter was much quieter and we grabbed a couple of chairs next to the thankfully unlit fire and settled down for a quick tête-à-tête. I couldn’t help noticing there were a few glances thrown in our direction, but whether that was because we had just walked in or because everyone had spotted the ‘cuckoo’, I couldn’t be sure.
