Christmas at Bay Tree Cottage. Linn Halton B.

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      ‘Hey, it’s my job. If you are happy to accept that the plaster has to be remedied first, then it will probably take about a week in total, with drying time, before you can paint over it. However, that won’t stop me from laying the flooring, assuming you pick something that is a stock item. It’s a pity you don’t have enough money to replace the downstairs windows, too, as that will be quite a messy job at some point in the future. But it’s a costly one.’

      ‘I think I need a strong coffee, will you join me?’ She’s frowning again, but maybe she has a headache. It’s been a lot to take in.

      ‘That would be great, thanks.’

      ‘I’ll just pop up to check on Maya – can you carry these biscuits through to the sitting room? We might as well make ourselves comfortable. Back in a couple of minutes.’

      I watch her walk across to the staircase, stooping to take off those dusty socks, and then taking each step carefully to move soundlessly up to check on her daughter.

      Even though they are two instead of three, this is still a good life for them both. It’s not perfect, but Elana is clearly a survivor.

      I head off to the sitting room, put the small tray on the coffee table and then make my way out to the downstairs cloakroom, phone in hand.

      ‘Dad, it’s me. I’m at Bay Tree still, so I’ll be quick. The lady asked me to price up the outstanding work. She only has a small budget, so she can’t afford to have all of it done immediately. Is there anything we can do for her?’

      ‘This is the widow lady, right?’

      ‘Yep.’

      ‘Up to you, my son. There’s always flexibility in the price if you’re prepared to do it yourself, or I can help out. If it requires Andy or Greg’s involvement, then obviously it has to be the going rate. It’s the extra petrol, pulling them off other jobs, etc. You know the score.’

      ‘Thanks, Dad. I’ll talk to you about it tomorrow.’

      When I return to the sitting room Elana is curled up on the sofa, having changed into leggings and an over-sized jumper. I don’t make a comment because it’s not my place, but she looks very different. Amazing, even.

      ‘She’s sound asleep. I needed to get out of my work clothes, too. I hope you don’t mind. It’s time to relax.’

      ‘It’s a long day when you have a kiddie around. That had never crossed my mind before Joe came along.’

      I lower myself onto the sofa opposite her, taking the mug of coffee she’s holding out to me.

      ‘Here’s to an action plan,’ she says, raising her own mug in the air and I do the same.

      ‘Look, I’ll be straight with you. Most of the work here is stuff I can do without any help. Labour is costly and usually the only way to save money is on the materials. Like you have cheaper flooring, or things are made good rather than being replaced. I think we can help each other out a little here.’

      I hope that didn’t come across as sounding dodgy. Her reaction is merely a blink, she’s still curled up and hugging the coffee mug in her hands as if to warm them.

      ‘Sounds interesting. Tell me more.’

      I lean forward, placing my mug back onto the tray and clear my throat.

      ‘I have a lot of free time, except for Saturdays. Being able to earn a little money on the side would be very helpful at this moment in time. You’ll get more for your money because I won’t have to charge you the firm’s usual hourly rate IF you’re prepared for me to work outside of normal hours.’

      Elana is watching me, her eyes scanning my face.

      ‘But it’s a family business you work in, isn’t it?’

      ‘Yes, and that presents another problem. We’re committed right through until early March. Admittedly, after that we could then have two people working here, but it’s still a wait.’

      ‘Ah, and you’ve just been kind enough to sort my other issues, which have, no doubt, put you behind on the jobs you should have been attending to instead. Luke, I’m really sorry I didn’t think this through and I don’t want to cause any problems for you with the family business.’

      ‘Hey, I said we could help each other. Dad’s more than happy for me to do work on the side, because we actually turn a lot of work away. But I can’t do it in the firm’s time, as obviously we have wages to pay and overheads. What I do in my own time I can charge you for at a very reasonable hourly rate. We can see how far we can make that budget of yours stretch.’

      Elana’s eyes are wide open and I can almost hear her thoughts churning away inside her head.

      ‘And this is of mutual benefit? You don’t mind spending your relaxation time doing more of the same?’

      ‘I don’t exactly have much to do outside of work these days and, if I’m being honest, I need every penny I can get. Are we on?’

      ‘It looks like we have a deal, then.’ Once again she raises her mug in a toast and as our eyes meet what I see reflected back at me is a genuine smile. I realise a weight has just been lifted from her shoulders. As our mugs chink, it’s good to see the sense of relief reflected in her body language as she begins to relax.

       Chapter 11

       Luke

      The Best-Laid Plans

      ‘Luke, I’ll put you on Hillside View’s conservatory job in January, alongside Greg. I’ve scheduled it to start the first day back after the Christmas holidays. You’ll be there for two weeks, so at least it will mean no additional travelling if you are still sorting out Bay Tree.’

      ‘Thanks, Dad. It just seemed like the right thing to do and the money will come in handy.’

      ‘I thought you had that software thing to test? Have you gone cold on the idea?’

      Dad obviously hears more than I give him credit for; I always thought he switched off whenever I talked about anything IT-related.

      ‘No, it’s ongoing. But it can wait.’

      ‘Don’t take this the wrong way, my son, but I hope you’re going into this with your eyes wide open.’

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