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“Ethan! What can I help you with?” She frowned at Joey.
“Meredith. This is Joey Rendall. He’s a friend of mine who’s staying with me for a little while. He’s offered his limited handyman services if you’d like them.”
She narrowed her eyes. “How limited?”
Joey smiled. “I can do basic things that any house would need, but nothing major.”
Meredith rubbed her forehead. “If you’re sure, I’ll take you up on that. We’re seriously in need of someone who can help around here, even if it’s just a few minor things.”
Ethan clapped him on the shoulder. “I’ll leave you with Meredith. He’ll need to finish with me at two o’clock today.”
Meredith nodded. “Understood.”
Ethan disappeared, and Joey settled into a chair opposite the manager. She narrowed her eyes again.
“Are you legit?”
“On the up and up. No arrests or jail time. Not wanted by the police.”
Meredith sighed. “That’s all I can ask, really.” She grabbed a list from an immense pile of paper on her desk, making Joey think it would all topple over, and handed it to him. “This is the list we have so far—that we know of. If you can try to fix what you can, leave what you can’t, and add to the list anything else you find that you can’t fix yourself.”
“Okay.”
“As for wages, I can offer just above minimum wage if that suits you?” She named an amount.
He opened his mouth to decline being paid but then realised how suspicious that might look. “Perfect. Thanks.”
“Brilliant. Get Ethan to show you where everything is, and I’ll have a contract ready for you before you leave today.”
“Thank you.”
“No, thank you,” she said with a smile. “You’re saving us at the moment.”
Joey found Ethan back at his post at reception, and he showed him the handyman’s closet, as Ethan called it.
“Sorry for throwing you into it. It might help to keep you off the radar if you’re working and aren’t around many people.” Ethan grabbed a baseball cap and shoved it on Joey’s head. “Even better.” He chuckled.
Joey raised his eyebrows but hid his smile as he readjusted the cap. “It’s fine. May as well keep busy.”
He headed for the first job on the list, which was changing the lightbulbs in the corridors of the third floor. He carried the ladder with him, smiling at those people whose gazes he met but trying to keep his head down as much as possible.
By the time Ethan found him and told him it was nearly finishing time, Joey had lost himself in the mundane but occasionally physically demanding work. He’d enjoyed every moment.
“You ready to go?” Ethan asked.
“I’ll just put these back, then yes.” Joey carried the stuff to the closet, locking it up. “Oh, I need to see Meredith again. She wanted me to sign a contract.”
Ethan nodded and led the way down the hall. “Yes, it would seem rather weird if you didn’t want to be paid.”
“Exactly what I thought.” He planned to give the money to Ethan as rent and for any food or whatever else Joey might need to use or borrow.
Meredith had the contract waiting, and within seconds, they were out of the hotel and heading for their respective cars. Joey sat behind his steering wheel and realised he’d never felt so relaxed. At least, not since… He brushed that aside. He couldn’t think about that now.
Following Ethan again, he tried to decide what he could make Ethan for dinner that night. He made a mean curry, or he could make lasagne. He’d have to see what Ethan wanted and go to the supermarket if he didn’t have what Joey needed. It was a little unnerving how quickly things had snowballed since he’d met the guy, not even twenty-four hours ago. Had it really been less than a day?
He was able to find parking closer than he had the night before, probably because people were out at work. He grabbed a bag from the boot but left everything else where it was.
“Is that all you’re bringing?” Ethan asked, opening the door.
