‘In where?’ Jesse asked. ‘The one room that was partly habitable is now the worst of them all!’
‘Yes, thank you for pointing that out.’
He pinched the bridge of his nose. ‘Sorry. It just doesn’t seem like the best idea. You’re going to be cold. There’s no heating or running water at the moment, for a start.’
Bugger. I’d forgotten that.
‘Look,’ Jesse said, ‘how about a compromise?’
‘Go on.’
‘As the tree took out your water tank and the boiler is nearly as old as the house, it could be a good opportunity to replace it with a combi. It doesn’t need a tank so that’s one less thing to think about replacing and it’ll be more efficient. How about you stay until that’s done at least?’
I fiddled with the salt cellar as I thought about it. Annoyingly, he did make some excellent points.
‘If it’s taking you that long to think of an excuse to say no, why don’t we just agree on that for now?’
I looked up at him with a flash of irritation but all it did was make him laugh. ‘That’s settled, then,’ he said as his sister walked over to the table, a piece of paper in her hand. ‘You all right, Jules?’
‘Umm, yeah. I think so. This just came.’ She handed him the paper to read. As he did so, a wide smile broke on his face.
‘Nominated for Best Small Business in the County award?’ He stood and swept his sibling up in a huge hug. ‘That’s fantastic!’ Jesse stood back, having now placed his sister back on the floor. ‘How come you don’t look more pleased? This,’ he waved the paper, ‘is great!’
‘It is! I know. And I’m thrilled. Just a bit shocked, I guess.’
‘And?’
‘And what?’
‘I know you, remember. There’s something else.’
‘What is it?’ I asked, pulling out a chair at our table. She plopped down into it and looked at Jesse, who’d now retaken his own seat, then me.
‘These awards. They’re quite fancy.’
‘Good excuse for a new dress.’ I grinned.
‘That’s the thing. That’s not really me. I don’t do fancy. What would I do with a pricey dress? I’d probably only wear it that once. And then there’s my hair?—’
‘Which is beautiful.’ It was the truth. Thick and dark like her brother’s but, unlike his short crop, Julie’s tumbled down her back in soft waves, although most of the time, she kept it pulled back in a low ponytail.
‘I’m not sure I can go. It’s too much expense for one night. I might not even win anyway!’
‘Of course you’re going to win. And you have to go!’ Jesse frowned.
‘I don’t have to do anything, thank you,’ she snipped back.
‘It would be a shame not to go, Jules,’ I said, the familiar term coming naturally as I stepped in as mediator, ‘and I think I’ve got a plan.’
The siblings both looked at me, expectant. Hope showed in Jesse’s eyes, nerves in his sister’s.
‘As you were kind enough to lend me some clothes when the sky fell in, how about I return the favour? I’ve got plenty of outfits that would be perfect for that type of event and you’d absolutely rock them.’
‘Oh no, I couldn’t. If you wear Armani to clear out a shed, I dread to think how much your dresses cost!’ She was half laughing but it was clear she meant the comment.
‘The money is already spent, Jules, and right now they’re just hanging there looking unloved. I’d love it if you’d take one to wear. There are shoes too if you’d like. You could come and choose something or I can bring a few over to you that I think would suit you so you can try them on without freezing your arse off as there’s no heat at my place.’
‘Are you sure you don’t mind?’ Jules asked, some of the earlier tension beginning to melt away.
