I laugh. ‘Well, I’ve calmed down now. And yes, I took anintensive course in plastering when my brother and I were thinking of doing upa flat together, before... well, before I realised the moneywasn’t there any more...’ My thoughts heading down a darkpath, I give my head a little shake. ‘But anyway, I’d probably rather yourfriend Rich did the plastering. I’m not sure seven hours of tuition was quiteenough to give me the confidence to skim walls perfectly.’
‘He could definitely do it. He’s a popular guy, though, sowhether he has a window in his schedule...’ Liam shrugs.‘Worth a try, though?’
‘Definitely. If Rich could get the wall down, the kitchencompany can measure up and I can get the units on order.’
‘Okay. I’ll speak to Rich later. I’m meeting him at the pubtonight with a bunch of other mates, so I’ll phone you tonight if the news is positive.’
‘Great. I’ve paid Eddie some money in advance but that couldcover him installing the new kitchen and bathroom instead...that’s if he actually bothers to come back!’
When Liam drops me back at the house, we swap numbers and hesays he’ll call me later.
‘Okay. Enjoy your boys’ night out!’
When he’s gone, I wander into the jungle of a garden and sitdown gingerly on the rusty old garden seat. So I might not be going back toBournemouth, after all. Not quite yet, anyway, if Liam’s friend Rich can starton the work abandoned by Eddie. But until I hear from Liam later, one way or theother, I’m not going to count on it.
I turn and study the house with a sinking heart.
Will I ever be able to get this place off my hands andout of my life for good?
CHAPTER TWELVE
Later, I pop into the café again for a quick coffeeand cake to cheer myself up. Then I pick up some food for tonight from thevillage store.
Food is becoming a bit of a problem, to be honest.Breakfasts are lovely at the guesthouse and I’m usually not hungry until muchlater. But not having access to a cooker or a fridge means I’m tending to eat arather odd assortment of food in the evenings, while I’m watching TV back atthe B&B. It was a box of tiny scotch eggs and a ready-made salad lastnight, with an individual chocolate dessert to follow – all quite tasty, exceptthat by ten I was getting hungry again and had to nip out for a bag of chips. Istarted out buying bananas and other fruit, but in the heat of the room ittends to go off quickly and I hate spotty brown bananas. So my options are abit limited.
I’m aware the sensible thing would be to move into SycamoreHouse. It would save me money, I’d have a fridge, and I could cook what Iliked.
But I’m not quite ready for that.
I might be getting used to being at the house during theday, but staying overnight all by myself would feel too eerie for my liking.Allthose ghosts...
Tonight, I opt for an individual smoky bacon and tomatoquiche and yet another boxed salad, with a bag of raspberry jam donuts forafters. One donut is rarely enough, especially when all I’m doing is sitting onthe bed watching TV. And I know my diet is far from perfect just now but atleast I have an excuse. (When you’re being forced to confront your unedifyingpast, day after day, it turns out comfort food is an absolute necessity!)
Driving back to the B&B, I think about Liam Westerbrook.He’s not just good-looking and funny with gorgeous eyes – he seems like areally genuine, caring person as well.
But then that’s what I thought about Guy and look how wrongI was there.
I need to be careful – I don’t want to get hurt like that again.If his friend, Rich, is going to be doing some work for me, I guess I’ll likelybe seeing Liam again as well. But is that really a good idea? I need the workdone as soon as possible, though, so I guess I’ll just have to go with it andmake sure I harden my heart to Liam Westerbrook’s charms!
Later that night, as I’m picking half-heartedly at my quicheand salad, and watching the soaps on TV, I keep checking my phone, waiting fora message from Liam to tell me whether Rich can fit me in to do the work. Butby ten, when he still hasn’t phoned or texted, I’m realising it’s probably notgoing to happen. I’d been so hopeful, but perhaps it’s time I resigned myselfto the fact that I won’t get the house back on the market before I start my newjob in October.
Thinking of Bournemouth makes me long to be back there,among friends and everything that’s comfortingly familiar. My friend Shalinican always cheer me up, although she’ll be deep in wedding arrangements rightnow. That’s one of the reasons I need to sell Sycamore House. I’ve been sharingShalini’s flat while I helped her in the café, but once she’s married, her newhusband will be moving in, so obviously I need to find a place of my own. Withthe proceeds from Sycamore House, I’m going to buy myself a house down there.
My phone pings and I check my texts again, but it’s just amarketing thing from a company encouraging me to place bets on horses. Stillnothing from Liam.
Gloomily, I reach for a second donut and start munchingwithout really tasting it.
Maybe I’ll just head home to Bournemouth tomorrow...
*****
By the time I run down to breakfast the followingmorning, I’m already packed and ready to go.
I still haven’t heard anything from Liam about his friend,Rich, and the lure of home is just too tempting. By nine, my suitcase is in theboot and I’m driving over to Sycamore House to make sure things are okay therebefore I leave. It could be a week before Eddie gets back in touch and I’d hateto find I’ve left a tap running and flooded the place, or something equallyirresponsible.
It’s the old family home, whether I like it or not.
Someone has to look after it.
