Page 16 of The Merry Christmas Project

His dad brightened. ‘Would you? That is kind of you. I’ll get the instruction leaflet for you. And there’s another screwdriver knocking about somewhere in case the electric one isn’t ready.’

Cole got up from the sofa and inspected it : ten per cent charged. It couldn’t have been on for very long.

‘When did you plug it in ?’

Fred puffed his cheeks out and scratched his head. ‘Let me think.’

Cole let out a hoot of laughter. ‘You plugged it in after I called to say I was on my way, didn’t you ?’

‘Any more tea in that pot ?’ said Fred blithely, heading into the kitchen.

Cole shook his head fondly. ‘Cheeky sod. I’ll do you a deal. Knock me up some scrambled eggs on toast and I’ll build the bird table for you.’

Fred tutted. ‘You drive a hard bargain, but it’s a deal.’

In the time it took Fred to prepare the food, Cole had built a small wooden table covered with a roof like an open-sided house. All he had to do now was to fix it to the wooden support post and clip on the rubber feet.

‘Grub’s up,’ Fred said.

Cole put the screwdriver back on charge while he ate his food sat on the sofa.

‘So, I’ve updated you on my day. How are you ?’ Fred asked, offering him salt and ground black pepper.

‘Fine.’ Cole added pepper to his eggs and sneezed as it got up his nose. ‘Absolutely fine. The build at Orchard Gardens is on track. Plenty of interest. We’re pouring concrete soon, all being well.’

Fred raised an eyebrow. ‘I didn’t ask about work. I asked how you are.’

He looked back at his dad. ‘What do you mean ? I’m fine.’

‘You and Lydia split up almost three years ago,’ Fred said gently. ‘Don’t you miss having someone to share your life with ?’

‘No. I miss the kids,’ Cole mumbled through a mouthful of toast. ‘They’re on my mind all day, every day, but as far as meeting another woman goes, no. I’m using the time they’re away to crack on with the build. A relationship would only complicate things.’

Fred sighed. ‘You’re a good lad, I just want to see you happy, that’s all.’

‘As a wise man once said to me, I’ll get there in my own time.’ He flashed his dad a grin.

‘Touché,’ Fred chuckled. ‘And talking about time, weren’t you supposed to be at that community meeting ? It started half an hour ago.’

Cole checked his watch and groaned. ‘Damn. It’s probably not worth going now.’

‘He was a good man, Benny Dunford. You should go,’ said Fred.

‘In that case, why don’t you come with me ?’ Cole said, threading his arms into his jacket and patting his pockets to make sure he still had his keys on him. ‘It’s about time you started to get to know your new neighbourhood.’

‘Can’t, can I ?’ said Fred slyly, looking at the bird table. ‘Someone’s got to finish the job properly.’

‘Very funny.’ He gave his dad a quick hug. ‘I’d better run. See if I can sneak in at the back without anyone noticing.’

Although as he was a six-foot-tall redhead wearing a neon yellow coat, that might be easier said than done.

Chapter 5

Merry

21 OCTOBER

The town clock was already striking seven as I headed to the meeting. I loved this part of Wetherley, it was such a pretty place ; most of the buildings had scarcely changed in centuries and the market square still had cobbled streets. Now that the market stalls had been packed away for the day, the shops were closed and the hum of traffic had faded, it was easy to imagine how it would have looked in the age of horses and carriages, promenading ladies in long dresses, and handsomely attired men in their top hats and tailcoats.