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“I thought those two would be on Catcher Lane demolishing walls,” I say, standing just inside the door where I can see them but they can’t see me.
“They can’t start without their demolition equipment.”
“I thought that was on its way from Jersey?”
“Haven’t you heard?” Mrs Parker interjects, her voice dripping glee. “The cargo couldn’t be unloaded because the harbour master wasn’t on hand to accept delivery when the ferry came on Saturday.”
This makes no sense to me. “But there are ferries from Jersey three times a day, I’m sure it could have been delivered later.”
“They tried but every time the ferry arrived, the harbour master happened not to be there to handle the delivery.”
“How come?” I turn to Eileen
She shrugs, giving me wide, innocent eyes, but her lips stretch in a knowing smile.
“It’ll be costing them a bundle, all this shipping three times a day.” Mrs Parker says with exaggerated concern.
“But I’m sure they can make a start on some of the demolition anyway, Hal did it without heavy equipment.”
“But they haven’t got any workers. No one wanted the jobs.” Eileen goes back to unwrapping a large wheel of stilton. “They took out an advert in the Cock, hired the room upstairs at The Swan, and were sat there for two days with no one applying. They were so angry, fuming on how they’ll teach everyone a lesson when they were up and successful.”
Mrs Parker, seeing my wide uncomprehending eyes, tuts. “Men who worked for young Hemingway have been talking as how he always paid fair wages and extra if they stayed overtime. And never asked anyone to work harder or longer than he worked himself. And always so polite to me when he came to the post office. I like a polite young man.”
“Too right,” Eileen agrees. “The Malon brothers were singing his praises for the beautiful gardens and cottages. They said he made Catcher Hill as pretty as Blue-Sage Bay.” She turns to her counter, throws a couple of teabags into a large brown teapot, and pours boiling water from a kettle. “And even when he was busy with his own work, he still rolled up his sleeves to help you and Hedge, didn’t he?”
“I would never have managed without him.” My heart squeezes painfully in my chest at the memory.
“See, people know all that and there’s many on the island not happy to see him ruined. Them two.” She juts her chin in the direction of Morris and Sweeny outside in the square who seem to be talking to various people as they pass by. “They didn’t win any friends after what they did to Hedge—.”
“Or calling poor Doris a half-wit. Imagine that.” Mrs Parker interrupts, voice quivering with outrage. “And calling her Hedge’sgirlfriend, such disrespect. I was that angry. Poor Doris.”
Eileen hands me a mug of milky tea and holds out another for Mrs Parker. “They won’t get anyone here to work for them, not after that. I don’t see anyone wanting to help them demolish a house that should have been Young Liam’s.”
“Oh that was a scandal, that was. Snatching that house from under his nose.” Mrs Parker accepts the tea and perches on the stool by the counter.
“You know he’s always helping folk with aches and pains.” Eileen puts a hand to the small of her back.
“I know. When our Garry had his trouble with his arthritis, it was Young Liam who showed him how to do them stretches. Made the world of difference.”
“He’s been on the property waiting list a year,” Eileen says. “And just when he finds a house, they nab it while he was away in hospital.”
“Do you mean people here won’t work on the building site for Sweeny and Morris?” I ask, hardly daring to hope.
“That’s why they’re having to hire from outside.” Eileen says.
“Will they get builders to come to La Canette?” I glance towards the door to see both men still at their table and they’re talking to a woman carrying two shopping bags.
“Builders will come if you pay them enough, but they won’t be cheap, not after travel or room and board.”
As if to make the point. Morris’s voice rings out “We need three rooms renting in your B and B.” he says to the woman. “We got workers coming to stay for a couple of months.”
I move to stand just inside the doorframe to watch. This is worse than local builders. An imported workforce won’t even care what disruption they cause.
Outside in the square, Morris leans back in his chair, expanding his chest. “Because it’s a long-term booking, what discount can you give us?”
The woman rests her shopping on the cobbles. “I’m sorry I don’t think I have three rooms free.”
“Alright, how many rooms do you have?” Morris asks.
