‘I hear you’ve got a new housemate,’ said Ed without preamble. He was a large man with very dark hair and eyes. He had never been prone to small talk so Mick didn’t take offence at the curt tone.
‘Yes, Steve eventually got round to buying a place of his own.’
Ed scowled. ‘I would have helped him out if he’d asked me.’
Mick shrugged and said nothing. He had always hated being caught in the arguments between these two.
‘Your housemate’s a teacher, from Glasgow, isn’t she? I presume she’s looking to buy property herself. Any idea what she’s looking at?’
‘No,’ said Mick, puzzled now. Ed was a builder, having taken over his father’s small business on his death and expanded it steadily since. Steve’s refusal to join him in the business was the main bone of contention between the two. As far as Mick knew, Ed wasn’t at the stage of building complete houses, so he couldn’t see what Lara’s plans might have to do with him.
‘She’s not looking to take on something run down and do it up?’ asked Ed.
‘Not as far as I know.’ Mick has avoided discussing possible houses with Lara. He hoped that way she might end up staying longer at his place.
‘I just wondered,’ said Ed, and began to wind up his window. ‘I’ll see you around.’
Mick shook his head as the white van pulled away. Now what had that been about?
Chapter Five
Lara hadn’t been telling the absolute truth when she said to her mother she and Alex had already put in an offer for Ladybank Row. But with a bit of luck they would do so very soon.
Since their visit to the properties, Lara had arranged for a survey to be done and had sent the results to her friend in Glasgow, hoping this would spur her on to make a decision. It seemed that Alex was slowly moving towards agreement, but it was taking too long for Lara’s liking. If they didn’t make an offer soon they might lose the properties.
‘Alex, I thought you’d be really keen,’ she said encouragingly during of their frequent telephone conversations. ‘The solicitor says we need to put in an offer on Monday if we want to go ahead. Come on, just tell me straight. Do you want to be part of this?’
Alex gave a nervous laugh. ‘You want it straight?’
Lara bit her lip and said on a sigh, ‘Yes.’
‘OK, here it is then.’ Alex paused. ‘I’ve decided to give in my notice. I’ve informed the bank that I’ll be withdrawing some of my money in thirty days’ time. I think we should definitely go ahead.’
Lara sat down suddenly on the stairs in Mick’s hallway. ‘You do?’
‘Ye-es.’ Alex still sounded cautious. ‘We can give this a try, can’t we?’
‘Yes. Yes, we can. And succeed. So can I put in an offer on Monday?’
Alex gave only a small moan of protest. ‘Do we have to do it so soon?’
‘If we don’t, we risk losing the houses.’
‘OK then … Go ahead.’
At the end of the phone call Lara stayed seated on the stairs for a few minutes, hugging herself with excitement.
‘Are you OK?’ said Mick, when he swung open the front door and found her still sitting there.
‘Yes. Fine. Brilliant, in fact.’ Lara beamed at him.
‘That’s good.’ He let the small rucksack fall from his back and raised an eyebrow, questioningly.
Lara rose to her feet. Her legs now felt strong enough to hold her. ‘I’ve been trying to persuade my friend Alex to join me in a … a kind of plan I’ve got. And she just said yes. I’ll tell you about it if you want. And I’m going to have a glass of wine and celebrate surviving my second week at a new school.’
‘Now that’s what I call a good idea. I need a shower but I won’t be five minutes. Pour me a glass.’
She realised that he had once again run back from school. How could anyone do so much exercise from choice? And find it so easy? He gave her a grin as he passed her, heading up the stairs, and she wondered again if it was a mistake to get too friendly with him. For the last week or so she had managed to forget that he was a man and concentrate on what a pleasant companion he could be.
Now he was making her nervous again. Perhaps it was just because this was the first time she’d had a male housemate. She had to be careful not to be silly about it.
She opened a bottle of white wine and sat down at the little kitchen table to study the Ladybank Row particulars for the umpteenth time. Since Alex’s visit she had driven past the Row every single day. She couldn’t remember when last she had been so enthusiastic about anything outside her work.
And work wasn’t going too badly, either. She was a little disappointed to find that Mr McIntyre had been absolutely honest in his assessment of her predecessor. All classes were way behind in the curriculum. But it wasn’t as if she was new to this. She’d been teaching for over six years, and with a bit of hard work she would have them up to speed by the end of the summer term.
She had responded cautiously to one or two friendly overtures from other members of staff and had been pleased when a group of older women had invited her along to the cinema. Nothing like this would have happened at her last school, especially not after the arrival of Miss Dunlop.
She had settled into an easy routine with Mick. Despite his scruffy clothes and casual demeanour, he seemed to be a genuinely nice man.
‘Penny for them,’ said Mick. She hadn’t heard him come downstairs and now he standing right beside her, hair wet, smelling of clean clothes and a kind of minty shower gel.
‘What? Oh, er, nothing. Here, have a glass.’ She picked up the opened bottle and poured one quickly, disconcerted that she had once again been thinking of him at the very moment he appeared. She pushed the glass to the other side of the table so he had to go and sit down, leaving her some space. Was it her imagination, or had he been standing rather close?
He raised his glass to her. ‘Here’s to a successful first fortnight. And many more.’
‘Thanks. It’s not been so bad. Let’s hope it continues that way.’
‘They like you. You’ll be fine.’
‘Who do?’
‘The teachers think you’re competent, so they’re relieved. But the kids think you’re cool, and that’s what really counts.’
‘They do not,’ said Lara, hoping she wasn’t blushing. ‘I hope. The last thing I need is for the kids to like me. I thought you said they were scared of me.’
‘Wary, rather than scared. I was only joking about that the other day, you did realise, didn’t you? And it doesn’t do you any harm that they think you’re so pretty.’ He watched her face for a reaction and laughed when she blushed.
‘Ha,’ she said awkwardly. She knew this, at least, was a joke. She had been a skinny scarecrow with too-big eyes ever since she could remember.
‘It’s true. They think you’re a vast improvement on poor Mr Hartman.’
‘Who, by all accounts, was way past his best. Thanks for the compliment.’ She was much more at ease with this kind of comment.
‘Don’t pity him. He was delighted to retire on the grounds of ill health, lucky thing.’
‘You’re going to have to work harder at being unhealthy yourself, if that’s your ambition.’
‘I have one or two bad habits,’ he said happily, rummaging in one of the cupboards for a giant bag of crisps. ‘Help yourself.’
Lara reached across for a handful. She hadn’t even thought about what she would eat that night. It had been a relief to get to Friday, and then the message from the solicitor had put everything else out of her mind.
‘You were going to tell me about your plan,’ he said, settling back in his chair. ‘Is this some secret reason for your move to Loreburn?’
Lara was more than happy to enthuse about the four houses that comprised Ladybank Row. She wasn’t normally so talkative, but when it came to Ladybank Row she couldn’t help herself. It was going to be so good. ‘And now Alex has finally agreed she’s willing to join me. Isn’t it
brilliant?’ She waited for Mick to be impressed.
Instead he frowned and said, ‘You’re not serious, surely? I know the place you mean. Down that little alley by the railway station? It’s always been a bit of a dump.’
‘It’s got a lot of potential,’ said Lara, put out.
‘I have to admit I haven’t been round there recently. If I’d given it any thought I’d have said they were going to demolish them once they got all the tenants out.’
‘I understand they had to move the tenants as the houses no longer comply with current health and safety laws. That’s why they’re being sold off so cheaply.’
‘That’s why they’re probably only fit to be pulled down. It’ll cost a fortune to put them right. And you two girls are taking on something like that?’
Now Lara was offended. ‘We’re two capable people taking on a challenging but achievable project.’
‘Phuh. What do you know about the property market?’
‘A little.’
‘About building work?’
‘Not a lot.’
‘Then either you’ve got money to burn or you’re mad. Or both.’
‘Thanks for the vote of confidence. What was that about me being competent?’ Lara was more hurt than she would have expected.
‘As a teacher. This is something else. This is the sort of thing Steve’s brother Ed McAnulty might get into. He’s got his own building firm. Whatever gave you the idea?’
‘I …’ said Lara, beginning in the same heated vein and then tailing off. ‘I don’t really know. But I still think it’s a good idea.’ She was riled and worried by his doubts in a way she hadn’t been when persuading Alex to go in with her. Mick seemed so knowledgeable. Or was he just a know-it-all? ‘What do you know about it, anyway?’
He shrugged and spread out his hands. ‘Absolutely nothing. Which is why I bought a place like this and haven’t lifted a finger since I moved in.’
‘I noticed.’
‘Well, if you want to practice your DIY skills …’
‘We’re not necessarily going to do the building work ourselves. We’ll pay others to do that.’
‘Money to burn.’ His hair was drying, blond, and messy, and he ran his fingers through it and shook his head, sadly.
Lara could feel fear and irritation rise within her. What if he was right? ‘I don’t think so,’ she said, trying to sound sure. ‘And neither does Alex.’ She hoped. Was Alex just looking for a reason to leave Glasgow and her awful job? She took a sip of wine. Suddenly all the pleasure had gone out of the day.
Chapter Six
Lara was alone in the house on the Monday evening when there was a hammering on the door. She had been looking forward to a quiet few hours of marking and was not pleased to be disturbed.
She made her way into the hall and hesitated, looking at the large shape she could see through the frosted glass. Mick was out and she wasn’t expecting any visitors. She was glad she had locked the door, but now realised that there was neither a spy hole nor a safety chain.
‘Ye-es?’ she shouted. ‘Who is it?’
‘It’s Ed. Open the door.’
‘Er, Mick’s not here.’
‘I don’t care whether Mick’s there or not. Let me in.’
‘Who are you looking for?’
‘Lara. Are you Lara?’
‘Ye-es,’ she said doubtfully.
‘You’re the one I want to speak to.’ The man’s tone moderated slightly. ‘Look, can I come in?’
Lara was beginning to feel silly, shouting the conversation through the door. Loreburn was hardly a criminal hotspot. And the visitor seemed to know Mick. She opened the door slightly but kept her foot against it, as though that would stop the huge bear of a man. ‘Who did you say you were?’
‘Ed. Ed McAnulty.’
‘Oh, Steve’s brother.’ She remembered Mick mentioning the man’s name and was relieved, although she wasn’t sure why that should make it all right. She opened the door a little more and he strode in without waiting for invitation.
‘So you know my brother, do you? I should have guessed.’
‘Erm, how can I help you?’ said Lara. Ed had checked the sitting room, as though not believing Mick was out, and now paced up and down the small kitchen.
‘I want to know what you’re playing at,’ he said, coming to a halt at the sink and turning to face her. He had dark hair and was heavily built. His expression was grim.
Lara was starting to feel nervous again. ‘I don’t know what you mean.’
‘Coming down here, thinking you can throw your weight around because we’re a small town and you’re from Glasgow.’
‘I still don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘Of course you do. Was it my brother who put you up to it? I should never have mentioned the flaming houses to him.’ The man’s voice began to rise and his colour deepened. ‘I knew it had to be an inside job when I heard someone had put in an offer before me. I was the only one interested, I knew I was, and then you turn up out of the blue.’
Realisation began to dawn on Lara. ‘You’re talking about Ladybank Row.’ Although what it had to do with him she still had no idea.
‘I wonder how you guessed,’ said the man sarcastically. ‘Now, what’s your game? How much have you offered? You’re not really serious, are you? You’re just trying to put a spoke in the works.’
‘I don’t choose to discuss this with you,’ said Lara, bridling.
‘Tell me what you offered. I’ll find out whether you tell me or not. You just want to cause me problems. Steve’s put you up to this, hasn’t he?’
‘I really don’t know what you’re talking about,’ said Lara. ‘I’ve never even met your brother. You’re being ridiculous.’
He ignored her protests. ‘I can tell you now I’m not easy to manipulate. I want those houses and I’m going to get them. At a price I choose to pay. Are you listening?’
Lara stared at him, wishing frantically that Mick was here. He would know how to handle this. He had mentioned the man was a good builder. Why hadn’t he warned her he was also a maniac? ‘You’re not making any sense,’ she said.
‘Don’t think playing all innocent will wash with me. Nobody wanted those houses except me. I know that. I’ve waited long enough, bided my time. And then you appear out of the blue, only a couple of weeks after I mention them to Steve. Don’t think I can’t put two and two together.’ He glowered across the kitchen at her, his huge bulk seeming to fill the space. ‘I think you’ll find it’s a good idea to stop wasting my time and withdraw your offer.’
‘I’d like you to leave,’ said Lara, trying to sound confident. It wasn’t so much the man’s size that she found intimidating as his almost tangible fury.
‘Tell me one thing first, has your offer been accepted yet?’
She hesitated. ‘I’m not in a position to discuss that.’
‘Which means it hasn’t.’ He moved towards her. ‘Look, you know you’re not serious about this. I suggest you withdraw it now. It’ll be simpler all round.’
‘We are serious,’ said Lara, but her voice sounded feeble even to her. She shook her head. The man was so large and so very angry. She didn’t deal well with head-on emotion like this. She just wanted him to leave. She walked to the front door, trying not to show she was shaking. ‘I think you should go. Now.’
The man glared at her a moment longer and then shrugged. ‘You haven’t heard the last of me,’ he said as he stalked out.
Lara closed and locked the door. What on earth had all that been about? She felt sick, as she used to do after a confrontation with awful Miss Dunlop. She had come to Loreburn to escape this kind of thing.
She couldn’t believe they had done anything to provoke this outburst. As she stood there, the fear began to fade into anxiety. What if this man was right? What if he could make life difficult, snatch Ladybank Row away from them? She shuddered. Everything had been going so well. She should have known it couldn�
��t continue.
For once, Mick remembered to use his key when he arrived home. He was so occupied with congratulating himself on this he didn’t immediately notice Lara standing in the doorway of the kitchen.
‘You OK?’ He off-loaded his duffle bag and the rucksack he used for his food shopping.
‘What? Yes, I’m fine.’
‘Have you had bad news?’ He frowned at her. She didn’t normally have much colour in her cheeks, but now she was completely white.
She said slowly. ‘I – we – had a visitor.’
Mick was worried. What visitor could make her look like that? ‘Come and sit down,’ he said. ‘Tell me about it.’
He swept aside the pile of books she had set neatly out on the table and set about making a pot of tea. ‘Now, who was it?’
‘It was your friend Steve’s brother. Ed.’
‘Ed McAnulty? What on earth was he doing here?’ Mick was more bemused than ever. How odd that Ed should crop up twice in a few days. Previously he hadn’t seen him for months. He didn’t have anything against Ed, it just hadn’t seemed loyal to Steve to socialise with him. After their brief chat on Friday, the last thing he would have expected was a visit from the man. ‘Did you phone him to talk about building work?’
‘No, nothing like that. I might have phoned him if you’d given me his number, but I certainly won’t now.’ She shuddered.
‘He knows Steve doesn’t live here any more,’ said Mick. ‘So why on earth did he call?’
Lara swallowed. ‘Ladybank Row. I think he’s also after Ladybank Row.’
‘And Ladybank Row is …?’
‘Those houses we want to buy, I told you about them. We put in an offer this morning and, somehow he knew about it.’
‘Ah,’ said Mick. ‘Oh dear.’ It was starting to make a little too much sense. Ed must have had his eye on the properties. He wouldn’t be at all pleased if someone else got in before him. Especially not a bunch of amateurs. Especially not a bunch of amateurs apparently connected to Steve.
‘He seemed to think Steve was involved somehow. I really don’t understand why.’
Tomorrow's Promise Page 4