Heavy steps thumped up the creaky stairs. ‘Hi, nice to meet you, finally,’ said Steven. He clasped Abi’s hand and gave it a firm shake.
‘Good to meet you, too,’ said Marcus holding out his hand. ‘What do you think of the place?’
‘As I said in my emails, superficially it’s got a lot of potential but it’s also going to be a bit of work. Obviously, I’ve got guys in the trade who can come in and do the specialist stuff; the wiring, the plumbing and that sort of thing but until we get it back to the bare bones, I can’t see the whole story. I’d say it’s a good idea you want to be rid of the panelling because it might be hiding all sorts of stuff.’
‘But it’s sound?’
‘I would say it is mostly.’
Abi sighed. ‘I think we were hoping for entirely.’
‘Let’s keep our fingers crossed.’ He rubbed his hands together. ‘OK, so the quote I gave you was to cover the broad outline of the things you want doing. Let me get my notebook, ruler and some other bits from the van and you talk me through the more specific stuff.’
After he clattered down the stairs Abi turned to Marcus. ‘Have we made the right decision?’
‘He seems a decent sort to me. And he’s local. If he does a shit job his reputation round here will be ruined—’
‘I’d make sure of that.’
‘So he wouldn’t dare. He’ll be fine. We just need to make sure he doesn’t go over time or budget.’
The pair went downstairs to start making the initial decisions for the first steps in the renovation.
They met Steven again in the kitchen.
‘This is such a huge space,’ said Abi. ‘And I’d really love an Aga.’
‘They are very pricy,’ said Steven.
‘I know, but…’
‘Thousands. It’ll completely blow your budget,’ said Steven firmly. ‘You can get some really fab range cookers for a massive amount less. And, to be honest, if you’re going to be out all day at work, keeping an Aga running probably isn’t that practical.’
‘I think,’ said Marcus, ‘that’s a decision we won’t have to make right at the start.’
‘So,’ said Steven as he moved across the room and tapped the wall on the far side, ‘this isn’t load-bearing so if you want to knock through into the boot room and the pantry you could. You could also move the sink and put bi-fold doors or French windows on that wall which would let you see into the garden. It’s quite dark in here,’ he added. ‘Not that this lino helps. Lighter flooring would make a huge difference.’
‘Oh yes, the lino is the first thing that needs to go.’
Steven began to pull his steel tape out of its case and measure up the dimensions of the kitchen. He jotted down the measurements in his notebook. ‘It’ll be a lot of units if you have them along both walls. You might be better off with an island and a breakfast bar. Have you thought about what sort of style of units you want?’
‘I had hoped for something very simple and modern. Clean lines, stainless steel handles, a stainless steel splashback behind the cooker, a stainless steel hood, that sort of thing.’
‘Got any catalogues?’
‘No. We’ve been round some show rooms, haven’t we, Marcus? And an aunt of mine gave me some brilliant ideas for maximising space in the kitchen.’
‘Hang on.’ Steven tramped out to his van and returned a minute later with a couple of fat books. ‘There’s a trade supplier who does good stuff at sensible prices. Have a butcher’s. While you do that, I’ll have a good look round so I can make some suggestions about how we can make this place really work. Unless,’ he said, ‘you’ve already got a clear plan.’
‘No,’ said Marcus. ‘Well, we’ve got some ideas but we know nothing about building or buildings so what we’d like and what would work might be two totally different things.’
‘More than likely,’ said Steven with a wry smile. ‘But if you’re happy to take advice, this partnership might work very well.’
And while Abi and Marcus flicked through the pages, turning down the corners of the ones they wanted to mark, Steven went around the house, tapping walls, checking out the state of the windows, measuring up, looking at the electrics and making notes all the time.
After about half an hour he returned. ‘Given that you don’t want too much structural work done and the house is going to be empty my original quote for the basic building work stands. Obviously the cost of your new bathroom and the kitchen will depend on the fixtures and fittings that you choose. I’ve done a couple of sketches.’ He flicked open his notebook and showed them his ideas for both. ‘This is rough and ready but it gives you an idea. I can do something different or more elaborate if you want me to.’
Abi looked at his sketches. ‘The bathroom won’t have a window.’
‘Good lighting and a decent extractor fan is all you need. Unless you really want a window. But cutting through the wall will be a big job – and an expense. It’ll cost you enough putting in bi-folds in the kitchen.’ Steven looked from one to the other. ‘You told me you didn’t want me spending more than thirty grand. And that’s without any contingency.’
‘Correct. And we’re hoping that won’t be necessary,’ said Abi, firmly. ‘And roughly how long till it’ll all be finished?’
‘Maybe six weeks, maybe longer. Even with contractors doing the specialist stuff it’s still a lot of work.’
Abi looked at Marcus. ‘But…’ she started.
‘It’s still not that long,’ said Marcus. ‘And just think what we’ll end up with.’
‘I suppose. Best we don’t tell Mum. She was arsey enough about us moving in, in the first place.’ She turned to Steven. ‘Are you sure it’s going to be that long? Can’t you do it quicker?’
Steven blew his cheeks out and pursed his lips. ‘I’ll do my best but I really can’t make any promises. Until we get under the surface…’
An hour later, when they’d discussed the ins and outs of the configuration of the bathrooms and the kitchen and Steven had left to produce some proper drawings and some accurate figures, Marcus and Abi locked the front door behind them and prepared to go back to her mum’s.
‘I suppose,’ said Marcus, ‘it’s a bit like a surgeon opening someone up and finding that the routine surgery isn’t going to be quite as routine as he thought.’
‘I would hope that doesn’t happen very often. You’d think with x-rays and the like they’d know exactly what they’re going to find before they start rummaging around.’
‘But there’s no x-rays for a house.’
‘Really, Marcus. Stop being such a doom merchant. What can possibly go wrong?’
Marcus looked back at the house. ‘No, I think you’re right. It’s all going to be fine.’
‘But we must be absolutely on top of the project at every phase. I’m sure Steven is very good but you know what tradespeople are like – give them an inch and they’ll take a mile. I’ve watched enough episodes of Grand Designs to realise that sloppy project management equals spiralling costs, so I will be holding Steven’s feet to the fire every step of the way.’
13
The following Wednesday afternoon, Amy arrived at Olivia’s to do the cleaning and saw Olivia’s bike, propped up against the house.
‘Bugger,’ she muttered. If the bike was there, sure as eggs were eggs, it meant that its owner was too. Which meant, in turn, that she couldn’t cut any corners nor could she make herself as many cups of tea as she fancied… or have a nip of gin. She rang the bell and waited to be let in.
‘Not at work, Mrs L,’ she said as the door was opened.
‘Afternoon, Amy. No, not today. I’ve got to work over the weekend so I’ve got today off in lieu.’
‘That’s fair.’ Amy slipped off her jacket and hung it on the coat hooks in the hall. ‘The normal, today?’
‘Yes, please. I thought I’d have a bit of a go at the garden today while you do the house. Not that it takes much to keep it tidy.’
‘Not like
your old place, eh?’
Olivia’s smile tightened. ‘No.’
Amy got out the polish and a duster. ‘Ooh, I know what I meant to tell you. You know your mate, Mrs Larkham, the one what runs the art club…’
‘I know Maxine Larkham, yes.’
‘Would she have a daughter? Only, my Ryan’s got a mate who’s a builder – Steven, he’s called – and he’s taken on a job for an Abigail Larkham, doing up an old cottage out of town a bit.’
Olivia nodded. ‘As Maxine’s daughter is called Abi and I know she and her partner are moving back here it’s probably one and the same.’
‘Well, it seems your mate’s daughter is a right piece of work. Never gives poor old Steven a moment’s peace, he says. On his back morning, noon and night; how much is he spending on this? What’s that going to cost? Poor bloke’s ears are starting to bleed, he says.’
Olivia’s lips pursed. ‘Are you sure? Maxine is delightful and very easy-going so I find it hard to believe that her daughter is quite as bad as you make out.’
‘Don’t always follow that kids are like their parents. I mean look at Zac and…’ Amy tailed off when she saw Olivia’s eyes narrow. Well, Mrs L mightn’t like it but there was no getting round the fact that her son Zac had been a right handful when he’d been doing drugs. Mrs L might like to think that she was a pillar of society but her son had let the side down and no mistake. He was supposed to be clean now but once a druggie always a druggie, in Amy’s eyes.
‘Despite what your friend Steven might think, there is nothing wrong with the client being on top of the costs when it comes to a building project. It’s very easy for things to get out of hand and, at the end of the day, it’ll be Abi Larkham footing the bill, not your mate.’
That’s me told, thought Amy. ‘Right, I’d better get on, Mrs L. Can’t stand around all day chatting, much as I’d like to.’ And I would like to chat all day, but not with you, you po-faced old bat.
*
While Amy was busy giving Olivia’s house a good going over, Maxine rang Gordon’s phone.
‘How’s it going?’ she asked.
‘Beyond slowly. I’ve had to go to the local superstore to buy more pants, socks and shirts. It seemed daft putting tiny loads through the washing machine so I could turn up at the hospital each day looking semi-decent. And Mum is getting more difficult and fed-up. I don’t blame her. It’s been almost two weeks now.’
‘I can imagine. And I’m missing you too. Any chance of coming home for a couple of days?’ The silence down the phone answered her question. ‘It was only a thought.’
‘Changing the subject how are Abi and Marcus? How are the ground rules?’
Maxine snorted. ‘Oh, Abi was all sweetness and light and understanding when I mooted that we shared the cooking and the shopping and the bills and all that sort of stuff.’
‘But?’
Maxine sighed. ‘Put it this way, I apparently don’t understand how insanely difficult it is to keep an eye on Steven, or how hard they are working re-landscaping the garden, nor how broke they’re going to be when they’ve done the house because they’re not,’ Maxine’s voice flew up about an octave as her indignation got the better of her, ‘going to ruin their forever home with anything less than the best. I mean, what’s wrong with buying a few second-hand pieces and then getting nicer things later when they can afford it? Like we did. God knows how long we ate off a pasting table and slept on a mattress on the floor. Like it matters. And don’t,’ she added, ‘tell me to calm down because I’m finding it very difficult to maintain any sense of proportion at the moment.’
‘I think I can tell that,’ said Gordon. ‘But we know how bad their garden is. They have masses to do there and it’s all hard labour. And surely you’d be cooking for me if I were home so…’
Maxine knew he was right. ‘Yes, but I wouldn’t have to cook vegetarian. With you here I could insist they cook their own bloody food if they want to be different.’
‘You could anyway.’
‘But it’s a faff just cooking for one… I’m finding it all rather irking.’
‘I think I can tell.’
‘If you were here, I wouldn’t feel so ganged up on.’
‘Maxine, I really don’t want to row with Abi. It probably won’t be for long.’
No, thought Maxine, of course you don’t want to have it out with Abi – anything for a quiet life. Except he wasn’t the one being treated like a skivvy. ‘Fine,’ she said in the way that meant things were anything but.
‘Anything else going on? How’s Judith’s house hunt?’
Change the subject, why don’t you? ‘She’s made an offer on the little cottage she saw which is a plus as at least she won’t need to come and stay any more. And Steven, according to Abi, has made a good start on the house and nothing major has cropped up so far. Fingers crossed that there aren’t any hitches and it all comes in on time and on budget and then we can get back to normal. And it won’t come a day too soon.’
‘Amen to that,’ said Gordon.
*
Abi and Marcus had been working all day in the overrun garden of Wisteria Cottage when Steven had called them both in.
‘You need to see this,’ he’d shouted from the back door to where they were hacking back the undergrowth. They’d skirted past the skip, now filled with discarded kitchen units and a huge pile of lino that had been ripped up and went into the house.
There, in the middle of the floor was a raised trapdoor and a gaping hole. Abi went over to stare at the void.
‘What the fuck is this, Steven?’
‘What do you think? You’ve got a cellar.’
‘A cellar? That’s quite cool. And all that extra space.’
‘I don’t think this is a good thing,’ said Steven carefully.
‘Really? A bonus room that we didn’t know about? What’s wrong with that?’
Steven sighed. ‘Because if no one has been down there for years there could be all manner of issues going on.’
Abi frowned. ‘Is that why there was nothing in the particulars? The previous owners didn’t want anyone to know about it till they’d got the money safely in the bank?’
‘I think the previous owners didn’t know about this cellar either. I don’t know how long the lino has been down but there were two layers of the stuff and, to judge by the state of the bottom layer, I wouldn’t imagine the original floorboards have seen the light of day since the war.’
‘And you’re not talking the Iraq one, are you?’ said Abi. She took Steven’s torch out of his hand, crouched at the edge of the hole and peered into the gloom that was illuminated in patches as she swept the beam round. ‘What are we going to do, then? Put the trap door back, cover it up and pretend we know nothing about it?’
‘God, no. That’s the last thing you should do. I need to get down there and make a full structural survey. I need to know how big it is, the state of the timbers, if there’s any damp, dry rot…’ Steven shrugged. ‘Quite apart from anything else I’ve got a feeling this could explain why your stairs creak so badly. If there’s a lack of support under the stairs it could mean the whole house is sagging into the cellar.’
Abi and Marcus stared at him horror struck. ‘The surveyor should have spotted this,’ Abi managed to say after a couple of seconds. ‘We’d never have bought if we’d known. The bastard,’ she added through clenched teeth. ‘I’ll sue him.’
Steven shook his head. ‘You won’t get anywhere. He couldn’t possibly have found this without starting to take the house to bits – like I’m doing. No way will a court find him to be at fault.’
‘But this could cost us thousands.’ Abi’s face was ashen.
‘Let’s not jump to conclusions. I’ll get a ladder and get down there. To be honest, I’m a bit surprised there aren’t steps here or maybe there’s another entrance somewhere else in the house—’
‘Somewhere else? You mean, the house might be completely hollow underneath?’ Marcus
sounded as shocked as Abi looked.
Steven wrinkled his nose and pursed his lips. ‘Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’ll get the ladder – back in a jiffy.’
Abi gazed desolately into the hole. ‘What do we do if it is a complete disaster?’
Marcus put his arm around her. ‘We have insurance; we had a full survey…’ He paused. ‘We’ve done nothing wrong. I think one way or another we’ll be OK financially if it transpires that it’s really serious. I expect we’ll have to pay the excess, though.’
‘How much will that be?’
‘Off the top of my head? About a grand.’
‘A grand?’ yelped Abi.
‘Right, let’s have a proper look at this,’ said Steven returning with an aluminium ladder over his shoulder. He lowered it into the hole, checked it was safe then swung his feet on to the rungs and began to descend. ‘Let’s have the torch,’ he said to Abi as his shoulders reached floor level.
Abi passed it to him, waited till Steven got to the bottom of the ladder before following him down.
‘Watch your step,’ said Steven as she jumped off the bottom rung. He moved the light around the big space which smelt of must and mould and damp earth. The floor was lumpy and uneven and seemed to stretch away across the depth and width of the house. Behind him, lying on the floor was an antique looking set of steps – the original ladder down from the kitchen. He shone the torch up to the trap door and saw some broken fixings. That explained the lack of access.
‘Good job the stairs had already fallen down. I wouldn’t have wanted them to collapse with us using them,’ said Abi. ‘If this didn’t have the potential of being such a total disaster, I’d be delighted to discover I’ve got this extra space. But…’ she sighed heavily.
Steven swung the torch across the rest of the ceiling which seemed to consist of heavy beams laid crosswise with the boards of the kitchen floor above laid over the top. Mats of thick cobwebs, covered in the dust of centuries, wafted gently in the newly stirred air.
‘I think,’ said Steven, ‘I’d like to see a couple of dozen Acrow Props down here before I do anything else.’
Homes and Hearths in Little Woodford Page 11