Chapter Fifteen
Fran stared at Emily’s car. “Damn, girl. You couldn’t even fit a cigarette paper in there.”
Emily laughed. Every bit of space was taken up with boxes, suitcases and bags, not to mention cushions that she’d stuffed in wherever she could. “And this isn’t all of it. The rest is in storage. Most of what’s in the car is clothes.” It had been a real headache, deciding what to take to Fairdown and what to pack into the large boxes, ready for the storage unit she’d rented in Bath. In the end, she’d had to be brutally practical.
“I’m assuming there’ll be room for all this. I forgot I told Duncan to store all the paintings from the house in there.”
Fran smirked. “May I suggest a jar of Vaseline and a lump hammer?” When Emily gave her a quizzical glance, she grinned. “Because that’s the only way you’re going to squash all that in the space you’ve got.”
“Well, it can all stay in there for the weekend.” Emily held up her overnight bag. “This is all I need.”
“Then let’s go inside and grab some coffee.” Fran gave an exaggerated shiver. “It’s freezing out here.”
Emily had to agree. A cold January had given way to an even chillier February; it seemed the UK winter was determined to go out with a bang. Despite her previous declaration that she could cope with the barn’s lack of facilities and physical state, the brisk winds were making her reconsider. She could imagine trying to sleep, while a winter breeze whistled and moaned through the cracks.
Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.
But it was too late to back down. There was no way Emily wanted to see Fran’s grin, and hear her ‘I told you so.’
“Coffee sounds good. Then I need to call Duncan, and check how things are going.” She’d left him alone for the first two weeks. No one needed the boss breathing down their necks when they were just starting on a job. Two weeks was more than enough time for work to have settled into a routine.
Half an hour later, warmed by coffee and one of Fran’s freshly made scones, Emily left her and went into the cottage to make the call. She had to admit, she was impressed with her accommodation. Once inside, she could barely hear the wind, and the interior was warm as toast. Jake clearly knew his stuff.
Emily settled on the small couch and scrolled through to Duncan’s number. After seven or eight rings, he answered. “Hey, I thought you’d be in touch round about now.”
“Just calling to see if things are okay.”
Duncan huffed. “For the most part, yes. However, I’m beginning to think I made a mistake with one of the tradesmen. I took on this carpenter because he was local, and after only one week on the job, he took a week off. Can’t say I’m impressed.”
“And he’s still working on the site?” Emily wanted to know. She hated it when workmen proved themselves unreliable.
“Yes. And before you ask, it’s because he’s the only one I could get, and when he does work, he’s good. He swore it was a one-off, that it couldn’t be helped. Some sort of family thing. Anyway, I gave him the benefit of the doubt and kept him on.”
Something at the back of Emily’s mind was niggling her. “This local carpenter…. What’s his name?”
“Jake Matthews. Now I recall, he said you knew each other.”
She stifled her groan. “Barely.” Emily was surprised. Fran spoke of Jake in glowing terms. This didn’t sound like the same man. “Well, I shall have words with Mr. Matthews, seeing that as of today, I’m living in Fairdown.”
There was a moment’s silence before Duncan spoke. “Oh? Was this a recent decision?”
“Not really. Anyway, I won’t be getting in your way, you’ll be relieved to know. But I will be looking in now and again to see how work is progressing.”
“Oh, good.” His choice of words belied his tone: Duncan did not sound happy. “So you’re going to talk to Jake?”
“Yes. Leave it with me. I don’t think there’ll be any more such incidents.” She disconnected the call, and stared at the white wall in front of her. Emily was not impressed, and she planned on letting Jake know just how unimpressed she was.
Emily parked the car in the lane, and then walked up the path that ran along the side of the house. She tried to avert her gaze: looking at Jane’s former home when it was in such a sorry state made her heart ache. She told herself it could only get better, but that didn’t help. She skirted around to the back of the farmhouse, looking for Jake. Inside, everywhere was a mess. Floorboards were up, revealing joists that looked rotten. New, wide oak planks lay nearby in a pile, clearly ready for putting down. Wiring hung from the walls, and plaster duct covered every surface.
No wonder Phillip didn’t want this place. He probably saw how much he’d have to spend, and his wallet had a seizure.
There was no one visible, but as it was already four o’clock, she had to assume work had finished for the day. That made the likelihood of finding Jake still there all the more unrealistic. Then Emily spotted him, and she came to a dead stop. Jake was slumped in a chair, asleep, his mouth open. Around his hips was a low-slung tool belt. An empty mug dangled from his fingers, just about to smash to the ground. What the hell?
She nudged his shoulder, and he awoke with a start. Emily caught the mug before he dropped it, then gave him a hard stare. “On a break, are we?”
Jake blinked. “Sorry. I must have dropped off.” He lurched to his feet and glanced around. “They’ve all finished, I see.”
Emily arched her eyebrows. “Do you make a habit of sleeping on the job?”
Jake frowned. “You don’t seem surprised to see me.”
“You’re the reason I’m here now. Duncan Barton told me he’d hired you.”
“And you dashed round here to see me. I’m flattered.” His tone held amusement.
“No, I dashed round here to find out why you took a week off, after working for me for five days, Mr. Matthews.” His lack of remorse rankled.
Jake set his jaw. “I’m not about to explain why. It was nothing I could help, that’s all. And it won’t happen again. I told Mr. Barton that.” He took the mug from her hands. “And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll finish what I was doing before my break. Can’t let the boss think I’m slacking, can I?” He gave a single nod to her, then turned around and walked over to the pile of new floorboards.
Emily stared after him in astonishment. The nerve of the man. If she stayed much longer in his presence, she was going to say something she’d later regret. A much better idea was to inspect the barn. At least it would keep her out of Jake’s path.
Emily left the house and walked through the poor, neglected gardens to the barn. The whole site looked like a building yard, with a cement mixer standing alone, surrounded by bags of cement and huge containers of ballast. Wheelbarrows stood upturned, and more dust covered the ground. She sighed. It’s temporary. Keep that in mind.
When she reached the barn, she pushed open the wide oak door—and paused, her fingers on the grained surface. It was a new door, solid and thick. Stepping into the interior, Emily saw that the door was by no means the only change.
Where the cabinet had once stood with its heating element, next to the cracked Belfast sink, was now a mini kitchen, complete with fridge, stove and wall cabinets. The sink had been replaced by a newer version, its new taps gleaming. On the ground floor, one side of the barn was taken up with the paintings, stacked carefully, but on the other side were a two-seater couch and a low table. A tall lamp stood beside it, along with an electric heater. At the far end of the barn, a new partition wall had been constructed. Curious, Emily walked over to it and peered behind it.
The barn now had a new toilet, wash basin and shower.
What on earth…?
Emily raised her head to gaze at the upper level. Thick new joists supported the higher floor, and the ladder she recalled so vividly from her childhood was gone, replaced by an open staircase. Then she noticed the windows. The barn’s thick walls had long, t
hin slits, where the wind would whistle through, but each opening was now covered by glass, a vent set into the frame at the top, allowing air movement.
Emily could only blink in amazement. The barn had been transformed into a wind- and weather-proof, cozy space.
A cough broke her concentration.
Jake stood at the barn door. “Do you like it?”
She gaped at him. “You… you did all this?”
He nodded. “Fran told me you were going to be staying in here, and I knew that was a bad idea, the state it was in. Only, when I learned you were moving to the village, I had to work fast, so it would be ready for when you got here.” He shrugged. “So what if I lost a few nights’ sleep. I got it done.”
Emily had never felt so small. “You did all this—for me. Why?” She wanted to say, when I’ve been such a bitch every time we’ve met. The present day included. It did cross her mind that Jake had an ulterior motive. He wants to put me in a good mood, so he can hit me with his business proposal again. No sooner had the thought entered her head, than she berated herself. Not everyone is that devious. And Jake deserved her thanks for the wonders he’d accomplished.
Jake gave a tired smile. “I like to think Jane would be happy, knowing you were warm and comfortable. And that’s the least you deserve. You’re bringing their dream to life, after all.”
Emily walked up to him, and smiled warmly. “Thank you, Jake. What you’ve done here is astounding. And I’m sure you’re right.” Her throat tightened. “I bet you anything you like that wherever they are right now, Jane is grinning.” It was a pleasant thought.
Then another occurred to her. “You didn’t pay for all this, did you?” She was starting to write a mental list: shower, basin, toilet, kitchen appliances, wood… Jake had to have spent a lot of money putting this place right.
Jake coughed. “Actually, most of it came from friends who are also in various trades. They do, however, have one thing in common.”
In a burst of clarity, Emily guessed it. “They all knew Jane and Clare, didn’t they?”
He nodded. “I already had the wood. It was lying around in my workshop.”
“I’ll pay you for that.” There was no way she’d allow Jake to be out of pocket, not after he’d done all this.
“You don’t have to do that,” he protested, but she cut him off.
“No arguments.” Then she took a closer look at his face, noting the fatigue there. “Go home, Jake. Get some sleep. And take tomorrow off.”
He widened his gaze. “I can’t do that. Duncan would have my guts for garters.”
Emily folded her arms. “How many nights have you stayed here, working on the barn?”
“A few.” When she stared at him, Jake sighed. “Every night for a week.”
She gave a satisfied nod. “Exactly. You’ve earned a day in bed. You leave Duncan to me.” Then she paused. Something didn’t add up. Emily couldn’t reconcile the Jake before her, with the workman who’d taken a week off for no good reason. She lowered her arms. “And now we’ve established that I won’t be seeing you here tomorrow….” Emily softened her voice. “Why did you need to take a week off? Was there something wrong?”
Jake hesitated, then sighed heavily. “My dad has Alzheimer’s. I’d arranged to take care of him for that week, to provide my younger brother, Taylor, with some respite. He’s Dad’s carer, and he needed a break. My other brother, Simon, was out of the country, so that left me.” His tone was apologetic. “I’m sorry. I hated having to do it, but I wasn’t left with an option.”
Emily nodded. If she’d felt small before… “No, you did the right thing. Thank you for telling me. I understand that you don’t want to share your private life with all and sundry. I’ll speak with Duncan. I’ll make sure he knows you were in the right, although I won’t go into specifics with him.”
Jake’s smile reached his eyes, and it transformed his face. “Thank you, Miss Darrow.”
Emily wagged a finger. “No. You get to call me Emily. Knowing Jane, she probably bored you to tears with tales of me. You’ve always known me as Emily, so let’s keep it that way.” She smiled. “Is that okay with you?”
He nodded, still smiling. “Perfectly. Although I may lapse now and again, and call you Boss.” His blue eyes twinkled with good humor.
Emily laughed. “I can live with that.” What amazed her was how attractive Jake was. Surely he hadn’t changed his appearance overnight? Then it hit her. It wasn’t Jake’s appearance that had changed, but her perception of him.
Chapter Sixteen
Emily stepped out of the barn, and not for the first time, she was grateful for how much noise the new window coverings cut out. Somewhere, a radio was playing loudly, and voices called out to each other in a language she didn’t recognize. She’d been living in the barn for just over a week, and was already used to it. It had taken her until the second night to realize Jake had put a signal booster in there: Emily had wondered how she managed to have WIFI.
He thought of everything. She sent up a silent prayer of gratitude every time she used the shower, or heated up food on the stove or in the microwave. Again, it had taken her a few days to realize Jake had done the wiring too.
She did her best to stay out of everyone’s way during daylight, but once the workmen had departed, she wandered over to peer through the windows. She didn’t go in—there were tools everywhere, and she didn’t want to disturb anything. Her curiosity could wait until the fabric of the building was solid again. However, tempering that curiosity was taking all her effort.
Her phone pinged, and when she caught sight of the screen, she stared. Why would Jake be sending me a text when he could just walk out of the house and holler? She smiled to herself. The man was a mystery. Amused, she called him.
“Well, this is intriguing. Of course I’ve got a minute. Why can’t I just walk over to you?”
“Because I’m not in the house. I had to drive into Bath for some supplies. Besides, I didn’t want to talk there. You never know who is listening.”
Emily chuckled. “You sound like a secret agent.”
Jake let out a sound of sheer exasperation. “Look, I’ll come right to the point. You need to fire Duncan Barton.”
His blunt words robbed Emily of breath for a moment. “Excuse me? That sounds awfully like a demand. What makes you think you have the—”
“Yes, I know how it sounds, but you really need to open your eyes and look at the job he’s doing. I thought you’d have noticed something this past week, but then it occurred to me that you might not realize what he’s doing.”
Emily bristled. “Do you know how many such projects I’ve undertaken since I set up my company?”
“Emily, please. I’m not patronizing you. I know how successful you were. Look… meet me at the tea shop in the village in half an hour? We can talk there. After you’ve heard everything I’ve got to say, you can decide if I’m being an arse and fire me on the spot. But I don’t think you will. You’re an intelligent woman. You’re also a business woman, and that’s the Emily I need to listen to me right now.”
Jake’s words, his manner, the urgency that came across…. Emily was no fool. “Fine. Half an hour.” She disconnected the call. Emily stared at the house, her heartbeat speeding up a little. Her first reaction was one of guilt. By staying away, by not closely inspecting the work being done—had she missed something? The temptation to peek inside was huge, but her curiosity was an even greater pull.
Let’s hear what Jake has to say first.
Emily had the distinct impression that Jake wasn’t comfortable around the tea shop owner, Serena. Nothing too obvious, but he stiffened slightly when she approached their table, and then waited until she’d left the room before speaking. Serena’s gaze had narrowed when she laid eyes on Emily, but she’d pasted on a clearly fake smile and taken their order.
As Serena left them, after depositing a tray containing their tea, Emily leaned closer and whispered, “Is it me, or
does she not like me very much? I’ve been here before, and I swear, she wasn’t like this.”
Jake made a low, unhappy noise. “It’s not you, it’s me.”
Emily blinked. “Okay, that sounds like a line out of a bad romance.”
He sighed. “Serena and I… have some history. On reflection, maybe this wasn’t the best choice of venue for this conversation, but it was the first place that came to mind.” He poured tea into the cups.
Emily huffed impatiently. “Well, you got me here. What’s this all about?”
Jake placed the sugar bowl and milk jug within reach, then sat back. “What concerns me is that when it’s all finished, the house might not pass inspection, because no way will it meet all the building regulations.”
Emily regarded him with wide eyes. “You don’t have to worry about such things. That’s why I have a project manager. It’s his job to ensure the house is up to standard.”
“If this is the way things are done in London, then I’m glad I don’t live there.”
What little patience Emily had left was wearing thin. “Give me specifics.”
Jake sipped his tea before continuing. “Fine. Let’s start with the Polish guys Duncan’s brought in. At best, they’re slightly capable DIYers.”
Emily had expected better from him. “We are in the EU, remember?” she said coolly. Then she sighed. “Well, for the moment anyway. And just because they’re from Eastern Europe doesn’t mean they are automatically less capable.”
Jake paused, his cup midway to his mouth, and smiled. “Boże, jesteś jeszcze piękniejszy, kiedy jesteś zły.”
It was Emily’s turn to pause. “Excuse me?”
Jake gave a casual shrug. “Just some Polish I picked up over the years, while working with several extremely competent tradesmen, some of whom happen to be from Poland.”
Emily knew her face was flushed: heat blossomed in her cheeks.
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