“I get it. I’d be exactly the same, I think.”
My phone starts ringing, Sadie’s name on the screen. I send her to voicemail. “I have to go. She’s going to give me an earful if I’m any later.”
“Thanks for the lift. Tell your sister it’s my fault you’re late.”
I grin at him. “Oh, I’m going to, don’t worry.”
He’s smiling as he gets out of the car, book worries all but forgotten. “See you later.”
“Looking forward to it.”
Something’s changed between us. I’m not sure what exactly but I feel it deep in my gut, and even though it’s barely eight o’clock, I cannot wait for this day to be over.
“You have gotto be kidding me.” I stare at Sadie as she looks at me with pleading eyes through my phone screen. I’m sat in my car, so close to heading home. So fucking close.
“You know I wouldn’t ask, but Tim’s not back until tomorrow, and you know I can’t use power tools.”
“You mean Tim banned you from using his.”
She huffs. “He hid them from me.”
Not surprising, considering the last time she tried to do DIY, she hit a water pipe and they had to get the emergency plumber out. “I had plans, Sadie.”
“I know, and I’m really sorry, but we’re supposed to have strong winds again tonight, and that fence panel is going to come down if I don’t secure it.” There’s a touch of desperation in her tone and I immediately feel guilty.
The storm we had yesterday seems to have caused damage all around.
“It’s fine. I’ll be there in a bit. I’m just leaving.”
“Thank you.”
I end the call and text Charlie.
Pete: I’m really sorry, but I’ve got to go fix Sadie’s fence. The storm last night broke two of the panels. Not sure when I’ll get back. Can we do dinner tomorrow?
It’s not like Sadie lives all that far from me, but experience has taught me that things like this take longer than expected, and I don’t want Charlie to end up waiting hours for me to be done.
Charlie: Yeah, of course. You going to be ok to fix it in the dark?
I glance outside at the rapidly darkening sky and the wind that’s starting to pick up and groan.
Pete: I’m going to make her hold the torch
Charlie: Lol. Well I hope it doesn’t rain again
Pete: You realise you’ve just jinxed me, right?
Charlie: Sorry!
No sooner have I read his message than the first drops of rain hit my windscreen.Fucking great.Looks like I’ll be getting wet.
Turnsout I was right to cancel dinner with Charlie. When I get to Sadie’s house, I notice the back garden gate at the side of her house is hanging on by will alone. Now I’ve seen it, I can’t leave without trying to fix that too. Between the wind and the rain, it takes us almost three hours to get everything secured.
I’m soaked, Sadie’s soaked, and neither of us are in the best of moods. Definitely not fit for company. It takes a large hot chocolate and some of Tim’s dry clothes before I’m feeling anywhere close to my old self.
Sadie comes to lean against the counter next to me and nudges my shoulder. “I’m really sorry I ruined your plans. But thank you for coming round and fixing it all.”
“What are brothers for?” I wrap my arm around her and tuck her against my side. “You made me miss dinner, though, so you have to feed me now.”
