“Including soft furnishings and everything. The build will be done by the summer. It’s pretty simple. You might not get the landscaping done until next year.”
Malcolm would have to wait a little longer for that game on the lawn. Although, the minute Malcolm arrived, he would be pestering to go to Newby Park. He’d done the same at Noah’s other clubs. Why have one Premier League footballer when you can have twenty-five?
“Ignore me,” he said. “I’m impatient.”
“We’ll do our best for you.”
Noah nodded. “I know you will. Thank you.”
They came down to the car park. Noah really had to concentrate not to fall on his arse. The ground was wet and he was wearing his favourite old trainers with hardly any grip.
Rookie error.
He reached the bottom with his dignity intact.
“Good to see you again,” he said, shaking Ben’s hand.
As he walked to his car, he had a spring in his step. He’d never been a boss before. It was quite nice. Perhaps when he started this charity he could have proper input. It would be amazing to have something of his own outside of football.
He fired up the Range Rover and backed onto the lane. It wouldn’t be long before he was doing this every day. Except he had insisted on a circular drive to avoid reversing every time.
Once on his way he connected a call to Carmine.
“Hey,” Carmine said.
“Are you busy?”
“Nah,” he replied. “Doing some practice sketches for the new restaurant. If this is an olive branch, I should at least give it a go.”
“Proud of you.”
“I’m blushing. What are you up to?”
The woods cleared and Noah found himself on moorland. It was like being on top of the world. Huge turbines lay ahead, giving the scene a sci-fi twist. A lot of people hated them. Noah didn’t.
“Are you there?”
“Sorry,” he replied. “I’ve just come from the site. I think I went the wrong way.”
“There’s only one road. You can’t have.”
“I should’ve gone left instead of right. I’m on the moors now.”
“Get the sat nav onto it. How was the site?”
Noah drove onward. The turbines surrounded him now.
“It’s going to be amazing. I could really make out the rooms and everything.”
“I’m so pleased for you.”
He saw a lay-by up ahead. Noah turned into it and stopped the car.
“Are you free Saturday night?” Noah asked.
“I can be. Why?”
“Come for dinner. I’ll invite some of the lads.”
