‘Where there’s a will there’s a way,’ she muttered, trying to raise her end. ‘We need to lift it a bit higher and then?—’
‘No shit, Sherlock. Why didn’t I think of that?’ groused Leo, still unable to believe that Anna had persuaded him to do this.
‘If you push it that way,’ she suggested.
‘No, it needs to go higher.’
‘I’m not?—’
‘Do you need some help?’ asked a dry, amused voice and Leo glanced down through the railings to see Jan.
‘Yes, please. We appear to be stuck.’
Jan came closer to investigate. ‘And you didn’t think that perhaps the legs could be removed?’ he asked, studying the underside of the table.
‘Outside my area of expertise?’ said Leo, frustration edging his words at the obvious solution.
Anna slapped her forehead. ‘Of course. I’m so stupid.’ She lowered her end. ‘I don’t suppose you’ve got a screwdriver we could borrow, have you?’
‘You’re talking to a Czech man,’ said Michaela with a bright laugh as she appeared from behind Jan. ‘He haszlaté ceské rucicky– golden, little hands. We Czechs are very resourceful and inventive.’
‘Great. Sooner rather than later would be good,’ said Leo. Being wedged against the wall with a table top digging into his shoulder wasn’t the most comfortable position he’d ever found himself in.
‘Sorry. I’ll go now.’
As Jan disappeared into the other apartment, Michaela peered at the table. ‘Where did you get it?’
‘From a skip on the street,’ said Anna. ‘I think I can do something with it. And if it goes wrong, it was free.’
Leo appraised Anna from behind the table. ‘I didn’t know you were a D.I.Y. buff.’
‘There’s a lot you don’t know about me,’ she said with an arch expression, one that he did know well, and it reminded him of all the things he did know about her, like the sounds she made in her sleep, her habit of burrowing into the duvet as soon as she woke up and how she’d slept, curled up and tucked in next to him, her knees nudging his bottom. The memory of her soft body next to him sent a quick surge of awareness through him and he had to hurriedly think of cold showers, porridge and slugs to divert the blood flow that had decided to head south. In his awkward position it was almost impossible to adjust his jeans.
‘Yes. I’ve seen loads of reels on Instagram where people upcycle things. I’ve been really inspired and I’ve tried a few things at home. Look,’ Anna said showing Michaela her phone Jan set to work taking the legs off the table. ‘This one is one of my favourites. Look how they make this old cabinet look so much better. Watch. I reckon I could do that.’
Together they watched the reel and Michaela beamed at her. ‘I have an old bureau of my aunt’s at thechata. It’s useful but not pretty but I can see how I could make it look so much better. What are you doing this weekend?’ she asked suddenly.
‘We’re going on a food tour of the city, “The Best of Prague”,’ volunteered Leo. ‘It’s been organised bySdílená Kulturafor us.’
‘Oh!’ Michaela’s eyes widened with quick envy. ‘I did that tour last year. Even though we live in Prague we still learned so much. It’s amazing. You’ll have so much fun but don’t eat before you go, whatever you do. And don’t plan to eat afterwards. It’s a shame, I was going to invite you to come to thechata.’
‘You know what she really wants,’ teased Jan. ‘Some extra labour.’
Michaela shot him a quick, naughty grin. ‘Maybe you could come with us the next time. It would be so much fun, wouldn’t it, Jan?’ Michaela clapped her hands.
‘Yes.’ Jan gave them a cheerful grin. ‘Sweeping, cleaning, chopping, sawing. So much fun without all the modern luxuries. You haven’t warned them that it’s very basic? We have no furniture and the beds are blow-up mattresses. You have to bring your own bedding. And there is very limited hot water.’ He beamed before adding, ‘I put in a solar water heater for my uncle last summer. Before then there wasnohot water.’
‘You put it in yourself?’ said Anna, her eyes lighting up with instant admiration.
‘I told you, he has golden hands.’
‘I’m not sure you should be telling everyone that,’ Leo muttered. ‘People might get the wrong idea.’
Michaela frowned, not following.
Anna rolled her eyes. ‘He’s being rude.’
Jan, who got it, grinned and wiggled his fingers towards his girlfriend. ‘I’ve got golden hands.’
