‘And my fees,’ he smoothly added, smiling smugly.
‘Yes, of course. Thank you so much.’
‘Goodbye, Miss Wright.’
So, there it was, all arranged. When Cassie regaled the whole conversation to Rory, he couldn’t help but be impressed. The girl had no shame!
‘But we haven’t even contacted the local press, or anyone else for that matter,’ he’d said incredulously. She’d practically promised this architect a complete marketing promotion!
‘All in good time,’ Cassie replied calmly. ‘That’s the next job.’
Rory blinked. She was a whirlwind. But then, wasn’t he at times? He’d truly met his match. The corners of his mouth started to twitch.
‘What?’ asked Cassie, catching his expression.
‘You,’ he said shaking his head. ‘You know no bounds, full steam ahead.’ Then he did laugh and couldn’t stop. Cassie stared at him, bemused. Seeing him literally double over, she couldn’t help but start giggling too. After a while, she wiped her eyes and calmed down.
‘Seriously though, Rory, we’re going to have to plug the Climate Warrior thing. It’s no good being coy, it’s too good a marketing tool.’
‘I know,’ he nodded. At least this time when he faced the media it would be on his terms, having invited them on his land, as opposed to being hounded on the streets of London. He’d have control of who and how many would be involved, only giving interviews when it suited him. Here, in Lilacwell, living on a private estate, nobody could trespass and follow him. He had privacy and protection, without being confronted by all and sundry hurling questions or accusations. But most of all, he had Cassie, his partner, who was more than feisty enough to support him.
‘I’ll make a start by contacting the Clitheroe Post,’ Cassie continued, obviously having given the matter some thought. ‘And Lancashire Lifestyle magazine,’ she added. ‘Plus, Red Rose Radio, see if they want to interview you.’
‘Us,’ corrected Rory.
‘Yes, us,’ she beamed, loving the idea of being a local celebrity. ‘Then, I thought of local TV, Granada Reports maybe? I’m sure they’d love to see us.’
Rory smiled, she really was on a roll. ‘Why not?’ he replied.
‘Blimey, this is a full-time job already and we’ve not even started,’ remarked Cassie, suddenly realising the enormity of what lay ahead.
‘Just wait until you’re knee deep, shovelling muck,’ said Rory.
‘Oh, bring it on,’ laughed Cassie. ‘As long as I look good for the cameras!’ As promised, David Higham’s secretary sent the email outlining the terms and conditions of any possible contract. Rory whistled when seeing the approximate costs acting as a guide.
‘He doesn’t come cheap, does he?’ he winced.
‘No, but you said yourself he’s probably the best,’ replied Cassie. ‘Let’s just hope we get that grant to help us.’
Rory had secured a mortgage with the Ecology Building Society, who had advised him that, in some cases, local councils would consider giving a grant to an eco project. With nothing to lose, Rory had immediately contacted the Lancashire County Council and was awaiting their response.
Monday soon came and David was due to meet them on site, where the barn was standing. Colin had kindly lent them his office for discussions and any rough drafts of plans they would make after viewing the building.
On time, David Higham’s Range Rover pulled onto the field. He’d obviously come dressed for the occasion in his check shirt, waxed jacket, flat cap and wellies.
‘Pleased to meet you, Rory,’ he said, hand outstretched. Cassie smiled wryly to herself, she had been ‘Miss Wright’. Rory’s reputation exceeded him it seemed, giving a sense of familiarity to strangers. He turned. ‘And you must be—’
‘Cassie,’ she supplied and shook his hand.
‘Right, let’s see what we have here.’ David rubbed his hands together.
After spending a good hour looking at the dilapidated barn, the three of them went into the estate office. Colin had thoughtfully left them drinking facilities to warm up and Cassie made them all a mug of hot tea and joined Rory and David poring over proposed plans.
‘We have approval to change the use of the barn,’ said Rory, ‘and an ecological assessment is in the process of being done.’
‘There shouldn’t be a problem, as you’re only renovating the original footprint of the building,’ David told them. He then sketched out a rough plan following the brief Rory had given him and what they’d just discussed. ‘We need to take advantage of the scale of space in a barn, using the minimum of structural intervention,’ he advised, as his pencil moved in short, sharp movements. ‘A barn lends itself to so much of what we want in a modern home – space, height and massive openings for walls of glass,’ he continued. All the time Rory and Cassie sat mesmerised. ‘They allow for experimentation in affordable, interesting materials too. Metal, timber, fibreboard, rubber, you name it, pretty much anything goes with these buildings. But the main thing is—’ Rory’s head shot up with interest, ‘not to try and make them what they are not.’
‘Absolutely,’ he agreed with passion. ‘We must maintain the integrity of the barn.’
