Twelve
Bob, the electrician, and Colin, the plumber both arrived at eight. After yesterday, Lara had completely forgotten they were coming and although she was up, showered and dressed, she was still half asleep. She hadn’t slept well and had tossed and turned for most of the night, much to Nicodemus’ displeasure. He let it be known that she should stop fidgeting, by plonking himself on top of her at one point, which didn’t help at all with Lara’s sleep.
At least the weather was better this morning. The sky was a bluey-grey and the sun was coming out between a mixture of slate grey and off-white clouds. The air, when Lara opened the front door to let Bob and Colin in, was warmer than it had been yesterday, which was an added bonus, bearing in mind the heating would be off all day while Colin worked on it.
‘Hi,’ she said, forcing a smile and a cheery tone. ‘I forgot you were coming today.’
‘We heard about Tom,’ Bob said, stepping into the hall and giving the cardboard box cat tray the side-eye, ‘so I can see why.You’re a bit of a heroine in Bluewater Bay for saving his life. Tom’s highly respected around here.’
Colin nodded. ‘And not just in Bluewater Bay. Mention his name anywhere in this county and most people will have heard of Tom, or at the very least, Bright Bonn Construction.’
‘Bright Bonn Construction?’ Lara repeated. ‘Oh, how lovely. He included his wife’s name in his business.’
‘He included Bonnie in everything,’ said Bob. ‘Tom and Bonnie were joined at the hip. Have you got a cat?’
‘What? Oh yes. I’ve been adopted by a stray. At least, I think he’s a stray. I’m going to ask in the pet shop if anyone around here has lost a black cat.’
‘I’m allergic to cats,’ Bob said, glaring at the box at if it might attack him.
‘Oh. Will that be a problem? As it’s a nice day I might be able to coax him outside for a while, but I can’t promise he won’t get back in. He got in somehow on my first night here.’
Bob screwed his mouth into strange shape and then let out a trumpet of a sigh.
‘We’ll have to see, I suppose. If you hadn’t done what you did for Tom, I’d be out of here. They make me sneeze.’
‘I’m sorry. Let me know if it’s a problem and we’ll see what can be done. I think he’ll probably be on my … in my bedroom all day.’ She was going to be careful about mentioning her bed after Jenny’s interpretation of Jasper’s reaction yesterday.
‘Fine. I’ll leave that room till last. If you can open the windows when I’m in there, that might help.’
‘My old gran said a squirt of salt water up your nose helps,’ Colin offered.
‘I’ll go for a dip in the sea then,’ Bob joked. At least he had a sense of humour.
‘Would you like tea or coffee before you start?’ Lara asked.
‘No thanks,’ they said in unison.
‘We’ll crack on,’ Colin said. ‘I’ve got an apprentice coming to join me, but like all teenagers he’s still in bed.’ He grinned. ‘He’s my son. He’ll be here in about an hour.’
‘A mate’s joining me later,’ added Bob. ‘Not my son. My nephew.’
‘Family businesses?’ Lara said. ‘That’s always good. Erm. Did Tom’s son join Tom’s business?’ She knew he must have had a son because Jasper had Tom’s surname. And yet Tom hadn’t mentioned his son, only his grandson.
‘Yep,’ Bob confirmed. ‘Until the day he retired and moved to Spain. Wanted Tom to go with him but Tom will leave that cottage and Bluewater Bay in a box and not before. Which won’t be for years yet,’ he added hastily.
‘That’s interesting. Why didn’t Jasper join the family business? Just out of curiosity.’
The men exchanged glances as they sorted out their various tools.
‘Wanted the bright lights of the City,’ said Colin. ‘Not the ‘Bright’ future his dad and granddad were offering.’
Lara grinned at his play on words. ‘Tom and his son must’ve been a little sad about that.’
She wasn’t sure whether to be pleased or disappointed that neither man responded. It was good they didn’t gossip about Tom and his son and grandson. Although they had divulged that the son now lived in Spain.
‘We’d best get on,’ said Bob. ‘We’ll try not to cause too much mess.’
‘Don’t worry. I’ve … Oh no. I’ve just realised the cleaners will be here again this morning. I wanted the cottage cleaned beforehand, but it seems a bit counter-productive today while you’re working here. I’ll try and call them and see if I can book them for another day.’
