Page 28 of A Fresh Start on Crumcarey
Olive shook her head again.
‘Maybe there’s something available over at the conference centre,’ said Maggie.
‘Oh no you don’t!’ said Olive. ‘You’ll stay in my spare room before you end up over there. They’ve only got one decent room, and from what I’ve heard Joyce has commandeered it.’
‘Well… thanks!’ said Maggie, smiling at Olive. ‘I might have to take you up on that offer, you know?’
‘You’re welcome any time,’ said Olive. ‘But no need to make any plans straight away. Maybe… take a look at your place with fresh eyes this evening and see what’s what. You were still in shock this morning.’
Maggie bit her lip and nodded. Somehow, she didn’t think “fresh eyes” were going to do her any favours. And even if things did miraculously look better… she didn’t have a car to get there.
‘Head off, lovely. You’ve had a busy day,’ said Olive. ‘There’s someone waiting for you out in the carpark.’
‘There is?!’ said Maggie in surprise. For one horrible moment, her mind flew to the possibility that Russell might have suddenly reappeared. It would be typical of him to turn up just as she hit rock bottom.
Just when she’d met someone who made her toes tingle every time she thought about him.
Wait… maybe it was Luke outside?!
‘Thanks Olive!’ said Maggie, brightening up considerably at the thought. Suddenly she couldn’t wait to get out into the carpark. ‘See you tomorrow. I promise not to be late!’
Maggie practically jogged out of The Tallyaff and into the car park. Sure enough, Mr Harris’s old truck was sitting there waiting for her… but it wasn’t Luke behind the wheel.
‘Mr Harris?’ she said, opening the door. ‘You came back for me!’
‘Can’t leave you stranded at work now, can I?’ chuckled the old man. ‘Hop in. Give McGregor a shove – he likes to take up the entire seat.’
It didn’t take long for the little dog to climb into her lap and fall asleep.
‘Good day?’ said Mr Harris.
‘Not bad,’ said Maggie with a smile. ‘I mean… all things considered. It was super busy.’
‘That’s what I keep saying,’ said Mr Harris. ‘You’re busy. Roads are busy. There are people everywhere!’
Maggie grinned, wishing Luke was sitting next to her so that they could share a conspiratorial eye roll.
‘So… you got the truck back from Luke, then?’ she said.
‘Aye,’ said Mr Harris, shifting slightly in his seat. ‘He finished a bit earlier than expected and I had some things I needed to collect from here and there. Thought I’d pick you up at the same time.’
‘Well… thank you!’ said Maggie, glancing out of the window at the wing mirror. Sure enough, she could just make out a pile ofsomethingin the back of the truck, covered over in what looked very much like one of her errant tarpaulins.
Well, she certainly didn’t mind if Mr Harris needed to commandeer them - especially considering they’d blown into his field! Besides, after everything he and Luke had already done for her, she owed them both – big time!
Maggie leaned back and did her best to relax. The window was open a crack, and the fresh air was making McGregor’s ears flap around. She smiled, stroking his head. She was getting decidedly fond of this little dog!
‘Right… so… nearly at your place!’ said Mr Harris.
Maggie raised her eyebrows. She couldn’t put her finger on why, but that announcement had been a bit… odd.
Leaning forward in her seat, she peered along the road, half-dreading the first sight of her poor, battered cottage.
‘What on earth?!’ she gasped.
It… had a roof. Or…nearlya whole roof, anyway.
It looked quite strange. She was so used to seeing it covered over with green tarps that it almost felt like they were pulling up at the wrong house.
