Page 33 of A Fresh Start on Crumcarey
Maggie couldn’t help but nod as the reality of that logic sunk in. It was a small community – people either wanted your stuff… or they didn’t. There weren’t really many other options after that – other than stashing things away in increasingly packed outbuildings.
Even so, she felt like she’d been given a pot of gold with all these gifts. There was furniture, kitchen equipment – and there was even a back boiler for her wood burner turning up in the morning.
‘It’ll give you hot running water!’ said Luke. ‘Someone bought it for their own stove, but they were sent the wrong size and the supplier didn’t want it back!’
‘But… that’s amazing,’ said Maggie, shaking her head. ‘I’ll need to find someone to plumb it in, though.’
‘It’ll be done before you even get back from work,’ chuckled Luke. Then his face became serious. ‘If… if you want it to be, of course.’
‘Of course!’ said Maggie. ‘I mean… yes please! I have no idea how I’ll ever re-pay you both, I—’
‘Enough of all that, lass,’ said Mr Harris gently. ‘There’ll be a time when someone needs something you can offer, and you won’t even think twice about it. It’s the way it works. Always has, always will.’
Maggie thought about arguing again, and then simply nodded. It was starting to sink in. She was a member of this community – and this was a part of what that meant.
At long last, the back of Mr Harris’s truck was empty and the cottage was decidedly fuller than it had been that morning. It didn’t feel cramped, though – just full of possibilities.
‘I think it might be time to leave you to it for a bit?’ said Luke gently, catching her yawning widely with her backside propped against the edge of her new kitchen table.
‘Should I make a list of what’s happening tomorrow?’ she said, through another howling yawn.
‘No need, unless you want to?’ said Luke. ‘I’ll get the back boiler hooked up, and we’ll go from there?’
‘Thank you – both of you – for the best surprise!’ she said.
‘Grand lass, see you tomorrow for morning coffee?’ said Mr Harris. ‘I can give you a lift again if you’d like?’
‘Oh!’ said Maggie, who hadn’t even thought about that.
‘Your car’s fine and good to go,’ said Luke. ‘Connor checked it over earlier…’
‘That’s brilliant!’ said Maggie, shaking her head as the sense of overwhelm threatened to hit her again.
‘I’ll be here to pick you up about ten minutes before your shift, then?’ said Mr Harris.
‘But…’ Maggie stopped herself from turning the offer down out of sheer idiotic politeness. ‘Thank you – I’d love that.’
‘Grand. Right, lad, let’s get out of here,’ said Mr Harris, and Maggie watched him tug at Luke’s sleeve.
‘You’ve forgotten something!’ she said with a grin, as she spotted a small heap snuggled up on her discarded jumper.
‘What?’ said Luke in surprise.
Maggie didn’t miss the strange look on his face. Was that…hope?She shook her head. She was tired and probably not thinking straight. There was no way he was expecting – or hoping for - a kiss… was there?
She wished!
‘McGregor!’ she said, her voice coming out in a husky rasp as she pointed at the snoozing dog.
‘Well, he’s certainly made himself at home!’ laughed Mr Harris. ‘Luke, will you do the honours?’
Luke nodded, and then with a small smile in Maggie’s direction, he scooped the little dog up in his arms.
Maggie stepped towards the pair of them and stroked McGregor’s silky ears.
‘Thanks for all your help,’ she said.
‘It’s no problem,’ said Luke.
