Page 53 of Fix Them Up
‘Yeah, I know. Artist and mechanic don’t add up. He owned a garage in Reading, but it closed when the financial crash hit in ’08. I didn’t really get the whole story because I was young, and I think my parents were trying to shield me from it.’
‘So then he decided to do up houses?’
I swallowed a sip of Guinness. ‘I think it was his way of being creative in a practical way. He could put together designs, and he had a great skill set, which meant he didn’t need to bring a lot of tradesmen in, apart from some electrical stuff.’
If I was honest, I didn’t fully know what my dad did or didn’t do on his renovation projects. On the rare occasion we would talk over the phone every few months, he never divulged much information apart from where he was in the country and what he was having for tea. Panic bubbled up inside me when I thought about how clueless I was. My dad had these plans drawn, and I could barely knock the plaster off walls without supervision.
According to Liam, at least.
‘Dad had more ambitious plans than me. I can’t afford to do this’ – I pointed at the plans – ‘and turn a profit once I sell.’
‘Let me look,’ Liam said, reaching for the plans.
I watched his dark eyes scan over the paper; his eyes widened when he read my name. The realisation that Dad had made the plans for me. I should have felt exposed, divulging that information to someone I’d only known a week, but something about Liam’s way made me feel comfortable. I knew he wouldn’t try to make me feel better with useless words. He would listen and I’d never had anyonelisten.
‘I mean, we could,’ Liam said. ‘But if you are moving back –’ He glanced up at me as if it was a question.
‘I’m moving back.’
Liam glanced away, a shadow flitting over his face. Then, he nodded. ‘You don’t want to overspend.’
‘It’s fine. We’ll continue with the plan we made. I’m happy with it.’ I forced a smile, only slightly disappointed. If not for my dad, then for me. Because I had to admit they were bigger and better than my more modest approach.
Liam tilted his head. ‘The plan we made is solid. You’ll be guaranteed a return.’
‘Fine. We keep it as is,’ I said, only a tinge of disappointment entering my voice.
I picked up the folder and took the plans out again, running my hand over the sketches. I could feel where my dad’s pencil had made grooves, and the watercolours had dried on the paper.
‘Kat?’ I heard my uncle call out from the side door of the club.
‘Out here, Brian,’ Liam called into the dark.
‘Ay up, you two.’ My uncle sat beside Liam, struggling slightly to pull his leg over the bench.
‘Alright, old man?’ Liam grinned.
‘Oi, you. You’re not too old for a good hiding, you know.’ Brian rubbed Liam’s head, messing up his hair. There was a relaxed, natural rapport between them, which made my heart hurt.
‘Kat, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought the plans here. I –’ He stuttered, looking completely overwhelmed.
‘Brian, don’t worry.’
‘I didn’t think you’d get upset.’ He cringed, and I wanted to laugh. In my experience, men of a certain age were oblivious to feelings. ‘If it helps, Sandra’s given me an earful in the middle of the club.’
The image of my auntie giving Brian a bollocking in front of everyone made me laugh.
‘It’s okay, honestly. I think being here, well, it’s just dug some things up.’
Brian nodded. Liam was watching me intently. It felt reassuring to have him here. It was weird that I’d been here about a week and felt more comfortable around Liam than with my uncle. Even if I thought Liam was still a bit… skittish around me.
‘I’m sorry, love,’ Brian said, reaching his hand over to mine. I knew my uncle was always kind and warm whenever I’d seen him, but I’d clung to the idea that they ‘sided’ with my dad throughout my life. They’d never tried to see me, so they must be the bad guys. My auntie and uncle were slowly chipping away at my resolve to keep a distance.
‘We don’t think we’ll be able to follow Dad’s plans,’ I said, glancing at Liam.
‘That’s fine. He wouldn’t have wanted them to be a burden. But keep the plans, Kat. You might buy a house someday and want some inspiration,’ Brian said, a hopeful tone in his voice.
I nodded.
