Page 50 of Fix Them Up
‘RSJ?’
‘Rolled steel joist,’ Freddie explained proudly.
‘That wall you wanted to remove was load bearing. So, we need to put a steel in to support your house, or it could collapse.’
‘I couldn’t have done that myself,’ I said, less of a question, more of a statement.
‘No.’ Jack grinned. ‘Unless you wanted a big mess on your hands. Liam has done this a million times, though. He knows what he’s doing.’
Liam and the engineer were looking over some plans and talking. Eventually, the engineer nodded and left the house.
‘Right,’ Liam said, ‘let’s get the props in, and then we can start knocking down the wall.’ I brightened at his words. I could help. Liam’s eyes met mine and narrowed. ‘Kat…’ he warned.
‘Oh, come on. Look at me.’ I gestured to myself. ‘I’ve done a whole upstairs on my own while you slackers were down here. What’s the difference with this wall?’
‘I think she’s earned it, boss.’ Jack grinned, and Liam narrowed his eyes.
Liam huffed. ‘Fine.’
Once the props were in to hold up the house, I grinned as Jack passed me a hammer. As I hit the wall again and again, earning a ‘Jesus, who hurt you?’ comment from Jack, I imagined the perfect shaker-style kitchen with a big island. Pristine granite worktops. An Italian coffee machine. I imagined making coffee with that machine, the morning sun streaming through the window. A faceless man coming up behind me and planting a kiss on my shoulder.
Once the wall was demolished, mainly by me, because the guys didn’t want to get near me and a swinging hammer, I stepped back.
‘Looks good,’ Jack said, and Liam grunted in agreement. The space was huge now, maximising the room’s light, even through the old milky windowpanes.
Once we were tidied up, Liam turned to me. ‘Right – we’re done for the day. Do you want to hang around here or come home with me?’
I went a bit pink at his words as Jack and Freddie exchanged a look behind Liam’s back.
‘Oh,’ I started. ‘I was going to ask if I could buy you all a drink. To say thank you for starting this so quickly. And for all your hard work this week.’
Liam opened his mouth to reply, but nothing came out. Jack gave Liam a nudge on the shoulder. Usually, I wouldn’t dream of looking this messy, but the social club seemed pretty relaxed. I could probably brush out most of the dust and I was too tired to change. I could barely lift my arms; they hurt so much.
‘Ah – I can’t. But you guys go,’ Liam replied.
My face crumpled. ‘Come on, Liam. It’s Friday. And just one drink. Not alcoholic, obviously.’
Liam stared at me for several moments, pushing his hair out of his face as I did my best to give him that ‘Disney princess’ look he’d mentioned earlier.
When he glanced away, I knew I’d won. I couldn’t hold back the wide grin that took over my face.
‘One drink.’
‘Perfect.’
Chapter Sixteen
The smell of cedar hit my senses as Liam sat back down next to me, handing me another Guinness and a packet of crisps.
‘Thank you.’
Freddie and Jack were across the club, throwing darts. Jack laughed as Freddie hit the cork instead of the dartboard. For the third time.
‘No worries,’ Liam said, his eyes softening as they met mine.
Sometimes, I could see a glimmer of softness when he was speaking to Sandra or on the phone with one of his elderly clients. And sometimes, he looked at me with his soft brown eyes, his face unguarded. But then, he remembered who I was and assumed his blank, removed expression and I hated how much I missed that soft look.
The doors to the club swung open, and Uncle Brian walked in with his usual mop of unruly ginger hair. The only thing we had in common. Brian scanned the room and looked relieved to see me sitting at the table with Liam. I’d never understand what I’d done to deserve that relieved look.
