Page 16 of Just Say Yes
‘Of that I have no doubt.’ The killer grin was back.
I shook my head. ‘Fine. Frankly I’m too tired to argue any longer.’
‘Thank you.’
I glanced across at him and caught the smile. Turning away, I looked out of the window and onto the streets of London now shiny with rain, my mind buzzing with thoughts, ideas and to-do lists… and the best smile I’d seen in years.
6
‘How’s the roof?’ Lorcan asked, meeting me halfway up the garden path and reaching out to take my suitcase.
‘Thanks,’ I said, passing it over to him. ‘It’s fine so long as it’s not raining.’
‘Going to be OK while you’re away?’
‘Tom’s going to come by and check on it.’
‘Tom?’ He raised an enquiring eyebrow, which I pointedly ignored and walked past him towards the car.
‘Morning, Maddie.’
I looked round. ‘Morning, Tom,’ I said, smiling. Tom was a few years older than me, with light brown hair and an easy smile on his handsome tanned face.
I practically heard Lorcan’s ears prick up as I spoke.
‘Ready for your trip?’ Tom asked, still smiling and taking in the sleek and expensive car Lorcan had turned up in, as well as the man himself, to whom he gave a nod.
‘Yes. Just about to head off to the airport. Thanks again for offering to keep an eye on the place. Betty volunteered but you’re obviously a bit more informed as to how much longer the roof will hold if there’s a downpour. I’ve emptied the two buckets upstairs so,’ I looked up at the sky which was currently a beautiful, crisp blue. ‘If it stays like this, it shouldn’t be a worry.’
Tom’s smile faded. ‘Heavy rain forecast for tomorrow.’
‘Seriously?’
‘Afraid so.’
‘Oh. Great. Well, I guess I just have to hope for the best.’
Tom glanced at Lorcan and then returned his gaze to me. ‘You know I’ve said I’ll fix it for you.’
‘I know, Tom, and that really is so kind of you, but I just don’t have the money to do it right now.’
‘And as I said before,’ Tom said, taking a step closer to me, his voice lowering a little, ‘you don’t have to pay right away. Just pay me when you have the money. It’s no big deal.’ He gave a shrug.
‘I can’t do that, Tom. I’d feel terrible.’
‘I’d feel worse if your house flooded and I could have prevented it.’
‘I know, and you’re so kind to even offer. I just don’t feel I can put you in that position. Besides, whatever would the rest of the village think? They’d all be after you for fix now, pay later deals.’
Tom shifted his weight, his eyes meeting mine, his expression more serious. ‘I don’t really care what the other villagers think. It’s my business and how I run it is up to me, not them.’
‘No, I know. I was just joking.’ I smiled. ‘But, fingers crossed, work seems to be picking up slowly again now so hopefully I’ll be able to book something in with you before too long.’
Tom gave a short nod and a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. ‘So, going anywhere nice for your weekend away?’
‘Ireland,’ I replied.
‘Nice. Hopefully the weather will be better there.’
